He narrowed his eyes and gently held her two hands between his own. Mesmerized, Charlie could do little more than stare into his smoky green orbs. His long, dark lashes gave him an almost feminine look, but the emotion that smoldered in the depths of his eyes was excitingly masculine and gave her pause. She quickly blinked, attempting to regain her composure and hesitated briefly before responding.

'I see that being perfectly blunt with you about my feelings continues to be ignored, Mr. Danbury. With your inflated ego, you seem unable to appreciate the fact that you will never measure up to your brother Thomas, whom I will always love with all my heart. If you choose to waste your time courting someone who ranks you just slightly lower than the vermin on this plantation, please feel free to continue paying your devotions. I, however, will never take your suit seriously. And never, Sage, is a very long time.

Charlie drained her julep, smoothed her skirt, and attempted once again to depart. Before she could walk away, however, Sage gently, though forcefully, restrained her.

'Today you may seem to have all the answers, Miss Charlotte. But as you say, never is a very long time. And let me make it very clear to you that there will come a day when you will become mine, and you will do it with gladness and joy.'