She blinked hard, in dismay. The last thing she wished was to be alone, even if he slept on the sofa in the next room, as he was wont to do.
“Hannah, please apply an ice compress to her wrist.”
“Yes, sir,” Hannah whispered.
Virginia wet her lips. “Devlin, no,” she said hoarsely.
He stiffened.
“I don’t want to be alone—not tonight—please, stay here with me,” she cried softly. And tears filled her eyes.
His own widened, his visage far sterner than before. He could not seem to speak.
“I’ll get the ice,” Hannah whispered and discreetly she fled, closing the door behind her.
Virginia could not move. She could only stare up at him, the tears trickling down her cheeks, wishing she could stop crying, wishing he would not leave, wishing he would take her in his arms and gently hold her.
He remained stiff with a conflict she could not fathom. “Virginia,” he said hoarsely, “this is my entire fault. I have used you shamelessly. I am sorry.”
She gasped, stunned.
He closed his eyes as if agonized, then sat down beside her hip. He took both of her hands in his. “I will not ask for your forgiveness, little one, because I do not deserve it.”
“You are forgiven,” she whispered instantly, meaning it.
His nostrils flared, indicating huge emotion, and he stared, never releasing her hands. “How can you be so kind after what I have subjected you to? Tom attacked you because of our charade—the charade I insisted upon. God, I wish I had killed him,” he cried.
She had never seen him emotional like this before; he was a man who only expressed anger. “It’s all right,” she whispered raggedly. Her own fingers tightened on his hands. “He didn’t rape me in the end.”
His eyes widened. “Is that what he was about? In a public hall?”
Virginia saw the fury in his eyes and she hesitated. “I think so.”
He leapt up. “I will kill him after all.”
She sat up straighter, confused. “Because of me?”
“What other reason would there be?” he asked in some amazement.
She stared. “Your father.”
His jaw flexed. “This is not about my father.”
She reeled, his words having the most profound, dizzying effect, and she sank back against the pillows, stunned.This was not about his revenge.
“I must go,” he said suddenly.
“No!” And her gaze blurred. “Please don’t leave me now.”
He stared.
She stared back and held out her hand, imploring him to come.
His expression remained impossibly taut and she saw the battle he waged in his eyes.
“Please, Devlin,” she whispered. “Please stay—please hold me—just for a moment.” Her voice cracked.
He reached her in a stride and sat down, taking her hands again. “You ask too much of me now,” he warned.
