He glanced down at me, surprised that I had uncovered the truth, or that I cared? Or maybe merely shocked that I dared to question him. “I brought you to show you off. I brought you because I enjoy your company, and I thought you would enjoy this ball.”
“Liar. You brought me here to humiliate your mother, and humiliate me in the process.” More than one person glanced our way, drawn by my raised voice. I didn’t bleedin care. “Do you know what they think of me? How they’ve looked at me? What they’ve said?”
He frowned, his brows hitched together in annoyance. “What, exactly, did you expect? To be welcomed with open arms?”
His blunt words hurt more than anything these strangers might have said. I stumbled back, only to run into another woman. She moved away in a huff. I ignored her. She didn’t matter. None of these people mattered. “Who are you? Do I even know you at all?”
He didn’t respond. His eyes were cold. Hard. No warmth. No affection. No humanity.
It was too much. Everything was too much. The glowing lights, the overwhelming scent of flowers and perfume. The laughter and chatter combining with the music in a cacophony that drummed against my ears. Too much. And I knew in that moment I’d made a horrible mistake. “I expected to be treated like a human being.”
He smirked. A smirk that made me bitterly cold. Was this truly the man who had been so kind? So loving only last night? “You’re being ridiculous. I understand this world is new to you, but we do not act the way your people in the slums behave. We have rules, and we abide by them. We have more control over our feelings. We know what is expected.” He frowned, flicking a disinterested glance my way. “Perhaps you are too innocent to be anyone’s paramour.”
He took a glass of champagne from a passing tray. He said it all with such aloofness, as if he didn’t care one way or another if I stayed. He’d gotten what he’d wanted last night, and now he was bored with me. His brother had warned me. I’d known better. Even Vi, as romantic as she was, had told me not to give into my desires. How stupid and naïve I’d been.
“Maybe I am too innocent. But I’d rather be innocent than be a cruel monster.” I took a step back, needing distance. “And to think, for the first time in my life, I thought I could trust a man. I thought I’d felt safe.”
He merely sipped his champagne, as if I was an overly dramatic actor in a boring play. Before I did something more I’d regret, I turned and moved blindly through the crowds, desperate to reach the door. In my stupidity, I thought perhaps he might call out my name. Mayhap even come after me and apologize. He did neither. Hiking up my skirts, I raced up the steps.
“My lady,” a footman called out. “Can I call for your carriage?”
I paused and blinked at the footman, confused, uncertain. “My carriage?”
Where would I go? I had no money. I had no home. No position. Desperate, I turned and searched for him. Gabe stood next to his brother, yet another drink in hand. He laughed over something Christopher said, and it felt like someone had shoved a knife into my chest. Dear lord, I was well on my way to falling in love with that monster. I was so stupid.
Sudden tears stung my eyes. Blindly, I raced out the door. The crisp, winter air cooled my heated blush. I didn’t miss the many curious glances that came my way as I dashed down the steps. They didn’t matter. I’d never see these people again. What did I care?
Snowflakes twisted and twirled through the air. At the footpath I froze in indecision. Where would I go? A cold shiver raced down my spine. I crossed my arms over my chest. I had no one. Nothing. I couldn’t call on Violet. I could go back to Mr. McKinnon, but what would he ask in return? I turned toward the house. The windows were aglow with candles, while merry wreaths hung on the doors.
From somewhere down the lane, people began to sing “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” I closed my eyes. The moment I’d gone to Gabe’s home I’d labeled myself a mistress.