“You cannot suppose me so pathetic as to fall for you a second time. Evenyoucannot think so little of me.”
“No!” he gasped. “I think you were the best thing to ever happen to me. And losing you will be the worst.”
“Another pretty lie. Are you capable of anything else?”
“Eliza—”
“Miss Wayland,” she repeated. “It is Miss Wayland to you. You have no right to speak to me with such familiarity.”
“I know, I know I’ve no right. I know what I’ve done is unforgivable?—”
“Why me? I know why, but I need you to say it.”
His throat was tight. For a moment, he worried it would close entirely and he’d expire right there at her feet. It would have been preferable to the agony of receiving her rage. But he could not lie to her, not now, not ever again.
“You were the easier target,” he whispered, shame overwhelming him. “But I was wrong. I was so wrong. You became so much more than that. You’re everything. Mere moments in your presence and I was addicted. I never dared to dream of… anything at all. But now, all my dreams are of you. Eliza, I think I’m in?—”
A sob broke from her chest, the sound piercing his own.
Eliza’s hand found her mouth as she squeezed her eyes shut. Instinctively, he reached for her shoulder—to hold her, to comfort her.
“Don’t touch me!” She pulled back, recoiling from his touch.God, that sight was an agony greater than any he’d ever known. A copper tang welled in his mouth. “Whatever feelings you believe you have are a lie. You aren’t capable of love. Cruelty and betrayal—those are where your talents lay. It is all you’re good for.”
“I— Yes.”
“Leave! Leave and never return. There is nothing you could say, nothing you could do that would induce me to behave again in such a selfish, foolish manner as I have. I’ve found someone else, someone who will not lie to me, disgrace me. You have no more power here.”
“Who—” his voice broke on the word. Suddenly, the roses on her windowsill made horrific sense.
“Why should that matter? A better man than you. It is not a difficult standard to meet. There are few men as wretched and cruel as you.”
He nodded, unable to trust his body not to betray him.
“Leave,” she repeated.
“Eli—Miss Wayland,” he quickly corrected. “You’re in danger. That is why I came—no other reason. My father is?—”
“Oh, I am in danger? So Imusttrust you to help me? I do not believe you. You do not know what truth is.”
“Please, you must listen. I’ll leave and never return, but I could not bear it if you were hurt because?—”
“I am hurt. I am hurt because of you.Youhurt me. Your presence here at this moment is hurting me. The only thing you could possibly do to lessen my pain is to leave.”
“Lizzie?” a soft voice pierced their shared bubble of agony. Sophie stepped outside, then hurried to wrap her arms around her sister.
Eliza’s frame shook silently against her sister’s shoulders. And Benedict, though he wouldn’t have thought it possible, sensed his heart break still further.
Sophie’s gaze met his, hatred written across them. “It’s time for you to leave, Lord Sinclair. Before I call for a footman.”
“Please, she’s in danger. You must believe me.”
“If that is the case, we will take care of her. But right now, I’m quite certain the only danger here is you.”
Eliza’s soft sniffles burned in his ears.
“Leave. I won’t ask again.”
“Take care of her?” he asked, pathetic desperation welling over him, drowning him.
