Lynette Vinet - Emerald Trilogy 02 (16 page)

~ ~ ~

By the time Mrs. Collins opened the bedroom door, Patrick had paced the length of the kitchen at least one hundred times. She shook her head in sympathy. “Beth is a strong girl and will get over her loss, but you must help her through this difficult time.”

“Aye, I shall. I’d like to see her.”

She nodded her approval, and he went inside the bedroom. Beth lay on the bed, looking drained and as pale as the white pillows. When he drew near, he saw tears glistening on her cheeks. “Don’t cry, Beth, girl. You’ll be fine in no time.” His voice was soft and comforting, but Beth didn’t seem to notice his concern.

“Where’s Howard?”

“Gone.”

“You shouldn’t have let him leave. I needed him. Patrick, please fetch him back for me.”

“Nay.
He’s gone because I sent him away. I don’t want him near you.”

She looked at him in bewilderment. “But I want him.”

Her request caused him more pain than anger. “I’ll not have him in my house. If you choose to see him, then go to Ballysheen Hall when you’re well. I see now my love for you is hopeless.”

Always she had been able to cajole him into doing what she wished, knowing how much he loved her. Now, she felt she had asked too much yet hated him for not complying. “I hate you, Patrick Lacey,” she whispered.

He shrugged his broad shoulders. “I’ll not dance to your tune. I know you’re hurting, but my mother can care for you. I can’t. You can say I am heartless, but I won’t playact as your husband any longer, not after this.”

Turning on his heels, he stormed out of the cottage. Within a matter of minutes, Mrs. Lacey arrived, clucking over her like a mother hen. Beth was grateful for the woman’s care and her unquestioning attitude. To speak about the baby would have hurt terribly, but more than that, the loss of Patrick hurt far more.

Daniel and Allison reclined on a barge as it wound its way up the River Liffey through picturesque Dublin. On their right was the Four Courts, only recently completed, the stone statues above the mammoth pillars gazing over the city. Allison craned her neck to get a better view of everything, delighting Daniel with her childlike curiosity.

“I thought you and Paul spent your honeymoon here,” he commented.

“We did. However, we never saw a great deal.”

“Does my mentioning Paul upset you?”

She shook her head and managed a smile. “Not really, but I can’t forget that I’m still married to him and carrying his child.”

When the boat docked at the quay, he helped her out and told her they’d now dine in one of Dublin’s finest eating establishments. Allison readily agreed and asked him where it was. “Just wait,” he said with an air of excitement.

To Allison’s surprise, they stopped in front of the house that she and Paul had shared on their honeymoon, and where she was now residing. To her amazement, a table in the parlor was set for two, complete with enticing delicacies to tempt her palate. The wall sconces flickered with soft candlelight, enhancing Allison’s beauty.

“My lady.”
Daniel bowed and pulled out a chair for her.

“Mrs. Hodges isn’t here, Daniel?”

“I had your housekeeper arrange everything, then let her go for the evening. I hope you don’t mind, but I’d like for the two of us to be alone, completely alone.”

Daniel was pleasant company and made her feel special and beautiful despite her expanding abdomen. During the past weeks she had grown fonder of him than she knew was acceptable for a brother-in-law, and his love for her certainly was no secret. However, she had to be circumspect as not to give him the wrong impression. She may have left Paul, but he was still her husband, and despite everything, she still loved him.

“You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble. We could have eaten anywhere else,” she told him, slightly uncomfortable with the intimate arrangements.

“I wanted to show you how I feel—how much I care for you. There are always servants present.”

“Just Mrs. Hodges.”

“I know, but she doesn’t seem to approve of our living arrangement.”

“You’re a guest here.
Nothing more.”

The finality of her tone caused him to frown. “I hoped I’d be more than that by now. I love you so very much. “

“And I love you,”

“You don’t mean it the same way I do, Allison.”

“No, I don’t,” she solemnly admitted.

He reached across the table and took her hand, his fingertips grazing her palm. “I wish you’d fall in love with me, but I’ll even settle for second place in your heart, after my brother. I’d make you a fine husband—give you everything you want.”

“Daniel, if I ever did fall in love with you, I wouldn’t care about the things you could give me. I’ve always had everything I’ve desired except…” She stopped short, unable to say “your brother’s love.”

“No need to finish, I have an idea what you wanted to say.”

