Page 26 of The Allure Of Lord Devlin
“I have no idea how long this will take. I won’t ask you to wait for me. That would not be fair.” Before she could refute his words, Devlin added, “I’m sorry.” Without waiting for a reply, he stood and strode from the room, taking her fragile heart with him.
With a tear running down her cheek, she watched him walk up the street without a backward glance.Why couldn’t he love me enough?If he’d just told her he loved her, she would wait for him.
Yet she could not fault him for his sacrifice. It was years since his father died a traitor, and he’d found no answers. How long would it take him to achieve his goal? Forever? Or they could kill him? Is this why he’d set her free?
Yes, society would look down upon her for marrying the son of a traitor. However, she refused to let society sway her heart. If she fell in love with a man, she’d not care about any scandal.
She angrily brushed the tears off her face and turned away from the window. Everything was ruined. How could she see what was in Devlin’s heart when he didn’t want to court her? Dharma would not be able to get near him, and that left the field open for the likes of Mrs. McTavish.
A strong cup of tea, perhaps with a splash of brandy, was needed while she considered what to do. What did she want to do? Should she move on and look elsewhere? Could she get over her feelings for Devlin?
How could she make a man like Devlin change his mind?
Just then she heard light footsteps racing up the stairs, and then Rosemary flounced into the room. “Well, did he propose?”
She shook her head. “Quite the opposite. He’s walking away from our courtship.”
Rosemary’s hands rose to her hips. “I knew it. Did he say it was for your own good? That it might get dangerous?” She plonked down in a chair and added, “He’s told me I have to take Mr. Drury with me wherever I go.”
“He’s probably right about you being in danger, should the wrong people think he is getting too close.”
Rosemary’s eyes welled with tears. “I have just met a wonderful man. Hawthorne can protect me. But Devlin wants to send me to the country where I’ll be safe. How can Hawthorne court me if I’m in the country? It’s so unfair. Blow Mrs. McTavish.”
“Hawthorne will wait for you and if he doesn’t—then he’s not the man we think he is.”
Rosemary’s face flushed with color. “I’m the traitor’s daughter. If I leave, Whetton could twist Hawthorne’s mind.”
“I don’t think Hawthorne likes his father very much.”
You’d think an earl would be happy his son was interested in marrying a marquis’s daughter.
“Will he stand up for you against his father?”
Rosemary shrugged. “I don’t know. But so far, he seems determined to keep seeing me. I wish I could help Devlin clear our father’s name. Then everything in my life would change for the better.”
Dharma leaned forward. “Why don’t we?”
Rosemary’s mouth curved up in a smile. “Are you suggesting we do our own investigation?”
“Who on earth would think two young debutantes could ever piece something like this together?”
Rosemary’s smile vanished. “They say my father consorted with spies and traitors. That my family was involved in some sort of treasonous plot against the crown. Maybe they think I could be too?”
“But that’s ridiculous. You were too young! No one believes that of you. Or even Devlin, come to think of it. Your family is merely tarred with your father’s brush.”
The ladies sat in silence, contemplating the fate of their lives and how the late Lord Devlin hung over their futures. Dharma sighed. “I wish it would all stop. We need to uncover whoever is behind this so we can clear your family name once and for all.”
“So, you have feelings for my brother? I was wondering, given how much time you spend in Lord Fencourt’s company.”
“It was your brother who left me. Now he’s walked away. I’m not sure that’s a sign of great affection, because he did it so easily.”
“He’s scared for your safety. I think he’s walked away because he cares deeply indeed. That’s why we have to help him. I know my brother. He’ll not rest until he uncovers the truth and if that takes a lifetime, he’ll let it, because he has two younger brothers to produce an heir.”
Dharma wondered how long she would wait for a man like Devlin. She didn’t have a lifetime. She wanted a family and children. If she waited too long, she’d be on the shelf. “I want a chance to see if what is budding in my heart is true love. Until I can see what is real with Devlin, I’m not free to give my heart to another.”
With a determined glint in her eye, Rosemary wiped away a stray tear and sat up straight. “Let’s get started then. We have a traitor to find, or at least point Devlin in the right direction.”
“I also want your help in monitoring Mrs. McTavish. I don’t trust her.”
