Austin nodded slowly. "I'll alert the staff, instruct them to report any unusual activities." A determined glint entered his eyes. "No one will be harmed." He then laid a hand on Robert's shoulder. "I'm glad neither of you were hurt. You did well getting Mrs. Brown here safely."
Robert's jaw clenched. "Not good enough. That bastard could have killed her." His hand tightened into fists. "He'll not have another opportunity, I can promise you that."
He watched Austin and Miles exchange a quick, speculative glance. Austin then remarked, as if choosing his words carefully, "Mrs. Brown is clearly a determined woman who stands strongly by her beliefs. A trait to be admired, especially in light of the hardships she's faced doing so. I can understand why she and Elizabeth are so close-they are very much alike in that respect."
"Yes. She is most certainly a woman to be admired," Robert agreed, meeting Austin 's gaze steadily, not caring a whit if his brother guessed his feelings for Allie. If he had his way, everyone would know before long. "If you two will excuse me, I'm going to check on the ladies. Make certain Caroline hasn't dragged Mrs. Brown off somewhere." He nodded at Austin. "I'm assuming you won't leave the house."
Austin raked his hands through his hair. "You assume correctly."
He tossed Austin a glossy, polished cue stick. "Practice up, brother. When I return, you're going to owe me twenty pounds."
********
When Robert found the drawing room empty, he continued out the French windows to the sun-splashed terrace where he was greeted by the sight of his mother enjoying tea and biscuits with her lively grandchildren. Pirate, his giant canine body stationed strategically near the table, gobbled up the biscuit crumbs as quickly as they hit the ground, and in some cases, before they made it that far.
Raising a hand to shield his eyes from the bright sunlight, Robert scanned the area for Allie and Caroline, and was relieved to note their figures in the distance, walking toward the terrace from the direction of the stables.
"Uncle Roboo!" a little voice squealed. Returning his attention to the wrought-iron table, he saw Caroline's two-year-old daughter Emily jump from her chair. She ran toward him, launching herself into his arms.
He caught her, then twirled her like a top, laughing at her delight. "Ah, Miss Tickles, I've missed you," he said as he stopped.
She pressed a sweet, biscuity, giggly kiss to his cheek. "Again!"
Before he could oblige her, Austin and Elizabeth's son James attached himself to Robert's leg like a burr. "Me twirl," James demanded with all the authority of a three-year-old heir to a dukedom.
"Well, if it isn't Lord Mischief-Maker." He scooped up the boy, settling him on his other arm, then circled around with his passengers until they were all breathless. When he finally halted, the world still twirled around him.
James favored him with a lopsided grin. "Feel spinny."
"Me, too," Robert said with a laugh. "How about a biscuit, little man? I'm hungry after all that." He set the child down, and James immediately ran, rather unsteadily, toward the table.
Emily, still in his arms, placed her little hands, fingers splayed, on each side of his face, and turned his head toward her in order to ensure his full attention. Robert couldn't help but smile at the sprite. He made the funny face he knew she loved, then blew noisy kisses into her soft, sweet-smelling neck. She squealed with delight, grabbing two little fistfuls of his hair.
"Oh, you're the biscuit," he said, widening his eyes. "I'll just eat you all up!" He burrowed deeper into the crevice between her chin and shoulder, making exaggerated eating noises.
He lowered himself to his knees, and was immediately set upon by James, who, biscuit in hand, climbed on his back and commanded, "Horsey!" Pirate loped toward the trio, tail wagging, following the trail of sugary crumbs James left in his wake. He greeted Robert with a canine grin and a friendly swipe of his tongue across Robert's hand.
Laughing, Robert looked up, then stilled. Allie and Caroline were climbing the stone steps to the terrace. Caroline was chattering away, Allie nodding, one of her rare smiles curving her lips. His heart seemed to stall, then race ahead of itself. She looked flushed and happy, young and carefree… the girl from the sketch.
Everything around him seemed to fade away. Except her. And then she turned and looked at him.
