Page 1 of Separated from My Love
Prologue
Genevieve Byrne staredout the window at Weston Manor. In the distance, she could make out the cliff’s edge. Something about the majestic rocks always drew her in. The stark ridge was like a flame that drove the moth in her to the precipice ofdisaster.
What a ridiculous analogy.It wasn’t as if she was going to jump off and plunge to herdeath…
She shook her head, pushing those ridiculous notions out and twisted away from the window. There were much more enjoyable things she could turn her attention to. It was the weekend of the annual charity ball at Seabrook Manor. Trenton had promised he’d take her and secured the invitations necessary to attend, but he still hadn’t returned from his trip to London. If he didn’t come back soon she’d either have to skip it or go on her own. The idea of showing up alone didn’t appeal to her. Maybe she could talk her cousin into going with her? Aubriella would appreciate a reason to escape for the weekend. She was deep in debt because of her stepmother and a few credits shy of her doctorate in history. Her cousin preferred burying her head in the past than dealing with the atrociousness of herpresent.
Genevieve bit her lip and picked up her mobile phone. What were the chances Aubriella could make it to Weston in time to go with her? She wasn’t even sure where her cousin was. Aubriella was always off researching some castle or falling down pieces of rock to finish her degree. It rang three times before her cousin’s voice fillerGenevieve’sears.
“Hello?”
“Brie,” she began, “Please tell me you’re close enough to Weston Manor to come for a visit. I need you.” Aubriella wasn’t just Genevieve’s cousin—she was her best friend. They had always been able to count on each other. No matter what was going on in their lives, they always dropped everything if the other neededsupport.
“Actually,” Aubriella said, “I’m heading in that direction. I’ve discovered some fascinating information regarding the history of that estate. I was hoping to talk the duke into letting me look through his family’sarchives.”
What were the chances? “Let me guess,” Genevieve replied. “You’re hoping I’ll help you bendhisarm.”
Genevieve didn’t want to discourage her cousin, but there wasn’t a chance in hell they’d be able to talk Bradford, the current Duke of Weston, into letting them dig through anything. There wasn’t a man more cynical than him—at least none Genevieve had met. He didn’t like anyone invading his space and hated people in general. He deigned to put up with Genevieve because of Trenton. Otherwise, she’d never have been allowed to enter his home. He was rude on a good day. Today was not one that he’d willingly put up with her cousin’s intrusion. When she’d accidentally hit him earlier, he’d exploded with rage. She had no idea what had pissed him off, but she didn’t want to make him angrier. A part of her hoped he left for the ball at Seabrook before Aubriella arrived. Then she could put off her cousin’s inquiry a little longer. She couldn’t very well rummage through the duke’s stuff while he wasn’t here to give hispermission.
“Pretty please,” Aubriellabegged.
“As much as I’d like to, it’s not a good idea. But I am glad you’re on your way. Perhaps we can do something. It is starting to look like Trenton won’t be returning from Londontoday.”
Damn man.Why did she have to fall in love with a man obsessed with work more than anything in the world? He was trying to climb the ranks of his father’s company as if he had something to prove. Perhaps he did in some way. His father, Marshall Quinn, was a good man but quite obsessed with his wife, Catherine. Their marriage is what brought Trenton and Bradford together. They were stepbrothers who became friends not because, but despite their parents’ marriage. They had the neglected forgotten kid syndrome in common. Not an association that people generally wanted to have as a connecting factorbetweenthem.
None of that mattered though. Not when Trenton stood her up and forgot to let her know he was running late or not coming at all. He wasn’t someone she could depend on. Maybe one day he’d realize exhausting himself at his father’s company wouldn’t gain him a damn thing. Unfortunately, by the time he came to that conclusion it might be too late to change what was broken between them. It was perhaps time for her to let go and move on. Sometimes love wasn’t enough to see them through. She couldn’t make something work if the other person wasn’t helping as well. Aubriella on the other hand was her rock. The one person she could talk to about anything andeverything.
“I’m sorry, Eve,” Aubriella said. “I hope for your sakehedoes.”
