by Bold, Diana
Daniel drew away from Kate. “Talon. It’s good to see you again.” But in his eyes, Talon saw the same question. Apparently, Daniel also suspected Talon had left him to die. Christ, what had he ever done to make the two of them think so poorly of him?
He stepped forward and pulled Daniel into a rough embrace. “I’m glad you made it. I never expected to see you again.”
“I’m sure you didn’t,” Daniel said, pulling away. “But I’m like a bad penny. I always turn up.” His tone was light, but again there were dark undertones.
“What happened?” Kate asked. “How did you get off of the ship?” Daniel shrugged. “I must have passed out after Talon left me. That young cabin boy, Johnny, was the one who saved me. I woke up in one of the lifeboats the next morning with a hell of a headache.”
“Thank God for Johnny.” Talon was nearly crippled with guilt. He hadn’t given the boy a thought since he’d left the ship.
Hell, maybe they were right about him after all. The lad had saved Daniel, showing rare courage, while Talon had chosen to save himself.
He’d made the decision to release the boat, knowing there was a chance Daniel was still alive.
“I’ll have to find Johnny and express my gratitude,” Talon said. And he would. Despite all he stood to lose, despite his many protests to the contrary, he had mourned Daniel’s loss. Kate had been right. He had grown to care for his brother.
“I’ve been here for nearly a week,” Daniel commented. “Father’s agent has arrived, and we were about to give up on you two and head back to London.”
Hope soared anew. Maybe there was still a chance to salvage the situation.
“There’s no reason to change your plans. Pretend you never saw us.” The words were out before Talon could stop them. “Tell the earl we were lost at sea. Let Kate remain here with me.”
Kate glanced back and forth between them, her eyes wide and tragic. She looked as devastated as he felt. “We were going to be married tomorrow.”
Daniel paled, his good humor fading. He gave Kate a look filled with reproach. “That’s a little precipitous of you, isn’t it, darling? It’s usually considered bad form to marry a second husband before you’re even certain the first one’s dead.”
“I’m sorry. I never wanted to hurt you.” She lifted an imploring hand, touching Daniel’s sleeve in entreaty. “I love him, Daniel. Please, let me go. It’s the only way any of us can be happy.”
“You’re my wife, Kate. Not his.” Daniel jerked away and turned his anger on Talon. His light blue eyes were filled with rage and betrayal. “I won’t let you have her. You’ve taken too much from me already.”
“You bastard.” Talon forgot his earlier guilt and regret. “You’re just like our father. You don’t give a damn about Kate. You don’t give a damn about anyone but yourself.”
Kate gasped, and Daniel’s face flushed an unhealthy shade of red. “I’d be careful with your insults. You still have a crew of men to worry about, don’t you?”
And that was it. With those few words, Daniel punctured Talon’s last hopes. They had come full circle. Talon was forced back into the position of choosing between his men and Kate.
His soul cried out in anguish. He couldn’t think of anything he could say, anything he could do to make Daniel change his mind.
And there was no way he could sacrifice his men for his own happiness.
He met Kate’s stricken gaze, and his heart shattered. “I’m sorry,” he told her. “I’m so damned sorry for this whole mess.”
Then he turned and walked away.
Stunned, Kate watched Talon disappear around the corner. She’d known if he were ever forced to choose between her and his men, he’d choose them, but she hadn’t expected him to give up so easily.
She’d thought he’d fight for her, not just walk away.
Did she mean so little to him, even after all they’d shared? What if she carried his child? She took a step after him, but before she could take another, Daniel grabbed her arm. “Don’t,” he said, his voice low and angry. “Don’t you dare go after him.”
The anguish in Daniel’s voice stunned her. She tried to pull away, suddenly frightened of the gentle, foolish man she’d married.
Daniel’s hand tightened painfully, ending her struggles. “Tell me, Kate. Did you shed a single tear for me? Or did you and Talon conspire to get rid of me from the very beginning?”
