“I don’t believe you. What has happened to make you speak to me this way?”
“Will your conceit not allow you to believe that I never loved you, but another? I am an excellent actress, Lord Haddon.”
“Enough!” Anger vibrated in the word. “You are lying to me, Millicent. I know what lies between us, and you are not that good an actress.”
“La!” She trilled out a laugh. “Well indeed, I had you fooled, and half of London. But I have realized that the man I love is everything you are not, and that I cannot spend a lifetime faking my love for you.”
“Stop it now! Whatever has happened, I can help you.”
Desperation had Joseph reaching for her again, but she backed away.
“N-no. Please, I am leaving London, and have no wish to speak on the matter further. I will leave the details of how it ends to you. I’m sure both you and your family will wish a minimum of fuss. Goodbye, Lord Haddon.”
Before he could stop her, she had disappeared into the mist, leaving him standing alone, head reeling, body cold, and his heart broken into tiny pieces at his feet.
