Again, Rose tried to speak and William stopped her.
“I am not making this decision willy-nilly, I swear to you. I have spent every moment considering. I thought to speak to Bennet and come to terms with the man. Then, seeing you there, realizing you were comfortable enough with another man to show up at his dwelling, to watch you place yourself between him and me.” He shook his head. “Even to lump me in with the bastard, hopingneitherof us got hurt.”
His voice broke slightly, along with her heart.
“Please,” she said, “I didn’t mean—”
William touched her lips with one finger.
“Circumstances being what they are, sweet Rose, I won’t settle for less than the whole of you. I’m sorry, but I can’t. I am releasing you from our engagement.”
Rose closed her eyes, feeling one tear and then another escape to roll down her cheeks. She felt William wipe them away, and they stood together in silence for a long moment.
At last, she garnered her courage and opened her eyes once more to look into his dear brown ones.
“I wish I could tell you my heart was entirely yours,” she said. “You deserve that.”
William said nothing at first. Then he murmured, “Love and pride” which she instantly recognized as the secondary title to Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s play.
“I wish you could accept what I can offer you,” she added, still clinging to a shred of hope.
He shook his head.
Rose swallowed back more tears.
“I can tell you, William Woodsom, that you will always, always have a place in here.” She touched her breastbone. “And if I am ever to love again, whomever I’m with, he will have to share me with you.”
The anguish on his face was no doubt mirrored on her own.
“I am so sorry,” she whispered. How could she ease him, soothe him? “I got engaged to you in good faith and would happily have lived my life loving you and you alone.”
He took hold of her hand and raised her fingers to his lips for a gentle kiss.
“You are an incredible woman, Miss Malloy. Know that I wish you only the very best. I wish you joy and love and peace. I will never forget you.”
God, he was really going to end this.He was giving her up, and there was nothing she could do, for she could no longer lie to him and, clearly, only absolute dominion over her heart was what would keep him by her side.
“And I, you,” she told him, gazing into his eyes to memorize them, seeing the warm flecks of gold in the tawny depths.
Without another word, William turned from her and departed the study. Rose sunk to the ground and wept openly.
