Page 28 of Obsession: The Unspoken Sin
The Earl of Dynevor’s damning revelations kept coming.
“That Denbigh coordinated here with my proprietor and partner, Lord Wakefield, to coordinate your running into one another on behalf of—”
No.
“No,” Alice echoed Denbigh’s silent plea.
“The lady’s brother, the Marquess of Exmoor. So that he could convince you to return ‘home to polite society.’”
Alice’s body jerked like she’d been struck. But then in a way, he knew it was certainly greater than any physical blow she could have been dealt. She’d been betrayed by another man. Lied to.
And I have done just that to her.
“Alice,” Denbigh entreated. He took a step closer with his hands held out in supplication.
Alice stared vacantly with empty eyes. “Is this true?” she whispered, her voice quivering with a plea.
“I—”
“Is it true?” Alice repeated, this time her voice rang out as a cry echoing around the room in the walls of his breaking heart.
“Yes, Alice,” he confessed, his voice cracking. “But I need you to know everything else, everything I said here today all these days, was true—” He held out a hand toward her.
Alice slapped it away.
Her rejection hit like a poison arrow that had landed square on his heart. “You lied to me!” she cried.
He flinched. But he didn’t deny it. He couldn’t deny it.
“Get out,” the Earl of Dynevor commanded. “You’re not allowed here. Consider your membership revoked.”
He had wronged her, and yet he couldn’t leave. Not like this. He couldn’t be turned away. If he were, he’d never see her again. It would be the end of them, this time forever.
“Alice, I’m not going. Not unless you’re willing to hear me out. Say you’ll hear me out. I’ll only go, Dynevor, if she orders me gone.”
“What’ll it be, Alice?” the younger earl put to Alice.
Denbigh kept his pleading gaze on Alice, willing her to see his love, willing her to give him those minutes he asked for, just so he could attempt to beg forgiveness.
Alice looked away.
And Denbigh’s soul died inside.
She’d decided.
“You have your answer, Denbigh,” Dynevor said. “Now go.”
He had his answer.
She was lost to him.
This time, forever.
Chapter 12
Seated at his cluttered desk, strewn about with wrinkled paper and ink stains splattered everywhere, Denbigh began his morning as he usually did.
With a new letter.
