Confusion appeared first, then concern. "You are worrying me."
"I know."
Another silence followed. Then Nathaniel did the one thing he could no longer avoid.
"My name is not Alex Reed."
The world seemed to stop. Genevieve stared at him—not understanding at first, then understanding too much.
"What?" Her voice barely rose above a whisper.
"My name is Nathaniel Ashcroft."
No sound came from her.
"I am the Duke of Ashcroft."
Complete silence followed. The wind continued moving through the trees; birds continued singing. Yet Genevieve looked as though the entire world had shifted beneath her feet.
"No." The word emerged automatically.
"Genevieve—"
"No." She stood abruptly; the notebook slipped from her lap onto the bench. "You are joking."
Nathaniel remained seated. "I wish I were."
Her face drained of color. "The Duke?"
"Yes."
"The Duke who has been investigating the bridge collapse?"
"Yes."
She stared at him as though seeing a stranger. "You came here under a false name?"
"Yes."
"You lied to me."
The statement hurt because it was true. "At the beginning—"
Her eyes flashed. "At the beginning?"