If there had been any doubt in his mind that this interlude would serve as the death blow to their affair, it was dispelled by her choice of phrasing. If you are interested in my company... If? What had he ever said or done to make her think there was any question of if? She had so little faith in him. Months of letters in their past, and an entire summer of paying amorous calls, and one interaction of no more than ten minutes had introduced an if. She thought he was moving on, probably. She might think that his engagement tonight was with another affair partner, because he'd grown bored of her and was only waiting for the opportune moment to let her know. She would continue to think that until it became a self-fulfilling prophecy, as their relationship dwindled back to mere acquaintances.

The worst part was that there was nothing he could do to stop it. He couldn't tell her she was wrong, because she wouldn't have been entirely wrong. His engagement tonight was with someone else. The facts that she'd assumed were all correct, it was only the motivation behind them that was off — and how could he tell her you're right, I'm seeing other people, but that doesn't mean I don't adore you and expect her to understand?

Emrys returned her smile, though it didn't meet his eyes. "I'll give you a bottle the next time we see each other," he promised, but he wasn't sure if she even heard before she was through the green flames and gone.

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