He noticed that, and smiled ahead, over the wheel. He had been infuriated over her avoidance of him, but if she was afraid of him-"Bully engine in this car. Never have to change a gear."
"You certainly made a road through the field."
"They'll fix that, all right. Are you warm enough?"
"Yes, thank you."
"You have been treating me very badly, you know, Miss Cardew."
"I have been frightfully busy."
"That's not true, and you know it. You've been forbidden to see me, haven't you?"
"I have been forbidden to go back to Cardew Way."
"They don't know about me, then?"
"There isn't very much to know, is there?"
"I wish you wouldn't fence with me," he said impatiently. "I told you once I was frank. I want you to answer one question. If this thing rested with you, would you see me again?"
"I think I would, Mr. Akers," she said honestly.
Had she ever known a man like the one beside her, she would not have given him that opportunity. He glanced sharply around, and then suddenly stopped the car and turned toward her.
"I'm crazy about you, and you know it," he said. And roughly, violently, he caught her to him and kissed her again and again. Her arms were pinned to her sides, and she was helpless. After a brief struggle to free herself she merely shut her eyes and waited for him to stop.
"I'm mad about you," he whispered.
Then he freed her. Lily wanted to feel angry, but she felt only humiliated and rather soiled. There were men like that, then, men who gave way to violent impulses, who lost control of themselves and had to apologize afterwards. She hated him, but she was sorry for him, too. He would have to be so humble. She was staring ahead, white and waiting for his explanation, when he released the brake and started the car forward slowly.
"Well?" he said, with a faint smile.
"You will have to apologize for that, Mr. Akers."
"I'm damned if I will. That man back there, Denslow--he's the sort who would kiss a girl and then crawl about it afterwards. I won't. I'm not sorry. A strong man can digest his own sins. I kissed you because I wanted to. It wasn't an impulse. I meant to when we started. And you're only doing the conventional thing and pretending to be angry. You're not angry. Good God, girl, be yourself once in a while."