“How the hell did Hawk do all of this in such a short amount of time? How did he even know I was planning to take Jillian to Cornwall?”
Edward shrugged. “I am sorry, your grace. They did not share their arrangements with me other than what I needed to know to get you there safely.”
“Well then, if we are to pull off this little charade, you better work on calling me by my name instead of your grace.”
Edward looked like he had just swallowed his tongue. “Oh, I couldn’t be so impertinent,” he gasped.
“Unless you want the whole of Cornwall to know who I am, I suggest you start learning how to be impertinent. Did Hawk have the foresight to pack clothing suitable to my new station?” he added after a moment’s thought.
“He did indeed, your grace, er—uh—I mean—your grace?”
Justin sighed. “Yes, Edward?”
“What do I call you exactly?
###
Jillian sat in Justin’s drawing room, Hawk and Case hovering close by. She had been overcome with relief when they told her that Justin was safely out of London. But how she missed him. His comforting presence by her bedside, his warm hand around her own—the house felt empty without him.Shefelt empty without him.
Just two hours after Justin’s departure, the Royal Guard had arrived at Justin’s home with a writ from the Prince Regent requesting his presence at the palace. She had hidden in the small secret room for several hours until finally the guard, satisfied that Justin was not in the house, had left.
How had it come to this? How was it conceivable that the husband she had thought dead had come back from the grave to destroy her newfound happiness? She wished she could conjure some guilt over the fact that she had unknowingly committed adultery, but she couldn’t make herself regret it.
“Jilly, are you all right?” Case appeared before her, kneeling down in front of her. Concern was evident in his eyes as he took her hand in his.
“Yes, of course, I’m fine,” she said, attempting a smile.
She could almost see out of her left eye again, though she still hadn’t summoned the courage to check her appearance in the mirror.
“You should return to bed,” he chided gently. “You still haven’t fully recovered.”
“No,” she said adamantly shaking her head. “I’ve spent enough time in bed. It is time I did something to rectify this mess I’m in.”
“Lady Penroth, I insist you leave that to us,” Hawk spoke up from across the room.
She looked over at this intriguing man. Seeming to appear out of nowhere, he was a brooding man, his expression always intense. Just the sort of person who would frighten her under other circumstances. His eyes held a wealth of secrets, no doubt, for no emotion or thought could be discerned from their black depths.
As if aware of her silent scrutiny, he rose and crossed the room to sit in front of her. “You’ve been through a terrible ordeal, Lady Penroth, and I understand if you are reluctant to trust me, but—”
“I trust you,” she said simply. “Justin and Case trust you, and that is quite enough for me.”
“Your faith in me is humbling, my lady.”
“I rather doubt much humbles you, sir,” she said dryly.
He threw back his head and laughed. “I think I just might be envious of my cousin after all.”
She sobered. “So, what is it you and Case have planned and where is Justin now?”
Hawk looked over at Case and then back to her. “Justin should arrive on the coast today where he will be taking up residence in a cottage there. As soon as we can safely get you out of London, you will join him.”
She bit her lip in consternation. “I don’t like it.”
The two men looked at her in surprise.
“Can either of you explain why Justin should be forced to flee London in disgrace when he has donenothing? I won’t allow it. Surely there is somewhere I can go while I seek a divorce.”
“I promised my cousin that I would deliver you safely to the coast where he awaits you. I keep my promises.” He looked long and hard at her. “But I will make you a promise as well. If, after I have taken you to Justin, you do not wish to remain, then I will take you wherever you want to go.”
