The Scotch Series: The Complete Series (Scotch #1-3) - Penelope Sky Page 0,237

to Anna, I knew it was over.

I thought I had a year. Maybe more.

But I had just months, if that.

I wasn’t sure why I stood there and subjected myself to the torture. Not only was Anna beautiful, but she was cool. She didn’t remind me of the other stuffy noble people Crewe introduced me to. I could even see myself being her friend—if she weren’t going to take Crewe away.

I was smitten with her—so there was no way he wasn’t.

I could just break my promise to Ariel and not leave, but then she would walk away and Crewe would be miserable again. As tempting as that sounded, I knew it wouldn’t work anyway. Seeing him interact with Anna told me I was a terrible partner. With Anna, he would have everything he wanted—and he might even fall in love.

I wanted to cry—right there in the middle of the room.

Ariel swooped in out of the shadows, clinging to my sadness like she fed off it. “Crewe looks like he’s having a good time, huh?” She sipped her wine as she stood beside me, her shoulder touching mine.

I couldn’t speak.

“I’ve never met Anna before, but I’ve always heard good things. They have a great chemistry.”

I’d never hated someone so much in my life.

When I didn’t say anything, Ariel stared at me.

I ignored her look as best as I could.

“We have a deal. Remember?”

“Like you would ever let me forget…”

“I’ll find reasons to put them in the same room together. You work on your exit strategy.”

The idea of walking away made me want to hurl. “I just got him back…I thought I had more time.”

“I thought you did too. But she’s lovely. With exceptional business ties and a great title, she’s perfect for Crewe. Plus, she’s a few years younger than him so he doesn’t need to have kids right away.”

Now I really was going to throw up.

“Do we have a problem?”

“No…” I turned away, feeling the tears pool in my eyes. “If you had a heart, you would show some compassion.”

“I only show compassion to people who don’t get my business partner shot. If you need a moment, go outside. Don’t want Crewe to see you.”

I didn’t bother arguing with her. I just wanted to get away, get some fresh air under the blue sky. I pushed through the crowd before I made it out to the stone steps that led to the turnaround driveway. An enormous fountain spilled water into the pool, making a constant melodic sound. It was refreshing but only for an instant. I walked to the fountain and crossed my arms over my chest, grateful the sound would drown out my tears to anyone who walked by. Right now, everyone was inside enjoying the party, so no one would notice I was gone.

Crewe would eventually.

I didn’t have much time, fifteen minutes max. I had to pull myself together and accept the horrifying end to my relationship with Crewe. It was stupid of me to come here in the first place, to give up what I had in New York. He and I were from different worlds, and we should stay in different worlds.

I would never be a duchess.

I would never be anything.

He was meant for greater things. I was meant for an average life with an average husband. When I returned home, it would be painful. But one day, it wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe I’d meet a nice guy and find love. Not the passionate love I had with Crewe, but something that resembled close companionship.

Maybe I would survive this.

I just had to be strong, swallow my tears, and accept the inevitable. Nothing lasted forever, and my relationship with Crewe was no different. I should be grateful we got to spend time together at all. We went from being enemies to passionate lovers. It was a story nobody would ever believe.

I closed my eyes and cleared my thoughts, meditating just as if I were in yoga. I thought of nothing at all, letting all the heartbreaking feelings inside my chest dissipate. When I went back into that hall, I would wear a smile and nothing else.

“Lovely?” Crewe’s concerned voice reached my ears from the bottom of the stone steps.

I had less time to recover than I hoped. I had to bounce back and pretend everything was perfectly fine. After a final deep breath, I turned to him. “It was a little warm in there. I need to cool off.” Now that I knew we’d reached the end