Foley, Gaelen Knight 1 The Duke

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in measured control from his chair. The next thing he knew he was in his curricle, driving hell-for-leather
through the streets of the City, whipping his horses to Harriette Wilson s house.
He jumped out of his carriage in front of the Cyprians door and pounded on it. When the mean-looking
footman answered, he stood in amazement as the servant told him Miss Hamilton was no longer there.
Harriette came down and after much pleading on his part, coldly gave him Belinda s new address.
Though the worst of her inner scars were healing, Bel still got nervous whenever she had to walk through
the city streets after dark. Tonight she had stayed later than usual at the children s relief house. She set
out walking with the intention of flagging down a hackney coach, but none passed her. Fortunately it was
only a little past twilight when she rounded the corner past Russell Square, walking swiftly toward the
boardinghouse.
Looking down the street ahead of her, she suddenly stopped in her tracks. Parked out in front was a
sleek, black, shiny town coach that she knew all too well. Her heart leaped up into her throat. Her head
suddenly felt light.
Somehow she forced herself forward. She caught a whiff on the balmy evening air of Congue snuff; she
heard his deep, cultured baritone giving an order to William on the box, and her heart lurched again.
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He s come back for me! He s going to make it right
She picked up the skirts of her simple cotton dress and strode faster for fear that having found her not at
home, he was leaving. She began to run.
Robert!
At once he stepped around the coach and blocked her path, starlight gleaming on his black hair. His face
was shadowed, his eyes luminous, so dark with mystery that they appeared almost coal black. He
seemed taller than she remembered, bigger and more splendidly dressed, more magnificent.
More intimidating even than on the first night they had met.
She slowed to a walk and approached him in awe, humbled all over again by his lordly grandeur. His
broad shoulders were tense.
I have been waiting for you, he said, his tone short, imperious, as though in reproach.
I ve been waiting so longfor you, she thought, her heart beating crazily. She couldn t believe he had
come. Had he had a change of heart? She barely dared hope. I was out.
May I ask a moment of your time?
Of course.
He gave a curt slice of a nod. Thank you.
This way.
William sent her a bolstering smile as they passed. Bel led Hawkscliffe through the gate and up the stairs
to her lodgings. Inside her sitting room she lit the table lantern, illuminating her modest but homey
quarters.
As the light rose she turned to Robert and drank in the sight of his drawn, taut face. His mouth was a
firm, grim line and there were shadows under his dark, tumultuous eyes. She dropped her stare, pained
by the change in him and a fleeting memory of the feel of his bare skin against hers.
On that last day at Hawkscliffe Hall he had glowed with healthy vitality and excitement. Now he was
stiffer than ever, brooding and remote as he turned away, his impeccably gloved hands clasped behind
him. You are well, I trust?
I m fine. Yourself?
Never better, he growled.
How are Jacinda and Lizzie?
Back at school.
How did you find me?
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Through Miss Wilson. Why, are you in hiding? he asked in a razorlike tone.
No. What do you want?
He looked away. I am here because I did not foresee the need He faltered. My new position
requires a good deal of politicking and entertaining which my wife-to-be is quite incapable of carrying
out, due to her disability. I require a hostess. He turned and stared forcefully at her. Come with me to
Vienna.
Disappointment burst like the Vauxhall fireworks in her solar plexus. So, he was still set on his course.
Lady Juliet was still his wife-to-be.
I m not going anywhere with you, she forced out.
He clamped his jaw shut and tore his frustrated gaze away, fairly steaming. The haughty, wary look he
gave her clashed with the desperation in his eyes.
I m not about to make a fool of myself over you, Belinda Hamilton. Now, we ve both had time to step
back and think this over. Perhaps you lost your temper in the country when you walked out on me. I m
willing to overlook that but, by God, I will not crawl for you. Come back to me and let us be as we
were, no questions asked. I m willing to give you this, if it will soothe your vanity. Reaching into his
waistcoat pocket, he pulled out a folded piece of parchment.
He handed it to her with a glower, but as she passed a suspicious glance over his aquiline features, she [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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