Page 114 of The Duke's Wicked Widow
Say something! Say something!
Ellie found herself reaching for him, desperate to hear him sayNay, or at least explain. But he merely nodded again, and she felt as if she’d been the one to be punched in the stomach.
“Fawkes,” she moaned, knees going weak.
When Thorne stepped up to her, putting his arm around her shoulder to keep her upright, she saw rage flash in Fawkes’s gaze before he turned away, hands clenched. And that—the fact he turned from her—hurt even more.
He killed your father.
Why?Why?
Because he is a poisoner. A murderer. A traitor, just as he said that night in the alleyway. And you did not listen.
“You were working for Blackrose?” Thorne prompted, a strong presence at her side. Thewrongpresence. “It was on his orders that ye killed Bonkinbone?”
Fawkes, his face still turned away and the muscle in his jaw ticking, said nothing.
He wasn’t going to even defend himself.
Perhaps there is nothing to defend.
She took a deep breath. He reallywasa monster, wasn’t he? She’d made love to him. She’d given herself, all of herself, to him. She’d begged him to touch her. She’d thought herself in love with him.
“I have to tell Georgia,” she whispered, more to herself than Thorne, despite the fact she’d turned to him. “She has to know this.”
He winced slightly. “Now isnae an ideal time, Danielle.”
“Because of the midwife’s orders? I will pass the word to Demon instead. Or because of the snow?
“Och, nay, I have my sleigh outside, assuming I can talk yer lad into fetching the horses again. But the reason I left Endymion is yer sister…”
Just like that, Ellie’s focus sharpened. “What about her?”
“She’s gone into labor early. The bairn is coming.”
“What?” she shrieked, stepping out of the man’s hold and slapping his arm. “What? We have been standing here in this foyerjust talkingfor two chapters—I mean, until two o’clock—and yes, fine it was an important conversation butwhy did you not lead with this?”
She knew she was yelling. She knew she was being irrational. But by God, it feltgoodto yell, and she couldn’t face Fawkes.
Not yet.
Thorne, the idiot, looked confused. “I’m just explaining why ye cannae go hying off to Endymion—”
“That isexactlywhy I should go hying off to Endymion! I need to be there!” It was too early. It was at least three weeks too early! “If something goes wrong, if she cannot…”
God, the thought was unbearable. Ellie shook her head and thrust a finger at Thorne. “You are taking me to Endymionnow. Tonight.”
“The cold—it’s asleigh, Danielle.”
“Stop arguing!”The fury was helpful—at least she was no longer crying. She whirled back to Fawkes, who was watching her silently, warily. “And do not eventhinkof telling me I cannot go! You are— I cannot—” The words stuck in her throat, and she was suddenly terrified she was going to break down in front of him.
Because of him.
And she wouldn’t be able to throw herself into his arms and cry.
Whirling on her heel, she stomped toward the stairs to find her coat.
Chapter 20
