Page 48 of Never a Proper Lady

Constantine took two steps toward her, but her expression brought him up short. He’d seen her miffed, peeved, outraged, amused, shocked, and angry. But never had he seen the utter devastation ravaging her winsome features. And he’d caused that pain.

The knife twisted again, deeper still.

“Please, let me explain.”

How could he?

I’m an assling. A bounder. A selfish shallow blackguard.

I was afraid of what I am beginning to feel for you.

“Don’t you dare try to placate me.” Faith’s voice shook with outrage, yet she never raised the pitch. “I intend to leave this house tonight. I hope that you will at least do me the courtesy of paying me my wages. You can leave them with the butler because I never wish to see or speak to you again after this.”

Never see her again?

A freight wagon slamming into Constantine or being trampled by stampeding horses would’ve hurt less.

No. No.

I must make this right. Somehow, I must.

“Faith, you don’t have to leave.”

I don’t want you to leave.

Constantine closed the distance between them and reached to touch her shoulder, but at the seething glance she cut him, he let his hand drop to his side.

“Oh, but I do. I do not stay where I am ridiculed and disparaged. I did not place the ridiculous bet that led you to hire me. Despite haranguing me daily and making it clear that you wanted me to quit, I performed my duties with diligence and professionalism.”

She took a step closer and poked him in the chest. Hard.

“Nevertheless, I endured your rudeness and hostility because, unlike you, I have to work…to make my own way in the world because I don’t have family or finances, Lord Constantine.”

She spat his name as if it was offal, and she couldn’t bear the taste on her tongue.

So pale now, he feared she might swoon, Faith sucked in a ragged breath.

But Miss Faith Roth would never concede such a weakness in his presence.

She marched toward the door, the muted light smudging her dear features. Her voice, however, was crisp and clear, snapping with anger and hurt.

“I’ll remind you that I did you and your family a colossal favor, going against my better judgment, my conscience, and compromising my integrity. I would’ve seen that betrothal farce to the end, but as you have so succinctly and vehemently expressed, you cannot abide my presence. I feel no obligation to continue. I shall allow you to explain why to the others.”

She opened the door and, after checking the passageway, stepped into the corridor. “I shan’t say farewell as you’ve made it abundantly clear I’ve never been anything but an annoying pebble in your shoe.”

“Faith…please.”

Constantine couldn’t breathe. A tidal wave of guilt and desolation was drowning him.

He couldn’t let her go. Not like this. Not with her believing those ugly things he’d said.

Then why did you say them, you buffleheaded codpiece?

Because he didn’t want Leo to find her attractive.

Idiot. Dolt. Imbecile.

“You are an ungrateful, arrogant, narrow-minded....” The tears pooling in her beautiful eyes spilled over, and she spun around and darted away.

He’d made her cry.

Valiant, brave, remarkable, incomparable Faith.

Fiend seize it. What have I done?

Ramona’s high-pitched voice scraped across the silence.

“I do believe the little nobody tossed Con over, Tabitha.”