“I don’t understand. Father announced the news last night—wonderful news, I think.”
“I am not marrying him,” she gritted. And that image returned, of her in her wedding clothes, Devlin in his dress uniform beside her in an ancient church.
Never,she told herself with some panic.
“Why not?” Tyrell demanded.
“Why not?” she exclaimed. “The man abducted me, held me prisoner, demanded we live openly together—all for the sake of his obsession. And two nights ago he almost killed my cousin. Why not? I have given you four reasons why not, five if you count the fact that I am merely a pawn in his game of revenge.”
“You are bitter and angry and I cannot blame you. He has treated you abominably, but he has agreed to marry you, and that is the just outcome, I think.”
“Just for whom?” she cried. “For him? I think not—he has no wish to be shackled to me in marriage. Just for me? He doesn’t love me! Not at all!” she cried. Then, trembling, she said, “I only wish to go home to my plantation.”
He looked distraught. “I am afraid your anger gets the best of you. It is the only way to save your reputation, Virginia.”
“I don’t care about my reputation.”
He was grim. “Then it is a good thing that I do, and that my father and stepmother also care.” His tone softened. “We have all become quite fond of you, Virginia. And Devlin is a very eligible bachelor. He must wed—and why not you?” He smiled. “You may be small, but your spirit is huge, and I happen to think there is more here than meets the eye. I think it is a good match.”
She leapt to her feet. “It is not a good match! I do not want to spend my life with that man! In fact, I cannot bear to ever set eyes upon him again!” And if she left tomorrow as she planned, she would surely never see him again.
Oh, God, could she really do this? Somehow, a part of her could not imagine a life without Devlin O’Neill in it.
“And you expect me to do what? Hide you here? Send you to America? What is it that you think I can—or will—do?”
“I beg you, my lord, to loan me the sum of a transatlantic fare. I promise to repay you, though it may take some time.” Their stares held for a pregnant moment.
He looked away. “And where do you go when you reach the United States?Ifyou reach it—as we are at war with your country. And what do you do when you get there?”
“I am going to Sweet Briar—”
“It belongs to your uncle. And he has put it up for sale. For all we know, it has already been sold and you have no home to return to,” he said, his eyes flashing. “This is madness, Virginia, sheer madness, and I cannot be a part of it.”
“You deny me?” she cried, stunned.
He stared, his face set. “I am looking after you, Virginia. It is your best interest that I have in mind.”
“No, it’s not,” she cried, furious and appalled. “You are my very last hope! Why can’t you see? I will not marry that man, it is simply intolerable after all he has done!”
Devlin strode in. He swept his damp cloak behind his back and bowed briefly. “I am sorry you feel that way, madam,” he said, his eyes flashing.
Her heart seemed to stop. In shock, she stared, and sensing danger, she backed up.
His face was so hard. The only emotion evident was anger. He now nodded at Tyrell. “I have had my men searching the streets of London for her. I should have guessed she would come to you. Thank you, Ty, for sending me word.”
“You have many broken fences to mend,” he said. “She is very angry with you, as she should be.”
“I can see that,” Devlin said, looking at Virginia again.
Virginia realized that while she had been bathing and changing clothes, Tyrell had sent word to Devlin. “You have betrayed me,” she cried, shaking with anger now. “I thought you were my friend. I trusted you!”
“I am your friend,” he said, his expression one of regret. “I sincerely think only of your best interest, and I think—I hope—in time that you will be thankful for what I did.”
“You are not my friend,” she whispered, still stunned by his treachery.
He bowed and left.
Devlin walked after him, but only to close the door and then face Virginia again. “What madness is this? Do you think to commit suicide?”
