He’d made the decision to release the boat, knowing there was a chance Daniel was still alive.
“I’ll have to find Johnny and express my gratitude,” Talon said. And he would. Despite all he stood to lose, despite his many protests to the contrary, he had mourned Daniel’s loss. Kate had been right. He had grown to care for his brother.
“I’ve been here for nearly a week,” Daniel commented. “Father’s agent has arrived, and we were about to give up on you two and head back to London.”
Hope soared anew. Maybe there was still a chance to salvage the situation.
“There’s no reason to change your plans. Pretend you never saw us.” The words were out before Talon could stop them. “Tell the earl we were lost at sea. Let Kate remain here with me.”
Kate glanced back and forth between them, her eyes wide and tragic. She looked as devastated as he felt. “We were going to be married tomorrow.”
Daniel paled, his good humor fading. He gave Kate a look filled with reproach. “That’s a little precipitous of you, isn’t it, darling? It’s usually considered bad form to marry a second husband before you’re even certain the first one’s dead.”
“I’m sorry. I never wanted to hurt you.” She lifted an imploring hand, touching Daniel’s sleeve in entreaty. “I love him, Daniel. Please, let me go. It’s the only way any of us can be happy.”
“You’re my wife, Kate. Not his.” Daniel jerked away and turned his anger on Talon. His light blue eyes were filled with rage and betrayal. “I won’t let you have her. You’ve taken too much from me already.”
“You bastard.” Talon forgot his earlier guilt and regret. “You’re just like our father. You don’t give a damn about Kate. You don’t give a damn about anyone but yourself.”
Kate gasped, and Daniel’s face flushed an unhealthy shade of red. “I’d be careful with your insults. You still have a crew of men to worry about, don’t you?”
And that was it. With those few words, Daniel punctured Talon’s last hopes. They had come full circle. Talon was forced back into the position of choosing between his men and Kate.
His soul cried out in anguish. He couldn’t think of anything he could say, anything he could do to make Daniel change his mind.
And there was no way he could sacrifice his men for his own happiness.
He met Kate’s stricken gaze, and his heart shattered. “I’m sorry,” he told her. “I’m so damned sorry for this whole mess.”
Then he turned and walked away.
Stunned, Kate watched Talon disappear around the corner. She’d known if he were ever forced to choose between her and his men, he’d choose them, but she hadn’t expected him to give up so easily.
She’d thought he’d fight for her, not just walk away.
Did she mean so little to him, even after all they’d shared? What if she carried his child? She took a step after him, but before she could take another, Daniel grabbed her arm. “Don’t,” he said, his voice low and angry. “Don’t you dare go after him.”
The anguish in Daniel’s voice stunned her. She tried to pull away, suddenly frightened of the gentle, foolish man she’d married.
Daniel’s hand tightened painfully, ending her struggles. “Tell me, Kate. Did you shed a single tear for me? Or did you and Talon conspire to get rid of me from the very beginning?”
“I care for you.” She heard the desperation in her voice, but was powerless to stop it. “You’re like a... brother to me. But I can’t stay with you. Talon is my life. I love him. Surely you can understand that.”
“Love?” Daniel gave a harsh laugh. “I know nothing of love. I only know that I trusted you. Hell, I trusted him. And both of you betrayed me.”
Kate was flooded with guilt because he was right. She hadn’t mourned him as she should have. They’d been friends, if nothing else. But her friendship with Daniel meant nothing compared to all that was at stake. She had to make him understand.
“I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you. But please, if you ever cared for me at all, let me go. I think I’m going to have Talon’s baby.”
“Dear God.” He closed his eyes then opened them and stared at her stomach, an indecipherable look on his face. “Come with me,” he ordered, propelling her down the cobblestone street.
Kate didn’t ask where he was taking her. It took all her flagging composure to keep from falling to her knees and wailing in despair.
She had only these few moments to come up with a rational argument that would convince Daniel to return to England without her, but she couldn’t think of a single thing. Her mind was numb, the wordnoreverberating inside her skull until she thought she’d go mad.
At last, they arrived at a beautiful hotel, much fancier than the one she and Talon had stayed in. Daniel shepherded her up two flights of stairs to a luxurious suite of rooms. He shut the door behind them, and she was surprised to see a young boy lounging on a paisley sofa in front of the fireplace.
“Lord Lansdowne,” he cried, jumping to attention. “Is everything in order?”
