Page 103 of Her Dark Seduction
Chapter 29
I stared at my husband, oblivious of Sir Roger’s presence until he released my arm, took his leave, and closed the door behind him. Vane continued to focus his eyes on me, the anger in their expression only intensifying.
“You’re dead!” I cried. “De Tourrard told me he tore out your heart. He showed it to me!”
“He lied.”
“But you let me believe it! You heard me pour my heart out to another while you hid like a coward in the dark. Did what I say give you satisfaction?”
He shook his head, his eyes blazing.
“What right have you to be angry with me?” I screamed. Drawing my free hand into a fist, I pummeled him on the chest. He stood still as stone, weathering the blows. Finally I relented, sobbing in frustration at his lack of reaction, and he drew me to him.
“I am not angry with youcherie,” he said quietly.
“You deceived me.”
“I had to convince my overlord you were a worthy choice and not a traitor; that you do not seek to secure your position by manipulating yourself into his household. In marrying you without his permission, I did him a grave insult.”
“’Twas your choice, not mine! Or does your memory serve you so poorly you forget you took me unwilling? Is de Beauvane’s opinion of women even lower than yours, or merely his opinion of me?”
I struggled against his arms, but he only tightened his hold.
“I freely admit my opinion of women. They are impelled by a desire to further themselves in the world by seduction and betrayal. Too often have I seen it. But you,sweetling, are different. Your actions are driven by love, as mine have been.”
I shook my head, “Nay.”
He cupped my chin in his hand. “Aye, Lisetta. I heard your words to my brother that night, the admission of sins you had not committed. You condemned yourself as an unfit mother so Lily would take your child, and you risked your life to warn us. Was that not an act of love?”
“Mayhap,” I said bitterly, “but as for your actions—is not one whore easily replaced by another? Did you not say those very same words to Celia, before taking me for yourself?”
He loosened his hold and pushed me away. I could almost hear my heart rip in two. I turned my back, reached for the door, and pressed my forehead against the wood. He remained silent, and I turned the handle, wanting nothing but to leave with the pieces of my shattered soul.
“Stay, damn you!”
The angry demand only served to fragment my heart further.
“Why?” I turned to face him, my voice cold. The mask slipped into place once more—my only defense against him.
He placed a hand on the door either side of me, imprisoning me with his arms.
“Because you pledged to obey me.”
“Aye, I did,” I snarled. “Your whores may do as they please, but your wife is bound to you by law and by the church.”
The door jerked as he smashed his fist against it. He brought his face close to mine, the intensity of the anger and pain in his eyes rendering me immobile.
“Satan’s bones, woman!” he said through gritted teeth, “do you want me to beg? Will that giveyousatisfaction?”
I shook my head, unwilling to trust myself to speak, blinking away the moisture in my eyes.
“Nevertheless, I will.”
He took my hands in his own, tenderly caressing my palms with his thumbs. My body tightened with a mixture of fear and yearning at the feel of his skin against mine. His gentle touch destroyed my defenses, releasing the tears which rolled unchecked down my face until I tasted salt and desolation on my lips.
Slowly, he lowered himself onto his knees, his eyes never leaving mine. He circled his arms around my waist and drew me to him.
“Lisetta, do not leave me. I cannot live without you. Forgive me, my love. Forgive my deception. I wanted you to love me, but I was willing to remain dead in your eyes so you could be free to find love with another. That is why I remained hidden.”
