That was the rub that was frustrating him, and yet she could see no way around it. He wanted to treat her at all times as he did when they were alone, yet he had to marry her to do so, and she wouldn’t let him. And his insisting that they marry and her continued refusal was putting a strain on their relationship. One of them was going to have to give in, and as far as Molly was concerned, it wasn’t going to be her.

She was nearly dressed before she put a damper on his morning with what she had to say, but it had to be said. “Do I need to hide from you in the day, Jason, while your family is here?”

He sat up more fully in the bed, where he had been lazily watching her as she went about her morning toilet. “Where did that question come from?”

“From the way you were looking at me yesterday in the dining room, which anyone there could have noticed. This isn’t the first time. What has gotten into you, that you so forget that I’m merely your housekeeper?”

“The fact that you aren’t merely my housekeeper?” he countered, but then sighed, admitting, “I think it’s this time of year, Molly. I can’t help but recall that it was at Christmas that Derek overcame Kelsey’s objections to marrying him, and her reasons had been the same as yours.”

She was surprised to hear that, that the very season was making him brood about it, and was quick to point out, “But there’s a huge difference and you know it. Good God, Jason, she descends from a duke. Anyone can be forgiven with such an illustrious family as hers. Besides, the scandal she feared was avoided completely. Yours wouldn’t be.”

“How many times do I have to assure you that I don’t care anymore? I want you for my wife, Molly. I obtained a special licence to marry you years ago. All you have to do is say yes and we could be married today.”

“Oh, Jason, you’re going to make me cry,” she said sadly. “You know I’d like nothing better. But one of us has to consider the consequences, and since you won’t, I must. And letting your family know, which you seem to be trying to do inadvertently, won’t change anything, it will merely embarrass me horribly. I have a measure of respect in this household. I will have none if it becomes common knowledge that I’m your mistress.”

He came to her then, completely naked as he still was and without a thought for it, to draw her into his arms. She heard his sigh before he said, “You don’t think with your heart enough.”

“And you don’t think with your mind enough—lately,” she rejoined.

He leaned back to give her a wry smile. “Well, we can agree on that at least.”

Her hand rose to caress his cheek. “Jason, let it go, it can never happen. I’m sorry that my birth was common. I’m sorry that your peers would never accept me as one of their members, whether you marry me or not. I can’t change any of that. I can only continue to love you and try to make you happy as best I can. You have to let it go.”