[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Of course not.
How sad.
He shrugged, looking a trifle guilty about having accepted the gift of a married lady s portrait. If Lucy
had been such a chaste and holy being, why had she given her picture to a man who was not her husband
or relative? Bel wondered. It was hardly proper. Had it gratified the young countess s vanity, knowing
that Hawkscliffe was in love with her? Had she strung him along, trying to tempt him beyond the bounds
of his honor? What was it about her that captured you? she asked softly, keeping a close watch on his
tense, sun-burnished face and chiseled profile.
He held the closed metal portrait case, still avoiding her gaze as he brooded. Her simplicity. Her
gentleness. Oh, I don t really know. It was just a dream, you see. I loved her in my head. I live too much
in my head, that is my problem. Outwardly... why, nothing happened. Nothing at all.
Do you regret that?
What good would it have done me to have reached for her? I would only have dishonored us both and
hurt a friend.
Do you always play by the rules? she wanted to ask, but she saw her defensive tactic had worked. His
mind was off of any amorous impulses toward her and mired in memories of Lady Coldfell.
The sorrow that the topic had brought into his soulful eyes filled her with such remorse that she reached
out and stroked his silky raven hair, offering soft consolation. The wavy ends of it curled around the
edges of his snowy cravat in back.
He allowed her to pet his head, but he didn t look at her.
She gave a sigh of nostalgia. Courtly love. I think it s beautiful, Robert, even if it was just a dream.
A dream is better than nothing. He placed the metal locket on the desk before him and just stared at it.
I only wonder why you didn t build your dream around a woman you could have.
A faint, bitter smile curved his mouth, but he didn t look at her. Perhaps I didn t want a woman I could
have.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
Why not?
Because Ididn t, he said curtly, slicing her a sharp gaze that flashed with warning.
She withdrew her touch, deeming it safe to quit while she was ahead. His stare dropped and shut her out
like an iron portcullis, yet she had glimpsed the needy man inside the impeccable duke.
Masking a fond, almost tender smile, she eased down off his desk, I shall say goodnight, then, Your
Grace.
Automatically he stood and sketched a bow of lordly precision, hands clasped behind his back, his
posture gone stiff and starchy again. She nodded and turned to go.
Think about what kind of equipage would please you, he ordered in an imperious tone as she walked
to the door. I m taking you to Tattersall s tomorrow.
She turned back to him in surprise. The candlelight from the lamp on his desk flickered across his
tanned, rugged face and caressed his powerful form.
She just stared at him for a moment.
Slowly, profoundly, the realization sank into her mind that she was safe here in his care. She knew it.
She could feel it. Even if he had flirted with her a little, he had no intention of breaking his word and
forcing any advances upon her.
The amazement of her discovery was followed by a draining wave of relief and then remorse. The man
had meant her no harm and she had manipulated him, made him relive painful memories just to hold him
at bay.
I am sorry for mentioning Lady Coldfell, she forced out, but she couldn t bring herself to admit it had
been a premeditated ploy. She didn t want him to think her a coward as well as a whore.
Oh, it s all right, he said wearily. I m sorry I was short with you.
Her throat constricted at his simple decency, that he should apologize to her, when she was the one who
had hurt him. The man was a godsend. He deserved more from her than this, she thought fiercely, vowing
in future to be a better courtesan for him. She would not fulfill the prime function of her race, but a true
Cyprian was much more than a bedmate; there were other ways she could make his life happier and
more pleasurable. This big, showy house echoed with his loneliness; she could help him, she knew it. He
was like her, though he didn t suspect it both of them trapped within themselves.
Is something wrong? he asked.
The shine of tears in her eyes vanished as she looked up, forcing one of her arch, false smiles. Imagine
that a man who keeps his word. How novel.
He dropped his chin and sent her a rueful smile. You re too young to be such a cynic. Goodnight, Miss
Hamilton.
Your Grace. She dipped a quick curtsy to him, a token of respect offered more sincerely than he
realized, then she slipped out of the library and headed down the corridor toward the staircase, her
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]