Devlin seized her arm. “You need not bore the countess with the details,” he said in real warning.
She glared at him and struggled to shake him off. “You are a bastard. Let me go!”
He started and released her.
Virginia sent him another murderous look. Perhaps, finally, she hated him.
He spoke to the countess, but never removed his stare from Virginia. “Elizabeth, I am afraid I must ask you to leave.”
“Yes, it is time that I left.” But she stared intensely at Virginia now, so much so that Virginia forgot how furious she was with Devlin and apprehension began. And finally the countess glanced at Devlin. “Have you hurt her?”
His brows lifted. “Hardly.”
The countess turned to Virginia.
Virginia flushed. “I am fine—all circumstances considered.”
“I hesitate to wonder what that may mean. Virginia, you are far too young, in spirit if not age, for a man like Devlin. I fear for you, my dear.”
Virginia didn’t know what to say. “His bark is worse than his bite,” she said, hoping her tone was light. Then added, “Usually.”
The countess glanced back and forth between them again. “Don’t make the terrible mistake that I made. Do not allow yourself to fall in love with him. He will never love you back.” Her smile was twisted and sad and she walked out.
It’s too late, Virginia thought. She walked to the door, staring after the countess, admiring her for her dignity and pride. She was unbearably saddened.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
DEVLIN PACED THE DINING ROOM,stiff with tension. He glanced at his watch fob—it was well past seven. He glanced at the door, but Virginia did not appear there.
The table was set with crystal, fine china and gilded tableware, all brought from his ship. Covered platters steamed between the candelabra. Virginia was late.
She was avoiding him.
She had been avoiding him for three days, ever since Elizabeth’s visit, but that was for the best, as it was becoming harder and harder to trust himself around her. It was becoming harder and harder to use her callously as an instrument of revenge. He knew damned well their bargain and her charade was taking a huge toll upon her. Hewassorry, when he did not want to be, and itwouldbe easier in London.
He had only to recollect her teasing humor, or her sincere desire for friendship, her passion or her outrage, to sorely wish to set her free.
If he set her free, all temptation would be gone.
Those men made me feel like a whore.
Guilt shackled him now. It was an emotion he was rarely visited with. He had wished to throttle Aston and pummel Jayson, instead, he had somehow played the game. Now, Gerald’s sightless eyes seemed to be accusing him of perfidy instead of begging him for justice.
His temples throbbed. He paced to the terrace doors, rubbing his neck, as if that might remove the turmoil and tension from his body, his being, his mind. Gerald’s accusing gaze turned into Virginia’s huge eyes, as accusing, and then they became wide with hurt, an expression he had come to know so well. He truly wished she had not come home to meet Elizabeth. He wished he could have spared her that afternoon.
But she had thought to befriend and comfort Elizabeth. She was the most unpredictable woman he had ever met. She was also the kindest and most sincere.
She lay naked in the bath: small perfect breasts, long, slender legs and in between, an intriguing cleavage covered by dark curls.
He knew that Virginia had no clue of how difficult it was, living with her like this. She did not know that he slept in the library, only coming to his makeshift bed just before dawn. He had let the servants think he suffered from insomnia and worked into the wee hours of the night.
He finally bounded up the stairs. Guilt continued to assail him. His path of revenge, once smooth, had become a twisting rocky road. He was doing what he had to do, what his father would want him to do—he was fulfilling his duty as Gerald O’Neill’s son. There was simply no other choice, not for him. His life was meant to be one of hatred and revenge. Sean was the one entitled to family and love.
He stumbled on the steps. What in God’s name was he thinking?Family and love?Those concepts had naught to do with him and they never would.
He did not feel reassured. Elizabeth’s soft, tearful words echoed in his mind, her advice to Virginia.Don’t fall in love with him. He will never love you back.
He genuinely hoped that Virginia heeded her advice.
