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She covered her hands over her face and sobbed, body-shaking, heart-wrenching cries.

Resting her elbows on her knees, she continued to let her grief out the only way she knew.

Yet, no matter how hard she cried, grief still stayed inside her.

She would never be able to remove Nic from her thoughts or her heart.

She’d always remember his endearing words.

Her mind would never forget the way his eyes lit up when he smiled and winked at her.

And his kiss was permanently branded on her mouth.

Life as she knew it would be miserable from this day forward.

Behind her, the leaves of the bushes rustled, startling her. Within an instant, her sobbing stopped as she spun around to see what had made the noise. Through her teary vision, an older woman came toward her, brushing her sand-covered hands against the skirt of her dress.

“Miss Paget? Is that you?”

Inwardly, Tabitha groaned. She didn’t want to speak to anyone, especially the meddlesome Miss Talbot. Quickly, Tabitha turned her head to wipe the tears off her cheeks and in her eyes.

“Oh, dear. You are crying.”

Tabitha didn’t look at the other woman, but continued to fight her emotions from boiling over again. She must stop this madness. Crying wouldn’t do her any good at all. “I shall be fine, I assure you.” Her voice squeaked.

Miss Talbot placed a soothing hand on Tabitha’s shoulder. “Now, my dear, it’ll help you more if you let it out. You can talk to me. Everyone knows I’m a good listener.”

Tabitha wanted to chuckle, but she stopped herself. She wondered where the older woman had gotten that bit of information. Not once had Tabitha heard that Miss Talbot was a good listener.

“I really appreciate the offer,” Tabitha said, “but I don’t wish to talk about it.”

“Now, Miss Paget,” Miss Talbot grasped one of Tabitha’s hands and squeezed, “you can tell me anything. In fact, by the forlorn look on your face, I think you have had your heart crushed by a man. Am I correct?”

Surprise washed through Tabitha that the maiden woman would know such a thing.

But instead of being too stunned to speak, the tears fell freely once more and she couldn’t stop them.

She covered her face and sobbed into her hands.

Miss Talbot’s arms circled around her shoulders as a hand coaxed Tabitha’s head toward the other woman’s bosom—which seemed to have beads of sand on the material of her dress.

“There, there, my dear. Just let it all out now,” Miss Talbot cooed.

Tabitha didn’t know why she felt this way. Perhaps she just needed the comfort an older woman could bring—even if she didn’t think Miss Talbot had ever experienced this kind of helplessness.

“Am I correct?” the lady asked. “Is this all because of a man?”

Sniffling, Tabitha pulled away and gazed up into the caring eyes of the older woman. “I shouldn’t bother you with my problems.” She skimmed over the woman’s dress. “Were you digging in the sand? I don’t wish to disturb you.”

“Do not worry about me.” She flipped her hand in the air. “One of the things I enjoy doing is collecting seashells. But I’m here for you now. Please tell me what is wrong. Did a man break your heart?”

“In a way, but it’s really more than that. I’m very upset with how unfair life can be at times.”

Nodding, Miss Talbot stroked a palm down Tabitha’s arm. “I feel your frustration. Indeed, life is not fair. But we must continue on. We must pick ourselves up, lift our chin, straighten our shoulders, and keep looking for that one person who will love us forever.”

“But I think I’ve found him. It’s just…” Tabitha took a deep breath. “It’s just that Society won’t approve.”

The older woman arched an eyebrow. “And why not, may I ask?”

“Because Nic is a marquess, and I’m but…a servant.”

“You’re not a servant.” Miss Talbot looked her over once.

“Not now, but I grew up as one. It hasn’t been until recently that I discovered a family I never knew would accept me. This family gives me a yearly income so I don’t have to work as a servant anymore.”

The woman pursed her lips together and nodded. “I see. So you are worried about what the ton will say if you fall in love with a marquess?”

“I already know what they’ll say.” Sadness clenched Tabitha’s chest so tight she could scarcely breathe. “They won’t approve. Nic deserves a noble wife. He doesn’t deserve a woman who was the by-product of an affair, and then worked as a servant all of her life.”

“Oh, my dear, dear, girl.” Miss Talbot shook her head. “Do you know what you need? You need to come with me and let me fix you some relaxing tea. We could sit in a room without anyone bothering us, and talk over tea and treats.”

Tabitha tried to smile, but failed miserably. “I appreciate your hospitality, but I really don’t wish to bother you, nor your sister. I’m sure Mrs. Smythe is there and I don’t want anyone else knowing about my problems.”

“Not to worry.” Miss Talbot slid her arm around Tabitha’s shoulders and urged her to walk away from the beach. “My sister is out visiting friends this afternoon. We shall have the house to ourselves.”

Tabitha glanced up the beach, but didn’t immediately recognize anyone.

Of course, through her teary gaze, she was certain she couldn’t see that well, anyway.

As much as she wanted to stay right here, the older woman was correct.

Out on the beach Tabitha would risk the chance of running into someone—even Nic.

