Part 34 (1/2)
Her heart began to pound.
”Is it true?” the countess asked softly, touching his chest. No, G.o.d, no, Virginia thought, this cannot be.
”I'm afraid so, Elizabeth,” he said, and he walked away.
The woman cried out, a flush covering her cheeks, and she stared after him distraught, trembling, a woman with a breaking heart. ”But I am your mistress,” she said. ”And suddenly you replace me, like this?”
”I am sorry.” Devlin returned, handing her a brandy. ”I never made you any promises, Elizabeth. I am afraid things have changed.”
Virginia clung to the door. Devlin's mistress had been Eastleigh's wife? It was too horrid to be believed and while she felt deeply for the countess, she was ill. She could never, ever compete with a woman like this.
Elizabeth held the brandy to her full, very bare bosom, her knuckles white. Her pallor was increasing. ”I know you never made a single promise. Oh, G.o.d. I still fail to understand. I somehow thought that here in Britain I was all that you wished.”
”Perhaps you should sit down?” Devlin asked politely and so impersonally.
”I am in love with you, Devlin,” she cried.
”And I told you once, that would not be wise.”
”Oh, G.o.d.” Suddenly she looked ill enough to faint and she sat down with Devlin's help. She clutched the drink but made no effort to sip it. ”You don't care. You don't care at all, do you?”
His jaw flexed. ”As I said, things have changed.”
”No, you were always heartless-I merely prayed that it was not true!” She somehow stood, eyes wide and moist. ”Who is she? Is she an actress?” The countess was holding on to her dignity with what was clearly a great effort. She set the untouched brandy down. ”I mean, you are living here openly with her. You have jilted me for some harlot?” Tears finally filled her eyes.
”You do not wish to make a scene, Elizabeth,” Devlin said calmly.
”But I do!” she cried. ”And I wish to meet this woman you have so callously replaced me with!”
”I am afraid that is not possible,” Devlin said. ”I am sorry if I have hurt you. Perhaps you should leave, before you say something you will regret on the morrow.”
”I have been your mistress for six years, and just like this, it is over?”
Virginia gasped and in that moment, she somehow pushed the door wide open and fell into the room. She landed on the floor in a heap, not far from where the lovers stood.
Virginia looked up slowly.
Devlin's brows were lifted while the countess stared, still agonized and shocked. He said, ”Spying, Virginia?” And he helped her to her feet.
Virginia wanted to ask him why, why had he done this? Why was he doing this? How many innocent people would he hurt to avenge his father? But she was incapable of speech.
”That's her?” the countess cried. ”But she is a child!”
Virginia fought for a degree of composure. ”I am eighteen,” Virginia said. Then she curtsied. ”My lady.”
The countess covered her brow with her hand, turning away. Virginia looked at Devlin, wanting to berate him and wis.h.i.+ng, desperately, that she had never met this woman, not knowing what she did now.
The Countess of Eastleigh had been his mistress for six years. Virginia remained stunned and heartsick. Devlin would never fall in love with her, not if he had never fallen in love with the countess.
A terrible silence had fallen. Devlin broke it, speaking quietly. ”Virginia, the countess is leaving. Why don't you go upstairs for a moment or two? I shall be up shortly.”
Before Virginia could respond, a refusal on the tip of her tongue, the countess turned. ”Virginia? Her name is Virginia?” Her gaze became wildly accusing and it turned to Devlin. ”That is not my niece, is it?”
”I am afraid so,” Devlin said, and he seemed braced for her reaction. The countess cried out.
Virginia could not stand it anymore. She ran to her and said, ”Please, do sit down. You are suffering a terrible shock. And you need not worry, really, he doesn't love me-or even care for me-at all.”
The countess blinked at her, tears falling now. She said, ”You would be kind to me?”
Virginia nodded. ”Because you are right, he is heartless, and no one deserves to be cast off in such a manner.” She glared at Devlin. He was actually grim, as if displeased or unhappy with the entire affair.
The countess wiped her eyes and stared. ”We thought you drowned.”
”No. I was transferred to his s.h.i.+p and-”
Devlin seized her arm. ”You need not bore the countess with the details,” he said in real warning.
She glared at him and struggled to shake him off. ”You are a b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Let me go!”
He started and released her.
Virginia sent him another murderous look. Perhaps, finally, she hated him.
He spoke to the countess, but never removed his stare from Virginia. ”Elizabeth, I am afraid I must ask you to leave.”
”Yes, it is time that I left.” But she stared intensely at Virginia now, so much so that Virginia forgot how furious she was with Devlin and apprehension began. And finally the countess glanced at Devlin. ”Have you hurt her?”
His brows lifted. ”Hardly.”
The countess turned to Virginia.
Virginia flushed. ”I am fine-all circ.u.mstances considered.”
”I hesitate to wonder what that may mean. Virginia, you are far too young, in spirit if not age, for a man like Devlin. I fear for you, my dear.”
Virginia didn't know what to say. ”His bark is worse than his bite,” she said, hoping her tone was light. Then added, ”Usually.”
The countess glanced back and forth between them again. ”Don't make the terrible mistake that I made. Do not allow yourself to fall in love with him. He will never love you back.” Her smile was twisted and sad and she walked out.
It's too late, Virginia thought. She walked to the door, staring after the countess, admiring her for her dignity and pride. She was unbearably saddened.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
DEVLIN PACED THE DINING ROOM, stiff with tension. He glanced at his watch fob-it was well past seven. He glanced at the door, but Virginia did not appear there.
The table was set with crystal, fine china and gilded tableware, all brought from his s.h.i.+p. Covered platters steamed between the candelabra. Virginia was late.