But Imogen was.
Further, Beatrix respected his work. She understood it was a fundamental part of him and his identity. Which led him to yet another logical conclusion…
Imogen didn’t know him at all.
Beatrix’s words returned to him.
What she represents to you is a fantasy.
Beatrix had seen that truth from the beginning.
And just as Imogen had been a figment of fantasy for him, he’d been the same to her.
They didn’t actually know each other in a meaningful way.
And as was the way with one truth, it led to another…
He and Imogen never had the spark that he and Beatrix shared.
Oh, it had been a spark, but one born of youth and infatuation…of lust and inexperience.
A fleeting spark that didn’t hold the necessary heat to catch.
But what he and Beatrix shared burned brighter and hotter with every moment of each passing day…
Thatwas love.
Of course, he could be wrong—yet again.
“But Lady Beatrix St. Vincent?” Imogen gave her head a disapproving, little shake. “I know she’s the daughter of a marquess, but really…truly.”
“What about her?”
“She’s not exactly a diamond of the first water,” she scoffed. “The woman’s practically a spinster, and you’reLord Devil, Dev.”
“Meaning?”
Imogen ignored the question. “Not to mention she rather thinks highly of herself, that Lady Beatrix.”
“Why shouldn’t she?”
“As if she’s more intelligent than the rest of us,” continued Imogen, unwittingly venturing deeper into dangerous territory. “You wouldn’t be able to suffer such a woman for long.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” said Dev, his voice betraying none of his barely contained fury. “Intelligence has its uses in a woman.”
Imogen’s perfect eyebrows lifted. “Oh? Like what, pray tell?”
“Like it would prevent a woman from making a fool of herself and throwing herself at a man who no longer loves her and who suspects he never did.”
Her brow darkened. “Dev, what are you saying?”
“I don’t love you, Imogen.”
A laugh of disbelief escaped her. “Of course, you do. You’ve always loved me, Dev.”
“Perhaps what we’ve always wanted isn’t what we want now.”
Words he’d spoken to Beatrix.
