“And I you, Demetrius.”
He stared into her blue eyes, fighting all the words he wanted to say, but she clearly had made her decision that what they shared had come to an end. “I wish you safe travels, and I do hope that you come back and visit on occasion.”
Her smile was watery as she dabbed another tear.
He offered a nod, turned and walked out of Sea View for the last time, leaving his heart behind.
Chapter
Twenty-Six
She checked the armoire and dresser one last time and even looked beneath the bed to make certain that nothing was left behind.
Lavinia did not know when she would return or if she would. If she did, it would not be for a very long time, and after her heart had healed.
Two nights in a row she had cried herself to sleep and she was on the verge of exhaustion. Her eyes were tired, but she could sleep in the carriage and maybe the further she got away from Seaford, the more the pain in her heart would ease.
She had wanted him to ask her to remain, and Demetrius had in a way, but she wanted more than just a few days and why she made the decision to leave now. The longer she remained the more difficult it would be and she feared that she’d confess her love and then he’d need to try and find the words to reject her while trying not to hurt her.
After assuring herself that nothing remained, she made her way down the stairs.
“The carriage has come around,” Mrs. Trenton said.
“I am sorry to take your sons away sooner than intended.”
“We are happy to have had them for as long as we did, and I thank you for that.”
“I will speak to my brother about allowing them more free time so that they may visit you.”
“You are too kind, Lady Teviot, but if you would visit more often, then they could drive you.”
“I will suggest to my siblings that they holiday here. I am certainly glad that I did.”
“Then why are you so sad?” she asked quietly.
“I am tired, I suppose. Maybe it is because I miss my family.”
“Maybe it is because Mr. Valentine remains.”
Unbidden the tears welled in her eyes.
“No matter how much we may wish, some things are not meant to be,” she confessed. “And why I must go.”
The housekeeper merely nodded, as Lavinia stepped from the cottage and walked to the waiting carriage, where she stopped and look back at his cottage one last time. Perhaps a part of her was still foolishly hopeful, but Demetrius was not there. The door was closed and there wasn’t even a sheepdog to tell her goodbye.
Taking a deep breath, she started to step into the carriage.
“Lavinia, wait.”
She turned to find Demetrius exit his cottage. Max rushed past him and stopped and sat before her.
With a shaky hand she reached out to pet him.
Her heart beat increased and her hands shook because she wasn’t certain if it was in anticipation of what he might say or fear of disappointment.
“There is something I must tell you before you go.”
“Yes?”
