"I was about to make the same request," Austin said in a tight voice. Recalling he'd left Miles in his study, he led the way to the library and closed the door behind them. He watched Elizabeth cross to the center of the room, then turn to face him. Her face was completely devoid of color, and her eyes appeared like haunted circles against the stark background. The need to draw her into his arms nearly overwhelmed him, angering him at his own weakness for her.

He approached her slowly, deliberately. He'd half expected her to retreat, but she stood in place, her hands folded in front of her, her eyes steady on his.

When only two feet separated them, he halted. God how he missed her. Her warmth and smile. The sound of her laughter. Forget that! It's over. Gone. She doesn't want you.

Hurt and anger pumped through him, but he schooled his features into a cold mask and simply waited for her to speak.

Elizabeth stared at her husband's icy expression and her already cramped stomach tightened further. His glacial demeanor indicated she faced a battle with him, and it was one she was determined to win.

Lifting her chin a notch, she said "I suppose you're wondering why Molly is here."

He cocked a single brow. "How astute you are. Yes, I would like an explanation, not only as to why a whore is in my town house, but also how she came to be here."

Elizabeth's temper flared. "I don't want you to call her that… word."

"Why? That's what she is."

"Not any longer."

"Indeed? What is she now?"

She had so many things to tell him, and time was short. She had to examine Molly, and then she had to prepare for a trip. There simply wasn't time for elaborate explanations. Searching for a suitable answer to his question, one popped into her mind and she seized it. "She's now a lady's maid. My lady's maid."

If the situation had been the least bit amusing, she would have laughed at his shocked expression.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I've hired Molly to assist Katie with my, er, vast wardrobe."

His hand shot out, fast as lightning, and gripped her upper arm. "What nonsense is this?"

She tried to jerk her arm from his grasp, but he tightened his hold fueling her temper. "This morning I happened to touch the jacket I wore the night we went to the Filthy Swine, and I had a vision. I saw Molly being beaten and I had to stop it. I convinced Robert to take me to the docks-"

"Robert took you to the docks!"

"Yes." Fury flashed in his eyes and she quickly added "Please don't be angry with him. After I pleaded and explained the dire circumstances to him-that a friend was in terrible danger-he agreed to help me, but not until I'd promised to remain in the safety of the carriage. When we arrived we discovered Molly huddled in an alley, beaten and robbed."

She drew a deep breath. "She'd left the Filthy Swine the night we met her and taken a small room above a warehouse. The men who robbed her took everything she'd managed to save in the hopes of starting a new life." A shudder shook through her. "Dear God Austin, the reason she even had enough coins for someone to steal was because we gave them to her that night." Drawing herself up to her full height she said "I intend to help her."

"Yes, that much is clear." His fingers tightened like a vise around her arm. The chill had melted from his eyes, replaced by white hot anger. "However, did you even once consider the danger you placed yourself in by going there?"

"I did not go alone."

"Do you honestly believe that meant you were safe? You could have easily been beaten and robbed yourself. Or worse."

Under other circumstances, his anger, the heat in his gaze, might have led her to believe that he cared what happened to her.

But of course, he wouldn't want her harmed if she carried his child.

"Not only did you place yourself and my clearly idiotic brother in danger," he continued his voice a low growl, "but you obviously didn't consider how scandalous it is that you went to the docks and that you brought her here."

"Scandalous? To help a beaten woman? Well, I don't care. And if it's her former occupation that concerns you, I have no intention of sharing that information with anyone. Molly certainly is not going to boast about it, and I trust Robert to keep it a secret." She raised her brows. "Do you intend to tell anyone?"

"No." He let go of her arm and tunneled his fingers through his hair. "But servants gossip. Word is certain to get out."

"Then I'll simply deny it. You seem to think I'm an accomplished liar, so perhaps I should be. Who would dare doubt the word of the Duchess of Bradford?"

A humorless laugh escaped him. "Only me."

His words hit her like a slap, and she bit her lip to contain her distressed gasp. She searched his cold eyes for a long moment, mourning the loss of the warm caring she'd once seen there.

"I understand that you'd find this situation shocking, but dear God Austin, think of that poor woman. I haven't had the chance to fully examine her, but I'm certain she has several broken ribs, and she cannot hear from her left ear." Although she risked a scathing rejection, she reached out and touched his hand. "I know you're angry with me, but you have a kind heart. I cannot believe that you would turn away this helpless woman who has nothing."

A muscle ticked in his clenched jaw. "We can find a post for her on one of the estates. But you must understand that she cannot stay with you. If you will not think of the scandal to yourself, consider my mother's and sister's feelings."

She nodded relieved. "All right. And if it turns out I am not with child, you won't need to worry about Molly anyway."

The ice seeped back into his gaze. "Indeed? Why is that?"

"Because if I'm not pregnant, I plan to return to America as soon as our annulment is finalized. Molly can accompany me. She and I will both be free to make a fresh start."

"I see."

The tension in the air all but strangled her. She needed to see to Molly, and she longed to escape the stifling atmosphere surrounding her, but she couldn't leave the room just yet. Clearing her throat, she said "There's something else I must tell you."

He dragged a weary hand over his face. "Hopefully it isn't that you revisited the gaming hell and rescued half a dozen debt-ridden drunks."

In spite of his dark tone, a tiny smile tugged at her lips. "No, although that is an idea that has some merit."

His eyes narrowed to slits. "No, that is an idea that has no merit whatsoever?

Relieved that she appeared to have won the first battle with relative ease, she conceded the point. "Very well. But now I must tell you my other news. It concerns your brother."

His eyes glittered with menace. "Indeed? Well, I certainly shall discuss with Robert this visit to the slums of London."

"Not Robert. This news concerns William."

He went perfectly still. "What is it?"

"I know where we can find Gaspard."

Chapter 21


Austin's entire existence narrowed down to those few words spinning through his mind. / know where we can find Gaspard.