Page 65 of The Duke and the Darkness

Devlin could tell from his youngest sister’s expression that she didn’t completely understand, but he also trusted that Margaret would explain it all to her later. For now, they simply needed to confide in his mother and Margaret in order to put the next part of their plan in motion.

“Peyton?” his mother whispered, her shaking hand going to her throat as she searched Peyton’s face for any resemblance to the long-lost girl she’d known. “Is it truly…” A strangled sob tore from her throat as his mother finally recognized her. “Oh my heavens—Peyton!”

Devlin dove for the teacup and saucer as his mother rose suddenly to her feet and came forward to sit at Peyton’s side on the settee. She cupped Peyton’s face between her hands.

“My dear girl.” She blinked rapidly as her bright blue eyes glistened in the afternoon sunlight streaming in through the drawing room windows. “I am so sorry.” Then the dam of her tears broke, and they fell down her cheeks. “I am so very,verysorry!”

She pulled Peyton into her arms and hugged her tightly to her bosom, rocking her like a child in her embrace. Devlin stood and moved away to give the two women a moment’s privacy, but over his mother’s shoulder, he could see tears at Peyton’s lashes and Margaret reaching up to swipe her hand across her eyes.

Finally, his mother released her hold and leaned back. But this time, instead of searching Peyton’s face, she locked eyes with Peyton and choked out, “You are not alone, do you understand? You arenotalone.”

Unable to keep her seat, Margaret rose and sat on the other side of Peyton, and both Raines women embraced her again, holding her close as more tears fell from all three of them.

Theodora remained where she was, her mouth falling open at the scene in front of her. Her wide eyes looked up at Devlin for guidance.

I will explain later, he mouthed to her over the three women’s heads. He jerked his thumb toward the door.Go.

She nodded, scooted off the settee, and slinked quickly out the door.

Devlin pulled in a deep breath. He had come prepared and held out three handkerchiefs. His mother gratefully accepted one, but her attention never strayed from Peyton.

“Tell me the truth now,” his mother insisted. “Are you all right? Are you in trouble?”

Thankfully, Peyton knew not to glance at Devlin. Instead, she forced a faint smile. “Nothing to be concerned with.”

Peyton covered his mother’s hand with hers and placed the other over Margaret’s. She squeezed them both to reassure them, then shared with them all that happened to her since the attack ten years ago.Almostall. She never mentioned learning to fight or her plot for revenge. Devlin was relieved. One shock at a time… From the way his mother and sister continued to stare at her, he knew it would take a goodly while before they came to terms with this first one. No need to give them apoplexy, at least not until the tea was cold.

“I’m sorry I let you believe I was someone else at dinner.” Peyton finally lifted her eyes to Devlin, and his gut clenched at the sorrow he saw in those blue depths. He’d become even moreattuned to her since making love to her that morning, and he never wanted to see such grief in her again. “I wasn’t ready then to face the past. But I am now.”

Devlin nodded with approval. He was so very proud of her for facing down her demons. This meeting with his mother and sisters took only a small fraction of the courage she would need to survive the next few days, but it was a good first step.

“Now you’re back in England.” His mother smiled as she wiped away the last of her tears. “For good.”

Peyton’s lips parted, as if she were going to deny it. Then she looked away from Devlin as she equivocated, “I’m not certain what I’m going to do.”

“You’re going to stay here and let our family become yours,” Margaret insisted. “Let us help you, Peyton. You shouldn’t have to go through this alone.”

Peyton slid off the settee and stepped away, as if seeking out the warmth of the small fire, but Devlin knew she simply wanted distance. Too much familiarity and affection were overwhelming her. He could see it in the way she wrung her hands and fought back the urge to pace.

Peyton straightened her shoulders. “Actually, there is something I need your help with.”

Devlin recognized the gesture. It was time to start the next part of their plan.

“I’d like to announce to society that I’m alive and back in London.” She added beneath her breath, “For the time being, at least.”

Devlin frowned. What the devil did she mean by that?

“But it needs to be done in a very specific way,” she explained, “and I can’t do it alone.”

She didn’t dare look at Devlin as she made her request. He hadn’t wanted to involve his family at all, and Peyton had come to understand his desire to protect them. But they desperatelyneeded his mother’s and sister’s help if their plan had any chance of success.

“What do you need?” Margaret asked.

“Help me host a party?” She softened the absurdity of that request with a nervous smile. “I don’t want to wait to make the announcement, and I don’t want to ease back into existence. It’s going to be painful no matter how it’s done, so best it be done quickly—and softened with drinks and refreshments. Many,manydrinks.” She forced a nervous smile. “I want to announce myself, let the room have a good look at me, and then deal with the consequences all at once rather than letting the torture drag out.” She paused. “As soon as possible.”

“How soon?”

“Is two evenings from now too soon?”