"Bloody hell, what is she doing here?" But even as Austin growled the words, his mind whirled. Did she know if she carried his child? Only three weeks had passed. If she knew this quickly, she most likely wasn't pregnant-or was she? Or maybe she'd come because she'd had another vision of William? He looked out the window and fought the urge to press his nose to the glass like a boy at a sweet shop, eager for a glimpse of her.

She was dressed in a peacock blue traveling suit, with a matching bonnet. Loose auburn tendrils framed her face and he immediately recalled the feel of her soft hair sifting through his fingers. Even at a distance he could see the circles shadowing her eyes, a telltale sign of sleepless nights.

The footman reached a hand into the coach and helped Caroline alight.

Miles drew a sharp breath. "What the hell is she doing here?" he asked elbowing past Austin to get a better view.

Austin contemplated his friend with surprise. "She's my sister. Why the hell shouldn't she be here? Besides, you know my family. They travel in packs. Like bloody wolves. I'd wager any sum that my brother is about to make an appearance."

As if on cue, Robert emerged from the coach, a huge grin lighting his face. Damn it! What was Robert up to now? And why had Elizabeth come here instead of sending a message? Turning away from the window, Austin slammed his snifter onto his desk and stalked toward the door.

"Austin! How wonderful to see you!"

Her mother-in-law's words jerked Elizabeth's head around. Striding down the corridor toward the foyer, anger evident in every taut line of his body, was her husband.

Dismay washed over her. Good heavens, what was he doing here? Why wasn't he in Surrey?

She stood frozen in place, her eyes riveted on him, and tried to hold back the swell of love and longing that hit her, but it was a hopeless task. Dear God she'd missed him so much!

But it was clear from his expression that he had not missed her. In fact, as he strode into the foyer, he completely ignored her.

He bent down and accepted a kiss from his mother. "This is unexpected" he said in a tight voice. "I trust all is well?"

"Oh, yes," the dowager said with a smile. "Caroline, Elizabeth, and I had a hankering for the shops. Robert kindly offered to escort us to Town."

Austin turned a narrow-eyed glare on his brother. "How dutiful of you, Robert."

Robert's smile could have lit the entire room. "No trouble at all. Always happy to accompany a coach filled with lovely ladies."

Austin cocked a brow at Caroline. "Didn't you shop enough when you were here several weeks ago?"

A gay laugh trilled from Caroline. "Oh, Austin, how amusing you are! You should know that a woman can never spend enough time in the shops."

Elizabeth stood in an agony of embarrassment. Her husband had yet to so much as acknowledge her presence. An awkward silence ensued. Heat crept up her neck and she wished she could simply sink through the floor. Just when she thought he meant to walk away without greeting her, he turned and stared directly at her.

The icy fury shooting from his gray eyes chilled her to the bone. And although he stared directly at her, it seemed as if he were looking through her, as if she weren't really there.

Any hopes she may have secretly harbored that time would soften him toward her died with that single look. How on earth was she going to survive this visit? Not being with him, agonizing over what she'd lost, was a pain she could barely stand.

But seeing him look at her like this, with all the warmth and caring extinguished from his eyes, inflicted a piercing ache that weakened her knees.

But she'd done what she'd had to do. For him.

Determined not to let him see her inner torment, she forced herself to offer him a smile. "Hello, Austin."

A muscle ticked in his clenched jaw. "Elizabeth."

She tried to moisten her parched lips, but her mouth had gone dry. "I… I thought you were in Surrey."

His glacial expression could have frozen fire. "Surrey?"

"Yes. For the annual inspection of the crops…" Her voice trailed off into an agonizing embarrassed silence as he simply stared at her.

"Do you have something to tell me?" His clipped question hung in the air between them.

She felt the weight of everyone's eyes on them, watching their tense exchange. Humiliation washed over her, and if she'd thought her legs would cooperate, she would have run from the house. "No," she whispered. "Nothing."

She was saved from enduring further attempts at conversation when Miles joined them. He greeted everyone, but Elizabeth noticed that his bow to Caroline was stiff and that Caroline steadfastly looked at a place over his shoulder.

"I'd like a word with you in my study, Robert," Austin said in a voice that resembled a growl.

"Of course," Robert said. "The moment I'm settled in-"

"Now." Without another word Austin turned on his heel and strode down the corridor.

