Whirlwind Affair

made… the tall, broad-shouldered man cuddling the tiny pink bundle.

After the door closed behind him, Elizabeth patted the bed. 'Sit beside me. We have so much to talk about.'

Allie hesitated. 'As much as I would enjoy that, you must be exhausted-'

'Tired, yes. But much too exhilarated to sleep just yet.'

Allie sat on the edge of the bed, and for a full minute they simply looked at«each other. Finally Allie said, 'Being a duchess clearly agrees with you.'

Elizabeth leaned closer and confided, 'Being a duchess is terrifying, but I'm adjusting. Caroline and my mother- in-law are very patient, as is Austin.'

'I don't believe I've ever seen a prouder papa.'

Elizabeth laughed. 'I understand from Robert that Austin nearly wore a hole in the drawing-room carpet with his pacing.'

At the mention of Robert's name, Allie felt heat creep up her neck. 'He looked quite undone, yes.' Then, before the conversation could wander down a path she did not wish to travel-especially before she said the things she wanted, needed to say-she drew a deep breath and said, ' Elizabeth, I need to apologize to you… I don't even know how to express my sorrow.'

'Allie, don't,' Elizabeth said gently. 'You apologized in your letters. I completely understand. You loved David. There is nothing to forgive.'

She looked into Elizabeth 's eyes, so filled with compassion and understanding. Remorse and shame threatened to choke her and she pressed her hands together to stop their trembling. 'Yes, there is. I treated you horribly, and you were right.' A tear spilled from her eyes and dripped onto the ivory coverlet. 'If only I'd listened to you… about David…'

Slowly, haltingly at first, but then gathering strength, the entire story of David's betrayal, her discovery of what he really was, and her efforts to correct his wrongs poured out of her. Elizabeth listened intently, saying nothing, yet offering sympathy and encouragement through her expressive eyes. When she finally finished, Allie released a long, weary sigh. Her face felt tight with dried tears, her body exhausted as if she'd run a mile. But her heart felt lighter-as if she'd shed a heavy weight.

'I know you accepted my apology through our correspondence, Elizabeth, but you deserve to hear the words from me in person. You were my closest friend, with only my best interests at heart.' She shook her head and looked down. 'I'm so ashamed that I failed to be the same to you.'

'Allie, please. Listen to me. Look at me.'

Allie raised her head and looked into Elizabeth 's eyes, which brimmed with compassion. 'You've suffered through a horrible ordeal. Let's not compound it by dragging it on any longer. Our differences are in the past, and as far as I am concerned, all is forgiven and forgotten. What you need to do is forgive yourself. And allow yourself to forget.' Her gaze wandered pointedly over Allie's black gown.

'But I don't want to forget,' Allie said fiercely. 'If I do, I stand in danger of making the same mistake again.' She drew a deep breath. 'Now that I've told you everything, I need to ask… how did you know about David, Elizabeth? You wrote that you would tell me when I visited you… and here I am.'

Elizabeth regarded her through solemn eyes. 'I'm afraid it's rather difficult to explain. And it might prove even harder for you to accept.'

She reached out and gently touched Elizabeth 's sleeve. 'I can accept the truth, Elizabeth, whatever it is. I’ve learned the hard way that it is lies and deceit that destroy… not honesty.'

'I would not want to risk our friendship again.'

Guilt struck her like a backhanded slap. 'I doubted you once, Elizabeth. It is a mistake I will not repeat.'

Elizabeth nodded, then drew what appeared to be a bracing breath. 'Do you recall that sometimes I was rather… perceptive?'

'Rather perceptive?' In spite of her pensive mood, a smile tugged at Allie's lips. 'I'll never forget when Jonathan and Joshua were born. You not only guessed Mama was going to have twin boys, but the day they'd arrive, and the exact time! And that instance where you knew that Katherine was going to fall from her horse. I realize you had an intuition about David, but-'

'It's more than simple intuition, Allie. I feel things. See things. In my mind. Future events and past events. I cannot explain it, but I swear to you, on my honor, it is true. I never told you-or anyone else-because the visions are erratic and infrequent. And I feared people would think I was insane.' Her eyes grew sorrowful. 'I knew David would hurt you. I didn't know how, but I knew he would. I could not discern what he'd done, but I knew he'd done bad things. That he was a liar.'

Allie listened, absorbing the words. No doubt she should be shocked or skeptical about what Elizabeth had revealed, but somehow she was not. Indeed, so many extraordinary things had happened to her in the last few days, Elizabeth 's revelation seemed almost commonplace. She'd always known Elizabeth was keenly perceptive. Now she simply knew how keenly perceptive.

Elizabeth reached out and clasped her hands tightly between both her own. Nearly a minute of silence passed, then Elizabeth said gently, 'Falling in love is not a mistake, Allie.'

A short, bitter laugh pushed past Allie's lips. 'I am living proof that it certainly can be.'

Something in Elizabeth 's intent expression gave her the eerie sensation she was looking directly into her soul, and she suddenly feared what her friend might see there.

'You chose the wrong man, Allie. You wouldn't do so again.'

'No, I would not. Because there will not be another man.' An image of Robert's laughing face rose in her mind's eye, squeezing her insides. 'Not ever.'

'But you mustn't give up on love. That would be a terrible, sad mistake.' She hesitated for several seconds, then asked, 'I trust Robert has been a solicitous escort?'

The heat burning her cheeks flared into hellfires. 'Yes.'

Elizabeth looked directly into her eyes. 'He is a very fine man.'

Allie's mind raced. Did Elizabeth know what secrets Robert was keeping? I shouldn't care. His past is none of my concern. Still, she could not ignore the curiosity nudging her, and this could prove a perfect opportunity to find out. Adopting what she hoped was a noncommittal tone, she said, 'A fine man, perhaps, but one with his share of secrets.'

Elizabeth 's expression was impossible to read. 'Yes, I've sensed as much. Has he spoken to you about them?'

So she was correct. There were secrets. She'd known as much, yet somehow, having Elizabeth confirm it came as a blow. 'No, he has not.'

'But you want to know what they are,' Elizabeth said quietly.

'No. Yes.' She shook her head. 'I don't know. It doesn't matter what they are. The fact that he has secrets-just as David did-tells me all I need to know.' She searched Elizabeth 's eyes. 'Do you know what Robert is hiding?'

'I don't believe anyone knows the entire story except Robert, therefore it is up to him to tell you. I suggest you ask him.' She squeezed Allie's hand tighter, and a troubled frown suddenly creased her forehead.

Something in her expression prompted Allie to ask, 'Is something amiss?'

'I… I sense danger. Nothing specific, but I feel it.' Her grip tightened further. 'You must be careful, Allie. Promise me you won't go off alone. Promise me.'

Concerned about her friend's unmistakable agitation, Allie patted her shoulder. 'I promise I won't wander off, Elizabeth. Please do not worry.'

'I've just checked on Lily,' came the duke's deep voice from the doorway, 'and she is still sleeping like an angel.'

Allie gently extracted her hand from Elizabeth 's embrace, then eased off the bed. 'Thank you for your understanding and forgiveness,' she whispered.

Elizabeth looked at her with concern-filled eyes. 'You have both. Always. And my love as well.'

' 'Tis far more than I deserve, but I shall gratefully accept.'

'You'll visit me tomorrow?'

'If you're feeling up to it, of course.'

'And you'll remember your promise?'