Chapter 12
Twelve
The couch dips as Sebastian inches closer.
Thunder growls outside, and it’s like I’m back on the ship to Paris, huddled in moldy-smelling sheets in that dank cabin, as the walls pitch up, waves slapping the hull. I pull the coverlet closer, breathing in the fabric softener.
I’m here. I’m safe. It was a long time ago. But it doesn’t feel that way. I’ve locked all the memories away for a reason.
“Did you find out what happened?” Sebastian’s arms are smooth and strong, an anchor in the storm. “Did you think Jacques had something to do with it? Did you ever think he suspected something between you two?”
I blink. “I don’t think so. Jacques didn’t mean harm.
Mostly, he was blind to his own faults. William was dead due to my arrogance.
He would never have been in that predicament or have made enemies of those men if it weren’t for me.
I knew he cared for me. All of his plans—all of his dreams simply gone . . .”
“Don’t you think you’re being unfair to yourself?
” Sebastian tips up my chin, his fingers soft as he holds my gaze, his touch comforting.
“Love is inevitable. You and William both wanted a good thing, but circumstances got in the way. The only ones to blame here are those men and those men alone.” Rain pitters against the window as I listen to him absolve me of my role in William’s death.
“He was the first person since I’d lost my family to really see me.” I sweep away a tear, knowing there’s worse to come.
Sebastian reaches for my hand. “What happened next?”