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“Why do you think your father agreed to take Isabella as his ward? He would have done anything for Vivien I have lived in that wohtbut pain I lost my husband I refused to lose my son”

Time stopped for a moment

The trau more than a woman’s bitter jealousy?

Tristan dropped into the chair “But by the very nature of your actions you have lost me anyway,” he whispered solemnly as he stared at a nondescript point beyond her shoulder Could such a deep-rooted resente? “So, what are you saying? Was Isabella’s mother my father’s mistress?”

“Of course not,” she blurted with a look of utter astonish raded me in such a manner”

Tristan shook his head which only served to aggravate the pounding in his temple “Then I do not understand your issue”

“Love, Tristan Love I had your father’s kindness and respect, but I did not have his love Do you knohat it feels like to love someone so deeply yet know that you will never experience the same level of devotion?”

“It is devastating,” he said rehts when he questioned Isabella’s reasons for leaving hi for a love I thought lost to ed to have for yourself”

Anger still siht

“What are five years co with self-pity

There was little point trying to rationalise with a wo but resentment

“I a out” He jumped to his feet “You rite to Catherine and ask if you can come to Ripon Leave the open letter on my desk as I cannot trust a word that falls fro soive you time alone to consider if my father would have been so respectful to you had he been aware of your devious plot Would any husband love a wife capable of such callous disregard for others?”

He storo back and dey The woman was so absorbed with herself she was oblivious to her own misdeed

He was halfway along the hall before he heard her tottering behind him

“Tristan! Tristan Are you going to Brook Street? Does this mean you do not intend to offer for Miss Smythe?”