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scared. Not of him, but of the feeling he was stirring up inside of her. She was worried she would reply to his outrageous question with the truth. Which was that the thought of ending up in a convent was as unbearable then as it was now—because it would have meant to never again experience a kiss like his. But she would not grant him that kind of satisfaction! He was only playing with her, exactly as before.
    “My passions and desires are none of your concern! Go satisfy yours elsewhere!”
    “With such beauty right before my eyes, why would I want to be elsewhere?” he whispered, and now his eyes really spelled trouble.
    “Because I am married!” Danielle called out, continuing to retreat.
    “Your husband is dead,” Devlin corrected her, loosening his neckerchief.
    “I’m in mourning!” A bookshelf behind her prevented further escape, and a triumphant smile on Devlin’s face sealed her doom. He came very close and lifted her chin so she would look at him.
    “Did you love Langston so much that your passion died with him?” he asked quietly, and his breath touched her face like a caress.
    Danielle closed her eyes. She was fighting back the tears that were welling up behind her closed eyelids, because the truth was too painful to admit—to him, of all people. With quivering lips she begged, “Please, Milord, stop tormenting me! Go now, please!”
    She held her breath, not wanting to admit defeat and see the ridicule in his eyes before he would force her to another kiss.
    But he didn’t do any of those things. Before she even opened her eyes, she could feel him retreat. With a curse on his lips, he stormed out of the room, and shortly after she could hear the heavy front door snap shut behind him.
    “Milady, your tea? Did Lord Weston leave already?” Sally’s voice pulled her out of her paralysis, and Danielle vaguely realized what a sorry sight she must be. She smoothed back her hair and swallowed her feelings.
    “Lord Weston was unable to stay. He just wanted to offer his condolences one more time. But I could do with a nice cup of tea. Oh, and Sally? Are there any scones left?”
    “Certainly, Milady. I will put everything down here on this small table. Are you sure you’re alright, Milady?”
    “Of course. It’s just a little painful to look through Lord Langston’s entire life’s work. But I’m thinking about selling the house. Christopher will be attending an all boys’ school upon his return, and the house is really too big for me alone. I want to get back to London. My friend Lady Eliza has written that there is a nice, cozy home for sale not too far from her. I would like to take a look at it. But first I need to figure out what I’m going to do with this old house.”
    Sally nodded.
    “But London, Milady? Really? After everything that happened  . . .  ”
    “I know, Sally. My husband’s death is casting a long shadow, but it’s already reaching all the way here anyway. Besides, Eliza thinks that gossip is promptly forgotten in a big city where a new scandal quickly attracts attention from all the usual gossipmongers. Here, on the other hand, people will never stop pointing their fingers at me.”

Chapter 4
    London, one week later
     
    Weston, what a surprise to see you here! I heard you’re in town, but I couldn’t believe it.”
    Devlin lowered his morning paper and looked toward the man with the receding hairline who was heading straight for him and was visibly thrilled. As in most gentlemen’s clubs the morning hours here tended to be quiet, and so Colin Bosworth took a seat beside him without waiting for an invitation.
    “Bosworth, the pleasure is all mine. You look terrific. How is the family?”
    “Splendid, just splendid. Little Lisa is as beautiful as her mother, and we will soon be busy beating her countless admirers off with a stick. I am seriously considering returning to the country when the time comes. Fortunately, she is staying with her grandparents right now