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She swallowed visibly and blinked. “I don’t know what to think.”

The dinner gong sounded at that moment, and he offered her his arm to escort her to the dining room. At least it seemed they were being permitted to sit together at dinner.

Seated beside him, she said, “I understand your sister is here. I had thought you were not close?”

“We were not used to be, but she requested I deputize for her husband as escort this year for Sophie’s come out—he’s been sent to America. We have spent more time together in the last three weeks than we have in years,” he admitted.

“Does she know?” she asked softly.

“Not all the details. She was delighted when I told her. Speak to her after dinner. She will welcome you like a sister, I promise. In fact, she would like your help with Sophie, if you would care to assist. Letty is expecting, and the pregnancy is trying at her age.”

“Oh!” Ava flushed faintly and her eyes softened. “Of course, I’d be delighted.”

She picked up her wineglass and swallowed a generous mouthful. His eyes followed the line of her graceful neck, and he suppressed the ache of longing to press his lips to her soft skin. He would have that right twenty-four hours from now. A flood of heat invaded his body at the thought, and all the things he had been keeping at bay threatened to breach the dam he had placed in his head to keep them out. He shoved back on it hard. He had to maintain some semblance of control. Every eye and ear around the table was no doubt straining to catch their conversation.

He offered her a dish of poached chicken in white wine sauce, and she took a small serving.

“They’re all watching us, aren’t they?” she murmured, her eyes on her plate.

“Yes.”

“Robert is terrified I’ll do something outrageous.”

“Are you going to?”

She glanced up at him under her lashes, and he swallowed. His left hand was squeezing his fork so tightly, he was surprised he didn’t bend the handle.

“That depends on whether I’m provoked.”

“Ava—”

She smiled and reached for her wineglass again. “Don’t fret, I’m just teasing. I’ve promised to behave. If I don’t, I fear Robert will have an apoplexy. He’s already threatened to lock me up!”

“He’s what?” He kept his voice down with difficulty and watched her toying with the food. She’d barely eaten anything. Neither had he.

She smiled again and took another sip of wine.

“He never said such a thing!”

“He did. He said if I went near you before the wedding, he’d do just that. He doesn’t mean for us to be alone again until after we are safely married. He doesn’t trust me.”

There was some sense in that. He wasn’t sure his self-control could handle Ava in this mood. She wasn’t the only one on a knife’s edge. But he was older and should be able to control himself, even if she couldn’t. “In the circumstances, that is probably sensible, but I don’t like him threatening you, and I will tell him so.”

She looked up at him, startled. “You would defend me?”

“Of course. You’re going to be my wife, Ava. You’re my responsibility now.”

“Oh.” She looked away, but not before he caught the glint of moisture in her eyes. She was so close to breaking down. He covered her hand with his and squeezed.

“You’ve been through hell, haven’t you?” He spoke roughly.

“Yes.” She picked up her wineglass and took another sip.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured.

“It should be me that is apologizing to you, not the other way around. I forced you into this. It’s my fault.” She kept her chin up, but he could see what it was costing her.

He wanted desperately to take her in his arms and comfort her, but to do so on top of all that had gone before would just make bad worse.