While they spoke, Lottie stared blankly out the window waiting for the wine to swirl through every vein, deaden every nerve, strangle every sense. She was tired of feeling so much. And for a man who didn’t appear to feel as much for her in return.

Tonight she needed numbness. Blessed emptiness.

Behind her Alec thanked the sisters for their work, and some more coin was exchanged. They left on a swish of skirts before the front door shut softly. Alec stood in place for what felt like hours, then she heard the slow, heavy tread of his footsteps. Lottie’s pulse quickened a little more with every step, and the sweetness from the wine turned metallic on her tongue. Dread and desire warred within her. She dragged her eyes away from the window and onto the floor until the toes of his freshly polished shoes came into view.

Alec stopped a foot from her. “As I was saying before you nearly toppled over, Valentina has outdone herself.”

Lottie drew her gaze slowly, steadily, up Alec’s form until she reached the eyes she had once known so well. “Yes. Luckily, I seem to have acquired her services when I leave. Tomorrow.”

Alec had the decency not to look away. “It was what we agreed upon. One day in Venice. And then you leave.”

But not without you.

“It will be all right,” he continued. “As long as Valentina accompanies you home. She’s been wanting to go to England anyway, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. I’ve paid for her ticket and given her funds for lodging. You aren’t obligated to hire her, but I’m sure a reference would help.”

“Of course,” she murmured.

Home. It had been ages since any place had felt like that. Lottie turned away. She couldn’t bear his stony expression. “You’re sending me away,” she whispered, hating the weakness in her voice. He was still only thinking of her blasted reputation. Of fulfilling his duty.

“It’s for your own protection.”

Lottie met his dark gaze. Mine, or yours? But she kept the accusation to herself. Some unspoken emotion briefly flashed across his face, but she could not make him speak, no matter how badly she wished for it.

“You don’t have to do this,” he finally murmured. “You can stay here tonight.”