Page 28 of The Allure Of Lord Devlin
She wanted something from him, and he could guess what it was. What he didn’t know was if he could give her what she wanted.
He could tell Fiona was also getting impatient. She’d expected him to demand information from her, but he’d stayed silent. He could play her game. He’d learned patience over the past ten years, but even his patience was drawing thin. He wasn’t about to let her know that. He would wait for Fiona to reveal her hand.
This afternoon, on a crisp but sunny spring day, he was taking Fiona for a walk in Hyde park. Lord Hawthorne had already collected Rosemary for their outing. He liked the young man, solely because he was the only man brave enough to thumb his nose at thetonand show attention to Rosemary. Devlin had talked to the Viscount, and Hawthorne appeared to be motivated by a genuine desire for Rosemary. And he’d never seen his sister so happy. He spotted their carriage up ahead, stopped next to… it was bloody Fencourt, and he was here with Dharma. Devlin thought Dharma had specified a walk in the square, not a ride in the park for all to see.
Well, she’d not wasted any time in moving on.
“You seem happy to see Rosemary being courted by Lord Hawthorne. It must be hard for her, given what they say about your father.”
Count to ten… “I don’t like to see her suffer because of my father’s rumored treason. Hence why I wish to discover the evidence against those who framed him.”Which is why you are here and I’m allowing you to stay in my home, he wanted to add.
“I understand Lord Whetton is not well pleased that his son has set his sights on Rosemary. Will the young man stand up to his father?”
That is what Devlin wished to know. “Only time will tell. Or with your help, I can prove my father innocent and there would be no objection then. The one thing I made certain of as my finances crumbled was that Rosemary’s dowry remained untouched.”
Fiona nodded. “You have much riding on the information I can give you.”
Was this it? Was she about to ask for what she wanted? A part of him dreaded the request, while the other part just wanted this over with.
He pushed for her to reveal the price he must pay. “You know I’d be in your debt if you helped me.”
“The trouble is, I’ve heard you are in debt. You have very little to offer me. I however, have something to help your family besides just money.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Oh, I think you know.” Her mouth set in an evil smile. “You have one thing I want. A title.”
Only by biting the inside of his cheek did he stop himself from reacting. He’d prayed she’d not go that far—marriage.
“You are too bold. I have assets. A share in my tin mine would add to your wealth. Plus, if you help me, I could aid in opening doors to society. You could find an excellent match.”
“Perhaps I dream bigger than you.” She pointed to the carriage up ahead, carrying Dharma and Lord Fencourt. “Since you don’t seem to have an arrangement with any young lady, it would appear I can ask for what I want. I endured a loveless marriage to an aging man and I deserve joy in my life. I have brought you information to aid you in clearing your father. I can deliver your family money, and so much more, but there is a price to pay for that information. The title of marchioness would suit me rather well.” She moved closer and stroked a hand down his chest. “As would having a handsome, virile husband. Just think how beautiful our children would be.” She moved her hand lower, shielding her movements with her cape. “Come, now. Bedding me would not be a hardship.”
To his mortification, his cock reacted to her clever fingers. He quickly took a step back and looked up to see Fencourt’s carriage bearing down on them.
“Lord Devlin and Mrs. McTavish, good day to you. It appears summer is on the way. The weather has held all week.”
Before Devlin could answer, Fiona stepped forward to pet the horse’s nose. “Is that Lady Dharma I see with you, Lord Fencourt? You make such a handsome couple.”
“It’s only a ride in the park, Mrs. McTavish. Nothing more,” Dharma added.
Devlin could not take his eyes off Dharma. She looked as pretty as a picture in her bonnet covered with blue flowers that matched the color of her eyes. She smiled at him and his heart clenched in his chest. He could not have her unless he cleared his father’s name. Yet it would seem that to do so, he’d have to marry another and lose Dharma forever.
He wanted Dharma as his wife. To bear his children.
But marrying Fiona would save Rosemary and the rest of his family. His father would no longer be vilified.
Choice was agony. His future didn’t matter. What mattered was his family, and he owed this to his father.
He looked away. He could not bear to look at her, knowing what he had to do.
“Come now. Lord Fencourt looks positively enamored, my dear. And he’s blushing. He looks at you, dear girl, the way Lord Devlin looks at me. Go on, tell them the good news,” Fiona insisted.
The ground tipped and rolled beneath his feet. His mind wanted to scream at Fiona that he’d never give her what the conniving witch wanted, but one look at her triumphant face and all hope of his life becoming his own died. The silence lengthened, and he glanced at Dharma and saw the light of hope dim in her eyes.
“I am courting this lovely lady.” His eyes never left Dharma’s face as he said the dreaded words.Please don’t believe me.He would clear his father before he had to marry this woman, because the lady he wanted for his wife sat mere feet away, looking at him as if her world had ended.
The lengthening silence was broken when Fencourt uttered, “Oh, congratulations, My Lord and Mrs. McTavish. Splendid news, isn’t it Lady Dharma?”
