Page 67 of The Duchess and the Beast
“So talk,” she responded, voice trembling. “And I will listen.”
He sighed in resignation but nodded his understanding—seemingly realizing that she was not about to let him inside. And, thankfully, if his posture was anything to go by, that he did not intend to force his way through either.
“I came here to apologize,” he finally said, breaking the uneasy silence.
Virtue blinked in surprise. “Pardon?”
“Apologize,” he repeated, a nervous chuckle escaping him as he shifted awkwardly on his feet. “I feel that it is owed. After the unfortunate incident that… befell you earlier, I have no doubt that you are curious about the particulars and how it happened precisely, and I need it known that I had nothing to do with this. I could never...” He trailed off.
“Then what are you apologizing for, exactly?”
He sucked in a breath through his teeth, hesitating. "A few weeks ago, you may have received some letters..."
Virtue’s expression changed instantly, shifting from puzzlement to shock. “That wasyourdoing?!”
“Regrettably so...”
“But... but... but why? How? What in heavens were you thinking—”
“I was not in my right mind,” he confessed hastily. “The truth of the matter, and I implore you not to cast harsh judgment upon me, is that upon hearing of your union with His Grace, I was overcome..." A bitter chuckle escaped him, and his visage crumpled with self-reproach. "Overcome with jealousy, consumed by a most irrational rage. I could not fathom your transition from our engagement to his side, nor could I accept that you might find happiness with him."
Virtue’s mind raced as she tried to put together the pieces of a puzzle that made little to no sense to her. “I must remind you, Lord Prescott, it wasyouwho severed our betrothal.”
“I am aware,” he sighed heavily. “And I do not claim sanity, but that is the way of things. Once news of your marriage spread, rumors abounded of your supposed misery, and I deluded myself into believing I could yet be your savior… He tried to laugh at that but it fell very flat. “My plan was to approach you at the Rochester Ball and reveal myself, but then...” His expression softened, a smile touching his lips, albeit tinged with sadness. “I saw how happy you were. I saw how happy His Grace was making you and it dawned upon me the utter folly of my designs.”
What could Virtue say? What could she even think? This was unbelievable, the last thing she might have ever expected of Lord Prescott. A man who broke her heart, tried to steal it back, and was now apologizing for doing so. To say that she was confused would be an understatement, so, rather than saying anything, she simply stood there, properly dumbfounded.
“But it has been gnawing at my conscience,” Lord Prescott continued, seeming to find some semblance of resolve. “And upon hearing of your recent sickness, I felt honor-bound to present myself, express my regrets, and give you my well-wishes.” He nodded rightly. “I do not seek your forgiveness, nor do I expect you to conceal this truth from His Grace. Should he choose to pursue retribution, I shall accept it as his prerogative, but just know this… I am truly sorry.”
“I...” Virtue faltered, her thoughts a whirlwind as she strived to find the right words. “Your apology is... accepted.”
He smiled at that. “You are surprised.”
“What did you expect?”
“For you to strike me, I think,” he replied with a rueful chuckle. “But it seems astonishment will suffice. Listen—” He edged closer, as if intending to push the door wider, but then, perhaps recognizing the impropriety, retreated slightly. “After today, I assure you, you shall have no further cause to tolerate my presence. But you should know that I am happy for you, Virtue, and...” He reached for her hand, catching her off-guard. “When you speak next with His Grace, do impress upon him how fortunate he is.”
“I... I shall do that.”
His smile was grateful. As was the kiss he gave the back of her hand. And then, as if he sensed the moment had passed, hesimply released her hand, offered her a final smile of gratitude, and departed.
As to Virtue? She shut the door behind him but remained standing there for some time, her gaze fixed on the solid wood, her mind running as if to escape. She could not fathom what had just happened. She could not comprehend its meaning. All she was able to do in the moment was accept Lord Prescott’s apology as sincere, for it had sounded as such, sit with it for the day, and then decide how she felt later on.
She also had to decide whether or not to tell Sebastian about the letters and risk him dueling over her honor... but that was a decision for another time.
A shake of the head to clear her mind, and Virtue finally made her way to the gardens. Her mind was addled as she stepped outside, still back on that conversation with Lord Prescott. It was for that reason that she wasn’t paying attention to where she was walking, and it was for that reason that she soon found herself following a path around the side of the castle, toward the back. And it was, ultimately, for that reason that she did not pay any serious heed to the figure lurking behind a nearby tree until she was less than ten feet away.
Virtue came to a sudden halt at the sight of him. At first, she figured it must have been one of the laborers that had been hired as part of the renovations, though his presenceherefar away from the rest of the work had her nearly calling to him to step out from the tree, for it was both negligent and alarming. Thenshe took a closer look, her eyes going wide in fright when she understood who it was…
“How…” She took a step back when she should have turned and fled.
“Surprised?” he responded with a sinister grin as he lunged toward her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Sebastian’s journey home was marred with irritation as he tried to calm himself. He was determined not to carry his anger through the gates of Greystone Castle for when he saw Virtue again, so he dedicated every ounce of his will to shedding the remnants of fury before he reached home.
And Ralph Merchant was the cause for this rage that had nearly consumed him. His reluctance to meet Merchant had been strong—having vowed never to stray from Virtue’s side again, the journey seemed an unwelcome necessity. Yet Ralph had been insistent, pleading with urgency and promising that the matter was of utmost importance and that Sebastian would not regret his decision to come.