There was a quiet emphasis on the last two words. Nathaniel’s gaze sharpened.
“Miss Vaughn, this is not–”
“You look very happy,” she went on, ignoring the warning in his tone. “And yet I wonder if it is truly as simple as it appears.”
“That will do.”
Her eyes flickered with something almost desperate.
“You cannot expect me to pretend nothing existed between us,” she said. “Not after everything we shared.”
Nathaniel’s expression hardened at once.
“Miss Vaughn,” he said coldly, “whatever existed between us ended long ago.”
She shook her head.
“No,” she said quietly. “Not like that. Not so easily. I know you, Nathaniel. I know that you feel things so very deeply, even if you pretend not to. You cannot simply extinguish it all because of a marriage arranged by circumstance.”
“My marriage,” he said sharply, “is neither your concern nor your subject for speculation. Not, for that matter, is it merely one of convenience.”
“You cannot truly mean that you feel nothing now,” she said. “That you never think of us. I know that you did once before. I should have been where she is now, and I know that you pitied a maid, but–”
“Enough.”
The word cut through the room like a blade. Nathaniel’s patience had vanished entirely. His voice, when he spoke again, was controlled but unmistakably hard.
“Listen to me very carefully, Miss Vaughn. Whatever sentiment you imagine remains between us exists only in your imagination. I am married. My loyalty belongs to my wife, and I will not tolerate anyone, least of all you, speaking of her or of my marriage in this manner.”
Color rose in Arabella’s face. It might have painted him to be so cruel, but he had no choice. He had to be clear in his words if she was to understand, and if she was hurt by that then she should not have risked herself that way.
“You are dismissing me as though I meant nothing to you. Did you expect me simply to disappear after all that you promised me?”
“I expect you to behave with the dignity appropriate to a guest in my home. And more importantly, I expect you to stay well away from my wife.”
A flicker of something dark crossed Arabella’s expression.
“So she is the reason for all of this.”
“She is my wife,” Nathaniel said. “That is reason enough.”
“But I could have made you so happy, Nathaniel. You and I could have been so happy, but you chose her. It is not too late, though. You could seek an annulment, tell the truth, that she used you for your money–”
“As you did. Is that what you mean?”
For a moment the room was very still. Then, Nathaniel stepped back toward the door.
“This conversation is finished.”
His hand closed around the handle.
“If you value your place in society at all, Miss Vaughn, you will forget whatever foolish ideas led you to this room tonight.”
She reached out suddenly and caught the sleeve of his coat. The gesture was familiar enough to stir memory, though he did not allow it to linger.
“Arabella,” he said calmly, “release my arm.”
She did not.
