I am fond of you.
The words fit a pet, a loyal hound, more than a man.
My feelings for her are so much more than fond.
“That is not good enough. I will become an object of infamy. Of disgrace. All for a woman who is only fond of me. Who once plotted to ruin me. Who only didn’t do so because I turned out to be better in the bedchamber than she anticipated.”
“Alfred—”
“No,” I say. “I am done, Annabelle.”
I throw open the door to the cold morning light.
And I leave her there in the antechamber.
Chapter 24
Annabelle
He leaves me in the antechamber of the church, and my blood runs cold.
That is not good enough.
To my shame, I fight back tears.
I tried to protect Alfred and, as far as Mr. Thompson was concerned, I succeeded. No one, I am sure, can touch Alfred when he is under my protection.
It will be a much more awkward state of affairs if Alfred refuses to speak to me.
When I consider that he may never consent to bed me again, a pain slices through me that leaves me breathless.
No, it cannot be. I will not allow it.
The humiliation alone when Mr. Thompson realizes that the man has refused me cannot be borne.
I still have power over Alfred. I could dismiss him. That would make his life much harder. It will be nearly impossible for him to get a new post with the rumors that will soon circulate about his time in Trescott—with me.
He is back at the vicarage by now.
I will go to him.
He needs to see reason. And I will force it upon him if necessary.
I leave the antechamber. I can hear Mr. Peabody still droning on.
I get into my carriage, brushing away the footman who tries to help me up, and command him to take me to the vicarage.
It does not matter if my carriage is seen there now.
In a matter of minutes, I am at the door.
I send the footman to request entrance. He comes back and tells me that the maidservant informed him that her master is not at home.
Ridiculous. He could be nowhere else.
I get out of the carriage, knowing that my behavior will only serve as evidence of the rumors soon to be flying around Trescott.
I rap on the door and the maidservant opens it, blushing.
