“I do understand the temptation,” Leo said, smiling at him softly. “Of course, I do. Egerton is evil, and he deserves worse. But you have to let it go. Not by finally having your chance for vengeance, but just by learning to live in the present moment and appreciate what you have now. You have a beautiful wife, Winston, who seems very fond of you—and whom you seem very fond of as well if the gossip rags can be believed. Do not throw that away to live in the past and seek vengeance.”
“I know, you are right,” Winston said. “And thank you for talking some sense into me.”
Winston was satisfied by the time he left White’s half an hour later that he had convinced his friend that he was not going to go after Egerton.That way, when the Bow Street Runners question him, he won’t have to feign innocence, and he will have an air-tight alibi.
Because if there was one thing Winston knew about their friendship, it was that if Winston had said he was going throughwith it, Leo would have come with him—no matter what. That was just the kind of friend he was.
I will protect the people I love,he thought as he told his driver to take him home.
Back home, he found Vanessa sitting in the parlor, writing letters. She looked up as he came in.
“How was White’s?” she asked as he crossed to the side table opposite and poured himself another glass of brandy.
“It was good,” he said shortly. Things had been a little tense between them since he had ordered her out of his room. He knew he ought to apologize, but it had been difficult to find the words.
“I am just catching up on my correspondences,” she explained, gesturing at her letters. “Is there anyone you would like me to write to on our behalf?”
“No,” he said. He stayed standing by the side table. They looked at each other for a long moment.
“What is it?” she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly. “There is an odd look about you.”
“I must go away for a few days,” he said.
“What?” she stared at him. “Why?”
“There is business I must attend to.”
“Business…”
“Yes, business. I must return to Dorset. It will only be a day or two.”
“I do not want you to go away,” she said. “I want you to stay here.”
He frowned. Was it just his imagination, or did she sound frightened?
“It will be very brief, and then I will be back,” he said. “It cannot be avoided.”
“This is about Lord Egerton, isn’t it?” she demanded suddenly. “Do not deny it—I know it is.”
“No, it is not,” he lied.How did she know?“It is about business.”
“You cannot let go of your need for vengeance,” she said, shaking her head. “You are going to leave me alone here, unprotected, all because you have to have the final say.”
“It is only a few days!” he snapped. “You will not be alone and unprotected. The servants are here, and I do not think you needto be afraid of spending a few days alone. You are a duchess, not a frightened little girl.”
She glared at him, and he felt as if some of the ice around his heart strengthened under her glare—as if it were building its wall back up.
“Please do not do this,” she said. “Do not leave me alone.”
“I must,” he replied shortly, setting down his brandy. “I leave on the morrow. I will be back in a few days. And when I am…” he hesitated. “Things will be different. I will be different. Better.”
She blinked, taken aback. “What does that mean?”
“I will be able to give you what you need,” he said. “I will be the man you deserve.”
Her face softened, and she stood up. “You already are the man I deserve,” she argued, taking a step towards him. “You do not need to prove anything or change anything.”
“Yes,” he said. “I do.”
