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“You didn’t think,” Ariadne scoffed. “I went to your home today because while you were having a nice lunch with your beloved and her family, I was almost arrested.”
Edward almost swore. “What?”
“Don’t try and pretend that you didn’t know. Your father—the Duke—has bought our home and our studio. Nothing is ours anymore,” she said. “We’re ruined.”
“If it weren’t for Lord Brexley who came to her rescue, she would have been taken away,” Leda said. She sounded on the verge of tears. Their anger made more sense to him now. These women were terrified and for good reason. Rage, unlike anything he had felt before coursed through him. He balled his fists. He had asked his father to leave Ariadne alone but he hadn’t listened to his wishes.
“Is this what I get for helping you, for lo—” Ariadne clamped her mouth shut midway.
“I saw my father with your landlady yesterday, but I swear I was coming here to tell you about it. I didn’t realize how fast things would escalate,” Edward explained.
“Keep the lies to yourself, my Lord,” Ariadne said. “I have seen the truth for myself.”
Edward shook his head. “I know it was wrong of me to hide the fact that I was engaged but believe me, I feel no affection for her. I only love you. I’ve broken my engagement to her.”
Emma and Leda gasped at his confession. Ariadne’s eyes widened. “You have?” He nodded, drawing close to her again. “Ariadne, listen to me. My engagement with Jane was by design of my father like most things in my life. My family chose the path that I walk. My career, my education everything was decided for me before I was even born. You’re the only thing that has happened to me that I chose. I need you more than anything else and I’m willing to give up my old life for you if that is what you want.”
Ariadne blinked as she looked up at him. Edward placed both of her hands on his heart. “Listen to me and tell me I’m not speaking the truth. I know I should have come clean sooner but I didn’t want to drive you away. I made a bargain with my father to stay away from you and in turn, he would leave you alone. I know I should have trusted in the strength of our love instead. Don’t walk away from me, Ariadne. I lay my heart open to you.” They were caught up in a trance, almost in each other’s arms. Ariadne traced every part of his face, trying to decipher the truth. She saw only love there, no deception.
“Don’t listen to him,” Emma cried. “He’s fooling you again. Remember, Lord Brexley is the only one who has and will help us.”
Her words seemed to break the spell between them and Ariadne stepped away from him, holding her arms around her as if she was cold.
“I’m not fooling her,” Edward said. “I know she’s like your daughter and I understand your concern for her, but I swear it’s the truth. I can do anything for Ariadne, anything.”
Ariadne pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Lord Brexley has proposed that we seek his protection in exchange for a position of help at his household. I’ve decided to take him up on the offer.”
Edward’s heart began to race. He knew he should have been there when Ariadne was in trouble. But he was resigned yet to this fate. He needed her to come back to him and accept to be his wife.
“Edward speaks the truth,” Charles spoke up finally. All four of them turned to look at him. “I know you have no reason to believe me, but whenever he spoke of Ariadne I could see how deeply he adored her. My cousin has always been a practical man so it was almost unbelievable to see him turn into a man in love.”
“Is that true?” Ariadne said cautiously. Edward nodded.
“Ariadne—” Emma said in a warning voice. Ariadne bit her lip, a myriad of emotions passing through her face as if she was trying to make a difficult choice. Edward knew her trust in him hadn’t been lost yet.
“Please,” he whispered and held out a hand to her, “give me a chance to prove myself. I love you, very much so. Don’t let my mistakes become the end of us.”
Ariadne stared down at his outstretched hand for a few beats and then she started reaching for him. Just then there was a bloodcurdling scream from a distance. A few people darted down the narrow hallway. Edward rushed to the window to see the source of commotion but he couldn’t see anything from this vantage point. Ariadne and her sister were already rushing out of the flat.
Once they were out of the building, Edward finally realized what was wrong. The studio was on fire. “No,” Ariadne screamed in despair. Before he could catch her, she shot out in the direction of the studio. And to his horror, she ran into the raging fire.