“I care for you.” She heard the desperation in her voice, but was powerless to stop it. “You’re like a... brother to me. But I can’t stay with you. Talon is my life. I love him. Surely you can understand that.”
“Love?” Daniel gave a harsh laugh. “I know nothing of love. I only know that I trusted you. Hell, I trusted him. And both of you betrayed me.”
Kate was flooded with guilt because he was right. She hadn’t mourned him as she should have. They’d been friends, if nothing else. But her friendship with Daniel meant nothing compared to all that was at stake. She had to make him understand.
“I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you. But please, if you ever cared for me at all, let me go. I think I’m going to have Talon’s baby.”
“Dear God.” He closed his eyes then opened them and stared at her stomach, an indecipherable look on his face. “Come with me,” he ordered, propelling her down the cobblestone street.
Kate didn’t ask where he was taking her. It took all her flagging composure to keep from falling to her knees and wailing in despair.
She had only these few moments to come up with a rational argument that would convince Daniel to return to England without her, but she couldn’t think of a single thing. Her mind was numb, the word no reverberating inside her skull until she thought she’d go mad.
At last, they arrived at a beautiful hotel, much fancier than the one she and Talon had stayed in. Daniel shepherded her up two flights of stairs to a luxurious suite of rooms. He shut the door behind them, and she was surprised to see a young boy lounging on a paisley sofa in front of the fireplace.
“Lord Lansdowne,” he cried, jumping to attention. “Is everything in order?”
Daniel shook his head. “No, Johnny. Everything has gone to hell.” He shrugged out of his jacket and threw it across the back of a chair. “Would you mind taking a walk? My wife and I have a lot to discuss.”
Johnny. The boy who had saved Daniel’s life. Kate didn’t know whether to laugh or cry upon learning Daniel had been taking care of the lad.
“Your wife?” Johnny turned his blue gaze in Kate’s direction. “Beggin’ your pardon, ma’am. But does this mean Hawk is still alive, too?”
“Hawk?” Kate stared at the boy in confusion.
“Talon,” Daniel explained, shaking his head bitterly. “It’s always Talon, isn’t it?”
Kate blinked back tears of sorrow and frustration. “Talon is alive and well,” she told the boy. “He’s staying at the Charleston Arms.”
Johnny grinned. “Thank you, ma’am. Do you think he’d mind if I paid him a visit?”
Kate shook her head, thinking of how alone Talon would be without her, how badly he’d need someone to talk to. “I think he’d like that very much.”
The boy darted toward the door. But before he left, he hesitated and met Kate’s gaze again. “I’m real glad you’re here, Lady Kathryn. Your husband has been missing you something fierce.”
After the boy left, Daniel sat down on the sofa. “Have a seat. We have a lot to discuss.”
She nodded and settled in the chair across from him. “Did you really miss me?” she asked, deciding to go on the offensive. “Or were you merely counting the days until you could return to your lover?”
Daniel flushed, his beautiful face crimson with emotion. “Think whatever you like, but I did grieve for you. That week before the storm was the only time in my life I’d ever felt as though I were part of something, as though I had a family.”
She closed her eyes, unable to bear the anguish in his. “I felt it, too.”
“Well, then you can imagine how I felt when I saw the two of you out there on the street and realized you thought me dead, but neither one of you gave a damn.”
“Oh, Daniel. I know how it must have seemed. But we did care. Both of us did. I swear it.” She sagged against the back of the chair, suddenly bone tired. She was too exhausted to cry, too sick at heart to argue any more.
There was silence for a long moment, and then he knelt before her. “I’m tired of being alone.” His words were soft and husky. He took her hand, pressing it to his lips and kissing her palm. “I want to help you raise your child. I want the three of us to be a family. I know you love Talon, but he’s already made his decision. He chose his men over his own child. Surely you don’t want a future with a man who doesn’t put you first in his heart.”
