Page 33 of Never Tempt a Widow

Fire kindled in his blue eyes, and he took her by the shoulders. “No! The man is a snake, and I wouldn’t believe a single word he says. And I don’t speak those words purely out of jealousy. It would, I fear, be exceedingly difficult to prove his guilt—and even though it could be done, it would cause you great suffering, and I don’t wish to see that.” His voice was soft, understanding. This felt even worse than him ringing a peal over her. Tears brimmed in her eyes.

“I should have told you. I see that now. Only, please understand—”

“You were desperate after the death of Adelina. I know how such desperation feels. I have been trying to conceal my own these past long months, but it’s eating me up inside. But now, whatever you may think,” he said, stepping forwards and placing a finger beneath her chin, “you have become essential to my happiness. I confess I hoped you might feel the same. I hope to God there are no more secrets you are keeping from me, as I don’t know if I can cope with any further anguish.”

She’d hurt him? Her eyes scoured his face, and a great wave of emotion surged into her, propelling her into his arms. “You’re too good a man.” She choked. “I don’t deserve you.”

His arms closed around her, strong and steady. His breath grazed her ear. “No—indeed, you don’t. But we’re stuck with each other now. We have made a marriage of reality, and I intend to continue to do so if you are to be persuaded.”

Her skin went hot. Of course, she could be persuaded to remain in his bed—he was magnificent as a lover, and in every other way, too. How dare Dundas muddy the water! How dare he threaten the fragile thread of her future happiness?

Rowland’s forehead pressed against hers, and his hands slipped down to her waist. She felt the quiver and tingle of fresh desire. So, it was with disappointment that she found herself set away.

“We need to talk—there are important decisions to be made. What’s to be done about Reedman?”

Talk? Yes, she supposed they ought. She shook the wanton thoughts from her head. “I would like to see him punished, but as we can’t prove that he’s done anything wrong—”

“I imagine we can prove that he got you with child, at the very least, whatever his plans might have been for afterwards.” Rowland’s mouth hardened.

“It’s my word against his. And as you know, the word of a woman against a man counts for very little.”

“Ah, but you are the daughter of a duke and the wife of a local magistrate. That should count for a great deal.” He took a few paces around the room, picked up a folded map then set it down again. “The difficulty is that we don’t want our private affairs noised abroad.”

“No.” Papa and Mama would be furious, Rowland’s standing in the community would be ruined, and the stigma of this scandal would follow Edgar into adult life. If only she had stayed in obscurity! Too many people were about to be hurt by her selfish actions.

Her gaze followed Rowland as he paced from one side of the study to the other, chewing on his gloved finger, a frown furrowing his brow. A tiny spark of optimism ignited in her heart. Her husband was the cleverest man she’d ever met—he would think of something. She hadn’t made a mistake. She’d done absolutely the right thing in marrying him. Here was a man who truly deserved to be loved.

“We’ll need to be subtle in how we deal with Reedman—find a way to play him at his own game. Perhaps if we—”

She never found out what her husband was about to say. The front doorbell jangled loudly and was immediately followed by a pounding on the door. It was a peremptory sound, the kind that spoke of authority, danger, and retribution. Fina froze.

Rowland strode to the window, his expression changing as he gazed out. When he turned to her, his look was grim.

“I fear the opportunity for subtlety is already past, my love. Reedman is at the door, with Lord Hanley in tow. We cannot escape exposure now.”