His face was grim and even though she knew what was coming, she wasn’t quite prepared to hear it aloud. “I’m afraid she passed on several years ago. I would direct you to a gravesite, but I fear it is unmarked somewhere in Bunhill Fields.”
“Yes, I imagine that would be the case,” Constance murmured. She tried to appear unaffected by this news, as she hadn’t parted from her mother on good terms all those years ago, but she had always dogged her steps wherever she went, her final threat ringing in her ears whenever she least expected it. It was the last part of Madame Corressa’s life and she’d hoped to put an end to it, but it appeared the past would never fully depart.
“I regret that I don’t have better news for you,” Mr. Lionel said empathetically. “Oft times this happens with unfortunate relation in London.”
“No, it’s all right,” Constance returned, some of her shock starting to fade. “I was expecting this, but even so, it still doesn’t fully prepare you for the result.”
He inclined his head and replaced his hat. “On that, you would be correct.” He touched the brim and walked away.
Constance stood where she was for a time, trying to gather herself, when Devin said her name. “Yes?” she attempted to smile, but it felt brittle.
He instantly frowned. “Are you unwell?” He glanced in the direction Mr. Lionel had gone. “Who was that man?”
He acted as though he would pursue him if needed, but Constance laid a gentle hand on his arm. “He’s an investigator. I hired him to inquire after my… mother.” She still found it difficult to refer to the woman who had given birth with such an intimate title.
He instantly stilled. “I assume that the news wasn’t positive?”
“Not really, but I expected as much.” She took a deep breath when her throat wanted to close up. “I just don’t understand why I feel so… upset. I hadn’t seen her for years, ever since I was fifteen, so there is no love lost between us.”
He reached out and pulled her against his strong, warm chest. She closed her eyes and relished the comfort he offered. When he spoke, his voice rumbled against her ear with a delightful sound. “Sometimes it’s what we didn’t have that we miss most. I’m sure you are mourning, not the woman herself, but what she could have been to you.”
Constance sighed, as it made sense. She lifted her head. “Would you mind coming somewhere with me?”
“Of course.” He reached out and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “You should know by now that I’ll go anywhere with you.”
Thinking of her plans for France, Constance prayed that was so.
But for now, there was another destination she had in mind.
Chapter 26
Some of the breath left Constance’s lungs when she stared at the only true home she’d ever truly had. Anywhere she’d resided through the years had been at the generosity of her current protector. Even so, this ramshackle building in Spitalfields had never possessed the warm atmosphere that she’d always yearned for.
Although she had started from such humble beginnings, over the years she had rubbed elbows with the ranks of the aristocracy, but then, she had never fit in to that glittering world either. It was all a façade, because while she had used her body to change her situation, she could never rid herself of the memory of this place.
She hugged herself and stared at the pitiful structure in front of her. It looked just as it had the day she’d left and never looked back, when her mother had threatened to sell her to a local brothel now that she was no longer a virgin. At first, she’d been horrified, as the idea that she might end up like her mother was not something she had ever wanted. But sometimes, you make mistakes in life and you might never get a second chance.
Devin was fortunate enough to do so, and now, so was she.
At least, she hoped so.
“I want to move back to France. To Paris.” She didn’t look over at Devin, but kept her eyes on the dilapidated building, but she could feel his eyes upon her skin as surely as if he’d reached out and touched her. “I was happy there, whereas London has only brought me misery and pain. I realize that you just returned to London and I know you may not want to leave—”
She was cut off by a kiss that made her heart flutter.
When Devin pulled back, there was such a fierce intensity in his gaze that her breath seized in her lungs. “My home is wherever you are, my love. It doesn’t matter what country it is, just so long as you are by my side.”
Her eyes instantly stung with tears. “Are you sure? Because I don’t want my happiness to come at the expense of yours. If you have any doubts at all—”
“I don’t,” he interrupted again. Abruptly, his gaze faltered. “But I do agree that we need to discuss some important matters.”
Her gaze searched his face. “What is it?”
He took a deep breath. “I won’t be someone beholden to you. I know that your last protector made sure that you were properly settled. I won’t take money from you like some sort of cadge.” His focus returned to her. “I intend to gain your respect by earning an honest wage. I had a cache upon my return, but those funds were donated to a better cause.”
“Oh, Devin.” She reached up and put her hand along the side of his cheek, where stubble teased her palm. “I have a confession to make to you. I have nothing.” She smiled, as it was freeing to be able to tell him another secret that had been brewing ever since she’d overheard him and Luke in the parlor.
He stilled. “What are you talking about?”
