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“So you’re finally giving up? I thought it was your ultimate dream to own your boat and sail up the St. Lawrence to the ocean.”
“I haven’t given up my dream.” He stated. “Just you.”
“Perhaps that’s a good thing. You’ve just been wasting your time.”
“I’m beginning to come to that realization.”
Despondent but trying to hide it, she asks, “Where are you going?”
“Home. I’ve been gone too long. They will be worrying about me.”
“Perhaps that’s for the best.”
“Evelina, I had only wanted to help. No matter what you thought, I never wanted to hurt you.”
“Then what were your intentions? To turn me into someone I wasn’t?”
“No, I just wanted you to experience the joys of life you miss out being cooped up in this house. Instead, I think I only made things worse. I’ve done more harm than good. I care too much about you to cause you any pain.”
“I believe you give yourself too much credit
, Mr. Colby.”
“Are you sure? Since your sister’s engagement, have you been to the library? Taken a stroll in the park? Went for a carriage ride through the streets?”
“I haven’t had time.”
He made a sad face. “Have you even sat out in your mother’s garden?”
“I don’t need to sit in the garden to prove anything!”
He exhaled. “Have you left the house at all for whatever reason?”
Stumped, she remained silent, confirming she hadn’t.
“I thought as much.”
“Perhaps the fault does not lie with me, Mr. Colby, but with yourself instead. If I ever decide to marry, the man I choose will have to accept me for who I am.”
“I suppose that’s fair.”
That stung far greater than she could have ever imagined. She sighed and after a few moments silence, asks, “How long will you be gone? Will you ever return?”
“I’m sure at some point.”
“Will you be back before Victoria’s wedding?”
“Would you like me to attend?” He arched a brow looking slightly hopeful.
“It doesn’t matter either way to me but I’m sure father would be sorry if you didn’t.”
His shoulders drooped. “I suppose I will try.” He paused then added, “For Clive.”
She gave a brief nod but didn’t say anything more. An uncomfortable silence fell between them until Evelina cleared her throat and turned aside. “I suppose this is goodbye until then.”
She refused to look at him in fear of revealing how much his leaving affected her. Though she hated admitting it to herself, or heaven-forbid ever admit it to him, it saddened her deeply that he was leaving. And if she was being completely honest, even more so that he was giving up on her.
Chapter 12
