As if a lock suddenly clicked into place in his mind, he decided that it was time for him to take back his life. He’d lived long enough feeling dragged down by the weight of a thousand chains. From this point on, he was through turning the other cheek—and that included Euphemia. Any further charges she sent his way from Bath, expecting to be honored, would be refused. She wouldn’t be pleased, but he found he no longer cared. He was a duke with a wealth of power on his side—if not in his coffers—and it was time to enforce his standing in society.
He realized that he wouldn’t have made such a crucial decision on his own, so he gently reached out and cupped Lyra’s cheek in his palm. On impulse, he leaned down and softly pressed his lips to hers.
She trembled slightly at the initial touch, but she softened beneath his gentle exploration as the pressure of his mouth increased. As she parted her lips to allow him better access, he reluctantly broke the embrace and stepped back.
He looked into those lovely, dark eyes and murmured, “You’re an amazing woman, Lyra. Lord Weston was only one man and a fool at that. I guarantee that love will find you some day, for any man would be lucky to call you his own.” He paused, wishing to say more, wanting to taste her lips again, but knowing he couldn’t trust himself to stop there. “Until then, I will remain your devoted friend.”
With that, he forced himself to turn on his heel and leave the room.
Only after he shut the door did he realize his hands were shaking.
He quickly decided that a drink was in order, but as he headed for the study, Mrs. Birdwell waylaid him at the base of the stairs.
“How is her ladyship?” she asked kindly.
“I think she will be quite recovered come morning.”
As she nodded and took her leave, Alister closed his eyes a moment before he continued on. Howhemight fare was another story.
He poured himself a brandy from the sideboard, tossing back half of it in one swallow and grimacing at the fiery burn in his throat.
He’d nearly convinced himself that he’d been right to walk away from Lyra just now. He wasn’t so far gone in his depravities that he would dare take advantage of her over a brief moment of vulnerability. The last thing he wanted to put her through were more regrets. While he would undoubtedly suffer a rather long night of unrequited lust, at least she would be able to look him in the eye over the breakfast table.
He blew out a breath before glancing at the massive, mahogany desk and the pile of correspondence that he’d instructed his solicitor to forward. He downed the rest of his drink and decided that, if nothing else, he had plenty of work to occupy his time. Business matters were always a welcome distraction when it came to tamping down any male urges.
Taking a seat, he had just started to sift though some personal estate matters when a brief knock at the door caused his head to come up. “Yes?”
The butler strode in and offered a brief bow. “This just came for you, Your Grace.” He held out a letter on a silver salver.
Alister noted that it held the barrister’s seal. He hoped that this meant Talon had good news. “Thank you, Barton.”
Once the servant was gone, he quickly opened the missive. He was disappointed that it was merely a request to come by the following afternoon.
Nevertheless, a reply was in order. Alister opened one of the top drawers of the desk and searched for some paper. He found several sheets, but as he took them out and tried to shut the drawer, something kept it from closing fully.
Narrowing his eyes, Alister gently maneuvered the drawer until he pulled it free. Setting it on top of the desk, he leaned down and noticed that something was caught in the very back. His heart began to pound as his instincts kicked in.
He reached inside and withdrew a crumpled piece of vellum. Slowly unfolding it, he felt his stomach sink as he read the partially written letter.
Things are growing dangerous. While ‘The Cause’ is our most critical aspect, I fear for what may happen. She knows too much…
Alister clenched the offending words in his fist before he took a deep breath and smoothed the paper back out to consider this incriminating possibility. He’d finally found something of import, but he had to wonder if this simple scrap would change everything.The Causewas a dangerous group of men who were intent on overthrowing the Regent. It was because of Lyra Coventry’s suspected involvement that he’d been allowed to get her released from the Tower under his close supervision. It was obvious, from this unfinished letter, that Roger was implicated in the plot. The question was, who was the woman he mentioned? He hated to think that his instincts were wrong and Lyra was guilty of high treason. Either way, he knew that more information was required. Until he could prove Lyra’s innocence beyond a reasonable doubt, he would have to firmly remember his true purpose for being at Weston House.
And it wasn’t because of some buried sense of honor.
* * *
Lyra glanced at the clock when she heard Alister’s footsteps pass her door on the way to his room. The hands were barely visible in the dim light of the coals, but she could see that it was nearly two-thirty in the morning—and she was still wide-awake.
But it was it any wonder she couldn’t find any relief from sleep? When one felt like the worst sort of fool, it wasn’t exactly comforting.
She’d poured out her heart and laid her deepest desires at Alister’s feet, and what had he done?
He’d kissed her…and then walked away with a firm vow of friendship.
With a wince, she turned on her side. It was for the best.Really. After all, his only purpose for being at Weston House was to keep her out of the Tower. Instead of focusing on her awakened passions, sheshouldbe concentrating on her upcoming trial.
The problem was that Alister made her want tofeelthings. His direct stare pierced her very soul and reminded her that she was a woman with certain needs that screamed to be fulfilled.