Allison allowed him the liberty of holding her hand because she took strength from Daniel’s love and comfort—but she never forgot how handsome and sexually attractive he was. Of course Daniel was a few years younger than Paul and had much to learn, especially in masking his true feelings so as not to be an easy target for some young woman who would break his heart. But she could almost envision him in a few years’ time after his youthful handsomeness had grown into male virility and would one day capture some unsuspecting female’s heart.

Candlelight glimmered over his handsome face, and for a second her own heart palpitated as she noticed his resemblance to Paul.
But only for a second.
Daniel could never be as stubborn or deceitful as his brother. She surmised her marriage had ended since Paul hadn’t come for her as she had expected. It was obvious that since he didn’t care, she could never hurt him by bearing her child away from the manor. She didn’t intend to tell him about the child or return to Fairfax Manor. She just couldn’t bear to face Paul or his parents.

Withdrawing her hand from Daniel’s, she stood up and, suddenly fatigued, prepared to retire for the night. “I really must rest. Today has undone me.”

His face showed disappointment, but he nodded in agreement. “Let me escort you safely upstairs.”

He took her arm and they walked up the flight of stairs to the bedroom. Allison remembered the night she and Paul first arrived at the house and he carried her up those same stairs to the haven of their bedroom. An involuntary sigh escaped her and without intending to do so, she swayed against Daniel.

His lips brushed against her hair and traveled to her mouth before she realized what was happening. She drank in the sweetness of his lips while mentally chastising herself for not pulling away and pretending to be totally outraged. But it had been so long since she had been kissed, and she did need to be loved … so desperately. Yet she couldn’t forget her heart belonged to another. She managed to extricate herself, knowing that if she didn’t control the situation, she’d allow him to share her bed.

Though suspecting her intention to refuse him, he pulled her tightly against him, his arms like steel. “Let me love you, Allison. Please! “

She wanted to lie next to him in the darkness, fiercely needing to feel loved. Looking at the desire in his eyes, she felt herself weakening, but she never gave an answer. At that moment, looking down the staircase to the bottom step, she saw Paul leaning lazily against the banister.  She blinked in shock, not certain she really saw him, but there was no mistake. He was there.

“I’m sorry to break up this little tryst, but I think it’s time you return home, my faithful wife.”

His voice startled Daniel, but instead of releasing Allison, he tightened his arm around her waist. “You have bad manners, Paul. Don’t you believe in knocking first?”

Paul held up a key, “This is my house. I let myself in. Otherwise, I might have missed this tender moment.”

Allison colored violently as the blood pounded in her temples. How humiliating to be caught in Daniel’s embrace by her husband! However, Paul seemed amused, not in the least angry, and this caused rage to erupt within her. She was his wife! Didn’t he mind her kissing his brother and possibly bedding him? Refusing to allow him to see her distress and anger, she calmly left Daniel’s encircling arms and walked down the stairs, as if she were expecting Paul’s arrival, and walked into the parlor. “Would you care for a glass of port?” she asked.

“Thank you,” he answered calmly.

As she poured the wine, Daniel bounded down the stairs into the parlor. His dark anger rivaled the unusual brightness emanating from Paul’s eyes.

“What’s wrong with you, brother? I was just about to make love to your wife, and you have nothing to say about it. If she were my wife, I’d call you out right now and gladly run my sword through your black heart.”

Paul had no intention of dueling with his brother—he loved him too much. But there was no way on this earth he’d allow Allison to remain in Dublin with Daniel. He’d spent too many sleepless nights imagining them together in this house, in their bed. He had wanted to fetch her sooner, but had listened to his mother. Now, he was sorry he hadn’t followed them to Dublin immediately. Apparently Allison had already been unfaithful with Daniel, but still he wanted her back and was determined to have her. Once Paul had loved a woman to distraction, but death had claimed her. Now Allison was his last chance for happiness, and he’d allow no man to take her from him—-not even his brother. “Stay out of this, Dan. Allison belongs to me.”

Defiant fury crossed Daniel’s face. “She isn’t a piece of property like your precious Fairfax Manor!”

“Flannery Hall,” Paul corrected.

“No one gives a damn what you call it. You’re not taking her from here without a fight. I know you don’t love her, so Mother must have told you about the baby. All you care about is the child.”

Allison placed her hand to her mouth in horror. Why couldn’t Daniel have kept quiet?

