Had they heard everything? Yes, they must have for her to have drawn such an accurate conclusion. But unlike him, they, of course, believed their father without question, that he had done no wrong. And Albert wasn’t there to prove otherwise, never would be. Not that it mattered; they would still believe their father, despite the fact that it was Albert who had been ruined, not Ascot.

And if Ascot was telling the truth? No, it wasn’t possible, and besides, if Albert had been in the wrong, then Vincent had also been in the wrong to seek revenge on his behalf. That thought didn’t sit well with him at all—indeed, positively sickened him—yet it was no worse than what he was feeling now, looking up at Larissa. Such utter dread. He felt as if he had just lost the most valuable thing in his life, and so he had, her respect, her sympathy—her love.

He should continue with his revenge for his brother’s sake, but he couldn’t, because of her. Yet he was going to suffer the consequences either way. Even if he set everything to rights, it would not make a difference with her. He’d sought retribution against a man she saw as innocent, and used her to do it. She’d never forgive him for that. Not even if he managed to convince her that her father was the real culprit. Not that he could, when he only had Albert’s letter as proof, and she could claim that was fake.

Yet he had to try. The fear washing over him that he had lost her was more than he could bear.

He said, “There is a letter that will at least explain my actions—”

“I don’t doubt you had good reasons for doing what you did,” she cut in. “Does that excuse harming the innocent to gain your goal?”

“No,” he was forced to reply. “No, the goal became merely an excuse, once I met you.”

She blushed. He knew she understood he was saying her seduction had been personal, had nothing really to do with the revenge. But as he’d known, it made no difference. Nor was he allowed to explain further. Her father had recovered by then from his shock in hearing that his daughter had been compromised. He was quite straightforward in his reaction. No demand for marriage, just a very furious fist that caught Vincent by surprise. The Ascots were gone by the time he regained his senses.

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

“SHE DIDN’T TAKE HER CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS with her when she left? I wonder why, when they hold such great sentimental value for her.”