Passionately Yours (Hellions of High Street 3)

“Speaking of which…” His boots stirred another scrap of stone as he shifted his weight from foot to foot. “I have reason to believe that certain recent revelations made to you by Mr. Thayer have lowered that opinion considerably,” he went on haltingly.

That Alec was as ill at ease as she was made Caro feel a trifle less awkward.

“No doubt you are wondering why I never mentioned the fact that I was”—he paused, as if needing an extra breath of air to expel the next word—“married.”

“It did seem a subject that should have come up,” she replied softly. “Given the fact that we are supposedly friends.”

“I don’t find it easy to speak of personal things with anyone, Miss Caro,” said Alec slowly. “A character flaw, no doubt. Of which I have many.”

Clasping his hands behind his back, he stared out at some point in the distant trees for a long moment before speaking again. “Be that as it may, I should like to make one thing clear. I have heard of the version that Thayer tells of my marriage, and suffice it to say, he has twisted the truth.”

It didn’t suffice at all, thought Caro. Indeed, there were myriad questions she wished to ask. But on seeing Alec’s stony expression, she guessed that even with a chisel and hammer she wouldn’t have much luck in prying any answers out of him.

Still, she decided to venture a try. “Thayer said your cruelty drove your wife to flee.”

A mirthless laugh. “And most people believe him.”

“I don’t,” said Caro. “But I should like to hear from your lips that it is a lie.”

“It is a lie,” he replied in a near whisper. “A damnable one.”

The vise-like force squeezing around her chest relaxed ever so slightly. Breathing was all at once a little easier. “Thank you.”

Their eyes met, but he looked away too quickly for her to discern what was causing the rippling beneath the storm-blue surface.

“The accident—” she began,

“No, I ask that you don’t press me for the details,” he interrupted brusquely.

Had he loved his wife so much that it still caused him great pain to think about the accident?

“I do not intend to talk about them,” continued Alec. “Or of any specifics concerning the relationship. All I will say is that Thayer’s account of my actions is not accurate, and I wished for you to know that.”

Once again, he was retreating, holding her at arm’s length.

For a fleeting moment she wondered whether it was hopeless to think they might ever be close.

“I—I am very sorry for your loss,” Caro said after several heartbeats had thumped against her ribcage. “You must feel her absence very deeply.”

His face tightened, the skin drawing so taut over his cheekbones that they looked sharp as knifeblades. Expelling a ragged breath, he muttered something under his breath.

An oath?

“Real life is rarely like a storybook romance,” he muttered.

“Despite what you seem to think, I’m not a silly schoolgirl,” she responded. “I know that love is complicated—”

“Love?” Alec shook his head. “Ye gods, there is so much you don’t understand.”

“Then tell me,” she challenged.

He said nothing in reply.

His silence seemed to freeze away all the warmth from their earlier laughter. Feeling hurt and confused, Caro stepped back. “I—I should return to the festivities before Andover and your sister begin to wonder what has happened to me.”

Alec nodded grimly. Pinching a wrinkle from his disheveled trousers, he glanced at the path leading off to the stables. “Given my appearance, I think it best if I avoid the crowd and take my leave from here.” He tugged on his coat. “Good evening.”

She watched him walk away.