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“Consider it an act of kindness. I detest the necessity of this conversation, but neither will I see you destitute, despite your disloyalty and lack of moral compass. I suggest you act quickly before I change my mind.”
The maid made to leave, when Annabel realized she had a question.
“However, I do require something from you, Caroline.”
“Yes, miss?”
“How long have you and Lord Saunton been … meeting in the stables?” Richard made a choking sound as Caroline’s face reddened in shame.
“You mean meeting in the stables?” the maid clarified.
“Indeed. The emphasis is on meeting, not stables.”
The maid looked down, shamefaced, to stare at the toes of her shoes. “About mumble mumble.”
“What’s that?”
Caroline squirmed. “About two months.”
“Here in the stables?”
“See here? Is this really necessary?” interjected Richard.
Annabel turned to glare at him. He immediately relented, staring in abashed fascination at the hay scattered on the ground beneath his boots.
“Caroline, here in the stables?” she repeated.
The maid nodded, keeping her face averted to the floor. “Usually. I would come wait here for him on days he was to visit, and he would arrive early, with the woods at the back to cover his approach, so no one would know what time he arrived.”
Annabel’s fingers and toes felt icy with shock as she digested this information. “Hurry along. Lord Saunton and I have private matters to discuss.” She shooed the girl out, gesturing toward the stall door as she stepped aside.
The maid rushed out in apparent relief. Annabel did not blame her. She wished she could rush out and pretend she had not witnessed—nor heard—the past few minutes. Return in time and be back in the guest chamber trying on her trousseau—and this time fail to glance out the window. If she attempted to comprehend all the consequences of this moment, she felt it would tear her physically limb from limb. Her dreams for the future were lost. Her entire life changed in a matter of minutes.
Drawing a fortifying breath, Annabel turned to look at Richard. She was unsure what emotion she had expected to find on his face. Shame? Sheepishness? Tears would be nice. A fitting response to celebrate her loss of naïveté and the rending of their love. It was unexpected to find him scowling in defiance. He appeared to be blushing, at least.
“I believed a contemptuous father and an indifferent brother were the worst influences I had to contend with. Yet I discover a beloved’s face can disguise a more awful character than anything I could have conceived of before this day.”
“I never promised you love.”
Annabel considered for a moment and knew she could not deny it. “You are right. You said I was pretty—captivating, even. You said I was one of the most interesting people you had met. Our long acquaintance, coupled with the marriage proposal and sentiments you voiced, all misled me into believing you loved me.”
“I do love you, in a way. Just not the way you mean.”
“But it is the way that matters! To me!” With that, her calm shattered, and tears rolled unchecked down her cheeks.
“Annabel, this changes nothing. I care for you very much. I want to make you my wife, any way you see fit. As my countess, you will have more freedom than this tiny world your father forces you to live in. It will be good for you.”
“This changes everything! Our love? That was the most important part to me! I thought we would be partners, taking on life’s challenges together. That we would make each other strong. That you were strong. But you are a weak man driven by base desires. If I do not help that stupid, naïve girl find a new place, what will happen to her?”
“She is a grown woman who made her own decisions.” Richard’s defiance had returned.
Annabel shook her head in disbelief. Just how many women had Richard been meeting since their betrothal had begun?
“I shall let the baron know to cancel our wedding. I could rail or scream, but I am not even sure where to begin. Good day, my lord.” She turned to leave.
“Annabel.” Richard grasped her arm. She looked back and found his expression belligerent, his stance stubborn. “I have no intention of allowing you to break the betrothal.”
“What!” Her composure was forgotten as her jaw dropped.
