He hesitated, his eyes widening. “Only cowards refuse their duty, Virginia.”
“The world knows you are no coward! My God, you have proved yourself a hundred times over, at least!” It was hard to think clearly, she was so shocked by the content of his orders and the devastation he was to wage against her countrymen.
“Virginia,” he said, his gaze searching, “I’m a naval captain. You knew that when we married. I am sorry our countries are at war, truly sorry, but this war will pass.”
“After how much death? After how much destruction?” And she cried before she could stop herself, “How many Americans have died already because of you, Devlin?”
His gaze widened and he became rigid. “I do not know.”
“I think you do.” She did not wish to attack him and she knew that was what she was doing. She hurried around his desk and paused before him. “We have been happy together, at last. This war will come between us.”
His face was strained. “Only if you let it. Damn it, you shouldn’t have read my orders.”
“No, I shouldn’t have. Devlin, please! Do not go to war against my country!”
He made a harsh sound. “You are distressed, and rightly so. Again, do not let the war come between us. This I ask of you.”
She was silent. And she was ill.
He reached for her hand.
She allowed him to take it. “All right. I won’t let it come between us,” she said, desperately hoping that it was possible to do as he asked.
The mask slipped away and she saw that he was relieved.
VIRGINIA HAD TO TAKE A SEAT.She was moved beyond words, moved almost to tears. The salon was filled with warmth and laughter, and as she sat, she inhaled deeply, looking around the room, smiling.
It was the evening of her birthday, perhaps five o’clock. A fire blazed in the hearth beneath the handsome carved mantel there, where Edward stood with Tyrell, Cliff, Devlin and Sean. The men sipped champagne and chatted quietly, occasionally laughing at one or another remark. Devlin had never been more splendid or handsome, clad in his civilian clothes. He sensed her gaze and half turned, smiling at her. Virginia smiled back, suddenly filled with desire.
She was trying to do as Devlin had asked. It was an extreme effort, but she refused to think about the war. Every time she did, she turned her thoughts to another matter, determined to cherish the time they had left together. The fact that he had been given such terrible orders could not change how she felt about him; she simply loved him too much. And he was right. She must not let the war come between them—especially because she had had her pregnancy confirmed that morning.
She had secretly gone to see a doctor, with only Mary aware of the appointment. Her baby was due the following October.
She smiled and touched her abdomen. She would tell Devlin the news before he left. Her heart skipped and she glanced at him. She prayed he would be pleased.
She also prayed she would not be a widow when she gave birth to their child the following fall, and she worried about the war yet again. If only he did not have to go!
“I wonder if anyone will love me enough one day to match a necklace to my eyes,” Eleanor said.
Virginia glanced at Eleanor, who sat with Mary on the moss-green sofa near her chair, a half a dozen opened boxes at their feet. Eleanor and Mary were admiring the necklace that Devlin had given her, which she was wearing.
“Your time will come,” Mary murmured. “This necklace suits Virginia perfectly. It truly accentuates the unusual color of her eyes.” Mary shared an intimate glance with Virginia and Virginia knew she was thinking about the baby.
“I sense a secret,” Devlin murmured, his tone soft and seductive.
And that was when the Earl of Eastleigh walked into the room.
VIRGINIA REMAINED IN SHOCK.She was barely able to comprehend his presence as he bowed; nor could she hear the butler, pale and distressed, as he tried to apologize for the intrusion. What could he want? What was her uncle doing there? And then Devlin started forward.
Virginia’s heart lurched with fear as it struck her that Devlin might think to kill Eastleigh for this incident. But both Tyrell and Cliff gripped his shoulders, restraining him. A frightening mask had slipped over his face.
Edward quickly blocked his entrance. “Eastleigh, you are not welcome here.”
“Adare,” Eastleigh said, his pale blue eyes ice cold. “But surely the lack of an invitation to my niece’s birthday was an unfortunate oversight—as was the lack of an invitation to her wedding. I have only come to wish Virginia a most fortuitous birthday. I have even brought her a gift.” He turned and gestured at his servant who held a large wrapped parcel.
Devlin shook off his brothers and strode forward, his eyes cold. “Well, well,” he said, “the man I had hoped to see. And how is it that you do not seem surprised to seeme,my lord?”
The two men locked stares. Eastleigh’s teeth bared in a parody of a smile. “Why would I be surprised to see you present at your wife’s birthday? I had heard you returned, O’Neill. Oh, congratulations on your most advantageous marriage.” Suddenly he looked at Virginia and inclined his head. “Congratulations, my dear.”
