Victor paused only briefly. “Miss Brown has left,” he said. “She will not be returning.”
The effect was immediate. Elizabeth’s smile faltered, her eyes filling with unmistakable disappointment.
“Left?” she repeated softly. “But… she cannot have done so.”
“I am afraid she has,” Lionel said gently.
Elizabeth’s hands trembled slightly in her lap. “Was there a quarrel?” she asked. “Has the engagement been broken?”
Elizabeth's breath became shallow and panicked.
Victor glanced at Lionel, a silent exchange passing between them in an instant. In that moment, clarity settled over him with surprising ease.
I cannot let Grandmother suffer like this. I will not. No matter what I have to do.
“No,” he said smoothly. “The engagement remains intact.”
Lionel’s brow lifted ever so slightly, though he said nothing.
“Charlotte has merely gone to visit relations,” Victor continued. “She will return shortly. She meant to say goodbye to you, but she had to leave before dawn, and I insisted she let you rest.”
Elizabeth’s expression brightened at once. “Oh,” she said, relief softening her features. “Well, that is quite different, then.”
He watched as her breathing regained a steady rhythm and the color flooded back into her cheeks.
“Entirely,” Victor replied.
“You must not let her stay away too long,” she added. “She is far too lovely to be absent.”
“I shall endeavour to see her return promptly,” he said.
Lionel cleared his throat lightly. “Perhaps we might take some air, Grandmother. I will have Hannah come to you to change into your day dress to go into the gardens,” he suggested.
“Yes, yes,” Elizabeth said, rising with renewed energy. “That would be very nice.”
They left her in better spirits than they had found her, though the moment they stepped into the corridor, Lionel turned sharply to Victor.
“Well,” he said, “that was unexpected.”
Victor continued walking, his expression unchanged. “It was necessary,” he said.
“Is it?” Lionel asked. “Or merely convenient… for you?”
Victor stopped, turning to face him. “She required reassurance,” he said evenly. “I provided it.”
“By fabricating an engagement,” Lionel said. “A bold choice, even for you.”
Victor’s gaze cooled. “You would have preferred I left her distressed?” he asked.
Lionel hesitated. “No,” he admitted. “But this solution presents its own complications.”
Victor resumed walking. “Then we shall address them as they arise.”
Lionel followed, his expression thoughtful. “Do you intend to bring Miss Brown back?” he asked.
Victor did not hesitate. “I gave my word,” he said. “I shall keep it.”
Lionel studied him more closely now. “How did she come to leave so abruptly?” he asked.
