“What is it?”
“Adam…isn’t dead.”
*
Vincent peered intoEllie’s serious, watery brown eyes. Had he heard correctly? No, there had to be some mistake.
“What?” He shook his head. “What do you mean Adam isn’t dead?”
She blew out a heavy breath. “Do you remember meeting Lord Calvin Drake, Adam’s cousin?”
“Yes.” He gritted his teeth, knowing he wasn’t going to like what she was about to say.
“Well, Lord Calvin is really Adam.”
His mind skidded to a halt. He hadn’t expected her to saythat! “Wh-what?”
She nodded. “Apparently, Adam was a spy for the prince regent. When Adam was in battle, he almost died, but it was because someone was trying to kill him for the information he discovered. The prince told him to let his identity as Adam die, and that was when he took over his cousin’s identity as Lord Calvin.”
Vincent was speechless, and his mind was empty, which rarely happened. However, pain tightened his throat, more severely than when he had realized that Ellie saw him with Lady Livingston.
If what she said was true, then… It became difficult to breathe. Ellie would want to marry Lord Calvin, since she had given her heart to him first. She’d told Vincent the first time she offered him that ridiculous proposal that it would be in name only because she could never love another man.
Slowly, he lowered his arms and withdrew his touch by taking a step back. Sorrow seeped into his soul. Ellie appeared genuinely upset over this. Why wasn’t she rejoicing? But perhaps she was upset because she had come to care for him after all. Perhaps she would miss him when he withdrew his proposal and allowed her to be with the man she truly loved.
Not many times in Vincent’s life had he wanted to cry, but the longer he stared at Ellie, the more everything became hopeless. Tears would build in his eyes at any moment, he was certain.
He cleared his throat. “What a remarkable tale. I’m sure Adam has had the adventure he always wanted.”
“Yes, I suppose.”
“So, he returned to live out the rest of his life as an earl?”
“Yes. That is how I understand it.”
Vincent opened his mouth to ask if Adam wanted her back, but he quickly closed it before the words exited. Of course the man wanted Ellie back in his life. What sane man would refuse such a passionate beauty?
“Have…um, have you told your father?”
She shook her head.
“I wonder how he will be able to deal with this. After all, just last night he made the announcement about our engagement, and now he needs to rescind it.” He licked his dry lips. “Is that even possible?”
More tears fell from her eyes. “This, I don’t know.”
Anger, disappointment, and regret mixed together, spreading through his hollow heart. He exhaled roughly and dragged his fingers through his hair, turning away from her to pace the floor. “Perhaps this was why fate couldn’t bring us together as we wanted.”
“Yes, perhaps,” she replied softly.
“I must say, I’m truly disheartened over this turn of events. But I suppose all is for the best. After all, Adam is getting the woman he wanted, and you are marrying the man who holds your heart.” He stopped and looked at her, wanting her to correct him, but knowing she wouldn’t.
Her gaze lowered to the floor as she nodded quietly.
Emotionally destitute, he realized if he didn’t leave soon that he’d fall on his knees and beg for her love. He couldn’t do that for his own peace of mind. He couldn’t make such an utter fool of himself, either.
“Then I suggest you speak with your father today about the issue, and send me a missive to let me know what to expect. I’ll act any way your father wishes me to act in front of Society. I only want your happiness.”
Tears stung his eyes, so he quickly hurried out of the room before she noticed. As much as he wanted her to run after him and confess her undying love, he knew that would never happen. He wasn’t her first love. And he would never be.
