Chapter 13
Florence Lorynthall. A name steeped in misfortune, as if the deities themselves had woven a curse into its very syllables, engraved it on a talisman, and affixed it to my person before unceremoniously hurling me from the heavens. Or perhaps I emerged from hell itself. Honestly, it would explain much.
But enough of that. Florence is dead and buried, a relic of a life I have left behind. What truly demanded my attention at this moment was my wretched, traitorous heart, thundering uncontrollably in the presence of Millicent. How dare it! I slapped her hand away from my cheek and took a step back, putting some much-needed distance between us. Please, for the love of all things sacred, let this fleeting lapse of judgment not count as infidelity. My mind had merely wandered, muddled for a single, regrettable second. I was not Helena, nor would I ever become her. Oh, heavens no. I had a faithful husband who adored me, and I would not sully that bond.
"I have a husband," I said sharply.
"Florence," Millicent whispered as her hand lowered back to her side. The tears in her crimson eyes were more prominent now. Her lips, delicately quivering, parted as though she wanted to speak, but no words came. Her emotions were raw and all too real, and despite myself, I could not ignore the beauty in her vulnerability.
Blast it all, why must she look this breathtaking?!
"We are alone now," I fixed her with a pointed glare, "shall you at last confess to having schemed against Kyle?"
She simply stood there, her silence stretching on and on, driving my patience to its very limit. That blasted blank mask she often wore was maddening, but this raw expression was somehow worse.
"Well?" I pressed.
"Florence, I am utterly unaware of what you speak," her voice cracked.
The sheer audacity of her denial nearly sent me toppling over. "You expect me to believe that after you have been stalking me in my own neighborhood? Do not insult me by feigning ignorance. My neighbor informed me of your presence."
"I was not stalking you. I merely… wished with all my heart to see you."
"Observing me from afar like some forlorn ghost haunting the edges of my life? Your Grace, that is quite literally the essence of stalking."
There was a pause so heavy it seemed to bend the air around us. Tears glistened on her impossibly long golden lashes, as if each one carried the weight of her anguish. Her gaze fell away from mine. "I feared you might command me to leave if I revealed myself to you. For that, I offer my sincerest apologies. I shall not behave in such a manner again."
Her apology only ignited my frustration further. "Wherever you choose to loiter is no affair of mine. What does concern me is the harm you have caused my husband. Undo it at once."
Her red eyes rose to meet mine for the briefest moment before falling again. "I will clear his name."
"So, you admit it. Good. Now, do us all a favor and leave us commoners alone. And one more thing. I go by Ann now, thank you very much."
With that, I turned sharply on my heel, gripping my cane as I made my way to the door without sparing her another glance. Whatever emotions she chose to wrestle with were now entirely her business, not mine. My hand rested on the doorknob as I pulled it open to find Kyle standing right there, his face still plastered with that nervous expression that seemed permanently etched onto him since the moment we arrived. Next to him stood Isaac.
I smiled at Kyle, keeping my tone light for his sake. "Let us go home. The duchess will take care of it."
Kyle let out a sigh of pure relief, his shoulders relaxing as he reached for my free hand. "Thank the stars," he mumbled. Together, we began walking down the corridor, his heavy footsteps echoing alongside the rhythmic tap of my cane.
As we passed through the grand threshold of the entrance, my eyes caught sight of Vincent in the yard at a distance. The little boy was playing with a maid, his laughter ringing out clear and carefree, brighter than the sun that cast its golden light over the grass. I paused, my feet rooted to the spot as I simply stood there, watching him.
And watching him.
And then watching him still.
"Ann?" Kyle's voice broke through my reverie. "We'll keep tryin', y'know."
I glanced at him, realizing he'd mistaken my quiet moment for longing, for something he thought I desired but couldn't have. "Come," I said softly, leading him toward our modest carriage.
As we climbed aboard and left the duchess's residence behind, I couldn't help but dwell on the question that lingered in my mind. Did I believe Millicent would take care of the issue she had brought upon Kyle? Oh, she had better.
Because if she did not, I would make certain she regretted it.