Page 65 of A Courtesan Countess Worth the Scandal
Finally, he opened his eyes. “You will not flee?”
“I have already decided to stay at your side, Liam. That wasn’t an easy decision for me to make, and I’m not about to change it because you endured a situation that was beyond your control,” she told him firmly, thinking of her poor mother’s heartache. “In truth, my own Ma and Pa went through a similar tragedy. He betrayed her, and he wound up dead at the hands of the woman he left my Ma for.”
She knew she did not need to inform him of those details, but she hoped they might reassure him that no part of what he had told her would change her mind about him. Besides, at least now she knew what Lord Fleetwood had been about to say, when Liam steered her away. That ogrehadbeen about to rail against the French—or, rather, one Frenchwoman in particular. The former Lady Keswick.
Smiling at him, she was about to offer further words of comfort, when a shout went up outside the private tower.
“Westwood! Westwood, where are you?” Denninson’s gruff voice echoed. “I saw you venture out here, but you must return to the house. Your Aunt and Uncle have arrived, and they are eager to see you!”
Nora gave Liam a small nod. “We can resume this talk later.” She kissed him one last time upon the lips. “But fear not, Love… you haven’t chased me away, and Iwillkiss these lips again.”
“You are a miracle to me, Nora Black,” Liam murmured. “And though we have not known one another long, I never want to be without you.”
Her heart lifted. “Nor do I.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Beneath the starry night, and bathed in the silvery glow of the moonlight, Liam helped Nora out of his secret hideaway and put his tailcoat back on. His heart beat erratically in his chest as it flitted between sensations of relief, feelings of love, and the piercing dagger of fear.
What if she does not mean what she says? What if I awaken tomorrow morning to find that she has gone? What if I left it too late to tell her my story?
Nora’s hand closed around his and gave it a gentle squeeze that seemed to say,“Stop your fretting or I’ll squeeze your fingers harder. I’m not going anywhere.”
Even so, he knew he would have continued to panic and worry, if he had not been greeted by the stern faces of his two friends. Evidently, he had other things to worry about that he had not yet considered.
“What are you thinking, Westwood?” Denninson tutted. “You, of all people, should know that it is entirely improper to disappear from your own ball in so sly a manner. You might at least have waited until your Uncle arrived, considering he has gone to so much trouble to throw this ball in your honor.”
Liam straightened up, refusing to be chastised after all he had just been through. “There were several things I needed to discuss with Miss Black in private. I can contend with my dear Uncle, and placate him, in due course.” He offered his arm to Nora. “Now, I should like to introduce him to the Lady of the Hour.”
Breezing past his two friends, Liam led Nora back into the Manor, where the vibrant chatter and lilting music enveloped them. He would have preferred to remain outside with her, but Denninson had been right about one thing… he did need to show his face at his own ball. Besides, at least it was warm in here, so he could be sure that Nora would not freeze.
Though I would have kept her warm with my own body, as she taught me, if I needed to.
He smiled at the memory of her soft skin, and her passionate lips, and the way her thighs had gripped his waist. Before he had met Nora, he would have been disgusted by such carnal actions, enjoyed with someone whom he was not married to. But after they had bared their souls to one another, he had felt closer to her than he had ever felt to anyone.Thatwas the essence of marriage, and she was already his wife in the eyes of every guest here.
All I have to do is propose actual marriage to her, once she has had time to think over all we have said, and it will legitimize our stolen moment in the tower.
Just then, he spotted his uncle, speaking with some guests up ahead. “Uncle!” he called out, excited to show the woman he adored to the only father figure he had. “I know he will love you, Nora.”
He was about to lead her onward, when he felt a sharp tug on his arm. Glancing down at Nora, his heart lurched in alarm, for she was staring ahead as though she had seen a ghost.
* * *
A decade after they had last parted ways with venom on their tongues, there he was. The first man. The one who had taken so much from Nora and forced her into this life, and he was standing right there, bold as brass, laughing at something one of the guests had said. He looked slightly older, but there was no mistaking him.
She froze, a thousand conflicting emotions coursing through her veins. Indeed, she did not know whether to storm forward, grab the nearest candlestick, and smack him over the head as hard as she could, or whether to run from that house as fast as her legs would carry her.
“Nora?” Liam’s concerned voice broke her out of her panicked cycle of thoughts. “Are you well? Do you feel poorly?”
Nora shook her head slowly, unable to trust her words. “I… am… fine.” Her eyes scoured the gathering for any sign of her mother, who would surely inflict harm upon that wretch on her behalf. “I just felt faint for a moment.”
She knew she needed to behave as if all was well. That had been the agreement she had made with that man. He would give her the townhouse, she would say nothing, and if they encountered one another by chance, they would act as though they did not know each other. In theory, that had been an easy exchange to make. In practice, now that he was right in front of her, all the memories of her eight-and-ten year old self, and the pain this man had inflicted, came rushing back.
“Should I take you to your chambers, or send for your Mother?” Liam asked, visibly distressed.
“No!” Nora cried, a touch too loud. The last thing she wanted was her mother’s involvement. “No, I will be quite all right. I will meet your Aunt and Uncle, and then I will retire. I wouldn’t want to appear rude.”
Liam frowned. “Are you certain?”
