Page 68 of Once Upon a Midnight Dream

She should return to the house to restore her appearance before the students and staff roused for the day. Still, she could not muster a jot of motivation to move.

The light had gone out of her—no, the light of her life had left her—and she didn’t know how she would go on. And despite her brokenness, she could not help but fear for Layton’s safety.

Did the men who had abducted him still pose a risk?

A short while later, Charles found her and wordlessly gathered her shivering form into his arms.

“He is gone, Charles,” she murmured through cold-stiffened lips. “He did not even bid me farewell.”

“I know, sweetheart.” Pressing his cheek into her hair, he rocked her as if she were a toddler in need of soothing. “Mrs. B told me what happened. I am sorrier than I can say, Lil.”

So am I.

I loved him—love him.

And he left me without a second thought.

“After speaking with Mrs. B, and learning Zander is Captain Layton Westbrook, I suddenly remembered what had been niggling my conscience all this while.” Releasing a pent-up breath, he sighed. “A few weeks ago, on one of my calls to another village, someone mentioned that several aristocrats had been nosing around, asking questions about their missing brother.”

So, his family had searched for him, after all.

Charles gave Lilly an apologetic smile. “I regret that I did not recall that before now.”

Because Layton’s identity would have been discovered sooner, possibly saving her a broken heart.

“It is of no consequence, Charles.”

Apparently, Captain Layton Westbrook was cut from the same cloth as Viscount Merrivale. Layton’s abrupt change in behavior once he knew who he was should not have surprised her, and that it did, made her a colossal dunderhead.

What exactly had he remembered?

That he was married?

A rusty, serrated knife twisting in Lilly’s heart would not have caused more pain than that thought.

“Let’s get you home, and warmed, shall we?” Charles kissed the crown of her head.

Yes.

Lilly had responsibilities.

She must focus on her duties and obligations.

Take her heels-tossed-over-bum-life one minute at a time.

Wallowing in self-pity served no purpose. It would not bring Layton back, and it would not help her concoct a plan to thwart Lord Merrivale.

A rooster crowed, announcing dawn’s arrival with a soft silvery light filtering through the mist-laden fields.

Sucking in a ragged breath, she nodded.

If Layton could leave her so easily, after that sizzling kiss, well then, she would put him from her mind too.

Lilly would focus all her energy on saving the children’s home.

Charles helped her stand.

“Lilly, I am sure he had good reason⁠—”