Catherine raised her head and met Lucian's full brooding stare. Only they knew she had experienced an adventure of a lifetime. And only she knew that she would not have had it any other way.
"You look pale, Lady Catherine, perhaps you would like a breath of fresh air," Lucian said, and stood, giving her no opportunity to refuse.
Her aunt turned to her. "Are you all right, my dear?" She gasped. "My goodness, you do look pale. By all means, Lucian, do take her outside for a spot of fresh air."
Lucian stood behind her and assisted her out of her chair. He offered her his arm. She had no recourse but to accept it. They walked to the terrace doors running the full length of the dining room wall. He opened one, followed her through, and then shut the door soundly behind them.
They were finally alone.
The rain had stopped earlier in the evening and had left the city doused with a spring chill.
Catherine rubbed her arms.
"Are you cold?" he asked, stepping closer to her.
"No," she answered softly, her nervousness having produced the chill, not the weather.
"We need to talk, Catherine."
She turned around, still hugging her arms. "We have nothing to discuss. Your victory is complete. You have caused my father and me great suffering just as you wished. Now please go away and leave us in peace."
"Catherine," he whispered, and reached out, the need to touch her so painfully sharp that if he didn't he thought he would surely perish. His hand stroked her pale cheek. Soft and smooth she felt to his touch, just as he had remembered.
She sighed, released a small alarmed cry and backed away from him. "Please, Lucian, please leave me be." With her pitiful pleas spoken she dashed around him and back into the dining room.
Lucian returned to find the room in turmoil, servants running about and Gwen shaking her head, charging past him in a frenzy.
"She's ill, must get her home immediately."
"Who?" he asked as she passed by him.
"Catherine."
Lucian followed her to find Catherine looking paler and appearing as though she were about to faint. He pushed his way through the women who fluttered about her and bent down in front of her where she sat on a chair in the drawing room.
"What's wrong?" he asked, alarmed by her ashen complexion.
"I'm not feeling well," she said, and looked to her aunt. "Is the carriage ready?"
"Soon, dear. The driver was summoned to take your father out," Lilith worriedly informed her.
Catherine didn't think she could last five more minutes. She felt nauseous and light-headed and had no doubt that the upset of seeing Lucian had affected her condition."I'll take you home in my carriage," Lucian said, and stood. "Gwen, please see that my driver brings the carriage around front."
"It isn't necessary," Catherine protested, and stood, an unwise move. The room spun before her eyes and blurred.
"Catherine?"
She heard Lucian call her name and fear ran through her. Fear that he would fade away forever and that she would wake to find their meeting a mere dream. She called out to him. "Lucian."
He reached out to her, catching her as she fainted and scooping her up in his arms.
"Good gracious," Lilith said. "We must get her home. I feel positively guilty insisting that she come tonight. She had complained about not feeling well and I thought it an excuse to stay home."
"Follow me," he ordered the older woman, who continued to babble on.
He ignored his hostess as she bid him good night, his only thought of Catherine and seeing her home safely to bed.
Santos jumped down from the driver's seat atop the carriage when he spotted Lucian walking out of the house with Catherine in his arms. He rushed up him. "What happened?"
"She fainted," he informed him. "I need to get her home immediately."
"The ship?" Santos asked.
Lucian paused in thought then shook his head. "As much as I would like nothing more than to abduct her at this moment I don't wish to cause her any more hurt. I'll talk with her when she's feeling better. If she doesn't listen to reason, then—"
"We'll abduct her and take her back to the island," Santos finished.
"Island? No, no, driver," Lilith fussed coming up behind Lucian. We don't live on Island Way, come, I'll give you directions to the Abelard townhouse while the earl tends to my niece."
Santos smiled. "As you say, madam."
Lucian climbed easily into the carriage with Catherine in his arms. She was coming to and stirring when Santos assisted Lilith into the carriage.
Catherine moaned softly and pressed her face against the familiar hard chest, relishing in her stupor the protection she always felt when in Lucian's arms.