The Forbidden Love of Aesop Sharp

Chapter 15 - Poison Affairs

I let out another sigh, my heart heavy with disappointment as I watched the clock on the wall. It was past midnight, and there was still no sign of his return. After an eye roll, I sent one more longing glance out the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of him descending from his carriage and joining me in our room. But my hopes were in vain.

Since he had dismissed me back to the inn earlier, I had been consumed by thoughts of his behavior throughout the day, first with Elisabeth and later with me in the afternoon. Distractedly tapping on the wine glass in my hand, I turned my attention back to the table in front of the fireplace and settled on the floor, once more facing the scattered pile of scrolls and books.

The entire evening and night had been devoted to reading and researching various poisonings and toxins. Although I still had several leads to explore, my anger was slowly eroding my concentration. I took another sip of wine, placing the glass on the table, and tightened my night robe around me. It had been hours since I left the bath, yet I still felt damp. Likely because I had neglected to properly dry myself before putting on my nuisette and night robe.

My thoughts and actions had been chaotic throughout the evening, a futile sequence of senselessness and suffering. There seemed to be no direction in sight. The only relief I had found was in burying myself in work for hours on end.

But where was he?

I fought the urge to rise once more and peer out the window, opting instead to bury my face in my hands, overcome with desperation. His absence had inflicted a whirlwind of emotions and fears, driving me crazy. How could I be so infatuated with a man who couldn't even respect me? But, after all, I didn't even respect myself.

For months, he had been pushing me away and playing with my emotions, and I had allowed it, forfeiting all sense of self-respect and dignity. I closed my eyes and attempted to convince myself that I would be better off without him, that I needed to move forward, when the door handle clicked.

My head snapped up instantly, all previous resolutions forgotten, as I desperately hoped to see him stride into the room and join me. However, the ensuing sounds of laughter and voices shattered my hopes, and I clutched my glass, drowning my sorrows in alcohol. He had not returned alone.

The door creaked open, and although I could barely see them, their voices were clear enough for me to hear everything they were saying.

"That was a wonderful evening; you really should come by more often," Elisabeth chimed in with an unbearably sweet tone.

"I'll try," Sharp replied calmly and detachedly. It was rare to see him concede so easily to external requests, and it reinforced my suspicion that something was going on between them. "It's always challenging with my work," he whispered.

"You work too much," she retorted, and for once, I agree with her. I shifted slightly to get a better view of them, and what I witnessed sent chills down my spine. Elisabeth stood on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on his cheek, and to my utter dismay, he reciprocated the gesture after, softly kissing her forehead.

A groan of despair escaped me, and I bit my lip, helpless and unable to move. It was pure torture to see him so close to another woman.

"Go back home," Sharp finally uttered, offering a reassurance that he wouldn't spend the night with her here. It had been a thought plaguing me all day, even though it was entirely absurd, considering there was no space in the chamber to accommodate both of them. Of course, they could have found alternative sleeping arrangements, but he was back now, and that was irrelevant.

She muttered something inaudible, then nodded and turned away, waving at him before vanishing from my sight. Swiftly, the door widened, and Sharp appeared in the doorway.