Page 72 of A Night of Forever
“It will be too dangerous.”
“Is that the only reason?”
He could not hold her furious gaze.
“Oh my God.” She spun away from him, her shoulders hunched, and he could tell she was holding back tears. “You still don’t trust me. How could you make love—?”
She glanced sideways as if she’d suddenly remembered Brunton, who was trying to fade into the wall. “Well, you certainly had me fooled.” Her shoulders straightened. “I don’t have time for this. I need to leave. Brunton, please hail a hackney for Lord Labourd. I’m confiscating his carriage. Marisa needs me.”
Marisa? “You meanPortianeeds you.”
“Both of them need me.” She gave him a pitying look. “You are such aman.Marisa can’t have children. She’s been living for Portia’s baby to arrive, as she’s going to be godmother again. She’ll be just as devastated as Portia and Grayson if they lose this child.”
She swallowed and turned away. “I can’t imagine how awful it would be to carry a child for so many months and then to lose it.”
Nor could he. “I hope you never find out.”
“I won’t.” She spun to face him. Her eyes swam with tears, but now pure strength gilded her features. “I’ll never have a child because I’ll never marry.”
Of course she would. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’d make a wonderful mother, and you need a man to—”
“To what?” she snapped. “Take care of me? I have more than enough money. Break my heart? Too late. The man I gave my heart to will never love me. He doesn’t know how, because he locks up his feelings, afraid he’ll be hurt or disappointed. He’s a coward.”
And she stalked down the steps into his carriage and probably out of his life, leaving her harsh words ringing in his ears.
She would never forgive him for not taking her to Deal. She believed it was because he didn’t trust her. It was quite the opposite. He didn’t trust himself. Not with her. One more night in her arms, and he would never be able to let her go.
It was easier to let her think he didn’t trust her.
He glanced up and caught his reflection in the mirror. She was right. He was a coward. The thought of revealing his secrets terrified him.
Chapter 16
Isobel was close to tears as she raced up the front steps of Lord Blackwood’s London residence. Emotionally gutted by Arend’s coolness after what she considered a special night, she’d at least had the satisfaction of learning that Victoria was in Deal, and was pleased by the prospect of finally catching her. But then to realize that Arend still didn’t trust her…
That Portia’s pregnancy was in danger was the final straw. She wanted to crawl into her bed and cry her eyes out for a month.
Lord Blackwood’s butler gave her entrance and escorted her directly to Portia’s suite. A wave of relief flowed over her when she heard the ladies laughing, and she even managed a smile as she walked into Portia’s bedchamber. If they were laughing, then Portia’s condition couldn’t be too serious.
“I came as soon as I heard.” She leaned down and placed a kiss on Portia’s pale check. “Are you and the baby all right?”
Portia patted her hand. “It seems I have been experiencing phantom birthing symptoms. The doctor has suggested I confine myself to bed for the last few months.”
Isobel’s relief ebbed away. A quick glance across the bed to where Marisa sat, looking pale and strained, told her that Portia was underplaying the seriousness of the situation.
Portia sighed and looked from one to the other. “Please, no long faces. Three months in bed with everyone hovering around me looking like thunder will drive me mad.”
Isobel sank into the chair that had been placed on the other side of the bed. “Point taken.”
Marisa settled back as if trying to appear relaxed. “How did the bank visit go?”
Trust Marisa to turn the conversation to something other than Portia’s predicament. “It went well. The bank manager practically groveled at His Grace’s feet and was more than happy to help him in his quest to assist the understandably distracted Lady Isobel to find her poor kidnapped stepmother.”
Now Marisa’s smile held no strain at all. “I knew it would work. Maitland can be very ducal when he wants to be.”
“Heisvery scary in ducal mode,” Isobel agreed. “Anyway, we arrived just in time. Victoria has requested a large amount of money to be sent to Deal in Kent. Maitland convinced them to hold off until he has ascertained whether or not she is actually there.”
Portia nodded. “So the men will go to Deal.”
