“Yes. A fortnight ago, we actually supped together there.” Tyrell reached into his fine, nearly black coat and withdrew a sealed letter. “For you, Miss Hughes.”
She took it, seeing her name and recognizing Sean’s handwriting instantly. She didn’t know whether to be worried or pleased. Then she felt both men staring and she glanced from Tyrell to Devlin. His expression had turned aloof. “Thank you for delivering this,” she said to Tyrell. Then to Devlin, she said, “Your home is lovely. I have never seen anything like it. I am going to step outside and explore while you and your brother get reacquainted.”
Devlin merely nodded at her.
Clutching the letter tightly, Virginia hurried out.
Tyrell faced Devlin then, finally allowing his anger to show. “She is sharing your rooms? I heard an insane rumor, Dev, about you living openly with some woman in Hampshire, but I did not believe it.”
“Tread with care, Ty,” Devlin warned, walking into the adjoining salon. He stared across the room. Huge windows let out onto the terrace there and he could see Virginia, opening the letter with her fingernail. Was she in a rush?
Anger enveloped him then.
It was a love letter, he was certain, and she had been moved to receive it and could not wait to read it.
“What the hell are you thinking, Dev?” Tyrell demanded, pausing by his side. He also glanced out of the windows at Virginia, who was now reading the single page she held. Clearly her hand trembled, as the page wavered like a flag.
“I am afraid that whom I wish to bed is not your affair.”
“Oh, ho! So you think to play me for a fool!” Tyrell was incredulous. “She is Eastleigh’s niece. I know now for certain that you continue on some torturous path of self-destruction.”
“The only person on a path of destruction is Eastleigh himself,” Devlin said more calmly than he felt. He thought he saw Virginia’s shoulders shake. Was she crying?
“Sean is in love with her. You would cuckold your brother?”
Devlin finally tore his gaze from Virginia, an instant from striking Tyrell, his fist raised. Ty was as tall as he, but heavier and more thickly built, and in any actual fight, stronger, although not quicker. The two men had never exchanged blows. “Leave this alone, Ty,” he warned, but all he could think about was Virginia outside, crying over Sean’s love letter.
“No.” Tyrell’s jaw was hard and a fierce glint was in his nearly black eyes. “I am your brother and I will not leave this alone. Sean told me your absurd plan to ransom her. You left Askeaton three weeks ago. Where is the ransom, Devlin? Why is she now your mistress when it is your brother she should be with?”
Devlin’s fury knew no bounds because Tyrell was right. In a red haze, he saw Virginia and Sean in an unholy embrace. “She remains with me, doing as I choose, until I say so,” he ground out.
Tyrell gripped his shoulders. “I have never seen you like this, so thoughtless, so furious. I cannot believe you would destroy her this way—for my brother would never do such a thing! And when this is over? Do you think to escape with your head?” he now cried.
Devlin shrugged him off, Sean’s words suddenly echoing disturbingly in his mind.You will have to destroy her, will you not?First Sean and now Tyrell. God, what was he doing? He knew damn well that Virginia did not deserve to be a pawn in his schemes. “Virginia will survive,” he said grimly. “I will rectify everything after the ransom.”
“And how will you do that? Will you marry her to salvage her reputation?”
Devlin started, his heart skipping uncontrollably. “No,” he heard himself say. But Tyrell was right. He had not faced the whole truth before—only marriage would save Virginia from the critics and gossips he had set upon her.
Family and love werenotfor him.
His life was one of destruction and death.
Tyrell wrenched him around. “And what of your career? It hangs by a thread now! One more false move and I am certain there will be a court-martial! This abduction is criminal, Devlin, and don’t tell me you do not know it. Men hang for less.”
Devlin pulled away. “I will not hang.” And he started, because beyond Tyrell, through the windows, he saw that Virginia was ashen and as immobile as a statue.
Tyrell followed his stare. Suddenly he said, “Are you in love with this girl?” His tone was incredulous.
Devlin recoiled.“No!”
“I see.” Tyrell stared thoughtfully. Then he asked, “Will Eastleigh pay?”
“When I am through, he will.” He paced, shaken and disturbed.
“How can you do this to her?” Tyrell demanded. “Look.” He jerked his head at the window. Outside, Virginia trembled, covering her face with her hands. “She weeps. She is weeping, Devlin. I know it has to bother you, because I know you better than anyone, better even than Sean, and I know you are not ruthless, not completely, at least.”
“Fine,” he said grimly. “Fine! It bothers me! Are you satisfied now, goddamn it?”
