Which meant the directors would be satisfied Hera could provide for Annis. All barriers had been removed. When the board met less than a week hence, Hera would be reunited with Annis.
After Hera profusely thanked the duchess, both for her aid and for her discretion, the duchess left the room. Hera sat in silence, slowly digesting the information she’d received as if each piece was a morsel taken from an extravagant meal.
An independence was hers...and without reliance on that blasted contract. She and Annis would soon have a London home of their own. What was more, Alicia truly believed that Hurtheven would accept Annis.
Dare Hera trust all these things to be true?
And how odd that her fortune could change so dramatically in such a short time! What a different life she could be leading if she had known of her grandmother’s sentiments and intentions.
But Hera couldn’t lament the past—not with Annis as her future—nor could she truly mourn a woman she’d never known.
All she could do was decide how she wished to proceed.
Mrs. Small could take charge of the children while they were here, and, by the time the Ashbey family returned to Wisterley, Mrs. Chatten expected to be free to resume her duties. Hera no longer had a reason for staying at Hevenhyll. In fact, the duchess was willing to travel back to London with her tomorrow to ensure everything went smoothly at the hearing.
Which left Hurtheven.
Godric.
Had the duchess been correct? Dare she tell him the whole?
If he loved heras she loved him,surely what he’d said just this afternoon must prevail. Love would not fail them. But how could she know?
How could she be sure?
He told her he never intentionally revealed his secrets. She seen evidence of at least one—the pain he carried. Did he have other secrets that could weigh upon their future life together? Could she trust him not just with her heart but with her child?
The unanswered questions left her feeling heady, vulnerable.
She had to see him. Maybe then, she could be sure.
She crept out into the corridor to check the long clock on the landing. An hour yet to midnight. Then she heard footsteps simultaneously on both sets of staircases. Tentatively, she placed her hand against the wall and peeked around the corner to see who was coming up from the hall.
Godric...and he was wearingsuchan expression of anticipation, as if he were bathed in light. His entire body was glowing in response to the person descending to meet him.
His eyes glinted. A smile curled his lips. He’d even a slight spring in his step. She almost didn’t recognize him. She followed his gaze to Penelope.
“You,” Hurtheven sighed.
As he passed by, Hera plastered herself against the wall, heart thumping.
“Hurtheven.Dear, Hurtheven,” Penelope’s lowered voice was rich with poignant intimacy. “How...how very lovely. Truly. I’m so happy to see...” Penelope’s voice cracked. She touched a finger to her lips.
“Ah, Pen.” He spoke in a softened tone Hera had never heard him use. “I should have known you would be able to read me at once.”
Hera forced herself to look again. From her angle, she couldn’t see his face, but she could see Penelope’s. In the duchess’s eyes was a look of infinite tenderness.
“Of course, I can.” Penelope moved her hand to his cheek.
He tilted his head into the cradle of her palm. Hera went rigid as if she’d been caught in a sudden gust of icy air.
“You know you’ve always been very dear to me,” Pen quietly intoned. “You were a friend when I had none. A surrogate father to Thaddeus when he was most in need.”
Hurtheven chuckled softly...ruefully. “And yet,” he replied, “you refused me when I asked for your hand...”
Refused him. A cold blade of jealousy pierced Hera’s chest. He’d askedPenelopetowed?
“I refuse to marry you because I knew you deserved someone who loved you with all of her heart.” Penelope’s smile was born of decades of friendship. “I love you...but not like that.”