All she wanted to do was be alone, but at least Miss Talbot offered her an afternoon to do nothing but talk out her problems. Tabitha would have to be careful not to let the other woman know about the role Nic played right now, but perhaps talking to another woman would help her feel better.

The way it appeared right now; Miss Talbot was the means of an escape, both mentally and physically.

“All right, I shall come with you.” Tabitha tried to smile again, and finally managed a weak one.

“Splendid. Just this morning, our cook made a batch of the most delicious cookies you have ever tasted. We shall munch on those and sip our tea, and you will feel much better within a few hours, I assure you.”

“Thank you, Miss Talbot.”

Taking a deep breath, Tabitha wiped her eyes again. She prayed that this heartache would soon leave so that she could return to her life once again.

*

Nic wanted to leave this place. Now! Unfortunately, Frederick wasn’t here, and so Nic had to wait for his cousin’s return before packing up and leaving North Devon.

At this point, he didn’t care to help his cousin catch the thief.

He was certain that one day the sinner would make a mistake and get caught.

Impatient for Frederick’s appearance, Nic rushed up the stairs to his room and started packing his trunks. It didn’t take long before the afternoon ended and night crept upon the land. With nothing to do now, Nic was beside himself. He was ready to leave, yet where was his cousin?

Threading his fingers through his hair, he left his bedroom and wandered downstairs, hoping to find a flask or bottle of whiskey—or anything that could be used to dull his mind. The only strong drink that Frederick had in his house was wine. That would certainly not do!

He was tempted to dress in his own clothes and go to the local tavern.

He paused in thought, and then growled, scrubbing his hands over his bearded face.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to shave off this bothersome facial hair, and because of that, everyone would think he was the clergyman.

And men of God definitely didn’t get drunk…

in front of others and in a local establishment, anyway.

He stopped near the window. Shadows gradually grew on the ground as the sun slowly disappeared on the horizon.

His mind wouldn’t stop reliving the conversations with Tabitha this afternoon.

Why had he given his heart to the woman in the first place?

Hadn’t he learned years ago that loving a woman made men vulnerable?

Obviously, Nic had forgotten that hard lesson in life and decided to try his luck at love once more.

Groaning, he closed his eyes and pressed his head against the window frame.

Tabitha had hinted not once, but a couple of times, that he hadn’t confessed to loving her.

Yet, deep in his heart, he had definitely reached that point.

So why hadn’t he said those three important words to her?

Had she been correct to assume the reason he didn’t voice his feelings was because deep down he realized their love could never be?

A marquess and a servant could never marry.

As much as his mind wanted to argue the point, he knew she had been correct.

He cursed fate for handing him a raw deal.

He’d watched his friends fall in love and marry the perfect woman, so why couldn’t Nic?

Perhaps he was destined to be a rogue forever.

He glanced down at his clergyman clothes and plucked at the black jacket.

If he was meant to be a rogue, then why was he still dressed like this?

Suddenly, a knock pounded on the front door, breaking the stillness of the evening and jarring Nic away from his thoughts. He cleared his throat and went to the door to open it. Sally stood on the porch, wringing her hands against her middle.

“My lord,” she said softly, “forgive me for coming to see you, but I’m wondering…do you know where Tabitha is?”

His mind jumped back to the last time he’d seen Tabitha by the tree in front of her aunt’s house.

She’d been so very lovely wearing that gold and white gown with her hair done up beautifully, making her look like a regal woman.

The emotions he’d experienced while gazing upon her during that time also returned.

It had been so hard not to take her into his arms and hold her the way he’d wanted… and to kiss her with so much passion.

A throb began in his forehead and he rubbed it with two fingers. “The last time I saw her was at the luncheon.”

A deep frown pulled on Sally’s mouth and she released a heavy sigh. “Oh, dear.”

“What’s wrong, Sally?”

“We haven’t seen her since the luncheon either. The last we knew, Tabitha had gone to her room. Yet when I checked on her an hour ago, she was not there. Her bed hadn’t even been touched.”

His first instinct was to worry, but then he recalled her words while they were by the tree.

“Tabitha was upset and confused. I did speak briefly with her after the luncheon before I came home, and she’d mentioned she wanted to be by herself for a little while and think.” He shook his head. “I wouldn’t worry too much, Sally. Tabitha will return tonight, I’m sure of it.”

Nodding, the maid stepped backward as if preparing to flee. “I thank you, my lord. I shall inform her aunt.”

As Nic closed the door, he wondered why Tabitha wouldn’t have said something to her maid about leaving. Tabitha seemed like a responsible woman, so why didn’t she tell someone where she was going?

Once again, he felt as if he should worry about her welfare, but his broken heart and confused mind didn’t want any more complications. The best course of action would be doing nothing. Tabitha had wanted some time alone. He understood that better than anyone, especially now.

And as soon as Frederick came back from wherever he was, Nic would load the trunks on his coach that had been hidden inside his cousin’s barn all this time, and leave as soon as he could to return to Mayfair.

The past reminded him how long it would take to mend his broken heart.