Suzette shifted her eyes from the window she’d been staring at, the window Daniel had entered through the night before, and glanced to the door as Lisa entered and moved toward her.

“You’re always up with the birds. Are you not feeling well this morning?” Lisa asked with concern.

Suzette grimaced and turned her gaze back to the window with a small shrug. She wasn’t exactly sick, unless it was sick with worry. She had been lying here for quite a while now, simply allowing the events of the night before to replay in her head. The more she recalled them, the more concerned she was. When she’d found Daniel in her room, she’d been positive things would be all right. He had come to agree to her proposal. They’d marry, she’d pay off the gambling debts and all would be well.

The two passionate encounters they’d shared—first here in her room and then in the carriage—had only solidified her certainty in her mind. But the end of the night had left her in turmoil. Daniel had been so cold and curt at the end as he’d set her down, straightened her clothes and said they should leave things until today as agreed. After that he’d fled as if the hounds of hell were on his heels and she couldn’t help fearing he’d had second thoughts, that perhaps she’d done something wrong and he’d reconsidered.

Perhaps she shouldn’t have been so responsive to his kisses, Suzette thought with a frown. Perhaps he now feared she may be free with her favors. Or perhaps he was one of those men who expected women to dislike participating in such carnal delights and was disgusted by the pleasure she’d taken in his caresses and kisses. And she had taken pleasure in them. Suzette had never before experienced such raw and powerful need in her life. In fact, she’d never even come close. She’d never even been kissed before Daniel.

Suzette didn’t know what she would do if he returned today with the news that he had decided not to accept her proposal. She supposed she would have to find another man to replace him, but the problem was that she wasn’t sure that was possible. She couldn’t imagine any of the other men she’d met last night drawing such pleasure and passion from her. The very idea of allowing any of them to touch and caress her as Daniel had done last night left her cold. It didn’t bode well for the future if she was married to a man who couldn’t stir her passion as Daniel had. Especially now that she’d tasted that pleasure.

“Suzy?” Lisa asked uncertainly, settling on the edge of her bed.

Sighing, she glanced to her and forced a smile. “I am fine. I just felt lazy this morning.”