Sean suddenly stepped between them. “I see you have both, finally, met. Eleanor, if you think to lure Virginia into the topic of wedding nights, you are wrong.” His tone was mild but his stare was not. Then he smiled at Virginia. “She is sixteen and certain subjects are not suitable for her ears.”
Eleanor’s smile vanished and she turned crimson. “I will be seventeen in three months,” she cried. “I am not a barefoot child in pigtails anymore! I am a lady now—a lady with suitors—ask anyone in Bath.” Lifting her skirts, she hurried away.
Sean sighed, staring after her for one moment, appearing oddly thoughtful. Then he handed Virginia a flute of champagne. “You look exhausted. Should I summon Devlin?”
Virginia smiled back, hesitating. If he summoned Devlin, they might find an excuse to leave. “Yes, that would be wonderful,” she managed. It was hard to breathe.
Sean bowed and walked off, leaving Virginia alone. She took a sip of champagne, hoping to cool herself as she did so. Instead, the crowd in the room turned into a sea of faces.
And finally Virginia could not get any air at all.I must sit down,she thought. But before she could move to do so, the flute slipped from her fingers and crashed upon the floor.
Virginia looked down at the puddle of pale liquid, terribly surprised, and the puddle darkened and wavered in her vision. How odd, she began to think, as the entire room seemed to tilt and sway and finally darken, too.
I am going to faint,she thought.
“Virginia!” Devlin cried.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
HIS HEART FELT AS IF IThad stopped. He knelt over his bride, quickly seeking out her pulse. It was strong and steady. Relief crashed over him like a tidal wave; she had merely fainted.
Devlin gathered her in his arms, glancing up at his family, who surrounded him. “She has fainted. I think this day has been long enough.” He swiftly stood. Virginia felt as light as a feather, and her weight always amazed him.
“She has been under too much duress,” Mary whispered, her face ashen, her eyes filled with guilt. “Oh, dear, I should have never insisted on such a hasty wedding!”
“You are not to blame, dear,” Edward said, putting his arm around her.
Devlin strode from the salon, Virginia limp in his arms. Sean reached his side and Devlin met his brother’s eyes. They were grave and concerned.
“Shall I send up a maid with some salts?”
“She’ll be fine,” he said a bit curtly. He was very aware that his brother’s feelings had not changed, just as he remained aware that Virginia truly should have married someone like Sean.
“Devlin!” His mother slipped salts into the pocket of his jacket. “She hasn’t been eating well. She needs rest and nourishment.”
He nodded and left the room.
And once he was alone with Virginia, bounding up the steps, he gazed at her face and his heart warmed inexplicably. She deserved Sean, or someone like Sean, but she was stuck with him. Suddenly he wanted to make it up to her.
Their suite had been filled with flowers and roses. Devlin laid her on the bed, which was turned down, just as she began to stir. He sat down at her hip and held the salts to her nostrils; she gasped, her eyes flying open.
For one moment, she stared. Then she started to sit up.
He clasped her shoulder and held her down. “Stay still for a moment,” he said gently, an odd affection filling him, soft and tender. He was aware of the fact that the fear remained, but he had somehow managed to shove it aside. “You fainted.”
She smiled a little. “I am so sorry. I don’t faint.”
He found his mouth curving. “All women faint.”
“Not this one…until now.”
He realized he still held her small shoulder, and that her diamond-encrusted hair brushed his fingers. He meant to remove his hand; somehow, he touched her face. “It has been a difficult day, I know. Virginia…” He stopped, unsure of what he wanted to say, but the warmth was filling his chest and he wanted to say something to her.
“What?” she whispered.
He hesitated. His mind raced but no coherent thoughts came, there was only the warmth, oddly tender and so surprisingly unfamiliar. “I will try to be a good husband.”
Her eyes widened; she smiled. “I cannot ask for more than that,” she said.