“It doesn’t matter,” she said. “It is what it is. When are you going toarrive?”
“I’m pulling up the longdrivewaynow…”
Genevieve laughed. Of course she was. Aubriella had a one-track mind where her research was concerned. She didn’t even think twice about how she might not be welcomed. Perhaps she should ask her cousin exactly what she was researching. It wouldn’t hurt to at least feign some interest. “Then I’ll hang up and meet you at thefrontdoor.”
Genevieve didn’t wait for her cousin to reply. She hit the end button on her phone, slipped it into her pocket, and then headed to the front door. She passed the butler in the hall on her way and told him she’d let her cousin in. She didn’t want him to feel the brunt of Bradford’s displeasure. She stopped in front of the large mahogany door and swung it open as Aubriella was skipping up the front steps. Her rose-gold curls were bouncing over her shoulders with each step. She halted when she reached Genevieve and lifted her honey-colored eyes to meet her gaze. “I’m not going to apologize for presuming I’d be welcome. Even if his highness won’t allow me access to his family’s records, a visit with my favorite person in the world is enough to endure hiswrath.”
Genevieve pulled her cousin into her arms, hugging her tight. “Don’t worry about Bradford. He won’t be a problem—at least notforlong.”
Aubriella stepped out of her arms and asked, “Howso?”
“Well…” Genevieve bit her lip. “That is part of the reason I was calling you. Trenton and I were supposed to go to this high society fundraiser. It is a once a year thing, and I’ve always wanted to go.” She looped her arm through Aubriella’s and led her inside shutting the door behind them. They headed to the nearest sitting room. “I hear that the man who throws the party is gorgeous too, though I’ve never met him,” she added the last part for her cousin’s benefit. Trenton was incredibly handsome, and she hadn’t even thought twice about looking at another man. “Do you want to go?” She gestured for Aubriella to head inside, then closed the door and followedbehindher.
“I don’t know…” Aubriella frowned. “Wouldn’t we need to dress fancy or something? I’d rather not. It’s not my kind ofthing.”
Of course it wasn’t. Genevieve should have realized it. They could still spend time together. It just wouldn’t be at one of the Marquess of Seabrook’s elegant events. At least the money they spent on tickets would go to a charity. All of the proceeds went to a good cause from the event. Genevieve liked that about him. She often wondered what he was like and hoped to meet him someday. He must be a wonderful man who thought well about the world in general. Making it a better place was a worthwhile endeavor. Maybe one day she’d get a chance to make her own mark. For now, she’d focus on her cousin and spending some quality timewithher.
“That’s fine,” she said. “Bradford is going to it.Trentonis…”
The door opened and closed with aclick. Genevieve turned and noticed the manor’s owner enter the room. He wasn’t going to be happy to find Aubriella making herself at home in hissittingroom.
“Running late,” Bradford said. “He asked me to relay the message to you.” He nodded at them. “Sorry to interrupt. I didn’t realize you hadcompany.”
“He called you?”And ignored me?How dare he! When he made it back to Weston Manor he’d realize what a colossal mistake that was. Her jaw clenched tightly, and she clutched her fists at her side. The need to hit something was growing as each moment passed. She pasted a smile on her face and forced herself to remain cordial as she asked, “Did he give you any indication how latehe’dbe?”
Bradford shook his head. “I don’t know. He left a voicemail. I didn’t actually speak to him. I’m sure he’ll make it up to you once he arrives.” Her fake grin wavered as he spoke. He looked at her and said reassuringly, “It’s all right to arrive late. Zane doesn’t stand onceremony.”
That’s right. Bradford was good friends with the marquess. Most didn’t refer to the man by first name. Trenton usually called him Mr. Rossington. Lord Seabrook was too formal most of the time and Zane was too personal. Maybe one day she’d know where she fit into that mold. She might never have a chance to attend one of the events at Seabrook Manor again. The idea of going anywhere with Trent no longer appealed—even if he decided to show up in the next few moments. She was ready to depart Weston Manor and not look back. Bradford meant well, encouraging her even if it was out of characterforhim.
