Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Jackson's eyes landed on Dylan, and a small smile tugged at his lips. "Dylan, whatever happened, I'm just glad you're okay."

He turned to Clara, his voice gentle but serious. "I'll have to count on you to look after him for a while. If anything comes up that you can't handle, just call one of us, alright?"

Clara nodded.

Once the others had left, Charles made up an excuse and disappeared to play with MiloBuddy.

Finally, Clara glanced at Dylan's hand. She'd noticed it earlier-his wedding ring was missing.

He used to never take it off. Now, all that was left was a chunky signet ring on his thumb.

Where did that come from? Had the Chester family sent it over as some kind of token?

Dylan didn't remember anyone, so if he accepted that ring, did it mean he really planned to go through with marrying into the Chester family?

She spoke before she could think twice. "Can I have that ring?"

He looked up, meeting her gaze. The second the words left her mouth, Clara instantly regretted it. It was a token, probably important. How could she just ask for it like that?

Sure, he was gentle with her-gentler than he was with anyone else—but this was a ridiculous request. He'd probably be annoyed.

She stood up, ready to slip away, but he caught her wrist and, without saying a word, slipped the signet ring onto her thumb.

The amber ring looked regal and a little intimidating, but it was way too big for her. She had to curl her finger just to keep it from falling off.

He handed it over so quickly that Clara started second-guessing herself. Maybe it wasn't what she thought.noveldrama

She fiddled with the ring, unsure. "You're really giving this to me?"

He just made a quiet sound, not bothering to say anything else.

Clara could only guess-maybe it was just a regular old ring after all.

*

That evening, someone from the old house showed up the butler himself.

He seemed to already know Clara was back in Palm Bay. He went straight to Dylan. "Young Master, the old master wants to know-are you choosing Clara, or Ms. Louella?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he caught sight of the ring on Clara's finger His face darkened. "That's a family heirloom. How could you just give it away to a woman?"

Clara was sitting on the couch, nose in a book. She looked up at his words. "It's important?"

A trace of sarcasm flickered in the butler's eyes, but he ignored her and turned back to Dylan.

"Young Master, this was entrusted

to you by Mr. Rai. Only the head of the Ferguson family is supposed to weaDit. Giving it away is... it's disappointing, to say the least."

Clara's fingers trembled. The Ferguson family's patriarch ring?

She glanced at Dylan, who was just sitting there like nothing happened. He'd handed it over so casually-she really thought it was no big deal.

Quickly, she slipped the ring off and set it beside him. "You should keep this safe."

He paused for a moment, a frown creasing his brow. "You don't want it?"

Didn't she stay with him for this?

Clara forced a crooked smile-he'd completely missed the point. Was this about wanting it or not? It was Out what the ring meant. Itwas just... too much.

The butler's eyes went cold at Dylan's question. For the first time, he actually seemed to look at Clara.

He took a deep breath. "Young Master, you should come back to the manor later.” Then he turned and left, clearly upset.

Clara didn't know what to say. She watched as Dylan got up, slipped the ring into his pocket, and stalked off looking annoyed.

Worried, she hurried after him. "What do you want for dinner? I promise I'll cook something really good this time."

He kept walking, not even glancing back. “Don't bother."

He disappeared into the master bedroom, and Clara followed.

He frowned, unbuttoning his shirt, his voice flat. "I'm changing."

Basically: shouldn't you leave?

But Clara just nodded, totally unfazed. "Go ahead."