Allie's footsteps faltered as she found herself looking directly into Robert's intent gaze. A little girl who looked like a miniature version of Caroline sat in the crook of his arm, her small hands wreaking havoc with his hair. Indeed, the child had raised two tufts of dark hair on his head that resembled devil's horns. A small boy who she knew had to be Elizabeth 's son hung on his back, demanding his attention, while a huge dog nudged his hand with its snout.
But his attention was completely focused on her. A frisson of awareness sizzled between them, frightening in its intensity. She pulled her gaze away, looking at the children clinging to him. They clearly adored him, and he them, a fact which brought a hard lump to her throat. This was a man who would someday make a wonderful father.
Caroline's voice sifted through her stupor, breaking the spell. "That little imp is my daughter Emily," she said with a smile. "And the other devil-the smaller devil, I should specify," she said, pointing to Robert and the boy, "is Elizabeth and Austin's son James."
"They're darling," Allie said. The dog suddenly raised its head to look at her, and Allie drew in a sharp breath.
"Don't be frightened," Caroline said as the huge beast trotted toward them, tongue lolling. "Pirate may be huge, but he is very gentle."
"I'm not afraid," Allie assured her. She patted Pirate's soft white fur, then gently ran her fingers around the dark brown patch surrounding his left eye-the only spot of color on his otherwise snowy coat. This was clearly the dog Robert referred to as Barking Horse. "Indeed, I feel as if I were greeting an old friend. He looks exactly like Patch, Elizabeth 's childhood pet. She left him with our family when she traveled to England. He was too old to make the journey." She scratched behind the dog's ears, and his tail thumped with pleasure. "We loved him dearly."
" Austin knew how much Elizabeth missed her dog, so he searched practically all of England to find one that looked just like her beloved Patch."
"He succeeded," Allie murmured, smiling as Pirate looked up at her with an adoring expression that clearly begged for more behind-the-ear scratching. A feeling she could not describe pulled at her insides at the knowledge that the duke had gone to such lengths to please Elizabeth. Allie well knew how difficult it had been for Elizabeth to leave Patch behind. She wouldn't have had to do so if not for me… if I hadn't made her leave.
"Well, I believe you've now met every member of the family," Caroline said.
"Not quite," came a deep voice from behind them.
They all turned. The duke stood by the French windows, his smile reflecting joy, relief, and weariness. "I've just come from Elizabeth 's chamber. There is now one more member of the family that you all will need to meet."
Chapter 14
After the dowager duchess, Caroline and her husband, and Robert had all visited Elizabeth and the newest member of the family, Allie stood in the doorway of the cozy, walnut-paneled bedchamber, fighting tears at the scene she beheld. Elizabeth sat in the bed, propped up by a mountain of fluffy, lace-edged pillows, the ivory coverlet tucked around her waist. She looked clean and fresh, all the outwardly visible signs of childbirth washed away. Her auburn hair was dressed in a simple braid, and while there was no denying she looked tired, there was a maternal glow about her that lent her an air of serene beauty. Dressed in an exquisite pale yellow bed gown, she smiled down at the tiny pink-blanketed bundle cradled in her arms. The duke sat on the edge of the bed, one strong arm wrapped around Elizabeth 's shoulders, their heads close together. The duke's gaze alternated between his wife and new daughter with naked adoration. He was clearly a man truly in love with both the women in his life.
The sun had long since set, the room's only light com
ing from the warming blaze in the hearth and the candelabra on the bedside table. The flickering glow lit the proud parents in a stunning, golden tableau of happiness that filled Allie with joy and envy at the same time, and made her feel like an intruder trespassing upon the intimate scene. Even though her friend had sent for her, Allie decided to leave and come back after the duke left. She started to back out of the room, but in that instant Elizabeth looked up.
The years melted away as their eyes met, and a kaleidoscope of images flitted through Allie's mind. She and Elizabeth as children, splashing at the lake. Laughing over a meal. Playing with Patch and Allie's unruly dogs. Taking their blankets and sleeping in the hayloft. Sharing secrets and dreams, laughter and tears. And the abrupt end of their friendship. Because of me.
She watched Elizabeth hand her precious bundle to her husband. Then, turning back to her, Elizabeth smiled. And held out her arms.
