Page 57 of The Virgin and the Viscount

“Don’t push her away as you’ve done everyone else. Allow yourself to be happy, truly happy, the way your father and I were. The way your other brothers are. You deserve it, my sweet boy.”

Chapter Twelve

Tilly had been waiting for Sullivan to return. She’d taken care of her needs, brushed her hair, and moved from one position to another. Still, he hadn’t come back. She glanced around the room, and a book caught her eye. A small bound volume tucked next to an ornamental box on his bedside table.

She leaned over and plucked the book up and her fingers fumbled. The book fluttered open, exposing the pages, and a folded note fell to the floor. And then a second. She picked them up, fully intending to return them to the pages of the book until she saw the signature.

Lady X.

Her heart plummeted. The entirety of her insides felt doused in chilled water. No, no, no. Carefully, she unfolded the letter all the way and read through the feminine penmanship. Nausea whirled through her and she closed her eyes and breathed slowly through her nose. In and out.

He was working with Lady X. Her husband partnered with the greatest nemesis to her beloved Ladies of Virtue. Tilly sat, holding the letter, anger radiating through her body. How could she have been so stupid?

She had finally given Sullivan all of her trust only to discover he’d dealt the ultimate betrayal. He hadn’t married her to salvage her reputation. No, he’d married her as a plot to get information out of Lady X. He’d deceived her for his own selfish gain. Oh God, she couldn’t breathe. She swallowed hard against the tears that pricked at her eyes.

The door opened and he stepped inside, his face lit with a handsome grin. Then his eyes dropped to her hand and he stopped.

“Tilly, let me explain.”

She shook her head. “There is nothing to explain.”

“You don’t know the full story,” he said.

“You mean the fact that you’ve been actively trying to destroy the thing I love most about my life? That you deceived me? Used me? All because you want so badly to punish Thomas?”

“He murdered my brother.” He tossed his arms up, then scrubbed a hand down his face. “Am I supposed to ignore that?”

She waited several breaths for him to say something more. For him to admit he had feelings for her despite how their marriage began. Instead, he simply watched her. “Evidently not.” She stood, gathering the bed coverings to hold in front of her naked body. “I can’t stay here with you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll go and stay with Agnes or another friend.”

“You’re leaving?” He stepped forward to block her.

“Yes, Sullivan, I’m leaving.”

“Let’s discuss this.”

“There’s nothing to discuss. You betrayed me. How could you do that to me? Do you care so little about me?”

“I care a great deal about you,” he said. “All of this has been to protect you. I tried to convince Lady Somersby—”

“You what?” She shoved at his chest. “You went and spoke to Lady Somersby? To say what?”

“To ask her to put an end to this nonsense. You’re all in danger. It’s reckless and irresponsible to put women in such positions.”

“And what did she tell you?”

“She refused. As did the other husbands I spoke to.”

So determined was he to destroy her group that he’d spoken to the creator of the Ladies of Virtue and then her friends’ husbands. She squeezed her eyes closed. “I can’t do this.”

He exhaled slowly. “I know that you prefer London so I shall have a carriage ready in the morning and I’ll return to the country. Feel free to do whatever you wish to do with the townhome.”

“You’re leaving?”

“Yes, so you can stay here. There is no need to go and live with someone else. This is your home. We’ll be one of those couples who see each other only every now and then.”

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