A deafening silence ensued. Finally, the dowager cleared her throat. "Well! Isn't that… nice? Robert, it appears Austin wishes to speak with you."

Robert's brows almost disappeared into his hairline. "Indeed? I hadn't particularly noticed." With a jaunty salute, he ambled down the corridor Austin had just stalked down.

The dowager turned back to the silent group with a smile that could only be described as desperate. "They're going to talk. Isn't that… nice? I'm sure this is going to be a wonderful visit."

"Wonderful," Caroline echoed looking everywhere but at Miles.

"Delightful," Miles agreed in a gloomy voice.

"Marvelous," Elizabeth said in a weak voice. She hoped she lived through it.


The instant Robert closed the study door, Austin bit out, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Following your orders, brother dear. You said you wanted to speak to me now, so here I am. Speak away."

Austin forced himself to retain his casual posture: hips leaning against his desk, legs outstretched arms folded across his chest. If he didn't, he would be across the room in two strides, picking Robert up by his cravat.

"Why did you bring them here?"

Robert's face bore a mask of utter innocence. "Me? I didn't bring them here. You know how women love the shops. I-"

"Elizabeth hates the shops."

Robert's nonplussed stare clearly indicated that this was news to him. Austin studied his brother through narrowed eyes and tried to contain his anger. "Can you explain why Elizabeth thought I was in Surrey? And then perhaps you'd enlighten me regarding what the annual inspection of the crops entails."

"Surrey? Crops? I-"

"Enough, Robert. I'll ask you one more time. Why did you bring Elizabeth here? Don't lie to me."

Apparently the glacial fury in his tone served as a warning Robert decided not to ignore. Dropping all pretense of innocence, Robert said, "I brought her because it was painfully obvious to me when I saw you yesterday that you're miserable without her. And a blind man could see that she is equally miserable without you."

"If I'd wanted her here, I would have sent for her myself."

Temper flared in Robert's blue eyes. "Then I cannot fathom why you didn't do so, because it's clear you want her here, and even clearer that you need her here. You're just too stubborn to admit it. Whatever problems you're having, you cannot solve them if you're apart."

"Indeed?" Austin said in a deadly calm tone. "And when did you become an expert in marital relations- mine specifically?"

"I'm not. But I know you. I saw how you were with her. I saw how you looked at her. Whether you want to admit it or not, I know you care about her. Hell, let's just say it. You love her. And you're ill-tempered, unhappy, and damn near impossible to be around without her."

Pain and anger scissored through Austin, but he forced his features to remain blank. "You've clearly mistaken my feelings and mood Robert. I am not unhappy, I am busy. I'm responsible for six estates and there is a great deal of work that requires my attention."

Robert made a disgusted sound. "Then you clearly don't know the difference between busy and unhappy."

Austin turned a frosty glare on his brother. "I know the difference." Believe me, I know. "I will not tolerate this interference in my marriage. Is that clear?"

"Perfectly." He went on as if Austin hadn't spoken. "What has Elizabeth done to anger you so? Surely, whatever it is, you can forgive her for it. I cannot believe she would intentionally hurt you."

She intentionally ripped out my heart and showed herself for a calculating schemer. Pushing himself away from his desk, Austin said in a deceptively mild tone, "I think it would be best, and certainly much smarter, if you ceased expressing opinions on subjects you know nothing about."

"Elizabeth is wretchedly unhappy."

His insides involuntarily pinched but he ruthlessly pushed his sympathy aside. "I cannot imagine why. She is, after all, a duchess. She lacks for nothing."

"Except for a relationship with her husband."

"You forget that our marriage was one of convenience."

"Perhaps it started out that way, but you fell in love with her. And she with you."

If only that were true. "Enough. Stop worrying about Elizabeth and me and turn your energies toward more productive endeavors. Why don't you find yourself a mistress? Concentrate on your own life instead of plaguing mine."

Robert's brows raised. "Is that what you've done? Found yourself a mistress?"

Austin barely managed to swallow the bitter laugh pushing at the back of his throat. He couldn't imagine touching another woman. Before he could issue a retort, Robert continued "Because if you have, then you're a bigger fool than I thought. Why you would want another woman when you could have Elizabeth is beyond me."