“The captain tells us you have just arrived,” Squire Pauley said, tugging at his cravat.
“Yes, yesterday. I have spent the past five months at Devlin’s home in Ireland,” Virginia said, giving him a sidelong glance.
His brows lifted with amusement. He was clearly no longer surprised by her gamesmanship. “While I, alas, was patrolling the coast of Spain.” He sighed heavily as if he had yearned for her every day they were apart.
Mrs. Pauley’s cheeks were bright red. But she turned her blue eyes on Devlin then. “We have heard so much about you, Captain. You are a hero to us all.”
“Yes, sir,” her husband added. “We are so pleased that you have a home here now.”
“Thank you,” Devlin murmured.
“How long will you be in residence?” the squire asked.
“I think a week, certainly no more,” Devlin said.
Virginia was surprised. “Only a week, Devlin?” she asked softly.
He pulled her close. “Has my little country home grown on you the way that Askeaton has?”
She smiled up at him, acutely aware of the length of his body against her side. She was practically in his embrace, nestled against him and in the hard curve of one arm. It felt right. “I fear that it might…darling,” she said.
The squire coughed. Or perhaps he choked. Virginia glanced at him and saw his face had turned the color of beets.
“Are you…are you betrothed?” his wife managed, her expression mesmerized.
“Betrothed?” Devlin echoed. Virginia heard the disbelief in his tone and she inwardly stiffened, but she smiled and looked up at him. Devlin’s brows lifted. “I am afraid I am not a marrying man.”
The blonde stared. So did her husband.
Virginia broke the silence. “I am merely his mistress,” she announced boldly, and she felt Devlin stiffen with surprise.
“I believe Virginia meant she is a dear old friend,” Devlin murmured.
“Er, right,” the squire mumbled, now definitely choking on his words.
Virginia looked at him and she looked at his pretty wife. Their shock and distress were evident. She also thought she knew their thoughts, racing through their heads.She lives with him as his mistress? Good God, does she have no shame?And as they turned their eyes upon her, she saw the disbelief and dismay turning to condemnation. She smiled bravely back.
For she truly did not care. Did she?
She slipped free of Devlin and walked over to a table to fiddle with some trinkets there. She wasnotembarrassed and she wasnotdismayed, she told herself fiercely. The stakes were too high now. This was only a game, a bargain made betwixt her and Devlin, and if she won, she would have her freedom and his love.
Nothing and no one else mattered.
Tompkins was wheeling in a tea cart piled high with miniature cakes. Virginia had the urge to rush outside for some fresh air. Thankfully, Devlin was breaking the increasingly strained silence. “I have heard there is a wonderful market every Sunday in the local village.”
“Oh, there is,” Mrs. Pauley cried, smiling widely in relief. “You must go, Captain, really, for there are wonderful homemade pies, a dancing bear, pony rides for the children and one of our cabinetmakers always shows his wares. He makes the most intriguing chests, in all sizes, filled with dozens of hidden drawers! You should bring Miss Hughes—Virginia—I mean, Miss Hughes, as I am sure she would find it most entertaining!” she cried in a rush, her face flushed with her embarrassment.
Virginia wanted to flee. She felt miserable, but what was even worse was using these good and decent people, all to further Devlin’s obsessive scheme, and to so humiliate them. But she faced everyone, smiling. “I should love to go, darling.”
She realized that Devlin had turned away to examine a porcelain dish.
“You shall most enjoy it,” the squire said gamely. “Beth? I do think we must be on our way, as we have taken up enough of the good captain’s time.”
“Yes, of course,” Beth Pauley said, her gaze darting to Virginia with a mixture of fascination and horror.
Devlin came to life. He shook the squire’s hand. “Do come again,” he said politely, and Virginia had no idea if he meant it or not. “Mrs. Pauley, it was a pleasure,” he said, so gallantly that Virginia gaped.
Mrs. Pauley flushed, but with pleasure, and Virginia knew she was smitten. “Do come to the fair, Captain,” she said, her eyes soft and glowing.
