“I suggest you think very carefully,” Devlin said.
“He never told me his name,” the man panted. “Wait!”
Devlin decreased the pressure of his foot. “Continue.”
“But I know who he was! It was a lord, Captain, sir, a lord—I saw the coat of arms on the coach, and I asked, I asked who it was after he was gone!”
“Who was it?”
“Eastleigh, it was Lord Eastleigh, Captain. Please, please spare my life!”
Devlin coldly debated the request. “Put him in the brig. Have the ship’s surgeon attend him.”
“Aye, sir,” Gus said.
Devlin turned away. He was inwardly shaken—and furious with himself. He had been mooning over his bride like a school-age boy, thinking about her bed, thinking about love and almost feeling joy, when he had a blood enemy to destroy. His behavior had almost cost him his life.
The reminder was a timely one. He was married now, but it changed nothing.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
HANNAH KNOCKED ONVIRGINIA’Sdoor. “Mrs. O’Neill? It is Lady de Warenne, she is downstairs.” The girl smiled uncertainly at her.
Virginia had returned from her failed attempt to say goodbye to Devlin and had instantly retreated to her rooms. Grief had overcome her and she had sought her bed, trying to tell herself that six months was not that long, and instead missing him more and more with every passing moment. Fear had warred with her confusion. What if he was injured, or worse, in the war he was soon to attend? And how could he go to war against her country? Fortunately, her exhaustion was so great that she had finally collapsed and fallen asleep.
She had awoken an hour ago, feeling more composed and somewhat refreshed. She had bathed and dressed, preparing to go downstairs and take a solitary dinner. She was pleased that her mother-in-law had called; she was so acutely aware of Devlin’s absence and the house felt spectacularly empty.
She hurried downstairs and found Mary seated in one salon, sipping a cup of tea. The moment she saw Virginia she stood, her gaze searching.
All of Virginia’s composure vanished. She stood there and felt the tears stream down her face.
“Oh, dear,” Mary whispered, hurrying forward. “Whatever has happened, child?”
Virginia turned away. “Forgive me, I’m so sorry!” But this woman was too kind and she could not stop the tears, no matter how she choked.
As if she were Virginia’s own mother, Mary embraced her. “Oh, I thought to find you happy today! Oh, please do not tell me he has behaved despicably to hurt you again!”
Virginia managed to shake her head. “No, no, he has done nothing wrong—I mean, he left this morning and did not say goodbye, but that is not why I am distraught. I miss him, Lady Adare, I miss him terribly and I do not know how I can survive the next six months until he returns!”
The two women stared. Virginia wiped her eyes, breathless and shaking. “I am so foolish, I know.”
Mary cupped her face. “You are not foolish, you are in love, and that thrills me, my dear.”
Virginia bit her lip, her heart daring to defy her and soar. “Iamin love, my lady, more so than ever, I think.”
Mary smiled, pleased. “Do not think too much of his hasty departure. Men can be such fools. I am sure he was trying to be kind by not waking you at dawn, or there was some other such nonsense in his mind. We will probably never know what he was thinking. And Devlin is not romantic, not in the least—but I do think he loves you. In fact, I am almost sure of it.”
Virginia was seized with hope. “You think so?”
“He could barely keep his eyes off of you during the wedding ceremony. I never saw a man so mesmerized.”
Virginia thrilled. “I think he may feel warmly toward me, too,” she confessed. “But how will I get through the next six months?”
“Very easily,” Mary said. “You shall move into Harmon House, as it is impossible for you to stay here alone. Rex will not leave for his next post until after the New Year, and Cliff is staying in town for the winter. And then there is Eleanor. She is your sister now and the two of you should become acquainted before she returns to the Hinckleys at Bath.” Mary smiled, her eyes sparkling. “There is simply no other alternative, my dear.”
Virginia felt warmed to the bone. She dared to take the other woman’s hand. “You are so kind, my lady. May I speak frankly?”
“Please do,” Mary said, the twinkle remaining in her eyes.
