“Believe me, I do. I have been unable to forget you, Heather, though God knows I’ve tried.” When she started to speak, he held up an elegant hand. “Please, my dear, hear me out. I’ve spent the past thirty miles working up the courage to say this. Please … won’t you sit down?”

When she complied and sank a bit dazedly into the seat beside him, Evan took a deep breath. “I made the worst mistake of my life letting you go. And I’ve come to beg you to give me another chance. Believe me, I am quite serious when I ask you to consider divorce.”

“But … the scandal… Surely you wouldn’t wish to wed a divorcée.”

His smile was rueful, edged with selfdeprecating charm. “I fancy my consequence in society is high enough to weather a scandal. But even if not, it would be worth the risk to have you by my side.”

Was he truly in earnest? Heather wondered, still reeling in shock.

He apparently saw her confusion and reached out to gently take her hand. “If I thought you happy here, I would never dream of making so bold a proposal. But you aren’t happy.”

“That doesn’t mean,” she replied in a low voice, “that you and I would suit. I could never be the wife you desired, Evan. You’ve always seen me as a pretty ornament for your empire.”

“Perhaps I once did. But with you gone from my life, I realized what a gem you were. I was wrong, not giving you the respect you deserved … not appreciating or valuing you properly. I should never have taken winning you for granted.”

“Evan, that is all in the past now.”

“But it needn’t be. Please, my dear… can you not give me reason to hope?”

“I … I’m not certain what to say.”

“Say you will consider my proposal at least.”

“Evan… I can’t.”

His voice lowered. “Perhaps you cannot forgive me for my despicable behavior when we last met.”

“That isn’t the reason.”

“Heather, I wish you to know how deeply I regret my behavior that day. It was unpardonable. I cannot remember that incident without cringing.”

“You needn’t apologize again, Evan. You did so quite adequately at the time. Lending your private railroad car for our wedding trip was a generous gesture.”

“It scarcely seems sufficient after my barbarous treatment of you.”

“I have put it out of my mind, I assure you.”

“Then you are not sorry to see me?”

“No … not at all. Truly, it is good to see you,” Heather replied, and was surprised at how much she meant it. “But I cannot marry you.”

“I would understand if you don’t wish to return to St. Louis. If you prefer to remain here in Colorado, I can buy you a dozen ranches.”