Page 75 of The Lady Glass
She’d been crying, and it tore at him.
“I’m leaving. You know I must.”
He crouched down beside her. “I don’t know anything of the sort. I explained your purpose here to the others, and they’ve agreed not to say anything.”
“Lady Caspar would never agree to call meLadyanything, even if someone’s life does depend on it. If I don’t leave, there will be more problems for everyone.”
“Theresia...” He glanced sideways at Lady Cadogen, wishing for privacy but also knowing this conversation wouldn’t be possible without her chaperoning. “Please, see reason. I don’t know your connection to Lady Caspar, but this is not her house. If the duke wanted you to leave, he would tell you to.”
“He’s too nice for that,” Theresia said.
“I second that,” Lady Cadogen added.
Rolland glared at her before realizing her husband would probably kill him for less. He turned back to Theresia. “Where will you go?”
“I have a connection nearby. If I could borrow a carriage for a half hour’s time to transport this trunk, I would be most obliged. I require nothing more.”
He stood, folding his arms to keep from hitting his fist against the wall. If her connection was the Roma camp, where her safety and livelihood were at risk, there was no way he was letting her leave. “What is the name of your friend who is planning on taking you in?”
Rolland wouldn’t need Marcus to see through her lie. He knew the Bedrichs were in London.
“An old friend who has offered his help before, but I have never taken him up on it. I have no doubt he will put me up for as long as required.”
“I’m going to need more than that.” A name. An address. But preferably a promise not to leave to begin with.
Theresia shook her head. “That is all I will tell you.”
Stubborn woman. “Then, I’m going with you.”
“Andalin has already agreed to be my companion on the drive.”
Rolland shot another look at Lady Cadogen, fully expecting her to withdraw her offer.
“I am happy to do so,” Andalin said, her words punctured with determination.
So they had schemed against him, had they? “Theresia, can I speak with you alone in the corridor?”
She stood and he dropped his arms, relieved.
“No, you may not.”
He startled. “What?”
“You may not speak to me alone. This won’t be any easier if we drag it out. Just let me go, Rolland. That was the plan all along.”
“But what about... ?” He grasped for a reason to stall her,knowinghemight not be enough. There was only one thing that could persuade her. He lowered his voice. “What about your vase?”
Theresia hugged herself. “There is nothing more I can do. It’s about time I admit that it’s gone forever.”
The vase had been his last hope. Her last hope. His breathing came short and hard as the realization hit him. She was really going to leave. And she was bullheaded enough that nothing he said right now would convince her.
A knock sounded on the door, and Lady Cadogen invited in two footmen. They had Theresia’s trunk in their hands only a moment later, and Theresia and Lady Cadogen followed it out.
Theresia had come into his life unexpectedly, and now she dared to leave it the same way. And, fool that he was, he was helpless to stop her.
Chapter 36
The night was ominously darkand rainy. What else would it be? Theresia’s string of good fortune had run out. At least she’d had this one last idea. She had asked herself why she hadn’t told Rolland all the details of her godfather’s letter. Now she knew why. She’d needed an escape, a safety net to catch her should she fall. And she had fallen royally.
