Page 50 of A Fiery Lady's Accidental Affair

“In fact,” Laurence continued purposefully, “That is rather the reason I have come to pay her a visit. I had intended to…court Alicia in earnest. Her visit was ended rather abruptly, and I had hoped we could discuss…well, what the future holds for us.”

As soon as the words left his mouth Laurence had the sensation of having seen lightning flash in the distance. Now, the silence that fell over the stuffy room was as long and expectant as the pause between the lightning and the thunder. Laurence felt his throat prickle, felt a drop of sweat roll lazily down his temple.

Then came the thunderclap.

“Oh. Oh.” Grace sat straighter in her seat, a look of distress coming to her thin face. “You mean…oh, I am so sorry, you must have misunderstood my sister.”

He blinked, feeling his heart hammer harder in his chest. “What do you mean?”

“Please understand, it’s nothing against your character, I’m sure,” said Grace with a smile full of pity. “I cannot claim to know just what happened between you and Alicia at your…property. All I know is what Alicia told me on her return, and on that point, she was most unambiguous.”

“What…unambiguous about what?” Laurence said dumbly.

She paused as though in thought. “I do not wish to abuse your feelings, sir. Perhaps it would be best for me to tell Alicia later that you paid her a visit, or for you to write a letter. This is all just so frightfully untoward, and—”

“Just say it. Please.”

Her eyes flashed as she smiled at him still more broadly. Laurence could not tell if she was sad or was relishing telling him this. “My sister does not have any desire to see you any more, Mister Gillingham. Not tonight, and not ever again. She told me quite clearly that she is looking forward to putting this whole episode behind her and forgetting about it so she can return to her normal life.”

Laurence felt the world swirl about his head, then his vision contracted to the barest pinprick of light. “No,” he gasped. “No, that’s not…”

“I do apologize on her behalf, sir,” said Grace with a sympathetic pout. “Playing with your feelings like that was most unkind. Unfortunately, it is all too common for a flighty young woman like my sister. She is forever playing at love with some man or another who passes through her life. If you only knew how often I’ve had to comfort her after she pledged her heart to this man or that on a silly whim of hers. But really, you must have known a real relationship with Alicia was always out of the question.”

“I…” was all that escaped his throat, devoid of sense or thought. “I…I don’t…”

“After all, can you imagine?” Grace gave a most unbecomingly girlish laugh, unfolding an Oriental fan and beating it in her direction as though warmed by her own humour. “My sister is one of the most desirable young women in London society! She has been entertaining offers of marriage from several eligible young men—rich men, London men—for some time now. Why, Mister Woodruff has been by to visit her just in the last week or so. To think that she would throw away all her prospects, all her family’s future, to be with the likes of you! No offence intended, of course.”

This cannot be. Not Alicia. She told me…I thought her affection was as true and pure as my own. How can it be that she fooled me so completely?Laurence shook his head faintly.There must be some mistake.

“May I speak with her?” Laurence asked from deep within the miserable pit he felt himself sinking into.

Grace spread her arms wide and cocked her head to one side, shaking her head with a sad smile. “I do apologize, sir, but I must respect my sister’s wishes. If you wish to leave word for her, I’m sure my butler can write down your thoughts for you.”

Laurence continued to shake his head, as though to dismiss this conversation like a bad dream. Nothing about this made sense. Unless everything Alicia had said to him, all she had told him…

It was all a lie, wasn’t it?he thought, feeling the walls close in about him still further.I was nothing more than a plaything for a spoiled rich London girl.

The thunder continued to roll through the house, a roaring in his ears drowning out the sound of whatever Grace was saying. He was dimly aware of himself rising to his feet, stepping out of the room, retracing his steps back to the stable, taking Robinson’s reins, walking out into the dark London street.

Can you imagine?he repeated to himself, his limbs still moving mechanically into an unknown direction.With the likes of you?

Can you imagine?

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