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“I am sure she would appreciate that,” Phineas said.
She put her teacup on the tray and rose. “But first, I was hoping to speak to Mr. Stewart privately.”
Phineas shook his head. “Absolutely not.”
Daphne met her cousin’s gaze. “I wasn’t asking for permission, Cousin.”
Phineas muttered something incoherent under his breath. “Fine, but I will remain outside of this door.”
After Phineas and Lord Hawthorne left the drawing room, leaving the door open, she clasped her hands in front of her. “Do you still intend to leave Anmore?”
“I do.”
“Even after everything that has transpired between us?”
She could see uncertainty cross his handsome features. “It would be best if I leave and you forget all about me.”
“Why is that?
He took a step closer to her, his intense eyes on her. “I am not who you believe me to be.”
“Then who are you?”
“I am not someone worth knowing.”
“I disagree.”
He pressed his lips together. “You are good and kind, everything that I am not,” he said.
“How can you say that?” she asked. “You just saved me from Mr. Huxley.”
“That was an easy feat for someone like me.”
She eyed him curiously. “What does that mean?”
“I’m afraid I cannot tell you.”
“You can’t, or you won’t?”
A pained look came to his face. “As I said before, I am a man with many secrets,” he replied. “Secrets I am unable to share.”
She approached, stopping in front of him. In a voice far bolder than she actually felt, she said, “I will take you as you are, secrets and all.”
He stared back at her. “How could you say such a thing?”
“I know everything I need to know about you,” she pressed. “You are my hero.”
“I am nobody’s hero.”
“You are mine.”
Daphne watched as Mr. Stewart swallowed slowly. “I care for you, more than I should, but that doesn’t mean there can be a future between us.”
“Why not?”
“Because my secrets are far worse than you could ever imagine.”
“I truly doubt that.”
