Bettina swallowed hard, his silence maddening. “We both know that after what happened between us, you should offer me marriage.” Her stomach gurgled. “You must find your wife and ask for a divorce.”

“Divorce?” Everett said the word as if it tasted bitter on his tongue. He raised his eyes, a deep disturbance turning them opaque. He stepped back from her. “You do realize that divorce takes an Act of Parliament?”

“But it is the only outcome to be expected.” Bettina walked to the settee, picked up her kerchief and draped it around her neck, fingers trembling. She struggled to steady her voice. “We cannot go on like this. Do you not want something more?”

He walked up to her again and put his arms around her. “More? Of course I do. But such an act is rarely done, and extremely expensive. The legalities are complex, with many issues to consider.”

“There is nothing to consider. You make it sound like a business transaction.” Fear crept up in her, twisting her gut, yet she stayed in his embrace and kept her voice soft. “I deserve more. If you care about me as you say, you would want to make an honest woman of me.”

Everett kissed her cheek. Lines she hadn’t noticed before appeared around his eyes, as if he just experienced a sharp pain. “Bettina, you have to understand, I do have various obstacles.”

“Mais non. What is to understand but a betrothal and a wedding?” She waited for him to swear his devotion. A fist seemed to thump against her ribcage. She sucked in a breath. “What are these obstacles? Can you not tell me?” 

“It’s impossible to say at this point.” He released her and clasped his hands behind his back.

“Impossible to say?” Bettina repeated his cold words. Her pulse vibrated in her throat. “You must tell me about these obstacles. We can overcome them.”

“There are complications I need to sort out. We can discuss this another time.” He looked toward the door, as if anxious for her to leave, and rubbed his chin. “I’ll have the coach brought around. I don’t want Frederick to know we spent the night together.” He touched her shoulder then stepped away from her.

“No, no coach. I do not care to announce my illicit night to the village. I see there is nothing more to discuss.” Her voice came out crisp, tart. He wanted his whore gone. Flayed to the bone, she whirled about and strode to the door.