As her warm breath wafted over his skin, the affection he held for her intensified. They would have this day and all the days that followed.

“But it wouldn’t be fair.”

She lifted her gaze, and he realized the tears weren’t brought on by his fervent desire to have her with him, but by something else, something that caused her sadness, was crushing her, and dread slithered through him.

“I did something rather foolish last night.”

“You regret coming here?”

Quickly, she shook her head, loosened her tight hold on his fingers that was causing them to ache, and cupped his jaw in her hand. “Never. The moments spent with you were the most beautiful, wonderful of my life. I’ll never forget them. I’ll never forget you.”

Her words made no sense whatsoever. It was almost as though she were striving to say goodbye, to end things between them when they’d only just truly begun. “What are telling me, Fancy?”

“Oh God, Matthew, this is so hard.”

Tears were rolling down her cheeks now, and it took everything within him not to gather them up with his thumbs. But something was wrong, terribly wrong. “Just spit it out. We’ve always spoken honestly with each other.”

With a nod, she licked her lips. “At last night’s ball, I was caught in a compromising situation with Lord Beresford.”

Suddenly it was as though the ocean had entered his head, the roar of waves crashing against his skull, drowning out all thought. “Beresford?”

“I told you about him calling on me. He’s an earl—”

“I know who the bloody hell he is.”

Releasing his hold on her, he stepped back, the anger shimmering through him, the betrayal slicing at him. He’d thought her different, but she was just like Elise, just like Sylvie, just like his mother. She wanted a title and was willing to do anything to get it. He’d almost offered the conniving wench his.

“Mick is meeting with Beresford this afternoon.” She extended a hand imploringly. “I have no choice but to marry him.”

In order to gain her damned title. Under his breath, he released a harsh curse and turned away from her. She’d have her lord. If only she’d waited—

What a fool he’d been to think she’d valued him over a title. That was all she wanted of the man. For Christ’s sake, she’d lured Beresford into a trap and then come to Matthew’s bed. “Get out.”

“Matthew, it wasn’t my intention to hurt you. I just wanted one more night with you. You are so special to me.”

He swung around. “Someone so damned special that you placed yourself in a compromising situation in order to capture your damned lord?”

She looked as though he’d struck her. “You think I wanted to be found in a compromising situation?”