“I’m Evelyn. I’m in charge around here.”
Dad let out a small chuckle. “I’d love to argue, but I think we’ve had enough of that.”
“Oh, that’s my son. He’s the Duke of Devon, but you can call him George.” She frowned. “I don’t know why it took you so long to let Sophie call you George.”
Dad frowned. “I only spoke to her twice before I told her to use my name.”
“Twice too many.” Grandma sniffed. “That’s my granddaughter, Helena.”
Helena held up a hand. “Hi. We met at Olivia’s engagement party.”
Camilla smiled at her.
“And that’s Hugo. He’s going to be the duke. And apparently, he’s been shagging your best friend.”
“Grandma!” Helena said right as Dad called, “Mother!”
I rubbed my hands across my face and grimaced. “Grandma, it’s not really necessary, is it?”
“Neither was you shagging Sophie, but you still did it. More than once if she’s the girl you told your mother you were secretly seeing.”
“All right.” I stood up. “Camilla, not to be rude, but I need to go and see if I can stop her leaving.”
“Good luck with that,” she said softly. “I think I’m better off staying here for a little while.”
Helena smiled at her. “I’ll go over all the plans with you, don’t worry.”
“Ooh, me, too!” Grandma pushed up to standing using the arm of the sofa. “Let’s make some tea and get to it.”
“Watch her. She’ll try and change things, so don’t listen.” Dad nodded to me. “I think I should check on my wife. Excuse me.”
And I was going to hope like hell that Sophie hadn’t already left. It’d only been thirty minutes since everything had gone to shit, but the cottage was only five minutes away.
She was also angry and hurt enough that I wouldn’t be surprised if she was no longer here.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT – SOPHIE
When It Rains, It Pours
I stumbled into the cottage and leant against the front door, burying my face in my hands.
The pain I felt at everything coming out was unreal. I was so confused about why Camilla was here and why she hadn’t told me she was coming, and the way everything had come out made my head feel like it was going to explode.
I needed to get out of here.
There was no reason for me to stay. I’d just yelled at everyone at Cavendish House, including Camilla, and she didn’t even know what was going on. Anna would never let me in the house again, and Hugo…
My eyes stung with tears.
It didn’t matter, did it?
We’d known it from the start, but whatever was between us was doomed. Even more so now than ever.
He’d said to me a few days ago that if I left, he’d leave me be.
I hoped he meant that.
Even if it meant breaking my own heart along with his, this was for the best.