Page 60 of Lord Ramsey's Red-Headed Ruin
She gave a final nod and took the stairs down.
At the last step, she stopped and turned to bidadieuto Gus. “I love you, sweet Augustine. You have been my dearestfriend, my colleague, my collaborator, and my darling sister. Go seize your love and live in peace. You deserve Kane and all the happiness you both will find together.”
Then she picked up her skirts and fled outside, beyond friendship, beyond love.
*
Ram stared atKane, but saw nothing. “She does not listen to reason.”
Kane looked as downhearted as he.
“I have tried everything.”
Kane put a hand to his shoulder. “Find yourself.”
Ram blinked. “What?”
“Find yourself and then you will find a way to help her.”
“I doubt that.”
“Don’t,” Kane insisted. “You will find a way.”
Ram exhaled, dumbfounded. The one thing in his life he needed to change…and he had no means. “Never easy, is it, loving another?”
Kane winced. “Never. But then the rewards are more than you imagined.”
Ram embraced his friend once more. He knew not how to claim those rewards. He knew not how to change her mind. That Whit could believe Ram could change even this was sweet, but foolish.
He would have to watch Amber leave him…and grieve that he knew not how to prevent it.
Chapter Seventeen
Ram hooked theleather straps of his valise and did a visual sweep of the bedroom. He had left nothing here.
He had given all he had. Someday, that would be enough for him. Enough to bring him peace.
But today…
Today he would not conclude anything. That would happen another day. He knew not when.
He swung toward the door and took the hall and the stairs down at a clip.
Gaspard stood in the foyer, his hands folded before him. The poor man knew not how to take the attitude he perceived in Ram. Upon their arrival from visiting the Ashleys, themajordomhad opened the door for Amber and Ram. At once, she had adjourned to the salon upstairs. Ram had gone to their bedroom suite to pack. Neither had words for the other.
There was nothing left to say. Only the sorrow was palpable.
Ram took the last step down. “Gaspard, hire a carriage for me,s’il vous plaît.”
The man snapped to attention, his gaze assessing Ram with dour concern. “Monsieur, is there anything else I can do for you?”
“No,merci beaucoup, Gaspard. You can close the house properly after madame leaves. I know not when that will be. You must ask her.”
The man’s pale eyes went soft with worry. “I will. May I say, monsieur, I hate to see you both leave. You have been a pleasure to serve.”
“You are kind, Gaspard. Please notify the house agent after madame’s departure. Send the invoice for the rent to this address. I will pay the sum.” Then Ram pressed a piece of paper with his address into the man’s hand along with a few sizable banknotes. “A token of my appreciation.”
Gaspard glanced at the denominations. “Monsieur! You are very kind. This is not necessary.”
