“I suppose this is it then,” Giles sighed.
“You know what you need to do,” Sebastian said. “And I will do the rest.”
His stomach was twisted into knots, his body trembled, and the room spun around him because the guilt he felt was beyond painful.
There was but one way to save his wife, and that was to push her away once and for all. If he was able to cut her off and convince her that this marriage was just for show, that he had no feelings for her whatsoever, then she would leave willingly and never return.
That would hopefully convince Mr. Ramsay to leave her be. That would allow Sebastian time to come to a new arrangement with the despicable publisher. That might buy him more time tofigure out how he was going to save the orphanage before Mr. Ramsay was able to spread his lies and threaten its existence.
It was not the best plan Sebastian had ever come up with. But it was going to have to do.
He sat down by the fire, a glass of whiskey in one hand, staring into the flames as he listened for the sound of Helena’s footsteps. All the while knowing that this was the hardest thing he had ever had to do.
For the greater good, whatever that is supposed to mean.
Helena hurried through the manor, on her way to the main drawing room, where Sebastian and Lord Ashford were waiting for her. She did not even know that Lord Ashford was visiting, as her husband had neglected to inform her.
But no matter, he was here now and wished to see her. And Helena was pleased to realize that it had nothing to do with appearances.
The relief I feel at no longer having to pretend or exaggerate my feelings around Sebastian is beyond heartening. In fact, I am excited to be myself, and more thrilled for Sebastian to be the same. This is what it means to be married.
She turned into the hallway that led to the drawing room. The door was open, and she quickened her pace, a smile already reaching her lips.
It was as she came closer to the open door that she heard voices.
“… and it was all a lie?” she heard Lord Ashford gasp.
“Are you surprised?” her husband chuckled. “Did you really think that I would ever behave like that around my wife?”
“You had me fooled,” Lord Ashford said. “As you did half the ton.”
Helena chuckled to herself when she heard it, figuring that Sebastian was simply telling his friend the truth of it. Not a concern, because she was through lying to the people she cared about. And clearly, Sebastian was of the same mind.
If anything, she chose to see the positive. In her mind, this was further proof that Sebastian was starting to take this marriage seriously. Now, they would be free to be themselves as they never had before, showing to all and sundry how real this marriage had become.
“The truth is, I will be thrilled when this is all over.” Sebastian’s voice drifted from the room as she reached the door. “I am sick to death of the charade.”
“And your wife?”
“Will get over it,” Sebastian said sharply.
Helena balked when she heard the comment, the tone of his voice. She was just about to round the doorway and step into the room, but she froze, caught completely by surprise because…
No, I must have misheard.
“That’s a little harsh, isn’t it?” Lord Ashford remarked.
“She brings it upon herself,” Sebastian sighed. “Truly, when this marriage began, she and I were on the same page. A marriage of convenience, we both agreed, and we were happy to keep things that way. But I tell you, Giles…” Another bereaved sigh. “Women. They are fickle creatures, and my life would be better without them.”
“And you are only just now realizing this,” Lord Ashford laughed.
“The inconvenience this woman has caused me…” Sebastian groaned. “It wasn’t enough that I treated her like a queen when we were in public. Oh no. Would you believe that she insisted I do it at home!” he scoffed. “Worse than that, she began to fall for me.”
“Are you sure she is not just playing a role?”
“I wish that she were. Sadly, I am just too charming for my own good. I could sense her falling for me and, not wanting her toruin everything, had no choice but to go along with it. Would you believe that she thinks I am also falling for her?” He laughed, and the sound cut through Helena like sharp knives. “That I might be in love with her.”
“Little does she realize that you are only capable of loving yourself,” Lord Ashford joked.
