Page 60 of Lady of Charade

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“Why?”

“To get away from this — all of this.”

“What about us? What you and I have?”

She snorted slightly, startling him. “What do you suggest, David? That I remain as your mistress?”

“Of course not!” he said, indignant that she would think such a thing. He was willing to give up everything for her, and this is what she truly thought of him? “I’ve told you how much I care about you—”

“I know you care for me, David, I do not question that,” she said. “But how would you continue tocarefor me while you are married?”

“Married? What are you talking about?”

“I have been informed of your upcoming nuptials, for which I simply must congratulate you,” she said, and despite her apparent efforts to remain nonchalant, he could hear the pain laced within her words. “I hope you are very happy. She is beautiful.”

David stared at her.

“I am not getting married — at least, not to anyone else. Sarah, I lo—”

But Sarah was too upset to listen to what he was saying.

She strode to the door, placed one hand upon the knob, and waved her other toward it.

“Goodbye, David.”

“Sarah, I am not leaving,” he said, raising his voice now in order for her to hear just what, exactly, he had to say. “You must listen to me—”

A knock resounded at the door, loud enough to interrupt him, and David sighed, exasperated, as Sarah tugged the door open.

A man stood outside, holding the hand of a small child, a girl whose eyes were full of tears.

“Miss Jones?” he said quizzically, and Sarah nodded. “I’m sorry, but my daughter fell today, and her arm doesn’t look quite right. She’s been complaining of it something fierce, and I was told that you could help. But if I’m interrupting—”

“No, of course not, do come in,” Sarah said, ushering them into her room. “It’s best to set the bone as soon as possible if required. This man was just leaving.”

David shook his head to tell her that no, he most certainly wasnotleaving, but the look she gave him was one that told him if he didn’t, there would be consequences.

Very well. If that was what she wanted, he would leave — but he would be back shortly. And this time, he would make her listen.

CHAPTER26

Sarah made quick work of the little girl’s arm. It was a clean break, and easy to set. The girl was a tough one and made little protest considering what Sarah had to do, for which Sarah was grateful. The man told her he had a stall in the market from which he sold vegetables, and if Sarah would like to come by, he would be happy to provide her with anything she’d like in payment for her services. Sarah smiled, thanked him, but then informed him that this would be one of her last days here. Her ship was to sail very soon, and she would have neither the time nor the need to attend the market if she was to make it before departure.

She took a deep breath once she shut the door behind them, finally able to process David’s visit, all that he had said and all that she knew to be true. Sarah realized she had been abrupt with him, but if she hadn’t, if she had allowed him to become close in both body and mind, then she would be doomed. She couldn’t allow his words of charm and comfort, words she clearly unable to resist. This is what had led her to the situation she was currently in, and she would not allow it to happen again — of that, she was determined.

She looked around her now, at the rooms that had been her home for far longer than she could have ever imagined. She had been happy here, in a sense. She had become closer with three women than she could have thought possible, and her heart ached at the thought of leaving them. She sealed the letters she had written to each of them, lovingly running her fingers over the names of her friends. She would write them again, to be sure, and she knew she should tell them of her decision and her plans in person — but if she did, they would likely convince her to stay, at least for a time. In all actuality, had they been in London, she wouldn’t have been able to help but to see them, just for one last time. But Phoebe and Elizabeth were each residing at their country estates for the moment, while Julia was at a racetrack elsewhere in England — likely Newmarket, though Sarah had to admit she had a difficult time keeping up with their schedule.

She would miss them — oh, how she would miss them. But they all had their own lives now and their own families. They might miss her, but it wouldn’t be the same. They had much to keep them occupied and she had only been a part of their lives for a few years — they would soon go back to the way things had been before she had ever arrived.

Sarah wiped the tears from her eyes as she gathered her belongings. She would pack the remainder of her things, those she was leaving behind, and give them to another woman who might need them. Perhaps Emily — she was a new mother, and she and Billy had little to their name. Sarah hadn’t come to own much, not having the funds to purchase much of anything, but if she could help someone else a bit, that would be best.

Sarah wrote a note to affix to the door for any potential patients who came her way, with directions to where they could find another who could help them. One more night here, she thought with a nod. Then she would be gone. But first, there was one more visit she had to make before she left.

* * *

Sarah had visitedLady Alexander’s London townhome often enough, but she had never been invited any further than the front drawing room, where she would often await Lady Alexander to prepare herself to attend an event. Today, however, the butler led her into a back drawing room, which was styled in rich colors of red and gold, almost oriental in its look. She remembered that Lord Alexander had been interested in all things foreign — in fact, he had died while on a tour of Asia. Sarah was surprised Lady Alexander had kept the room as such, for it might remind her of memories she may not otherwise want to entertain.

“Miss Jones,” Lady Alexander appeared in the doorway, elegantly dressed. It was mid-afternoon, so she would have been prepared to receive callers, though Sarah was unsure how much socializing the woman typically partook in. Sarah waited for her to ask why she was visiting when they had no previously scheduled appointment, but Lady Alexander surprised her by leading her into the room, sitting down on the chair across from her and folding her hands in her lap as she gazed upon her studiously.