Chapter 20

Carina had been to Sydney Gardens often enough that she was able to disappear and hide from Felix. She never wanted to see him again, but how was she to find her way back to Lydell's home? It wasn't that it was so far of a walk, but she would not be able to avoid Felix because she was certain he would come after her.

She paused behind a large tree and contemplated her options.

There were few friends in Bath, and most of them were friends of Gaia, not her companion. Besides, she couldn't go to them. Her humiliation was too great.

Oh, if only the ground would open and swallow her whole.

She couldn't believe that he had been lying to her since the moment they met. Not a coachman, or an estate manager, but a spare to a viscount and grandson of an earl, which were above her station. No wonder he only saw her as a mistress. Even if he did not care about the scandal in her past, certainly his family would, which is the very reason Felix had not mentioned marriage, besides the fact that he already had a betrothed.

How could he believe that she would go along with his plans, especially after he knew the humiliation she suffered because of what her own father had done.

She pushed the pain aside. Now was not the time to hide and crumble into self-pity because it gave Felix time to find her.

Who else was in Bath that would give her shelter and return her home without Felix interfering?

Angelo!

But did she dare call on him. He was a bachelor and she was a miss. What would people think if they saw her enter his home without a chaperone?

Except, everyone knew she was a companion to his sister. He had also just spent a fortnight courting her.

What did it matter? He was the only person she could go to and knew for certain that he would protect her. Even if he was not at home, the servants knew her and would grant her entrance. Damn her reputation. She'd leave Bath if necessary.

It was necessary!

No longer could she continue as Gaia's companion while Felix remained the estate manager. Though, it was unlikely that he would since the truth had been revealed and especially since he would be marrying another.

What would Lydell do when he learned that Felix was no more a servant than him? No doubt Felix would be sacked and sent packing.

Further, Carina certainly would never go into Society again as a companion or a wallflower. If possible, and if she had the funds, Carina would simply disappear, hide.

Had Felix really thought her such a fool?

Apparently yes. She'd believed he wanted to marry her. He claimed that she had his heart when the only commitment that he had really been willing to make was for her to be his mistress.

Did he intend for it to be long in duration or only until he finally returned to his family and married the woman he'd been betrothed to?

A tear leaked out of the corner of her eye and Carina angrily swiped it away. There would be time for tears later.

After a quick glance to make certain Felix wasn't around, Carina hurried from Sydney Gardens and made her way to Pulteney Bridge, where she was able to hide among those shopping, then made her way across Bath. Felix may determine where she planned to go, but he had the curricle and would be forced to drive until he found a bridge over the River Avon because he could not ride over Pulteney Bridge. She may have a shorter distance, but Carina was also on foot, which meant she had to hurry, even if it meant that she was practically running through the streets.

When she finally reached Angelo's home, she pounded on the door until it was answered by a servant than pushed her way in.

Angelo came from the drawing room and the moment she saw him, the relief of finding sanctuary came over her, which released her tears.

"Carina, what has happened?" Angelo came forward.

She tried to tell him, but the words would not come.

"Is it my sister?"

She shook her head.

"Lydell?"

Again, she shook her head.

"Knight?"

At his name, her pain increased and so intense that all she could do was sob.

"Is he injured or dead?" Angelo asked.

Carina could only shake her head.

"Then what did the bastard do to leave you in this state?"

The question only caused her to cry harder and, in an instant, she was in Angelo's arms as he wrapped them tightly around her.

"Send for my sister and Lydell," he quietly instructed someone, who Carina assumed was a servant.

Felix searched Sydney Gardens thoroughly but could not find Carina anywhere.

If only she would have allowed him to explain before she ran off, but she hadn't.

She did not even know the whole of the story, and he could only assume what she believed.

He stood in the middle of the walk and pushed his fingers through his hair. Where the blazes had she gone?

There were only two places that he could think of and they were in opposite directions. If he took the road back to the estate, he would likely come across her. She also may realize the same, which meant she likely went in the opposite direction and to Bolton. But would she call on a bachelor without a chaperone?

In her anger, Carina would likely do anything unexpected.

He hurried back through the gardens until he exited and retrieved his curricle then made his way to the Royal Crescent where Bolton had his home. Felix cursed several times because the traffic and people walking made it near impossible for him to travel as quickly as he wanted. If only everyone would get out of his way, then he could reach Carina. Except if she had returned to the Lydell estate, he would be forced to endure this traffic again on the way back across town.

She had to be there. He could not be wasting his time by going in the wrong direction.

Once he pulled up before Bolton's address, he hopped from the curricle and tied the horses off before rushing up the stairs. His pounding on the door was greeted by Bolton, who said nothing but punched him in the eye.

"What did she tell you?" Felix demanded.

"Nothing yet," Angelo answered.

"Then why hit me."

"She's crying too hard to explain, though she confirmed the cause was you, which is explanation enough for me." Bolton raised his fist again, but Felix ducked.

"Let me explain."

Bolton glared at him. "Did you ruin her and then reject her?" Bolton demanded.

Anger surged that his friend would think him so low and this time it was Felix who punched Bolton in the eye, which pushed him back into the entry, Felix following. Before he knew it, they were both fighting, punching, and nearly tearing each other apart as they bounced off walls and tables, sending delicate figurines crashing to the floor to explode into shards of sharp porcelain and glass.

"Stop it!" Carina yelled as Felix was pulling back his arm to punch Bolton once again. Bolton was in a similar stance.

"He has insulted you," Bolton said.

"Bolton insulted me," Felix explained.

"I have had enough. Now stop!"

They both dropped their arms and stepped away from the other.

"Carina, you need to allow me to explain."

"I do not need to allow you anything," she returned.

She hated him. Her brown eyes were cold and her voice chilled him to the bone, but Felix was not ready to give up.

"I love you. The reason I never said anything before was because I was afraid that I would lose you," he tried to explain.

"That is not how love is, Mr. Knight. From the moment I met you, you have not been honest with me, so do not pretend to love me."

"It is not pretend. It is the truth. Ask Bolton. He realized it before I even did."

Carina shifted her eyes to Bolton then jerked away as if she really didn't wish to know the truth.

"It does not matter. You lied and what is worse, you have betrayed not only me, but your family and your betrothed."

She turned on her heel and marched back into the drawing room and slammed the door.

"Betrothed?" Bolton asked.

"Not of my choosing and one I hoped had been broken by now."

It had been two and a half years since he'd left and Felix had told himself that Miss Daphne had moved on. But, deep down, he knew that she hadn't because it would not have been allowed; otherwise, he wouldn't have hidden from her the day they were shopping or tried to run away from her today.

"Bloody hell!" He pushed his fingers through his hair. "I need a brandy."

"As do I." Bolton marched to the drawing room door and tried to open it. "It appears she has locked us out."