Leaning forward, she placed her hand against his cheek in a gentle caress that carried a glimpse of the future with it. “I think that would be a most excellent outcome.”
Exhaling the breath he’d been holding, he rose up, capturing her lips in an aching kiss born from longing and despair. “You mean the world to me, Mary. I need you by my side.”
“And I need you by mine.”
He kissed her again, promising her with the loving caress of his lips that he would never again be careless with her heart. “I cannot believe that Carthright is your brother,” he told her moments later as he placed his forehead against hers, reveling in the closeness. “What are the chances?”
“I have no idea. Perhaps the more important question is whether or not you are able to accept it.” Sadness filled her eyes once more and for a moment it looked as though she was finding it painful to breathe.
“The alternative would be impossible for me to live with, so if you can forgive me, Mary, then I can definitely come to terms with who your brother is.”
Relief flooded her features. “This must be terribly difficult for you.”
He stared at her in amazement. “Difficult forme?” Even now, with disaster threatening to ruin their lives, her kindness and consideration for others shone through. “Andrew isyourbrother, Mary.”
“By blood only.” A lonely tear trickled down her cheek. “I cannot in good conscience approve of his actions. My support lies entirely with you, Richard. I have told him as much.”
Overwhelmed by her love for him, he pressed her to his chest. “Oh, sweetheart”—the words tore at his throat—“I honestly thought I had lost you.”
A choked sob escaped her. “The choice became increasingly clear to me after listening to Andrew’s account of what happened. He was inconceivably selfish and cowardly. The fact that he did not give an accurate report of what happened but left you to die, is unforgiveable.”
Leaning back a little, Richard tilted her face so he could meet her troubled gaze. “I love you.” Nothing else remained to be said as he lowered his mouth over hers once more, kissing away the remainder of her pain.
Slowly, she brought her arms around his neck, pulling him closer until he hovered over her. “You should leave,” he murmured against the corner of her mouth.
The sweetest sigh escaped her parted lips. “And if I stay?”
His fingers trembled ever so slightly as he brushed them against her cheek. “If you stay...” Jesus, what a thought! Closing his eyes, he tried to control the tension building inside his chest. Lord, how he wanted her to do so. But it would be wrong. “I fear there will be consequences.”
He heard her breathe; soft inhalations that seemed to trap them in time. “And what if this is our only chance?”
Opening his eyes, he gazed into the dark pools of emotion staring back at him. “You are worried that I will not survive the duel?”
She turned her head away. “I have to acknowledge the possibility.” Her voice broke, fragmenting the words. “Considering what I now know of my brother, I fear that he will not act honorably and that you will pay for it with your life. I...” She shook her head, unable to speak.
“It will not come to that, Mary. I have seen your brother shoot before and while he is capable of handling his firearms, he is not nearly as accomplished a shot as I.”
Shifting, she met his gaze while unshed tears welled against her lashes. “So you believe that he will miss his mark?”
“I cannot say for sure, though I do believe that even if he does manage to shoot me, the shot will not be fatal.”
Gulping, she quietly said, “But nothing is certain, which is why I find it impossible to leave your side right now. Please don’t make me go.”
Her voice was so imploring, so fragile, that he found his discipline wavering. “You will be ruined if anyone finds out.”
“I would gladly risk ruination for a chance to spend the night with you.”
He shook his head and drew back. “You say so now, but what if the duel tomorrow does not go according to plan? What if you find yourself with child and without a husband by your side? Think of what that would do not only to you, but to our son or daughter.”
Her eyelids drooped with hopelessness. “They would be shunned by Society. As would I.”
Rising, he drew her to her feet so he could pull her into his arms, her head nestled firmly against his chest. “We cannot allow this situation to divest us of our common sense,” he whispered against the top of her head. “No matter how tempting it is to do so.”
“I just want...”
“So do I, my love.” Sweeping his hand up and down her back in long soothing strokes, he whispered again, “So do I.”
Chapter19
