Once Ruined, Twice Shy by Keysian Elizabeth

Author:Keysian, Elizabeth
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Published by Elizabeth Keysian 2020
Published: 2020-04-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

As Conall handed Hestia out of the carriage in front of No. 66 Great Pulteney Street, Bath, a shaft of anticipation speared through him.

He was to meet his enemy at last—but not to fight. The young woman clutching his arm had spent the entire journey convincing him of the value of forgiveness. It would not come easy, however. Internally, he was incandescent with rage at the way Frederick had bullied and threatened Hestia.

He’d steeled himself to do what he could to smooth things over and bring about an outcome satisfactory to all parties. It could only be done with a cool head. That wasn’t an easy thing to achieve when the feel of Hestia’s fingers on his arm kept threatening to send his thoughts into deep wells of wickedness.

While Hestia let herself in with a key, he commanded his coachman to stable the horses at the White Hart and await further instruction. He’d brought the footman Gaisford with him to keep the coachman company up on the box, and to assist with Hestia’s luggage. Gaisford, too, was sent off to enjoy a pint of ale at the nearby inn.

As Conall followed Hestia up several flights of stairs, he wondered what her life here had been like. He’d learned during their journey that she’d taken the name Ebbworth, and as far as anyone in Bath knew, she was respectably married. But she had gone out but little, and made no friends, too afraid someone would discover her subterfuge, and make her a social pariah. Poor girl. She had wasted almost a year of her life masquerading as Frederick’s wife, in self-imposed exile. If only he had found her first, he’d have made sure her existence was very different.

“Here we are.” Hestia, a little out of breath, had reached the top of the stairs and stood beneath the skylight, key in hand. Her face was pale, and he detected a tremor in her lip. No matter. He could be strong enough for them both.

“It might be wise not to let yourself in. It would put Ebbworth at a disadvantage if we both burst in on him. I don’t think he’d react well to that.”

She nodded, but her knock at the door produced no response. Conall felt a mixture of relief and frustration. Although he didn’t want to put off meeting his nemesis, it meant he’d have Hestia to himself a bit longer.

As she looked at him for direction, he tilted his head towards the door. “We may as well go in and wait for him.”

“I feel ashamed, letting you see where I’ve been living.”

He squeezed her hand. “Foolish girl. I’m not proud. I’ve been known to get on my knees and grovel in the pigsty when the sow’s farrowing. I don’t imagine your rooms can be any worse.”

He was rewarded with a chuckle, a deep, throaty sound that sent spikes of heat down his back. Dear Lord, but this woman had him completely enslaved. And they’d shared no more than a kiss.

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