He did not return.
And so, in a way, it felt like absolution. That Chrissi had made the correct decision in keeping news of the child from him. After all, the only thing worse than marrying a man who viewed her as property would have been feeling that she had entrapped him.
In contrast, Stephen had chosen her, even knowing she carried another man’s child. He had nurtured her dreams and fulfilled her wish to see her research published.
And yet . . .
The horror in Alis’s gaze when he had realized what she had done. She had imagined it so many times. But the reality had been even more terrible, more awful—to witness his heart shatter, to see betrayal freeze his handsome features into stone.
Perhaps the bleak desolation of her current life was deserved. A just punishment for her actions.
Finally, puffy-eyed and weary, she hobbled over to the window.
It was done.
Alis finally knew the truth she should have confessed years past.
Would he evict her now? Cast her person and belongings out of his castle and return to his placid Miss Rollins?
Chrissi hated the sharp derision of her thoughts.
Pressing fingertips to her brow, she took in several steadying breaths.
A knock sounded on her bedchamber door.
“Come,” she called.
A maid entered, carrying dinner on a silver tray.
It felt decadent to be catered to when surely Alis simply wished her gone.
“Your dinner, Mrs. Newton.” The maid set the tray atop a small table beside the fire and bobbed a curtsy before quietly exiting.
The smell of steak and ale pie filled the air.
Only then did Chrissi see the note placed atop the cutlery, her name scrawled in Alis’s bold hand.
Scarcely breathing, she opened the foolscap, tipping it into the light.
I do not know what to say. Our conversation this afternoon has overset me in ways I cannot explain. Had I anysense at all, I would terminate our contract for the excavation. However, I cannot, in good conscience, deprive ye of much-needed income, or myself of long-awaited answers to the ruins on my land. Please continue your work. I shall remain out of your sight, just as I am sure ye wish to remain out of mine.
That certainly spelled out his feelings, did it not?
He had only loved her whenhiswere the deeds to be forgiven.
But forgiveness for herself . . .
Well, she had known, long ago, that it was likely impossible.
She wiped away another fugitive tear as she penned a reply, telling him she agreed with his terms.
Chrissi would remain to finish this excavation and give him the answers he sought. It was the least she could do. Her ankle was healed enough for her to resume work, regardless of what anyone else said. Perhaps if she hurried, she could have it done and dusted close to the summer solstice.
And then, once she had uncovered what she could, she would pack up her trowel and disappear into the ether, bothering him no more.
TRUE TO HER word, Chrissi worked tirelessly.
And true to his word, she scarcely saw Alis.
