“Right after you left for London.”
“Right after I—What the devil are you talking about?”
“Seven years ago.”
Robert sprang to his feet. “Victoria was here seven years ago and you never told me?” He began to advance on his father. “You never said a word?”
“I didn't want to see you throw your life away.” Castleford let out a bitter laugh. “But you did that anyway.”
Robert clenched his fists at his sides, knowing that if he didn't he was liable to go for his father's throat. “What did she say?”
His father didn't answer quickly enough. “What did she say?” Robert bellowed.
“I don't remember precisely, but…” Castleford took a deep breath. “But she was quite put out that you had left for London. I think she really meant to keep her assignation with you.”
A muscle worked violently in Robert's throat, and he doubted he was capable of forming words.
“I don't think she was after your fortune,” the marquess said softly. “I still don't think a woman of her background could ever make a proper countess, but I will admit—” He cleared his throat. He was not a man who liked to show weakness. “I will admit that I might have been mistaken about her. She probably did love you.”
Robert was frighteningly still for a moment, and then he suddenly whirled around and slammed his fist against the wall. The marquess stepped back nervously, aware that his son very likely had wanted to plant that fist squarely in his face.
“Goddamn you!” Robert exploded. “How could you have done this to me?”
“At the time I thought it was best. I see now that I was wrong.”
Robert closed his eyes, his face agonized. “What did you say to her?”
The marquess turned away, unable to face his son.
“What did you say to her?”
“I told her you'd never intended to marry her.” Castleford swallowed uncomfortably. “I told her you were just dallying with her.”
“And she thought…Oh, God, she thought…” Robert sank down on his haunches. When she'd discovered he'd left for London, Victoria must have thought that he'd been lying to her all along, that he'd never loved her.
And then he'd insulted her by asking her to become his mistress. Shame washed over him, and he wondered if he would ever be able to look her in the eye again. He wondered if she would even allow him enough time in her presence to apologize.
“Robert,” his father said. “I'm sorry.”
Robert rose slowly, barely aware of his motions. “I will never forgive you for this,” he said, his voice flat.
“Robert!” the marquess yelled.
But his son had already left the room.
Robert didn't realize where he was going until the vicar's cottage came into view. Why had Victoria been in bed that night? Why hadn't she met him as she'd promised? He stood in front of the house for five long minutes, doing nothing but staring at the brass knocker on the front door. His thoughts were running in every direction, and his eyes were so unfocused that he didn't see the ruffle of the curtains in the drawing room window.
The door suddenly opened, and Eleanor Lyndon appeared. “My lord?” she said, obviously surprised to see him.
Robert blinked until he was able to focus on her. She looked much the same, except that her strawberry blond hair, which had always been such a cloud around her face, was now pulled back into a neat bun. “Ellie,” he said hoarsely.
“What are you doing here?”
“I-I don't know.”
“You don't look well. Would you—” She swallowed. “Would you like to come in?”
Robert nodded unsteadily and followed her into the drawing room.
“My father isn't here,” she said. “He's at the church.”
Robert just stared at her.
“Are you certain you're not ill? You look rather queer.”
He let out a funny little breath, one that would have been a laugh if he hadn't been so dazed. Ellie had always been refreshingly forthright.
“My lord? Robert?”
He remained silent for a few moments more, and then he suddenly asked, “What happened?”
She blinked. “I beg your pardon?”
“What happened that night?” he repeated, his voice taking on a desperate urgency.
Comprehension dawned on Ellie's face and she looked away. “You don't know?”
“I thought I did, but now I…I don't know anything anymore.”
“He tied her up.”