Margot opened her mouth to tell him that, of course, it was. She wanted to scream it! Only then, she remembered something else… the truth. And where she thought it best to lie to save face,she knew there was no point.He told me the truth, finally. I owe him the same.“No,” she said in a whisper.
“What?”
“I…” She was speaking into her chest, unable to look at him. “I saw him last week at Marlow Estate. I saw him at the garden party. But only for a moment!” she hurried to explain. “I did not speak with him. I did not approach him. I saw him and… and…”
“And you said nothing.” Sebastian wasn’t looking at Margot as he spoke. He was looking past her, his stare distant, his tone dispassionate, even accepting, as if the truth was a nail being driven through a coffin, confirming truths he didn’t want to accept. “You said nothing and now…” He shook his head.
“I am sorry, Sebastian! You must know I am.”
He laughed bitterly. “I know you are, Margot. The little good that does me.” He sighed, and then he walked toward her. She perked up, thinking he was coming for her, only to sink when he stepped around her and made for the door.
“Where are you going?”
“To my office,” he said without stopping. “I have to write a letter to my solicitor. If I’m lucky, maybe I can stop this loan from going through before it’s too late.”
“Sebastian!” she called after him. “I am sorry. Please, you must know that I am!”
Sebastian did not stop at her words. Perhaps he did not hear them? He strode through the door and down the hall, leaving Margot alone and trembling.
And just like that, I have ruined everything. Worse that it wasn’t my fault – not really. But such is the way of my life that regardless of what I do, the worst seems to find me.
She had been looking forward to tomorrow, their breakfast, their day spent together as a married couple. The first true day of their marriage, it had felt like that to her. Now, Margot was all but sure that when she sat at the breakfast table, Sebastian would not be joining her. Would he join her another day, or was their fate so wrecked by drama and bad luck that this marriage, despite everything, was doomed to failure?
All things considered, Margot could not help but concede that perhaps in this life, she simply wasn’t meant to be happy. Sebastian, either, for that matter.
Twenty-Three
Sebastian was feeling as guilty as ever.I should have said something to her before I left this morning. I should have reassured her that this wasn’t her fault – that I do not blame her. Typical me, I behaved as she probably expected. And now… I cannot imagine what she thinks of me.
He steered his horse through the streets of London. It was early in the morning, so it was not as busy as it might have been, making for an easy passage. Sebastian paid the pedestrians little notice; his thoughts were well and truly fixed on a singular issue that he was not certain how to solve. Or if solving it was even possible.
Last night, when Margot had told him who Lord Livingston was, he had been furious. But his fury was not for Margot, as he knew she wasn’t to blame. Not really. The blame for all of this fell on his shoulders, as he should have done his due diligence before going into business with Lord Livingston –no! That is not his name, and I need to remember that. He is Lord Ashcombe, and once I sort through this mess, he will pay.
In truth, it was surprise and horror that had caused that most visceral reaction in Sebastian. Embarrassment, too, as he could not believe how easily he had been tricked. He was ashamed of himself for letting that man into his home, and the last thing he wanted was to appear weak in front of Margot.
That had led to him lashing out and storming from the room as if it were her fault.It was not. And I will tell her as soon as I arrive home. Dammit, I should have done it already!
He shook his head to himself as he remembered how he had been looking forward to today. Breakfast with his wife, a day spent as they finally started to explore their feelings and be honest with one another for a change. And now… well, he had not even spoken with Margot today. Leaving before she woke, shuddering at the image of her walking the house alone as she pictured his wrath and thought it directed at her, and guilt because he was a coward and had made a horrible mistake.
The only thing that kept Sebastian going was the hope that by tonight, all this would be a bad memory.Assuming she forgives me for the way I behaved.
That plagued him more than anything. Time and time again, Margot had given Sebastian a chance to prove to her who he could be, and time and time again, he failed that chance. How many more chances did he have? Would she be done with him after today? And did he even deserve a final chance to save this marriage and his soul in turn?I don’t… but hopefully, Margot is of a different opinion.
Sebastian’s destination this morning was his solicitor’s office in the city, and he arrived two hours after leaving his manor. Tying his horse off to a post at the front door, he sighed with a sense of despondence as he walked inside.
As dark as the tunnel was that Sebastian walked through, there was a light at the end that he clung to. He had sent a letter to his solicitor, demanding that they meet early this morning. In that letter, he had explained everything, knowing that if anything could be done, it would be.
Sebastian didn’t care about the money. Not really. What he cared about was being played, looking like a fool in front of Margot, and the fear she must have felt at Lord Ashcombe’s interference in her life.After today… that will be a thing of the past. My silent promise to her.
His solicitor’s name was Mr. Spencer, and he met the man in his front waiting room.
“Ah! Your Grace!” Mr. Spencer rushed toward him, bowing deeply as he always did. “I was hoping you would arrive soon – this entire business.” He shook his head violently, which made the large jowls on his face wobble furiously. “I cannot believe it. That a member of the peerage would seek to trick you like this. The dishonesty…”
“It is fine,” Sebastian assured Mr. Spencer. “Well, it’s not. But it will be…” He raised a questioning eyebrow at his solicitor.
“My word to you!” Mr. Spencer cried. “In fact, I have some rather good news. Much needed, in this time.”
“Oh?”
