Whirlwind Wedding

'Well, yes, what with Austin visiting his Surrey estate for the, er, annual inspection of the crops. Surely he told you.' Annual inspection of the crops? He nearly rolled his eyes heavenward at his outrageous fabrication.

'I'm afraid he didn't mention it to me.'

Shaking his head he uttered a disgusted sound. 'How like my big brother. Always forgetting these things.'

'How long will he be in Surrey?'

'Oh, at least a fortnight,' Robert lied with a perfectly straight face. 'We'll have a wonderful time. Besides, Caroline will fly into the boughs if you refuse to join us. She desperately needs you as a shopping companion as Mother's tastes are far too staid. And you'll be saving me the dreary prospect of having no one to converse with except my mother and sister? He screwed his face into a horrified expression. 'So you see? You simply must come.'

He could almost see her mind working, and relief swept through him when she offered what appeared to be a genuine smile… a small smile, but genuine nonetheless. 'All right. Perhaps a trip to London would be a nice change. Thank you, Robert.' 'My pleasure.'

'I suppose I'd best be off to pack.' 'An excellent idea. You go on ahead. I'll be along shortly.'

He watched her retreating back, waiting until she disappeared into the maze. When he was sure she couldn't see him, he vaulted over a hedge in an un-lordlike manner that would have sent his mother into a swoon, and dashed pell-mell toward the side entrance of the manor.

He had to inform Caroline and his mother of their imminent trip to London.

Was she pregnant?

Austin sat in his study, staring into the fire, nursing his fourth brandy, trying without success to banish the question that had haunted him for three weeks. Miles stood by the mantel, relating something regarding the latest on dit he'd heard at White's, but Austin had no idea what his friend was saying. After another several brandies, he would no doubt cease to hear Miles altogether. Perhaps he would cease to feel as well.

He'd spent the last three weeks tracking down two soldiers who had served with William, but as they had a year ago, both men stated that they saw him, like so many others that day, go down in battle. He'd also waited in vain, to receive further instructions from the blackmailer, but none came. Why hadn't he sought to collect the five thousand pounds he'd demanded? If Elizabeth were here, perhaps she could-

He sliced off the thought, but it was too late. She was embedded in his mind and no matter how he tried to banish it, the question reverberated through him-was she pregnant? He both longed for and dreaded the answer. If she was, they'd have a child… a child destined to die before she'd really had a chance to live. If she wasn't pregnant, his marriage was over. A bitter laugh rose in his throat like bile. Hell, either way, his marriage was over.

Tossing back the contents in his snifter, he rose and walked to the crystal decanters by the windows overlooking the street. He poured himself a double, then pushed the curtain aside.

The expansive lawns of Hyde Park lay just across the street, and a line of fine carriages promenaded through the lanes. Fashionably dressed lords and ladies strolled in the late afternoon sunshine, their faces wreathed in what appeared to be happy smiles.

Happy smiles. An image of Elizabeth, laughing and smiling, rose before his eyes, and he swallowed half his drink in one gulp. Bloody hell, how long would it take before she didn't occupy every corner of his mind? Before his anger, and damn it, his hurt, would abate? Before he could draw a breath without his chest aching with loss? Before he would stop hating her for tearing his heart out, and hating himself for letting her? Damn it, how long before he stopped loving her?

He didn't know, but by God another brandy would hopefully speed the process along. He raised his snifter to drain the contents down his throat, but paused as a shiny black carriage pulled by four exquisite matched bays rolled into view. By damn, that looks like one of my coaches. Leaning closer to the window, he saw the distinctive Bradford crest emblazoned on the ebony lacquered door.

Bloody hell! It was no doubt Robert, come back to plague him. He'd suffered through his brother's company only yesterday and he had no desire for a repeat visit.

'What has captured your attention?' Miles asked joining him at the decanters. Miles craned his neck. 'Isn't that one of your coaches?'

'Yes, I'm afraid so. Apparently my brother has decided to return for but yet another unannounced visit.'

The coach halted in front of the town house and a footman opened the door. Austin's mother alighted.

'What is she doing here?' Austin asked. No doubt another shopping excursion. He suddenly stilled his stomach clenching into a hard knot.

Could his mother or Robert have a message from Elizabeth? The disturbing thought had no sooner crossed his mind than Elizabeth alighted from the coach. His fingers tightened around his snifter and the elaborately cut glass dug into his skin.

'Bloody hell, what is she doing here?' But even as Austin growled the words, his mind whirled. Did she know if she carried his child? Only three weeks had passed. If she knew this quickly, she most likely wasn't pregnant-or was she? Or maybe she'd come because she'd had another vision of William? He looked out the window and fought the urge to press his nose to the glass like a boy at a sweet shop, eager for a glimpse of her.

She was dressed in a peacock blue traveling suit, with a matching bonnet. Loose auburn tendrils framed her face and he immediately recalled the feel of her soft hair sifting through his fingers. Even at a distance he could see the circles shadowing her eyes, a telltale sign of sleepless nights.

The footman reached a hand into the coach and helped Caroline alight.

Miles drew a sharp breath. 'What the hell is she doing here?' he asked elbowing past Austin to get a better view.

Austin contemplated his friend with surprise. 'She's my sister. Why the hell shouldn't she be here? Besides, you know my family. They travel in packs. Like bloody wolves. I'd wager any sum that my brother is about to make an appearance.'

As if on cue, Robert emerged from the coach, a huge grin lighting his face. Damn it! What was Robert up to now? And why had Elizabeth come here instead of sending a message? Turning away from the window, Austin slammed his snifter onto his desk and stalked toward the door.

'Austin! How wonderful to see you!'

Her mother-in-law's words jerked Elizabeth's head around. Striding down the corridor toward the foyer, anger evident in every taut line of his body, was her husband.

Dismay washed over her. Good heavens, what was he doing here? Why wasn't he in Surrey?

She stood frozen in place, her eyes riveted on him, and tried to hold back the swell of love and longing that hit her, but it was a hopeless task. Dear God she'd missed him so much!

But it was clear from his expression that he had not missed her. In fact, as he strode into the foyer, he completely ignored her.

He bent down and accepted a kiss from his mother. 'This is unexpected' he said in a tight voice. 'I trust all is well?'

'Oh, yes,' the dowager said with a smile. 'Caroline, Elizabeth, and I had a hankering for the shops. Robert kindly offered to escort us to Town.'

Austin turned a narrow-eyed glare on his brother. 'How dutiful of you, Robert.'

Robert's smile could have lit the entire room. 'No trouble at all. Always happy to accompany a coach filled with lovely ladies.'

Austin cocked a brow at Caroline. 'Didn't you shop enough when you were here several weeks ago?'

A gay laugh trilled from Caroline. 'Oh, Austin, how amusing you are! You should know that a woman can never spend enough time in the shops.'

Elizabeth stood in an agony of embarrassment. Her husband had yet to so much as acknowledge her presence. An awkward silence ensued. Heat crept up her neck and she wished she could simply sink through the floor. Just when she thought he meant to walk away without greeting her, he turned and stared directly at her.