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eldest and as such I am to set an example.. I am naught but a woman who needs to know her place."

Nathan who usually handled problems with humor ,slumped his six feet two frame in defeat. "I wish that I could wish you happiness. But, I find that I could never lie to you. This is a travesty if you ask my opinion on the subject."

Reaching her gloved hand out, she caressed his newly shaven cheek, smiling gently. "At least I will always have you as a friend. I can live rather happily knowing that fact."

13
The heat from her hand and the glow of her smile made him rather sad. Bitterness ate at him but, he had to let her know that he still cared. Encompassing her hand with his, he held fast to her as if her fingers were some anchor to his sanity. "If only this future husband of yours will allow it."

Righteous indignation made her lithe body puff up in anger, she boldly inched forward and declared. "I will insist that you visit from time to time.. I will not lose all that is near and dear to me."

Her nearness made him realize finally what had changed. He knew what he had to do. This would have to count, he would have to leave her with something that she nor he would ever forget. His chance had come to finally do what he obviously wanted to do for years but had not known until this very moment. Without warning or time for her to react, he pressed his mouth quickly against hers.

Olivia stilled, feeling vaguely the foreign sensation of Nathan's lips. But, no sooner than he had pressed them to hers, he quickly retreated and deposited her harshly on her seat. "Here's hoping that you receive your fondest wish. That we don't lose this."

For the rest of the trip, Nathan avoided her eyes and refused any further conversation. He dropped her off with nary a word, his carriage starting off as she waved back at him as if in a daze.

The very next day she sent out a note hoping that they could speak of what had happened between them. But, as the weeks passed the note went unanswered. Olivia could only sit in her room and wait for the response that never came. It had been as if their friendship had never existed and she began to grow numb. Each night she hugged herself as she cried herself to sleep. . . .

Nathan had seen the note, had even opened and read it to himself every night before he retired to bed. Every time the note still said the same thing. She wished to know what had changed between them and he could not answer her. He had time to think things over and the conclusion he had come to hurt him more than words can say.

No matter what he felt for her it would never change what had been set into motion. She was to marry the Baron and there would nothing he could do. Because of this youthful indiscretion he could not afford to sully her name with his. He could not go to her because if he did, he knew what would happen.

If he saw her again, he would want to do something as insane as to want to marry her himself. She did not need such a stain and it would not be any good for her. His decision had been rather selfish he knew but, in the end she would thank him.

Learn more about this author, Angela Arno.
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