48

ELEANOR

I felt my body go numb, my entire world pulling to an abrupt halt. Left with no other choice, I had followed him with a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts making rounds in my head and at the last minute, I'd decided on the one that seemed the most safe and believable. If he was as much of a gentleman as Jasmine and Clara believed he was, then there was no way he would be able to ignore a defenseless woman's tears, especially not one they'd been so certain he still harbored feelings for.

That had been the plan, pretend to be weak, show him a tear or two and leave it up to his reaction to decide my next line of action. It was full proof, at least it had been in my head, that there were not a lot of things that could go wrong. The worst-case scenario, he'd agree to punish me or throw me out of his presence, none of which I couldn't handle.

But in the most unexpected turn of events, I'd been pressed tightly against his firm chest with his low voice whispering soothing words that