Her heart, which had been beating with love and passion only moments before, hardened to stone. She was a fool for thinking this man would ever love her enough if he did truly care for her at all. She rose to dress without speaking. There was nothing else to say.
She unlocked the door to leave as Mikhail struggled into his waistcoat and pleaded, "Honor, wait! Will you not come back to St. Petersburg with me? It is different in Russia. We will raise children together. Nothing will come between us. You will see."
"No, Mikhail. I have a home here and as tempting as raising your bastards is, I will have to pass on that honor."
Mikhail's mouth dropped open in shock at her bluntness, and she took a moment to relish it. She opened the door to the shop floor silently and made her way quickly b
