“If you were pregnant with my child, Alexandra, you and your ‘baby bump’ would be a lot farther along. Don’t even think you can blame an unplanned pregnancy on me. But I’d be delighted to see the DNA tests you can come up with. And so will my lawyer.”
She took a step back — a very wise move indeed.
Liam felt Whitney trying to pull away from him, trying to escape, but he wasn’t letting her go. Certainly not because of the spoiled and twisted woman standing in front of him.
“You’re a fool, Liam. You were promised to me, and I would have made the perfect wife for you. I have a name and a pedigree that you could be proud of. And I’d have turned my head when you had your sad little indiscretions, as men like you always do. Do you honestly think this peasant would do the same?”
Liam was rarely surprised, but he had to admit he hadn’t been expecting this level of animosity from Alexandra. They hadn’t clicked at all, and when they’d parted, he’d thought she had been as fine with it as he was. Obviously he was wrong.
“I feel sorry for you, Alexandra. Sorry for you, and for the bitterness and the darkness that seems to drive you. Yes, I’ve been there myself. But I’m trying to let go of my demons. You might try that, too.”
She growled — actually growled — at him before turning her full attention to Whitney. After giving this peasant a high-bred sneer, Alexandra gave her these words of wisdom: “Don’t think you won’t be discarded just as easily. He grows bored quickly, and you’re not in his class. Not even close.” The woman turned on her four-inch heels and glided from the room.
When he turned back to Whitney, her cheeks were washed of any color and she looked on the verge of tears. He pulled her close and held her for a moment. In front of everyone.
“I’m so sorry you had to witness that, Whitney. But please don’t let her ruin our night. She just isn’t worth it.”
“What she says is true, though. I’m nothing special. I’m just a girl from a small town with nothing to offer. We both know this is all a fantasy for someone like me. I can’t compete, and I have no desire to play these games that you and your friends seem to be so fond of,” she said before taking a breath. “I can’t imagine ever saying the horrible things that woman just said, or making a spectacle of myself in a room full of my peers. Yet even though I don’t want to be the center of attention, that’s exactly what’s happened. I’ve been forced into a drama that I didn’t ask to be involved in.”
“You’re absolutely right. What she did was unforgiveable, and I should have stopped it sooner. I keep having to ask for your forgiveness,” he said, “and that pains me. I just hope that your kind heart keeps accepting the apologies.”
As he saw her eyes welling up, he wanted to kiss them away and make her happy somehow. That was definitely a first for him. He’d never fallen prey to women’s tears.
“I feel so insignificant in your world, Liam.”
“You can’t imagine how valuable you are, so much more than anyone else in this room.”
“Please don’t say such ridiculous things to me,” she said before ducking her head. “I really should go.”
She tried pulling away, but he cupped her cheek with his long fingers and ran his thumb along her satin skin. He then bent down and brushed his lips across hers.
“You’re beautiful, Whitney, beautiful inside and out, and I’m not letting you leave like this. This night will end on a positive note.”
“You make me want to stay, Liam,” she told him, allowing him to relax just a little.
“Then stay.” It was that simple.
“Even if I know one night can’t possibly change anything?”
“One night can shape a lifetime, Whitney.”
“I’m not going to bed with you again, Liam.”
He pulled her closer to him. “Ah, my beautiful Whitney, never say never,” he told her with a smile. “For now, let’s just continue dancing.” He stopped speaking and spun her in a circle, hoping to make her forget about anything but the two of them.
Once Alexandra departed and the melodrama of the evening dissipated, the people quickly forgot. They’d simply await the next big social scandal.
As Liam held Whitney tightly in his arms, he realized that he felt more at peace than he ever had. It was time to admit that he wouldn’t let this woman get away. He just needed to come to terms with that — and sooner, rather than later.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Whitney couldn’t sleep. She was more attached to Christmas than even the children were — how was that possible? — and this year was more intense than most. The last few days had been enchanted.