Deadly Pleasure by Brenda Joyce

Author:Brenda Joyce
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance
Published: 2012-06-04T22:49:01+00:00

TWELVE

Francesca felt the ground tilt wildly beneath her feet. She felt Bragg grip her arm, but she only had eyes for Montrose. “No. Connie cannot have disappeared. That is impossible.”

“And you are to blame,” Neil ground out, jabbing his hand at her. He turned and stalked into the entrance hall, not bothering to close the front door.

Francesca finally looked at Bragg, still in shock. “She must have taken the girls out for the day. I am sure of it.”

Bragg’s gaze was soft with compassion. “Francesca,” he began, as softly.

Montrose whirled. “An outing? She has left me, Francesca; she has stolen the girls and left me!”

Francesca did not dare approach him. He seemed unhinged in his rage. “Neil,” she spoke very calmly, “I know my sister. She would never do such a thing. Connie is very proper.”

He cried, “She took a trunk for herself and one each for the girls! She has left me, Francesca. And I do not know where she has gone.” Suddenly he turned his back on her, his shoulders shaking.

Francesca’s instinct was to rush to him and comfort him. Bragg detained her with his hand.

She glanced briefly at him. “She will be back, Neil. I am certain of it.”

He made a harsh, disparaging sound.

Francesca finally shook Bragg off. She felt his displeasure but ignored it and slowly crossed the room. “Neil? Why don’t you go to your rooms? I will send a servant up with a supper tray and a glass of brandy.” She knew cognac was his favorite drink.

He glanced at her. “I am hardly hungry. And I have dismissed the servants for the day.”

Their eyes held. She saw his panic now, so clearly, and his desperation. “I will find her, Neil. She will be back.”

And the anger in his eyes changed, turning into something softer. He shook his head. “I have treated you in the worst way, and you think to be kind? And to offer me hope?”

“Yes, I do,” she said.

He stared. “Francesca, I so wish you had let my life alone.”

“I wish you had not had an affair with another woman.”

“You have no idea what my life is like, what I feel in my heart, not for anyone, including your sister.”

“But how complicated can it possibly be?” she asked, meaning her every word.

“Very,” he returned flatly.

She stared again. It was obvious that Neil did care deeply for, and perhaps even loved, her sister. It was as obvious that something was terribly wrong in their relationship and that it was hardly as simple as his having had a wandering eye.

Neil was the one to turn away, and his head was hanging. “I have a terrible feeling about this,” he said.

“Don’t.” Francesca touched his arm. “Don’t predict the future; don’t predict the worst.”

“I cannot help myself.” He looked directly at her. “I fear that my marriage is over,” he said.

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