Whirlwind Wedding

The icy fury shooting from his gray eyes chilled her to the bone. And although he stared directly at her, it seemed as if he were looking through her, as if she weren't really there.

Any hopes she may have secretly harbored that time would soften him toward her died with that single look. How on earth was she going to survive this visit? Not being with him, agonizing over what she'd lost, was a pain she could barely stand.

But seeing him look at her like this, with all the warmth and caring extinguished from his eyes, inflicted a piercing ache that weakened her knees.

But she'd done what she'd had to do. For him.

Determined not to let him see her inner torment, she forced herself to offer him a smile. 'Hello, Austin.'

A muscle ticked in his clenched jaw. 'Elizabeth.'

She tried to moisten her parched lips, but her mouth had gone dry. 'I… I thought you were in Surrey.'

His glacial expression could have frozen fire. 'Surrey?'

'Yes. For the annual inspection of the crops…' Her voice trailed off into an agonizing embarrassed silence as he simply stared at her.

'Do you have something to tell me?' His clipped question hung in the air between them.

She felt the weight of everyone's eyes on them, watching their tense exchange. Humiliation washed over her, and if she'd thought her legs would cooperate, she would have run from the house. 'No,' she whispered. 'Nothing.'

She was saved from enduring further attempts at conversation when Miles joined them. He greeted everyone, but Elizabeth noticed that his bow to Caroline was stiff and that Caroline steadfastly looked at a place over his shoulder.

'I'd like a word with you in my study, Robert,' Austin said in a voice that resembled a growl.

'Of course,' Robert said. 'The moment I'm settled in-'

'Now.' Without another word Austin turned on his heel and strode down the corridor.

A deafening silence ensued. Finally, the dowager cleared her throat. 'Well! Isn't that… nice? Robert, it appears Austin wishes to speak with you.'

Robert's brows almost disappeared into his hairline. 'Indeed? I hadn't particularly noticed.' With a jaunty salute, he ambled down the corridor Austin had just stalked down.

The dowager turned back to the silent group with a smile that could only be described as desperate. 'They're going to talk. Isn't that… nice? I'm sure this is going to be a wonderful visit.'

'Wonderful,' Caroline echoed looking everywhere but at Miles.

'Delightful,' Miles agreed in a gloomy voice.

'Marvelous,' Elizabeth said in a weak voice. She hoped she lived through it.

The instant Robert closed the study door, Austin bit out, 'What the hell do you think you're doing?'

'Following your orders, brother dear. You said you wanted to speak to me now, so here I am. Speak away.'

Austin forced himself to retain his casual posture: hips leaning against his desk, legs outstretched arms folded across his chest. If he didn't, he would be across the room in two strides, picking Robert up by his cravat.

'Why did you bring them here?'

Robert's face bore a mask of utter innocence. 'Me? I didn't bring them here. You know how women love the shops. I-'

'Elizabeth hates the shops.'

Robert's nonplussed stare clearly indicated that this was news to him. Austin studied his brother through narrowed eyes and tried to contain his anger. 'Can you explain why Elizabeth thought I was in Surrey? And then perhaps you'd enlighten me regarding what the annual inspection of the crops entails.'

'Surrey? Crops? I-'

'Enough, Robert. I'll ask you one more time. Why did you bring Elizabeth here? Don't lie to me.'

Apparently the glacial fury in his tone served as a warning Robert decided not to ignore. Dropping all pretense of innocence, Robert said, 'I brought her because it was painfully obvious to me when I saw you yesterday that you're miserable without her. And a blind man could see that she is equally miserable without you.'

'If I'd wanted her here, I would have sent for her myself.'

Temper flared in Robert's blue eyes. 'Then I cannot fathom why you didn't do so, because it's clear you want her here, and even clearer that you need her here. You're just too stubborn to admit it. Whatever problems you're having, you cannot solve them if you're apart.'

'Indeed?' Austin said in a deadly calm tone. 'And when did you become an expert in marital relations- mine specifically?'

'I'm not. But I know you. I saw how you were with her. I saw how you looked at her. Whether you want to admit it or not, I know you care about her. Hell, let's just say it. You love her. And you're ill-tempered, unhappy, and damn near impossible to be around without her.'

Pain and anger scissored through Austin, but he forced his features to remain blank. 'You've clearly mistaken my feelings and mood Robert. I am not unhappy, I am busy. I'm responsible for six estates and there is a great deal of work that requires my attention.'

Robert made a disgusted sound. 'Then you clearly don't know the difference between busy and unhappy.'

Austin turned a frosty glare on his brother. 'I know the difference.' Believe me, I know. 'I will not tolerate this interference in my marriage. Is that clear?'

'Perfectly.' He went on as if Austin hadn't spoken. 'What has Elizabeth done to anger you so? Surely, whatever it is, you can forgive her for it. I cannot believe she would intentionally hurt you.'

She intentionally ripped out my heart and showed herself for a calculating schemer. Pushing himself away from his desk, Austin said in a deceptively mild tone, 'I think it would be best, and certainly much smarter, if you ceased expressing opinions on subjects you know nothing about.'

'Elizabeth is wretchedly unhappy.'

His insides involuntarily pinched but he ruthlessly pushed his sympathy aside. 'I cannot imagine why. She is, after all, a duchess. She lacks for nothing.'

'Except for a relationship with her husband.'

'You forget that our marriage was one of convenience.'

'Perhaps it started out that way, but you fell in love with her. And she with you.'

If only that were true. 'Enough. Stop worrying about Elizabeth and me and turn your energies toward more productive endeavors. Why don't you find yourself a mistress? Concentrate on your own life instead of plaguing mine.'

Robert's brows raised. 'Is that what you've done? Found yourself a mistress?'

Austin barely managed to swallow the bitter laugh pushing at the back of his throat. He couldn't imagine touching another woman. Before he could issue a retort, Robert continued 'Because if you have, then you're a bigger fool than I thought. Why you would want another woman when you could have Elizabeth is beyond me.'

'Has it not occurred to you that perhaps Elizabeth does not want my attentions?' He forced the question past his lips.

A bark of incredulous laughter escaped Robert. 'Is that what this is about? You think Elizabeth doesn't want you? Good God Austin, you're either an idiot or you've gone daft. The woman adores you. A blind man could see that.'

'You're wrong.'

Robert's eyes turned troubled. 'You're throwing away happiness with both hands, Austin. I hate to see you do that.'

'Your concern has been duly noted. Now, this discussion is over.' When it appeared Robert was about to argue, Austin added 'Permanently over. Is that understood?'

Robert huffed out a clearly frustrated breath. 'Yes.'

'Good. I cannot ask you to leave now, but I shall expect you and this houseful of