Calvin caught the shift in her expression and sensed something was off. He was about to go back downstairs and turn the young man away himself when Hilda stood up.
"We've met in passing, that's all. I'll go see what he wants."
The gala had ended and the last of the guests had gone. Only Jasper remained, waiting alone.
He sat hunched forward, shoulders slumped, and the instant his ears caught the sound of footsteps behind him, he shot to his feet and lunged toward them.
"Hilda!"
The chair legs scraped across the floor with a piercing shriek.
"It really is you. It's really you. I knew I wasn't seeing things. It's really you."
Hilda stepped aside, dodging the hand he reached toward her.
"My father doesn't know about you and me. Don't come looking for me again."
Jasper's pupils trembled. His lips went white. "Hilda, you can't do this."
"You have no idea how long I've been searching for you. When I found out what happened, I nearly lost my mind. You can't even imagine what people have been saying about me behind my back. Hilda, look at me."
"I'm begging you. Look at me."
Hilda didn't so much as flinch. The fear that rose inside Jasper was unlike anything he'd ever felt, and his voice shook with it.
"Hilda, I know you resent me. And yes, it was my fault. But I'll make it up to you. All of it."
"Whatever you want, I can give it to you. I'll start planning the wedding right now, okay? We can go back to the way things were. We can just—"
Hilda cut him off. She couldn't stand another word.
"Jasper. Why?"
He blinked. "What?"
Every syllable fell like a stone. "Why do you assume that an apology entitles you to my forgiveness? Why do you take it for granted that I still want to marry you? Why, after you destroyed everything, do you have the nerve to stand in front of me?"
"So tell me, Jasper. Why?"
His mouth opened. Nothing came out.
Hilda turned and walked away, but for reasons she couldn't fathom, Jasper followed, trailing her like a shadow that refused to detach.
"I never realized the great Jasper Fairmont was this shameless. Or maybe I wasn't clear enough. Which word didn't you understand?"
His voice was raw with grief. "Hilda, please don't talk to me like that."
"I'm begging you. Don't speak to me this way. I can't take it."