"I see." His dark features were twisted with a perplexed expression as he swung her around. "You don't have to beat me off with a stick. I won't say anything to embarrass you. My feelings for you will stay a secret between us."
Her heart skipped a beat. Was he saying he still loved her? Then why hadn't he called? And why did he think she wanted him to hide his feelings? She leaned back to read his expression and his hand gently braced her back. What did he mean?
"Your feelings? After reading my note, you still think you're the only one with feelings?" No, that didn't come out right.
He stopped dancing and stared down at her. "Note? What note?"
"The one I tacked on your door before I left."
He slowly shook his head. "It must have blown off in the storm. I went by the cabin but you were gone. I stayed there all night waiting for you and didn't notice your clothes were gone until the next morning."
She gazed up at him. "I wrote my number on the note and when you didn't call, I thought you were through with me."
Her voice quivered with the last words, and he drew her close, speaking against her cheek.
"I'll never be through with you."
Her heart pounding, she took his hand and led him off the verandah into the garden where they could speak privately. There was something she had to set straight. She gazed up at him in the dim light, summoning the courage to address a painful subject. Finally she cleared her throat and spoke. "I wasn't slumming it."
His fingers tightened around her hand. By the expression on his face, it was a sore subject for him as well.
"I know. I shouldn't have said all those things. I didn't mean them." He grimaced. "I was like a young school boy when Denton walked in. I've never been so angry with so little excuse. Sure, he was a pompous ass, but the truth is, he could have been a complete gentleman and I don't think it would have made any difference. For the first time in my life, I was insanely jealous. My imagination got the better of me and I took it out on you." He lifted her hand to his lips and brushed his lips across it. "When I saw you with him in the hospital, I thought you two were an item again and I had only myself to blame."
"And then Dad set you straight."
He chuckled. "No. Actually it was Sylvia, my sister. Of course it was pure coincidence that the two-day-old paper was laying on the table at breakfast - turned to the social section where Denton's engagement was announced."