s [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

 That I had already decided to give up Montgomery House in order to have you
when I gave you my promise. I m telling you I would have promised the devil my soul
that night if only to have you make love to me.
When he didn t speak but continued to stand in the doorway, his face lined and
worried, his stance open and unsure, Madeline did the only thing she could, she opened
her arms, tears trickling down her cheeks and motioned for him to come to her.
He did. Swiftly, without thought, he crossed the distance from the door to the bed
and swept her up into his arms, holding her tightly, burying his face in her unbound hair
and rocking her against him.
No words were said, none were necessary. The gentle sound of her weeping,
combined with the wetness from the tears she felt sliding along Blaine s cheeks and onto
hers, let her know that that they were in tune with their sorrow and fears.
She wept for the child he d been, frightened and alone, terrified to confide in
someone. She wept for the man who tried so hard to carry the burden of his secret and
keep it hidden from her. She wept for the man she loved and feared losing.
 Maddy, he breathed at last,  don t leave me now, not after I ve just found you.
Stay with me, he whispered harshly.  Who will save me if you leave me? I can t lose
you.
 I m not going anywhere, my love, she whispered, kissing his cheeks.
 I can t lose you. He buried his face once more in the crook of her neck.  I need
you beside me, to feel you near. You don t know how much I needed you those times I
pushed you away from me. Every time I forced you away I feared that I d been
successful, that you d never come back to me.
 I m here, she whispered, raking her hands through his hair, soothing him with
her touch.  I won t leave you. Not ever.
 Will you ever be able to forgive me? Will there ever come a time when you will
be able to forget what I ve said to you?
 It is already forgotten, she said, cupping his face in her hands.  It is me who
should be asking your forgiveness. I purposely betrayed my promise to you.
 You did it because you thought it was best for me, did you not? Madeline, he
kissed her roughly before releasing her.  I love you, and what I ve done tears me up
inside. I have to know, will you ever love me or have I ruined any chance I ever had to
Mistress of the Night Charlotte Featherstone 169
make you love me?
 Silly man, she cried, hugging him fiercely, reveling in his declaration.  I love
you, I ve always loved you.
 Maddy, I ve been so blind, so stupid.
 Ssh, she whispered, allowing him to put his arms around her waist, and his head
in her lap.  Everything will turn out all right, she said, smoothing his hair.
 You saved me, even when I didn t think I wanted you to--when I wouldn t let
you, he murmured, his fingers tracing her belly. She stilled his hand, not wanting to be
reminded of the babe and its uncertain fate. He glanced up at her, knowing what thoughts
were in her mind.  You ve saved me from my demons, Maddy, from a life of loneliness.
You knew what I needed before I did and I will never forget it.
 I would never turn away from my child if it were to suffer as you do. I cannot
bear the fact that you think I would turn from you because of your condition. Closing
her eyes, Madeline refused to see the look in his face.  I would never do that. My heart
breaks to think of what you have had to suffer through. And yet, I know that had you not,
you would not be the man I love today.
He looked at her then, a shadow of a smile curling his lips.  Come home with
me, he asked, pressing a kiss to her belly.  It s where you belong. It s where our child
belongs.
 I do not know if I still carry the child. Maggie says  tis possible to continue to
carry after bleeding, but I m not sure.
 Then we shall wait. And if it turns out that you are not, we ll make more.
 Are you certain?
 I won t say it s going to be easy for me, Madeline. I ve lived too long in
darkness and shadows, but if you re willing to stick by me, to give me a chance, I ll give
you whatever you wish.
 My wish has already come true, she said, smiling into his upturned face.  It was
you, after all.
* * * *
Sanbourne Hall, Sussex
The warm summer breeze carried with it the scent of roses and honeysuckle as it
whispered across Blaine and his sleeping son. Lounging in a hammock, his three-month-
old son tucked safely in the crook of his arm, Blaine smiled, well satisfied with the gifts
Fate had bestowed upon him.
He was a husband and now a father. His wife adored him--loved him despite his
illness and she d given him the most beautiful and perfect child a man could ever hope
for.
His son stirred, bringing his tiny fist to his mouth, sucking vigorously, not to
mention loudly.
 I suppose, my little man, we should find your Mama.
His son opened his eyes and looked at him. He had the eyes of his mother, those
deep green pools that made him feel peace and tranquility whenever he gazed into them.
 Blaine? he heard Madeline call from beyond the bushes.  Where are you?
Mistress of the Night Charlotte Featherstone 170
 Here, he replied, smiling as he heard the hint of tension in her voice.  I m fine,
Maddy.
 Oh, there you are. She stopped to study him swinging back and forth in the
hammock. Her gaze dropped to the ground and she smiled, her glittering eyes lit with
warmth and understanding.  I think you ve managed to pinch every pillow in the house.
 Well, it was necessary, you see. I wanted to bring Michael out for a breath of
fresh air and I was worried that perhaps& well, you know. That I might suffer a fit and
send him flinging to the ground. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]