She supposed her feet must have moved, because the next thing she knew, she was leaning over the bed, hugging Elizabeth, both of them crying, then laughing, then crying some more.
Finally Allie leaned back and looked into smiling, tear-drenched eyes whose color matched her own. She could barely speak around the egg-sized lump that seemed wedged in her throat. " Elizabeth… it is so good to see you. I… I've missed you so."
Elizabeth 's smile could have illuminated the room. "I feel the same. I thought you would never arrive, and then when you finally did, I couldn't even receive you."
A trembling smile pulled at her lips. "Perfectly understandable. After all, babies tend to arrive when they wish to."
"Indeed they do. And now, I'd like you to meet our daughter… Lily."
"Named after your mother," Allie said softly. She moved to the other side of the bed, intending to simply peek into the fluffy pink blanket, but the duke handed her the bundle. Looking down, Allie's breath caught. A tiny angel with a perfect, bow-shaped mouth slept, her eyelashes forming miniature half-moons on plump cheeks. One minuscule hand lay fisted next to her downy face.
Being the oldest child, she was well used to babies, but it had been a number of years since she'd held one in her arms. A rush of warmth and love and longing filled her, and she bent her head to breathe in the one-of-a-kind scent that belonged to infants.
"Well, hello, Lily," she whispered. "I believe you are the most beautiful little lady I've ever seen." Allie touched her index finger to Lily's buttery soft hand. The tiny fingers flexed, then grabbed Allie's finger. Her heart turned over, melting. "Oh, and so strong you are. And so lucky. You have a wonderful Mama and Papa who love you very much." She raised her gaze to Elizabeth and the duke. "She's wonderful. I'm so happy for you both."
The duke stood. "Thank you. And now, if you'll excuse me, I'll give you ladies some privacy to chat. I believe I have a billiards game to win. But first, I'll escort my daughter to the nursery." He looked at his wife, and Allie could easily see he would have preferred not to leave her side. He squeezed Elizabeth 's hand, promising, "I'll be back soon." Allie handed Lily over to him, unable to suppress a tender smile at the contrasting, loving picture they made… the tall, broad-shouldered man cuddling the tiny pink bundle.
After the door closed behind him, Elizabeth patted the bed. "Sit beside me. We have so much to talk about."
Allie hesitated. "As much as I would enjoy that, you must be exhausted-"
"Tired, yes. But much too exhilarated to sleep just yet."
Allie sat on the edge of the bed, and for a full minute they simply looked at«each other. Finally Allie said, "Being a duchess clearly agrees with you."
Elizabeth leaned closer and confided, "Being a duchess is terrifying, but I'm adjusting. Caroline and my mother-in-law are very patient, as is Austin."
"I don't believe I've ever seen a prouder papa."
Elizabeth laughed. "I understand from Robert that Austin nearly wore a hole in the drawing-room carpet with his pacing."
At the mention of Robert's name, Allie felt heat creep up her neck. "He looked quite undone, yes." Then, before the conversation could wander down a path she did not wish to travel-especially before she said the things she wanted, needed to say-she drew a deep breath and said, " Elizabeth, I need to apologize to you… I don't even know how to express my sorrow."
"Allie, don't," Elizabeth said gently. "You apologized in your letters. I completely understand. You loved David. There is nothing to forgive."
She looked into Elizabeth 's eyes, so filled with compassion and understanding. Remorse and shame threatened to choke her and she pressed her hands together to stop their trembling. "Yes, there is. I treated you horribly, and you were right." A tear spilled from her eyes and dripped onto the ivory coverlet. "If only I'd listened to you… about David…"
Slowly, haltingly at first, but then gathering strength, the entire story of David's betrayal, her discovery of what he really was, and her efforts to correct his wrongs poured out of her. Elizabeth listened intently, saying nothing, yet offering sympathy and encouragement through her expressive eyes. When she finally finished, Allie released a long, weary sigh. Her face felt tight with dried tears, her body exhausted as if she'd run a mile. But her heart felt lighter-as if she'd shed a heavy weight.
"I know you accepted my apology through our correspondence, Elizabeth, but you deserve to hear the words from me in person. You were my closest friend, with only my best interests at heart." She shook her head and looked down. "I'm so ashamed that I failed to be the same to you."