“You forced him to choose!” Kate snatched her hand away, sickened by the warm imprint of Daniel’s lips on her skin and determined not to let him make her doubt Talon. “Why can’t you just pretend you didn’t see us today? Why?”
“Why?” He sat back on his heels, fury emanating from him in waves. “Because I’m tired of never having what I want! I’m tired of losing to Talon, tired of watching him take everything that should have been mine!”
The words echoed for a long moment, and Kate began to tremble. She’d lost everything. There was no reasoning with him. Especially since she knew he was right. She’d betrayed him, and so had Talon.
Daniel took a deep breath and pushed a lock of hair from his burning blue eyes. “We could have had a good marriage. I could have made you happy if only my father had left me alone. But he demanded I give you to Talon. He forced me to give up any hope of a child of my own.”
“Maybe we could have been happy,” she conceded, trying not to shudder at the thought. “Because I wouldn’t have known what I was missing. But it’s too late for that now. I’ll never forgive you if you make me go back to London.”
He stood and paced to the window. “Then I guess we’ll be miserable together. Because I’m not letting you go. Not now. Not ever.”
* * * * *
After leaving Kate and Daniel, Talon returned to his hotel room. He closed the door behind him with infinite restraint and then leaned against it, trembling with suppressed rage and anguish.
His gaze swept the room, noting that the maid had already been in to clean. He’d instructed her to burn their old clothes, so there was nothing left of Kate. There was no trace she’d ever been here except for a brand-new peach nightgown draped over the foot of the bed.
He pushed away from the door and picked it up, sorrow overwhelming him. He rubbed the soft fabric against his cheek, wishing she’d worn it so he’d at least have her scent to sustain him.
With a low moan of despair, he lay down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling in dry-eyed misery. He tried to think of a way to get her back, but he knew in his heart he had failed. Sutcliffe had won. If he pursued Kate any further, his men would die.
I don’t care! The words echoed up from the depths of his soul, hateful and true. Good Lord, he was a selfish bastard because he wanted to forget the danger to his crew, run away with Kate and pretend the men who had once meant the world to him didn’t exist.
It would have been better for everyone concerned if he’d refused his father’s offer and remained in prison where he belonged. But no, he’d dared to hope, dared to dream he could change things.
What a fool love had made of him.
Chapter Twenty‐Six
By the time Daniel and Kate arrived in London, the icy chill of winter had settled over the city and her pregnancy had begun to show. As the elegant Sutcliffe carriage carried them through the teeming, dirty streets, Kate was struck anew by utter despair.
Returning to the land of her birth was more depressing than leaving it had been just a few short months ago.
She pressed her hand against her stomach, taking solace from the child who rested safe and secure in her womb. She’d felt the baby move for the first time just yesterday. Her need to share the moment with Talon had been a physical ache that burned within her still.
Daniel stared at her, his eyes darkening in concern. “Is anything wrong?”
“I can’t believe you have the nerve to ask such a thing. Everything is wrong. Absolutely everything. You’re about to deliver me into the hands of a monster, and the only man who could protect me is thousands of miles away.”
“Can’t we have even one conversation without you mentioning him?” Daniel glared at her and then shook his head. “I promise my father will never harm you. You must believe me.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep. You know what it’s going to be like. You know the hell he’ll put us through.”
Daniel flushed and looked away, his fists clenched at his sides. She knew she’d hurt him again, but she wasn’t the least bit sorry. He was trying so hard to win her over, as though one day she’d simply wake up and not love Talon any more.
As though she could ever allow him to touch her and not shudder with revulsion.
She no longer thought of Daniel as her husband. Talon had been right. A few weeks on a ship did not make her Daniel’s wife.
But a few days on the white beaches of Carolina had made her Talon’s in every way possible.
The carriage slowed and halted before Sutcliffe’s imposing townhouse. Kate took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come. Sutcliffe wanted her child, but Kate intended to guard the babe like a lioness. She would never allow her father‐in‐law to damage her son the way he’d destroyed both of his own.
