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His brother had been a great man, but he had been mortal.

Do not make the same mistakes…

No, he did not intend to.

For the first time in his life, Alex felt a smile overtake his face. Standing there alone, he experienced a surge of joy that came with certainty and freedom.

Make a choice.

That was exactly what he meant to do.

7

Clara was not due to leave for another week, but it was never too soon to start packing.

Right?

Of course not.

She fussed with the edges of a petticoat as she folded it, her heartbeat frantic and her hands trembling.

Flee. Everything in her was urging her to run away. She couldn’t take it any longer. She’d thought she’d be able to watch Alex woo another, but it had been so much more difficult than she could ever have imagined.

She should have left days ago.

And gone where?

That thought had her pausing in her task. Where on earth did she think she was going? She was tied to the Dowager, the penniless companion. There was nowhere for her to run, not until she found a way to fund a school.

She dropped down onto the bed. The dream that had been keeping her going felt hollow and distant and utterly lonely. Of course she wanted to help her sister and others in the same position, but the thought of doing it all on her own. Of giving up her dreams of a family once and for all…

She swallowed down tears. Crying never did anyone a lick of good. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to unfold the clothing that was now scattered on her bed.

Running away was not an option. All there was for it was to keep a stiff upper lip and dry her eyes, focus on the future.

A future without Alex.

Heartache had her pressing her lips together to hold back a sob. She was so tired of being stoic, so exhausted from standing tall.

She eyed her pillow. Or perhaps she was merely exhausted because of the late hour. She’d likely regain her pragmatic attitude once she’d gotten some sleep.

Yes, that was it. Sleep would definitely mend her heartache.

With a sigh she pulled back the counterpane, but stopped as a soft knock sounded on her door. She eyed the door, surely she was mistaken. Who would be knocking at her door in the middle of the night?

But there it was again. Soft but sure.

Alex.

She sat there frozen for too long, torn between desire and self-preservation. She was too fragile, too weary, too overwhelmed with emotion. If she were to see him now she would not be able to keep her distance, even if he was engaged to another.

She squeezed her eyes shut tight at the thought. Watching them together tonight had been horrible. Like a living nightmare. Watching the man she loved woo another when she was nearly certain he felt the same.

But then, he would not be the man she loved if he did not have such a keen sense of duty.

She groaned as the knock sounded again, louder this time, the sound echoing the loud thud of her heart.

Why could he not let her be? This was hard enough without added temptation.