Chapter 30

“Go on. A what? I wouldn’t want to deny you the opportunity to be mean to me again since it seems to be the only pleasure you have.”

“Never mind.”

When they got outside, Jude extended his arm like a proper gentleman, and she took it.

She’s learning, he thought to himself, and maybe I’m learning a little, too.

11

For Jude, each step he took up the long walk of the Pink Palace was like going to the gallows. Why didn’t he let her leave when she wanted to? She was on the stage and on her way back to Boston, shortly to be deposited safely back into her family’s loving arms.

But he couldn’t let her go.

Call it love, desire, or stupidity, he couldn’t let her pass out of his life so quickly. He asked himself over and over what he saw in her. It wasn’t only her beauty. It was many things.

Her frosty attitude was melted by her passion.

Her lofty status was defeated by her kindness to strangers.