Annabelle needed to intervene with this standoff before it got out of control. “I shall be gone in the morning, it is only for tonight,” she said softly. She needed her tone to remain calm so the man knew she meant no harm. “I came to find Floyd, but as he is nothere...”
“He is not here because you broke hisheart.”
Oh. Maybe the man was one of Floyd’s friends rather than someone she knew. That made sense, she did keep toherself.
“I did notmean...”
“You left because you were having Mr. Brentwood’s baby,” he accused. “And now you come back in what appears to be a wedding dress. How many men are you involvedwith?”
The nasty statement reminded Annabelle too much of Watson's words. They were even based on falsehood, just like Lord Ashdown’s statement that she was a street girl. The first time, she was hurt by the words and she acted accordingly. Now, she felt nothing butanger.
“Donotact like you know anything about me when you do not," she hissed. "I am not certain of what rumours were spread around after I left, but I was never having a baby with anyone. It is utterly impossible for me to be pregnant by anyone." She hoped that would get across her virginal status without her having to actually say it out loud. “I was Mr. Brentwood’s employee, nothing more.” She glanced down at her dress and continued with her rant. “I am in a wedding dress because it is supposed to be my wedding day. I was also supposed to be marrying a horrible Lord who disrespected me from the very first moment I met him. I love Floyd, we ran away together because we fell in love.” Or so she believed at the time. “My father dragged me back to get married to the man he chose for me, but today he realized that was notright.”
“Oh.” The man did not know what to say, he had not been expecting that atall.
“So maybe next time, you should think before you listen to rumours. You should find out the truth before you accusepeople.”
“Yes.” He looked down, regretfully. “I amsorry.”
Annabelle sighed loudly. She never wanted to have an argument, she just wanted safety for the night. “It is alright, I understand. Do you... maybe know where Floyd hasgone?”
She sucked in a breath as she waited for him to answer. If Annabelle knew what direction Floyd went in, she could still try to find him. Even if she found out that he did not love her, she would know. The truth would hurt, but the question ‘what if’ would be a lot morepainful...
“No, I do not.” The man shattered her plan. “He did not tell anyone where he was going. He justleft.”
“Right, thankyou.”
Violet could see the pain in Annabelle's eyes. While there was nothing she could do to stop it from radiating through her, she could take her to a bed where she could sleep it off. Things would hopefully look a lot different in themorning.
“Come on.” She tugged on Annabelle’s arm. “Let us get to my room so I can helpyou.”
Annabelle followed Violet away from the one person she had hoped could help her. She did not know where Floyd was, her dream of ever seeing his face again was gone. There was absolutely no telling where in the big wide world he had ended up. Searching for him would be utterly impossible. Especially if he did not want to befound.
He was lost toher.
Maybe Annabelle should have considered this possible outcome, maybe she should have planned for it, but everything happened so quickly. She did not think that it would ever come to this. Now, everything had shifted, she really did need to grow up. She was going to have to face the rest of her life alone. She could not go back home, she had left too much of a mess there, nor could she come backhere.
Luckily, she was strong. As scary as it seemed right now, she knew that she could do it. Annabelle knew that she needed to rest tonight, but once she had gotten some sleep, she would create the best plan for her. Whatever that mightbe...
* * *
The morning broughtwith it a whole new attitude, just as Annabelle knew that it would. After everything that she had been through since the day of her sister’s wedding, Annabelle knew that the best things could come from theunexpected.
“Are you sure you do not wish to speak to Mr. Brentwood?” Violet asked sadly. “I am certain he will allow you to work for him again if you discuss the truth. He will understand. He has a new secretary now, but there is alwayswork...”
"I cannot stay." Annabelle shook her head determinedly. "I cannot go backwards, I need to move forward. It will not be the same without Floyd anyway. I know I cannot find him, but I cannot stay here, surrounded by memories.” Surprisingly, a smile made its way up onto Annabelle’s lips. “I will try and stay nearby so we can still see one another. I will certainlywrite.”
As the girls embraced, Annabelle felt more positive than she expected. This was a chance for her to start again, the future was an endless expanse that was just waiting to be filled. Floyd was right about one thing, her adventure had only just begun. Now, she needed to get out there in the world and experience that. Thankfully, she had her father’s money to help her withthat.
“Thank you so much for your help and clothes,” Annabelle chuckled. “I really appreciate everything that you have done for me,Violet.”
“I am sorry that you did not get what you came looking for,” Violet replied. “But I am glad that you have a plan for the future. Good luck in everything that you do. Although I do not think that you will need it. I am certain you will befine.”
“Thank you,” Annabelle smiled. “I appreciate it. Who knows what tomorrow will bring, let me go and findout.”
