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Her brother’s forced smile didn’t reach his arctic eyes.

Celestia gave Lenora an apologetic glance. Lenora loved her sister-in-law all the more for understanding. Celestia adored her husband, but she was a practical woman with an even temperament. She didn’t make assumptions either.

“Do join us for supper, Captain. Lenora.” Landry’s tone brooked no argument. “I have a table reserved.”

It was probably a table situated in a corner where he might take her and Jason to task for their public display.

Tension, weighty and thick, accompanied the foursome to the table draped in pristine white with an evergreen and holly centerpiece that Landry led them to. After everyone had settled into their respective seats, the waiters brought them plates piled high with all manner of delicacies and filled their champagne flutes.

Landry picked up his fork. “I ran into Ronan Brockman and Viscount Sethwick at White’s today.” He cut an asparagus spear covered in white sauce. “He mentioned your pending voyage to India. You’re to sail within the week, Brockman said. A journey of some months, perhaps as much as a year?”

Lenora’s stomach toppled over itself sickeningly. She’d been ravenous five minutes ago, but now she doubted she could force a forkful of the sumptuous food down her throat.

Jason was leaving.

Within the week and he might be gone for a year. A year. An entire year? It seemed like a lifetime. And when he returned, would it be to England or America? To her? Or would he have forgotten Lenora by then?

Of course, she’d known this day was coming. She’d tried to prepare herself for it. Only…she’d hoped for… What? That he’d toss aside his career? Pledge undying love for her and forsake everything of his previous life to be with her?

Could she have done the same if Jason had asked it of her?

No. Lenora didn’t think she could have. To leave England and her family never to return as Jason’s mother had?

That knowledge nauseated her further.

If she was in love with Jason, wouldn’t she forsake all else for him?

And him for you?

Even so, one of them would come out the loser in a contest neither desired.

Landry gave Jason a flinty look before shifting his attention to Lenora. His expression softened, and an apology lurked in his gray eyes.

Why was Landry putting Jason on the spot? Forcing his hand?

For the first time since Landry had found Lenora, genuine anger and outrage welled within her toward him.

How dare he?

She didn’t need him interfering in matters of the heart. Did he doubt her intelligence? Her ability to discern a rogue from a gentleman. Jason mightn’t be a polished aristocrat, but everything within her told her he was a decent, honorable man.

A man who women swarmed to.

Yes, he meant to sail to India. He’d never led Lenora to believe otherwise. Never implied he wouldn’t carry on with his plans.

Had she just been a flirtation? Someone to amuse himself with until he sailed?

No. Of course not.

Are you positive? that maddening inner voice that wouldn’t permit Lenora to deceive herself prodded.

That day in the park when Jason had kissed her surged to the forefront of her mind.

“Can you? Put down roots, that is?”

With a sinking heart and stomach, Lenora realized Jason hadn’t answered her.

To disguise the hurt Landry’s behavior caused and her chagrin at practically having thrown herself at Jason, Lenora cut a strawberry. “A sea captain does tend to sail from time to time, Landry. Just as lords sit in Parliament and a physician attends his patients. It’s called responsibility.”

She lifted her gaze to her brother’s.

Landry visibly flinched at the accusation, and the hurt she knew must be shining in her eyes. She turned to Jason. “Thank you for the dance, Captain. I fear I’m feeling unwell all of a sudden and must beg your forgiveness.”

Anything she forced down her throat would make an immediate reappearance.

Standing, she balanced her hands on the table. “Excuse me.”

Celestia rose too. “Let me accompany you to the retiring room while Landry calls for our coach.” She wrapped an arm around Lenora’s waist. “Good evening, Captain Steele.”

Lenora raised her head, positive her heartbreak shone in her eyes for all to see. This must end before it became even more difficult. Before this budding love for Jason became a conflagration she couldn’t control.

So, she did what she ought to have done weeks ago—bid Jason au dieu once and for all.

“Goodbye, Captain.”

The merest flexing of his eyes revealed he knew this wasn’t simply a farewell for the evening. However, to make certain, Lenora swallowed the wad of tears tightening her throat. Averting her gaze because she couldn’t bear to look into his beautiful hazel eyes and see her own heartbreak mirrored there, she said, “Bon voyage and God speed.”

You’re taking my heart with you, my love.