Page 61 of The Courtship Trap
“Sebastian?” Lorenzo’s voice carried after him, laced with confusion. “Dio, what now?”
Sebastian ignored him, reaching his bedchamber and throwing the door open so violently it slammed into the wall. He had to move. Had to pack. Had to put as much distance between himself and this place—between himself and Harriet—as possible before he did something truly foolish.
He yanked open a trunk, thankful he had insisted the servants not stow it away, and shoved folded shirts inside with far more force than necessary. The repetitive motions soothed nothing. His mind still reeled, caught between the sting of betrayal and the damned, infuriating truth that he still wanted her.
Even now. Even knowing what he knew.
A curse ripped from his throat as he tossed a waistcoat into the trunk. The door opened behind him.
“I assume you’re fleeing the country,” Lorenzo said dryly.
Sebastian ground his teeth, not looking up as he moved to his wardrobe. “Not fleeing. Leaving.”
Lorenzo stepped farther inside, shutting the door with an ominous click. “I see. And what, pray, has prompted this dramatic departure?”
Sebastian grasped a stack of cravats, his hands trembling. “I have had enough of this godforsaken country.”
Lorenzo hummed. “Fascinating. And does this sudden loathing for England have anything to do with Lady Slight?”
Sebastian stiffened. The cravats crumpled in his grip.
Lorenzo sighed. “You are not subtle,amico. You have returned looking like you might strangle the next man who speaks to you. What happened?”
Silence stretched between them.
Sebastian turned, exhaling sharply as he met Lorenzo’s searching gaze. The truth burned on his tongue, his every instinct at war. He did not want to say it aloud. Did not want to acknowledge it. Because once he did, it would be real.
But Lorenzo was relentless.
“Sebastian.”
The name was a command, sharp and unyielding. Sebastian’s hands clenched. His breath came hard and fast.
“She’s having an affair with my cousin,” he bit out.
Lorenzo’s brows lifted. “Which one?”
“Richard,” Sebastian snapped.
A beat of silence. Then … Lorenzo snorted.
Sebastian’s glare could have stripped paint from the walls. “You find this amusing?”
Lorenzo held up a hand, still chuckling. “I find it absurd.”
Sebastian scowled, turning back to his packing. “I saw them. Together.”
Lorenzo’s amusement faded. “Did you see them together, or did you assume?”
Sebastian tensed. “They were alone. She was distressed. He was comforting her.”
Lorenzo sighed. “Sebastian?—”
A knock at the door interrupted them. Sebastian exhaled sharply, grateful for the reprieve. He stalked to the door and wrenched it open.
Campbell stood there, composed as ever, giving Sebastian pause.
“Lord and Lady Saunton are waiting for you in the family drawing room, milord.”
