Page 40 of Fatal By Design
“I will gather a group first thing in the morning.” He grinned mischievously. “Sadly, it looks as if I will have to forgo the regatta.”
Audrey’s vexation compounded at the mention of the boat race across the lake and Lady Veronica’s declaration that she would row with Hugh. She sniffed. “Your crew will surely miss you.”
He tossed the compendium of country estates to the leather armchair. “I know what you are thinking.”
“No, you do not.”
Hugh crossed his arms but stayed a good arm’s reach away. “Do not pretend you weren’t monitoring my conversation with Lady Veronica over dinner.”
The gall!“I was doing no such thing.”
“If it puts your mind at ease, I was trying to read your lips while you and Mr. Filmore were speaking.”
How did he do it? He boiled her blood one moment and then, with dizzying swiftness, turned her to putty. In those moments when he was arrogant, she could not fathom why she liked him at all; but then, when he was charming and sincere, she could not fathom staying angry. Still, her intractable stubbornness was a wall slow to crumble.
“You were so occupied with Lady Veronica and Lady Kettleridge that I didn’t know you were even looking my way,” she said.
“I am always looking your way.”
Blast the man. She could not smother her delight and gave up trying. Audrey clasped her hands behind her back and edged toward him.
“We are finally alone,” she whispered.
“In the sinfully dangerous alcove,” he concurred. But though he let his eyes rove her from crown to foot, her slippers still discarded, he did not meet her advance. To her astonishment, and slight affront, he turned and made his way to the alcove opening. A dart of concern lanced through her. Until he faced her again.
“I wasn’t careful last night,” he said softly. “I lost control.”
She tried, but failed, to understand his meaning. When he saw her confusion, he raked his fingers through his hair, slightly flustered. Even more quietly, he said, “I don’t want to get you with child, Audrey.”
Understanding spiraled through her then. She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t speak. A fierce blush lit her cheeks, and she felt a fool for it.
“I understand,” she said, a little breathless.
“Do you?”
Now she grew irritated rather than embarrassed. “Yes, of course I do.” She took a breath and tried to compose herself. “Any child now would be attributed to Philip.” It was, after all, one of the primary reasons the mourning period lasted for one year—to see through the length of a pregnancy.
There was also the question of if Hugh would be reluctant to have a child with her at all. She hated to think of it, but the threat of Philip being discovered as still alive was not something Hugh would overlook or forget. If it was ever made known that Audrey was not a widow, any child she bore with Hugh would be legally regarded as Philip’s. Hugh had made it clear in the past that it was important to him that no child of his be attributed to another man. She would respect that.
But she couldn’t bring herself to broach the subject now. Not when he had yet to formally offer his hand.
“It would be safer to wait.” He broke into a grin. “Even though resisting you may very well kill me.”
Audrey laughed, though weakly as she considered the obstacles still standing in their path.
“I will endeavor to keep you alive, my lord,” she replied lightly, gathering her slippers.
“And to stay out of isolated alcoves where greedy fortune hunters can corner you?”
“That too.”
He held out his arm for her to grasp and gave her a wink. It cut right through to her heart.
ChapterFifteen
The moment Audrey’s mourning period ended, she vowed to collect all her widow’s black into a pile and set fire to it. Not only was the color unflattering, but it was also despicably hot in the sun.
Perspiration gathered on her chest and back, and her legs were positively baking as she sat near the lake’s edge. The heat was smothering. So was the company. Chairs had been set out for the ladies, to watch the preparations for the regatta. Two long boats had been moored at the dock running along the water’s edge, and while the teams had been settled upon the evening before, the departure of three crew mates that morning had left the remaining men questioning if the race should be postponed altogether.
