She cupped his cheek tenderly. "It's only for a short while, just until you get some answers and we can decide what to do next."
"Sarah, if you ever need-"
"I'll be fine," she said bravely, holding back the tears, though she was sure her heart would break. "There is no call to worry on that score."
"But if you should find-"
"It will all be fine. Nothing for you to worry about," she said in clipped tones.
"Except a son or daughter," he hissed.
She cursed him inwardly for knowing her so well. She was sure there were really some things he could actually see despite his handicap.
"You're worrying about nothing," she said lightly. "Now go. She's waiting for you. I wouldn't want to blight your life together."
"There won't be any life together, not even for the sake of any child she supposedly has!" Alexander insisted. "If she asks me about you, I shall tell her the truth."
"And leave me open to scandal and ruin?" she gasped.
He ran his fingers through his hair in sheer frustration. "Oh God, I never meant for any of this-"
"Sometimes the truth is better left unsaid. You must go. If we stay out here any longer, she'll know we've been lovers, and will have power over us both."
She opened the door and went back into the drawing room.
"Would you like to help Alexander finish his packing? Or care for some refreshment while you wait? We can invite the Captain in too, if you like."
"There isn't any need," Marielle said, standing up and looking every inch a queen. "We Davenports are vastly wealthy. I'm sure there is nothing here that Alexander will feel the loss of. Just leave it all, dear, and come."
Her message was more than clear to them both. Alexander was hers, and that was the end of it.
Alexander hesitated, but Sarah led him to the door. "She's right. There's nothing you need here at the moment. Now shake hands with me and go," she added in a low tone.
"Goodbye, Mr. Deveril, er, Davenport."
"Goodbye, Miss Deveril."
She placed her hand in his and nearly broke down when he kissed it tenderly, and ran his tongue along the back of it in a most sensual manner. She pulled it away as though she had been burnt, and then watched as he shuffled down the path reluctantly.
Captain Breedon got out of the carriage to help Alexander into it. He did not make a very good job of the task. Alexander stumbled, and Breedon was not quick enough to catch him. Sarah noticed through her unshed tears that Breedon's jacket sleeve looked wadded up, and he was holding the arm stiffly by his side.
Her attention was distracted, however, by the simpering Marielle giving her a smile of triumph and a little wave.
"Thank you so much for all your help. I'm sure we won't be seeing each other again."
Captain Breedon gave Sarah a cheery wave and shouted his thanks.
Sarah tried to wave back, but could only manage a lift of the hand and an incline of her head in acknowledgment. She stood in the road and watched until the open carriage was no more than a speck on the road, and then headed for the stable to work off her upset.
She called to Jed to help her unhitch the waiting team which had been standing at the ready to take them north. She curried all the horses vigorously as he brought them in, damning Alexander's wife and Breedon at every stroke.
Why had the Captain had to tell her? Why had Marielle had to turn up now, of all times, just when she was about to tell Alexander he was to become a father? When they had been about to exchange vows...
At least they hadn't committed bigamy. But the child was something special that deserved to be celebrated. Even though it was shocking in the eyes of society, their love was a glorious gift, all the more precious for having been so unexpected. Their child was a symbol of that luminous love. But the joyous news had turned into a nightmare. And for what? A woman who wasn't worthy to shine his boots.
Now that was not fair. She was no better or worse than many of the other young women in their neighborhood. Why, her own sister-in-law Pamela had consorted with the most fatuous ladies, until she had seen them for what they really were, idle gossips in search of money and scandal. And Pamela had been deceived by the Earl of Ferncliffe, and had even admired Captain Breedon until he had shown what a fortune hunter he was.
The Duchess of Ellesmere, Charlotte, had been no better. She had been fooled by Paxton, and had consorted with all sorts of girls of dubious reputation in her bid to be the most popular girl in the vicinity.
As Sarah curried the large bay gelding, a spark of memory ignited in her mind. She shook her head. No, it couldn't be. She had to be mistaken...