[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

He gave a careful nod, unsure of her mood.  I don t want to burden you even more than I already have.
She shook her head in disbelief and reached for the cloth she d used to clean his wound. Wringing it out, she clumsily cleaned his seed from her stomach.
 Obviously, our lovemaking doesn t mean as much to you as it does to me. In fact, I am insulted beyond belief to know you were able to think of anything other than
the amazing sensation of your body moving within mine.
Flinging the cloth away, she fixed him with a fulminating glare.  Besides, hasn t it occurred to you I might want your child no matter what happens? Her voice broke.
 Damn you, Michael. You are giving up. You th-think they re going to hang you.
Chagrined, he sat up and pulled her into his arms. For a moment she resisted, but then she collapsed against him with a sob. He winced as she accidentally hit him
where he d been wounded, but the pain in his shoulder was nothing compared to the ache in his soul.
Emma clung to him as though he was a lifeboat in a choppy sea but he knew too well he might not have the chance to shelter her from the storms of life.
 I m sorry. He brushed his lips against her forehead and battled a renewed surge of pain.  I just don t want to hurt you.
She laughed, a sad, choked sound.  Oh, Michael. I love you for worrying so much about me, but really, I wish I could make you lose control,
at least a little bit. I feel as though you re always holding back, as though my touch doesn t affect you at all.
She loves me.
It was the second time tonight she d said it. This time the words couldn t be attributed to an excess of passion.
His arms tightened convulsively around her. Despair filled him as he realized he d finally found the only worthwhile thing in life, only to have it snatched away before
he found the courage to give his heart in return.
 Don t be ridiculous. All I need do is look at you and I lose my mind. I ve done nothing but make a fool of myself over you since the day we met.
This time she laughed in truth.  I m glad to hear that. Because I don t want to be the only fool in this marriage.
Sobering, she pulled away and looked him straight in the eyes, her strength of will washing through him in a comforting wave.  We re going to sort this all out,
Michael. I know we will. And then I want you to promise you ll do your damndest to give me that child you just denied me.
A painful ache of longing rose within him.  There s nothing I want more, he assured her, and prayed to God for the miracle that would let him keep his promise.
****
By the time Emma left later that morning, Michael s spirits had rallied. She d brightened the darkness with her indomitable will, coaxed him out of his despair with her
exuberant warmth and forced him to admit to himself at least how much he loved her.
She d seen him at his worst, but it hadn t driven her away. Instead, she d held him through the night and coddled him so sweetly.
He didn t know how to react. He craved this closeness, but was afraid to trust it. His father s suicide had intensified his ingrained fear that no one could ever truly
love him.
He was relieved to be left alone in his lush prison. Emma had a few things she needed to do, but she d promised to be back soon. He hadn t protested. He needed
time to sort through the maelstrom of emotions buffeting him from all directions.
Still, despite all the grief and guilt, he couldn t ever remember feeling so alive. If he managed to keep from hanging for his father s death, he might find some
happiness.
He was through enduring life. It was time to start living it.
Late in the afternoon, one of his jailers knocked on his door, and startled him out of his brooding thoughts.
 You have visitors, my Lord. P raps you d like to dress and come downstairs?
 Of course. Michael crossed the room to pull on a shirt and jacket. But his mind was racing. Who had come to see him? Were the authorities ready to admit they
didn t have enough proof to hold him?
God, he hoped so. He was more than ready to put this chapter of his life behind him.
Once he d restored himself to a modicum of respectability, he followed his current warden downstairs to the largest of his reception rooms. A small army waited
inside.
His heart swelled with nameless emotion as his gaze drifted over everyone who had come. Emma was there, along with Black Jack Marks and his retinue of lawyers.
Lucien gave him a wry smile, while Dylan and Natalia watched him with worry evident on their faces.
 Thank you all for coming, Michael murmured, at a loss.  I don t know what else to say.
Emma laughed and rushed to his side, her dark eyes filled with love.  I didn t think father had left yet, so I tracked him down. I knew he could help.
Michael met Jack s solemn gaze over his wife s head.  Thank you, sir. It means a lot to me that you ve come. I m just so sorry I ve drawn Emma into this.
 Nonsense, Jack assured him.  You re family now, son. Consider all my resources at your disposal.
Son.
The word meant more from his father-in-law than it ever had from the Earl of Warren. He understood now, why Dylan had been so pleased to find Patrick
MacPherson.
They had both missed the love of a father.
Dylan approached next. The two brothers embraced and Michael held on for just a moment longer than necessary, so grateful for his brother s presence. Dylan was
the only one here who could possibly know what he was feeling.
When Dylan pulled back a world of regret shone in his eyes.  I never meant for this to happen. Christ, Michael. I never would have left this to you if I d known he d
react in such a way.
Michael watched him closely.  So you believe he killed himself?
Dylan nodded, without a single trace of doubt.  Of course. And I m willing to do whatever it takes to ensure they don t detain you even one more day.
Too overcome for words, Michael managed a wan smile. Apparently, Emma wasn t the only one who believed in his innocence.
Lucien offered him a smug smile from across the room.  It s a good thing I didn t listen to a word you said the other day, isn t it? Besides, Emma and Dylan never
would have forgiven me if I hadn t told them straightaway.
Emma squeezed Michael s hand.  Lucien s absolutely right. We all want to help you. That s what family is for.
Her words gave him a sense of belonging he d never felt before. No matter what happened, he couldn t regret marrying her.
One of the solicitors stepped forward and cleared his throat.  Perhaps it s best if we get started, Lord Warren. Would you mind telling us what happened on the night
in question?
Michael dragged his gaze away from his wife and forced himself to concentrate on the matter at hand.
Lord Warren. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]