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She’d never expected him to attend the ball, not after he’d said he hated them. But now, to learn that he’d gone there simply to see the woman he’d once loved? It completely infuriated her.

Collect yourself, she warned. You cannot avoid him forever.

She wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, fully aware that her eyes were red and swollen. ‘Come in.’

As she’d feared, Alaric stood at the doorway. His expression was solemn, and he kept his distance. His dark hair accentuated the steel grey eyes, and she still couldn’t deny her strong attraction to this man. He weakened her defences, making her want him more than she should.

‘Charlotte, what you saw tonight—’

‘—doesn’t matter,’ she finished. ‘I will be leaving for Severn in the morning, as you asked.’ Her voice had a slight quaver, which irritated her.

‘I didn’t go to the ball to see her,’ he insisted. ‘You must know that.’

‘Then why did you?’

‘Because Mr Virdon was there. I wanted to find out what connection he had. I still think he’s a threat.’

That might have been part of the truth, but it wasn’t what bothered her most. And so she gave him honesty. ‘I think Lenora is the greater threat to us.’

‘Are you suggesting I would be unfaithful to you?’ The words were a blade, revealing his own anger.

‘I don’t know what to believe.’ She stood from her chair and went towards the open trunk. Her cat was nestled amidst the clothing, so she reached in and pulled Basil out. Although Moreen had already packed most of her belongings, Charlotte needed a means of occupying herself so she wouldn’t have to face him. ‘There are many married men who take mistresses.’

‘I am not one of them.’ He crossed the room and closed the distance between them. ‘Don’t accuse me of something I haven’t done.’

Her feelings for him were hanging by the slightest thread. Although she believed that he hadn’t touched the countess, she did believe that there were still feelings between them. Lenora had told Alaric she cared for him. It didn’t matter that they had both married other people. Love didn’t die that easily.

Certainly, she couldn’t close off her own feelings for Alaric so easily. She was so very tired of being set aside, but she tried to shield herself, nonetheless.

Charlotte folded a petticoat and placed it in the trunk. Then another. When she reached for a third, Alaric caught her hand.

‘I have never been anything but loyal to you.’

Charlotte took his hand and held it as she straightened to face him. ‘Perhaps you have here.’ She touched his head and smoothed a lock of hair back. ‘But not here.’ She took his hand and drew it to his own heart.

‘You’re wrong.’ His iron gaze never broke from hers and neither did he let go of her hand. She wanted so badly to believe him, but she was afraid to voice a single question.

‘You looked beautiful in that gown tonight,’ he continued. ‘I should have gone with you instead of sending Thornton.’

His voice was earnest, and it didn’t sound as if the compliment was meant as a distraction.

‘Thank you.’ She pulled her hand away from his and closed the trunk. ‘But it’s late now, and I want to go to sleep.’

The truth was, she wanted him to leave because she needed to begin trying to freeze him out of her heart. The longer he stayed, the more she wanted to rest her cheek against his chest and be held in his arms.

‘Do you want my help with your stays?’ His voice was resonant, tempting her to cast aside her determination. She knew where it would lead if she allowed it.

It didn’t matter that she still craved his touch and wanted his hands upon her. The last thing she wanted was to become a pitiful wife who yearned for a husband who didn’t love her. Her pride was too strong for that. And the only way of creating the distance she needed was to remain apart from him and not share his bed.

‘No, thank you.’ She kept her voice firm. ‘I will ring for Moreen, and that will do.’ She met his gaze and said pointedly, ‘Goodnight, Your Grace.’

He stared at her, but his expression revealed nothing at all. If he had spoken of having feelings for her—anything at all—her fragile shield would have crumbled.

But when he simply left and closed the door to her bedchamber, it felt as if another barrier had just risen between them. And she didn’t know how to feel about it.

Four weeks later

The first thing Alaric noticed was that the flowers were gone.