Page 273 of Taken Away

Anne’s face twisted.

“She said it was time.”

“Time for what?”

“For the truth.”

Anne’s voice broke.

“For Aubrey. For Blackwood. For all of it.”

Outside the door, Aubrey made a small sound.

Bennett tightened his arm around her.

Inside, Burke leaned forward.

“And that made you angry.”

“She had no right to decide when my life would be exposed.”

“Your life?”

“My shame.”

The word hung there.

Burke’s expression softened, but his voice did not.

“Was Aubrey your shame?”

Anne recoiled.

“No.”

“Then what was?”

Anne’s eyes filled again.

“That he didn’t choose me.”

For a moment, Burke said nothing.

Anne pressed one trembling hand to her mouth.

“He chose her. He always chose her.”

Her voice turned small.

“I wanted Mabel to say she was sorry.”

“For marrying Harold?”

“For taking what was mine.”

“And did she?”

Anne stared at him.