A Good Debutante's Guide to Ruin_The Debutante Files

“No. I’ve been a bloody jackass. Too scared with how much I crave you every second of the day,” he admitted, adjusting his position closer to the trunk. If the branch gave out beneath him, he could hopefully grab it for purchase. He eyed the distance between Rosalie and himself, debating grabbing for her while he had her distracted. With a shake of his head, he decided he needed to be just a bit closer.

“Dec,” she admonished. “We’re not alone.”

“They can be trusted, Carrots. They’re our friends. Besides.” He rotated a foot, readying himself as he eyed his targeted branch. “They know I’m mad in love with you.”

She gasped. He chose that moment to lunge for another limb, hauling himself higher.

“Dec! What are you doing?”

“Coming to get you, Carrots.” He grunted, hefting himself up.

The branch under him dipped with a loud crack but held. For how much longer, he wasn’t certain.

“Stop!”

“Calm yourself,” he chided. Staying as close to the tree trunk as possible, one hand gripping it with clenched fingers. He was close enough to graze her boots with her fingertips. “I’m right here.”

She made a sound that was half sob, half laugh. “I . . . you came for me—” The words so soft, he wasn’t certain she meant for him to hear them.

“You think I wouldn’t?” he asked in a low voice. “We’re getting married, remember?”

She nodded. Her vibrant red hair spilled down her shoulders, limned in moonlight, dangling toward him like ribbons. “And you love me?” she whispered.

“Heard that, did you?”

She nodded again. “Anyone within a stone’s throw heard you.”

“You saved me, Rosalie. Being with you has made me a better man. I’m ready to wake up next to you every morning.” His chest expanded. “I want those mornings. I want you.”

He heard her faint sob. “Yes. I want that, too.”

He deliberately hardened his voice, hoping that would spur her to action. “So start climbing down, Carrots. Trust me. I won’t let you fall.”

“What if I make us both fall?”

“Trust me, Carrots. Just start inching down. Remember you used to do this all the time.”

She laughed nervously as she unwrapped her arm from the branch she clung to. “And the last time, you saved me, too.”

“See. You’re an expert—”

“At getting stuck,” she cut in wryly.

“And I’m an expert at getting you down. We have this well in hand.” Even as he said the words, his heart pounded almost violently as he watched her begin to sink down. They were higher up in the tree than the last one she got stuck in.

He tried to predict her movements before she made them . . . a branch that might not hold. He held out a hand, ready to grab her.

“That’s it,” he murmured, his fingers stretched, ready to grab for her.

Her slim fingers grasped air, stretching for his hand. Their fingertips brushed, and it was all the contact he needed. He lunged, seizing her entire hand in his, his fingers locking on her wrist. “I have you. Let go now, Carrots.”

She released her grip on the limb she clung to and tumbled toward him.

Her warm body met his and he folded her close, cradling her and allowing himself half a moment to bury his nose in her hair and inhale her scent.

He released a shuddery breath and then moved as quickly as he could, eager to get her down the tree. Together they descended, working as a team, taking turns stepping from limb to limb. He didn’t make a move until he was certain she was stable.

As they neared the bottom, Max and Will stood there waiting, arms out to assist her down. Horley stood with his arms crossed a few feet beyond them, watching with a sulking expression.

Dec hopped to the ground, and she was there, in his arms. His breath fluttered her hair against his mouth as her hands locked into fists at his back like she would never let go. Which was fine with him.

Because he was never letting her go either.





Chapter 26


Dec practically carried her back to the inn despite her insistence that she could walk. Will and Max followed, Horley between them like a captive. She didn’t look back. She didn’t want to see Horley ever again. She wanted him and her mother behind her. Other than Dec’s confession of love, she wanted today behind her and buried. Forgotten.

After a few words with the innkeeper, Dec took her to the room she had shared with her mother and Horley before she escaped. Her mother was still there. Waiting. She rose from where she sat on the edge of the bed.

“You’ve found her!”

“Downstairs with you,” Dec commanded as he set Rosalie on the bed. His hand brushed her face. “Are you injured? Do I need—”

“I don’t need anything.” Only you.

She touched his face. Mostly because she couldn’t stop herself. She had to touch him. Feel him. She had to assure herself he was here. They were together. He had said he loved her.

“I’m going to take your mother downstairs to speak with her and Horley alone. For the last time.” Rising, he glanced over at Melisande briefly before looking back at her again. “I realize she’s your mother, but this can’t . . .” He sucked in a breath and she noted the tense brackets edging his mouth. “No more. This can’t happen again . . .”

Rosalie nodded, understanding without him having to say the words. Her mother had hurt them both. Too much. Especially him. They couldn’t give her another chance to hurt them. She had used up all her chances.

“Mother.” She looked across the room. “Good-bye,” she uttered with finality.

She felt nothing as these words fell between them. No pang of loss or conscience. Nothing. There was no remorse. Not after everything. The years. What she had done to Dec. And not after tonight. It was the only thing left to do. The only thing that made any sense.

Melisande glanced desperately between Rosalie and Dec. “You cannot mean . . . Rosalie, I’m your mother. You need me.”

“No. I don’t.”

Dec’s hand folded around her, his fingers strong and warm. His gaze fixed on her as he added, “She doesn’t need you anymore. We have each other now.”

Her mother left then, although Rosalie scarcely noticed. She covered their joined hands with her free hand, looking at Dec. Only him. He could have said: Rosalie needs me. But he didn’t. He’d said they needed each other.

With his free hand, he cupped her face, his thumb grazing her mouth. As though he read her mind, he whispered, “I need you. I never thought I needed anyone before but I do. I need you.”

“I need you, too,” Rosalie returned.

He smiled slowly, his white teeth blinding in his handsome face. “So we’re stuck with each other.”

“I suppose so,” she murmured.

He kissed her then, and it was the kiss of forever. The promise of all their tomorrows. When she looked up and glanced across the room, her mother was gone.

“I’ll be back soon,” he said.

“I’ll stay awake for you.”

“You don’t need to. Rest.” He pressed a lingering kiss to her mouth.

When he left her, she removed her boots and climbed into the bed. Curling on her side, she fixed her gaze at a spot on the wall, smiling as she thought of Declan. He needed her. He loved her.

They were her last thoughts as she drifted to sleep.

Dec watched her sleep, long after the morning light filtered through the curtains. He knew he should rouse her so they could both be on their way. He knew Will and Max must be ready to return to Town. They’d stood at his side as he delivered his ultimatums to Melisande and Horley and then sent them on their way. Horley and Melisande deserved no less than a prison sentence for what they had done, but he didn’t want to drag Rosalie through that scandal and place a whiff of disgrace on her. He’d exacted a promise from Horley to return to Cornwall. If Peter Horley ever set foot in Town again, he would ruin him. He had the power to do it, but most important, he had the resolve.