“Rose, you place me in a very difficult position. With your denial to wed with me, you make a sinner of not only yourself—but me as well.” “Well, in your eyes, I was a sinner before, an actress. I cannot believe God will use this one event to tip the balance. As for you, I assume a lifetime filled with goodness will not be totally eradicated by one night’s forgetfulness.” His eyes frosted. “I seek to find a solution, to avoid unpleasant consequences to our lapse, and you mock me.” “I’d do anything to put you off a marriage between us and for you to leave me in peace.” He looked stunned, as if she’d slapped him. Then his expression grew remote once more and he walked away. She leaned against the wall of the meetinghouse. She hadn’t thought of how their laying together would affect his conscience. She had hurt him. Struck him to his deepest levels by successfully tempting him into sin. The knowing settled like a layer of stones against her heart. She would never, ever want to hurt Thomas of all people.