Sutcliffe met them in the formal drawing room just moments after they arrived. For once, there was genuine welcome in his icy blue eyes.
And why not, Kate thought cynically. He alone had gotten what he wanted.
His gaze went to Kate’s slightly rounded stomach. “Kathryn. It’s so good to have you home at last.”
Kate laughed, a lost, bitter sound. “I’m sorry, but I really can’t say I’m glad to be here.”
Sutcliffe frowned, glaring at her so intensely she was surprised she didn’t burst into flames. “I’d be careful, my dear. You wouldn’t want anyone to know whose child you’re really carrying.”
“Wouldn’t I?” she answered recklessly. “I’m not ashamed of loving Talon. It’s you and Daniel who want this kept secret.”
Sutcliffe’s handsome face, so like Talon’s, turned red with fury. He grabbed her shoulders and shook her. “Don’t even think about crossing me, you little trollop. I’ll keep you locked away in the country forever, if need be.”
Kate laughed again, past the point of caring what happened to her. They’d already taken the one thing that mattered most. “Go ahead. Nothing could make me happier. All I’ve ever wanted was to be left alone in the country with my roses.”
Dear God, if only that were the truth. If only she hadn’t dared to dream of far, far more.
Tears stung her eyes, and she jerked away from Sutcliffe’s punishing grasp. Daniel stared at her, pity and regret darkening his gaze.
She hated Daniel in that instant more than she’d ever hated anyone in her life. Despite all his talk of wanting a family, she knew he’d be reunited with his lover tonight while she’d spend the rest of her life alone.
But to her immense surprise, it appeared Daniel wasn’t ready to abandon her yet. He took her arm and steered her away from his father. “Let me help you upstairs to your room, darling. You’re looking pale. I’ll have your dinner sent up later.”
Sutcliffe made a sound of disgust. “Go on. Get her out of my sight.”
Kate followed Daniel reluctantly, unwilling to acknowledge her gratitude. Surely, he would tire of playing the doting husband soon, leaving her alone and defenseless. It would be foolish to start trusting him. She couldn’t afford to depend on anyone but herself.
He didn’t leave when they reached her bedroom. Instead he came in and sat down on the same striped sofa where she and Talon had shar
ed their first kiss. She looked away, blinking hard as the memory crippled her with loss all over again.
“Aren’t you late for a tryst with Philip Carrington?” She was desperate to make him leave. She wanted to be alone so she could wallow undisturbed in her grief.
He flushed. “There will be plenty of time to see Philip later.” He crossed his legs and made himself comfortable as though he planned to stay.
“Don’t let me keep you.”
Ignoring her, he leaned over to the brandy decanter and poured himself a healthy shot. “It wasn’t wise to provoke him that way. Can’t you just hold your tongue for a few more days? I need time to convince him you were tired and upset and didn’t mean what you said today. Then I’ll take you home to the Manor and we needn’t see him again until the baby’s born.”
Kate clenched her hands at her side, pacing the room. “I meant every word,” she told him. “I’m tempted to create a scandal neither of you will ever live down.”
Daniel sighed. “Think about what you’re saying. He would never allow you to do such a thing without reprisal. If you continue to behave this way, he’ll destroy you.”
“Do you really think I care?” Her voice broke as the effort to remain strong became too much to bear. “The two of you have already broken my heart. Talon is gone. What else can he possibly take from me?”
“Your child,” Daniel answered. “He’ll take your child from you if you’re not careful.”
Kate closed her eyes and turned away, gripping the cool marble of the mantel until her knuckles turned white from the strain. He was right. There were consequences for every action, and she was no longer the only one at risk.
“Oh God, Daniel.” She turned around and pressed her hands over her stomach. “Do you realize what you’ve done? Do you see the danger you’ve put us in?”
He paled and reached for her hand, pulling her to sit on the sofa beside him. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, awkwardly putting his arm around her shoulder. “I’m so sorry. But it will be all right. I swear it will.”