Almost immediately Daniel realized his mistake, and his fury drained away. “I’m sorry, Allison,” he muttered brokenly.

Paul hid his own shock. He hadn’t known Allison was pregnant, but he wouldn’t allow them to see that. He studied her waist, realized that it had thickened. He wondered briefly if the child was his or Daniel’s but knew instinctively it was his own. He didn’t believe Allison had bedded Daniel while sleeping with himself.

Allison stiffened and faced Paul, “Is that why you’ve come? You want our child?”

He downed the port and placed the empty glass on the table. “There is no other reason, my love.”

Disappointment flickered across her face. “I refuse to return to Fairfax Manor and bear my child in a nest of vipers.” Her comment drew a gruff laugh from Paul.

“We can’t be any worse than the Fairfaxes, but nonetheless, you’ll return home with me tonight,”

“No! I’m staying here.”

“I suppose you wish Daniel to stay with you, but I can’t allow that. You’re my wife until I say differently. However, I’ll strike a bargain with both of you.” He looked from one to the other.

“After the child’s birth, I’ll grant you a divorce.”

“I don’t believe you,” Allison said.

“I shall. Then you may marry Daniel or whomever you choose. However, I keep the baby. Are you agreeable to these terms?”

“That’s monstrous!” Daniel was so angry that his complexion turned fiery red.

“Those are my conditions. I think they’re quite reasonable since a court of law would never allow Allison to keep the child when apprised of her infidelity. I’m being quite generous by giving you your freedom without any scandal.”

Allison started to declare her innocence, but decided to remain silent. She wanted her baby, but she knew that Paul would never allow her to deliver it in Dublin. She’d have to return home, but she vowed to make his life a living hell for the duration of her pregnancy. Once the baby was born, she’d flee the manor with the child and meet Daniel. Somehow, some way they’d start life anew.

“I won’t allow this to happen!” Daniel ranted, but Allison raised her hand for him to be quiet. She looked at Paul and tried to appear the demure, obedient wife.

“I’ll go with you,” she said.

“The wise choice, my dear.”

“Allison, don’t.” Daniel moved to her, pain in his eyes. “I can’t lose you—not this way.”

She kissed his cheek and whispered in his ear, “I’ll write you to come for me.” Then she walked toward the stairs without glancing at Paul. “I shall pack my things,” she said as she slowly ascended.

Daniel’s face blazed. “Paul, you’re so much like father I wish that I weren’t related to either of you.”

“I have to take her home. One day you’ll understand.”

“No, I won’t ever understand you. All you care about is that damned property and you treat her like so
much chattel
. She’s a woman—a beautiful woman with love to give and you’ll destroy her if you’re not careful.”

Paul answered in a cool, impersonal tone of voice. “Don’t concern yourself. She’ll be well taken care of. “

“After the baby is born, I’m taking her from you.”

Paul
laughed,
both derision and sympathy in his eyes. “No, Daniel, you won’t. She is my wife and she loves me. “

Allison came down the steps at that moment, carrying her bag. “I’m ready,” she said.

She refused Daniel’s offers of aid and, with Paul beside her, stepped into the waiting carriage.

Despite her pain at leaving Daniel, she felt some perverse pleasure that Paul had finally come. He placed a blanket over her legs, and she felt a melting sensation at that slight contact. His glittering dark eyes impaled her and she felt unable to look away, but strangely she wasn’t frightened but felt at ease.

“Comfortable?” he inquired.

“Very,” she said.

~ ~ ~

After traveling for three hours, they stopped and alit at a country inn out of deference to Allison’s pregnancy. She tired easily, and Paul readily sensed her fatigue. Originally he had intended to travel without stopping, but now that he knew she carried his baby, he ordered the driver to halt at the first inn.

During the trip she hadn’t spoken to him, only eyed him with contempt, and once they were ensconced in their small room, she went about her business of unpacking as if he weren’t even there.

He found her silence rankling and detested her game playing, realizing that was what she was doing. But he shrugged. After all, he also could play the game. Under no conditions would he allow her to leave with the child after its birth.

Allison withdrew a soft, fleecy pink nightdress from her valise. She began to unbutton her gown but then stopped herself. “Please leave the room, Paul.”

He regarded her lazily, smoking a cheroot while sitting in a chair with his long legs stretched in front of him. The fire crackled and shadows flickered across his face. “Why?”