"Allie, please. Listen to me. Look at me."
Allie raised her head and looked into Elizabeth 's eyes, which brimmed with compassion. "You've suffered through a horrible ordeal. Let's not compound it by dragging it on any longer. Our differences are in the past, and as far as I am concerned, all is forgiven and forgotten. What you need to do is forgive yourself. And allow yourself to forget." Her gaze wandered pointedly over Allie's black gown.
"But I don't want to forget," Allie said fiercely. "If I do, I stand in danger of making the same mistake again." She drew a deep breath. "Now that I've told you everything, I need to ask… how did you know about David, Elizabeth? You wrote that you would tell me when I visited you… and here I am."
Elizabeth regarded her through solemn eyes. "I'm afraid it's rather difficult to explain. And it might prove even harder for you to accept."
She reached out and gently touched Elizabeth 's sleeve. "I can accept the truth, Elizabeth, whatever it is. I’ve learned the hard way that it is lies and deceit that destroy… not honesty."
"I would not want to risk our friendship again."
Guilt struck her like a backhanded slap. "I doubted you once, Elizabeth. It is a mistake I will not repeat."
Elizabeth nodded, then drew what appeared to be a bracing breath. "Do you recall that sometimes I was rather… perceptive?"
"Rather perceptive?" In spite of her pensive mood, a smile tugged at Allie's lips. "I'll never forget when Jonathan and Joshua were born. You not only guessed Mama was going to have twin boys, but the day they'd arrive, and the exact time! And that instance where you knew that Katherine was going to fall from her horse. I realize you had an intuition about David, but-"
"It's more than simple intuition, Allie. I feel things. See things. In my mind. Future events and past events. I cannot explain it, but I swear to you, on my honor, it is true. I never told you-or anyone else-because the visions are erratic and infrequent. And I feared people would think I was insane." Her eyes grew sorrowful. "I knew David would hurt you. I didn't know how, but I knew he would. I could not discern what he'd done, but I knew he'd done bad things. That he was a liar."
Allie listened, absorbing the words. No doubt she should be shocked or skeptical about what Elizabeth had revealed, but somehow she was not. Indeed, so many extraordinary things had happened to her in the last few days, Elizabeth 's revelation seemed almost commonplace. She'd always known Elizabeth was keenly perceptive. Now she simply knew how keenly perceptive.
Eliz
abeth reached out and clasped her hands tightly between both her own. Nearly a minute of silence passed, then Elizabeth said gently, "Falling in love is not a mistake, Allie."
A short, bitter laugh pushed past Allie's lips. "I am living proof that it certainly can be."
Something in Elizabeth 's intent expression gave her the eerie sensation she was looking directly into her soul, and she suddenly feared what her friend might see there.
"You chose the wrong man, Allie. You wouldn't do so again."
"No, I would not. Because there will not be another man." An image of Robert's laughing face rose in her mind's eye, squeezing her insides. "Not ever."
"But you mustn't give up on love. That would be a terrible, sad mistake." She hesitated for several seconds, then asked, "I trust Robert has been a solicitous escort?"
The heat burning her cheeks flared into hellfires. "Yes."
Elizabeth looked directly into her eyes. "He is a very fine man."
Allie's mind raced. Did Elizabeth know what secrets Robert was keeping? I shouldn't care. His past is none of my concern. Still, she could not ignore the curiosity nudging her, and this could prove a perfect opportunity to find out. Adopting what she hoped was a noncommittal tone, she said, "A fine man, perhaps, but one with his share of secrets."
Elizabeth 's expression was impossible to read. "Yes, I've sensed as much. Has he spoken to you about them?"
So she was correct. There were secrets. She'd known as much, yet somehow, having Elizabeth confirm it came as a blow. "No, he has not."
"But you want to know what they are," Elizabeth said quietly.
"No. Yes." She shook her head. "I don't know. It doesn't matter what they are. The fact that he has secrets-just as David did-tells me all I need to know." She searched Elizabeth 's eyes. "Do you know what Robert is hiding?"
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