The conversation she’d had with her brother-in-law this afternoon had made her even more determined to stay in England. Talon Montgomery was simply too intriguing. He’d managed to take her mind off the matter at hand, and that was unacceptable. She couldn’t let him distract her. She couldn’t let anything interfere in her quest to win Daniel’s affections.
The low rumble of male voices in the hall outside her room made her hurry to the door. She pressed her ear against the wooden panel, straining to make out the words.
For the hundredth time, she wished she and Daniel had adjoining rooms. Even though his suite was directly across from hers, there was a chance someone might see her dressed so provocatively. She paced her room for another fifteen minutes, trying to build her courage, and then stole into the dimly lit hall.
She hesitated outside Daniel’s door then took a deep breath and entered, shutting the heavy oak panel behind her. Within seconds, she realized Daniel wasn’t alone.
Her husband’s nude body, lithe and golden in the flickering firelight, moved in sensuous tandem with another on the lavish, four- poster bed. A heavy, pervasive scent filled the room. Opium, she guessed irrelevantly, shocked beyond words by what she was seeing.
She’d known Daniel wasn’t faithful to her, but to have her suspicions proven on a night when everything dear to her rested on winning his cooperation… She put her hand to her mouth, trying to stem her soft moan of betrayal.
She must have made some sound because Daniel froze and turned to face her. His blue eyes widened, and he yanked on the down comforter beneath him, shielding his lover from view.
“Kathryn.” He held up a hand as though to ward her off. “What are you doing here?”
She shook her head, wondering if the heavy cloud of opium had managed to dull her senses. She wanted to stride forward, yank back the covers and confront them both. But for some reason, all she could manage to do was cross her arms over her chest and back away.
Before she could reach the door, Daniel’s lover sat up, flicked a lock of long blond hair out of his eyes, and gave her a charming smile. “Hello, Kathryn.”
Philip Carrington, the heir to the Earl of Stonebridge. Kathryn sagged against the wall, stunned. The enormity of what she was seeing undermined the very foundations on which her prim and proper life had been based.
Daniel’s lover was a man.
“I don’t understand.” Her voice shook as she realized how hopelessly naive she’d been. Why hadn’t she known this? How could she have been so stupid?
Daniel pulled the satin sheet around his waist and sat back against the headboard, rubbing the bridge of his nose. His light brown hair fell forward, obscuring his eyes. “I’ve failed you, Kathryn. I know it, and I’m sorry. But don’t judge me too harshly. I love him.”
“You love him?” Incredulous, she stared at the man she’d once hoped would loveher. “Well, I’m sure that will be a great comfort to us both when we’re banished to the Carolinas.”
Daniel flinched. “Don’t you see? My father’s testing us. He wanted you to get my attention and it worked.” He cast a pained glance in Philip Carrington’s direction. “Can’t we discuss this tomorrow?”
Her nostrils flared at his easy dismissal of his father’s threats.
Sutcliffe intended to do exactly as he’d promised, and now she didn’t even have the comfort of thinking she’d found a solution.
“By all means.” She reached behind her for the doorknob, her voice dripping with disdain. “I’m just your wife. Don’t let me keep you from what you were doing.”
“Kathryn! Wait!”
She ignored Daniel’s voice, intent only upon escape. Stumbling out into the hall, she ran straight into Talon Montgomery’s arms.
* * * * *
Talon had spent the evening in his father’s library, absorbing knowledge with greedy intensity. He doubted he’d ever again have access to the great works he found in Sutcliff’s extensive collection.
He didn’t head up to bed until well after midnight, so he was surprised when one of the doors lining the upstairs hall flew open and the woman he’d been trying to avoid spilled out into his arms. “Kathryn?”
Clad in an enticing ensemble of satin and lace, her hair tumbled loose and free over his arm. His gaze was immediately drawn to the expanse of creamy skin that swelled above the plunging neckline. He took a deep breath, which was a mistake, because her scent, an erotic blend of roses and vanilla, was more intoxicating than the brandy he’d imbibed earlier.
“Let me go.” She began to struggle, wrenching out of his arms as though he’d held her by force. Her chest heaved with some intense emotion, and her eyes were bright with unshed tears.
“What is it? What’s happened?”
Before she could answer, there was movement in the open doorway. Daniel stepped out into the hall, fumbling to belt his robe. Over his shoulder, a naked young man sprawled across a lavish four-poster bed.
“This doesn’t concern you, Talon. I need to speak to my wife. Alone.”
Talon gave a soft curse, leveling his brother with a glare. This was the first time Daniel had deigned to speak to him since their father had introduced them last week. Tension hummed between them.
