Surrender The Night (29 page)

Devon rolled his eyes. “You’ve likened me to a cat, a demon, and now a fox.” He stood, ignoring John’s scowl as he clasped her arms. “Why can’t you see me as what I am? Just a man. Or is that even more frightening to you?”

“A man, my lord? You, who wear your rank like a crown?” Katrina shrugged off his touch. ‘ ‘You’ve already proved earlier today, in Truro, that you consider yourself above the common man’s touch. Well, I make no pretense that I’m more than I am. Do you still wish to talk with me?”

“Yes,” he bit off, wheeling toward the door. “On the bench outside.” But he paused a couple of steps later, turned back around, and strode over to Rachel. He kissed her hand. “Thank you for the meal, Mrs. Tonkin. It . . . was an experience I shall long remember fondly.” He smiled warmly at Ellie and at Robert, who had glared at him all evening, imitating, as usual, his big brother.

Devon’s nod at John was less warm, but still cordial. “Thank you for your hospitality. I should like to invite you to sup with me at my own home—”

“When hell freezes over,” Jimmy inserted, sotto voce.

“Within the next few weeks,” Devon went on, as if he hadn’t heard, though from his cool look at Jimmy he obviously had. “I shall send an invitation ’round. Katrina?” He offered his hand, but she’d already turned to lead the way out of the kitchen. “Join me when you’re ready, Billy.”

Billy nodded and turned to ask John more questions about the mine. Ellie grimaced when her father jerked his head toward the stairs, but she obeyed—after a last flirtatious smile at Billy over her shoulder, which was warmly returned.

When they reached the bench, Katrina moved to sit down, but when she saw Devon stretch his arm casually about the top slat, she straightened. “I’ll stand. What did you wish to discuss with me?’ ’

He looked at her so long and silently that it required all her nerve to meet that brooding stare. The brilliant moonlight reflected on his wind-ruffled hair, sheening him in a romantic aura. Only by reminding herself that the gloss hid a multitude of sins was she able to stifle her longing to fling herself into his arms.

“Well, if you’ve nothing to say, I’ll go in.” But he caught her skirt when she tried to turn.

“Why did you lie to me?”

“Lie to you? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she answered honestly.

“Why did you let me believe that you were betrothed to Farrow? You must have realized I’d discover, soon enough, that it wasn’t true. I wasn’t i
n Truro above a day before I heard your name on a dozen masculine lips.” His smile was both melancholy and relieved. ‘ ‘It reminded me of how the bloods in London used to describe you—ripe for the picking but hard to reach.”

“Yet you managed, didn’t you?” Katrina ground her teeth together and forced the bitterness out of her tone. “I neither denied nor affirmed his claim, if you recall. As usual you jumped to conclusions about me.”

“As usual you abetted those conclusions. It seems you prefer that I consider you shameless.” He tugged on her skirt to make her sit beside him, but she jerked the material away so hard the worn fabric ripped.

“Shameless?” Her voice was high with incredulity. “At least Will wants to make me an honorable offer, whereas you—”

“Whereas I want only to cherish you and make you happy.” His caressing tone was matched by the hand that stroked her hip through the thin dress. “You should be dressed like a queen, yet you seem content to wear rags.” This time he pulled her down beside him with a strength that would not be denied. ‘ ‘Do you really think your provincial doctor can give you what I can?”

“I’ve told you before that I don’t want jewels and furs—”

“What makes you think I’m speaking of tangible things?” His voice had gone mellow. He tilted her chin up and bent to whisper into her face, his breath brushing her cheeks. “I saw in your eyes earlier today that you remember, and long for, the same things I do. Even in the presence of others you can’t stifle your hunger for me.” He bent closer still, but before his lips took hers, she turned her head sharply away.

“And I’m a fool. I have more reason to despise you than you know.” She bit
her lip and tried to stand, but he wrapped his arms about her waist to keep her still.

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing.” She pulled away and sat straight as a board.

His eyes narrowed as she twisted nervously at her apron. Her hands went still when he wheedled, “Please, Katrina, don’t torment me any longer. Tell me what happened to you in that awful place, and why you left England to come here.” When she still wouldn’t look at him, his tone grew hard. “One way or another I’ll find out. I’ll not let my past sins ruin my present.”

With a high, unnatural laugh she said harshly, “What meaning does a present without a future have?”

When Devon tried to shape her face with his hands, she flung her head away so desperately that he looked hurt.

She closed her eyes to the sight of his dear, familiar face. ‘ ‘Please, Devon, grant me the right to live as I please and leave me be.” She slumped back against the bench, too weary to resist when he again embraced her.

“I can’t, Katrina. I’ve tried, believe me, but I think about you day and night. No other woman interests me—”

“Oh yes? I suppose you accidentally put your hand on that barmaid’s thigh, thinking you were clasping a post.”

Devon’s lips relaxed into a pleased smile. “You noticed, did you? I’m glad.” He bent his head to nuzzle her ear as he murmured into her skin, “That’s as far as it went, I assure you.”

Katrina had already regretted her tart comment. Her peace of mind, what little she had left, depended upon keeping him at a distance. So she said steadily, “Then you had best seek her out again, Devon. For you’ll get naught from me.” This time, when he wouldn’t let her go, she poked him in the ribs with her elbow and twisted out of his arms.

He rose to face her, his jaw flexing, but his tone was even. “You’ve made that abundantly clear, Katrina. But has it occurred to you that you can get much from me?’ ’ When she looked puzzled, he waved an angry arm at their simple surroundings, then sent a derogatory appraisal over
her dress. “I’m neither blind nor stupid. Phillip has already told me that he and his shareholders are considering closing his mine because of its poor production. It’s obvious this family you’ve adopted is barely subsisting. Let me help.”

When she didn’t immediately reply, he went on passion
ately, “You don’t know how it pains me to see you living so. How can you bear to survive on such food, and cultivate such common company?’ ’

Katrina had been touched and tempted by his offer, but at his words the softening about her mouth hardened to iron. “I might have known you’d judge my
family by appearance rather than worth.” When he looked taken aback at her fury, she shouted, “Yes, my family!” She began to stride up and down, so agitated that she couldn’t keep still. “The Tonkins are each worth ten of your fancy friends.” She stopped in front of him and stabbed her finger into his chest with each word. “True worth is measured not by material things but by spirit and heart.”

She stepped back, so sad, suddenly, that her eyes misted. “And your inability to understand this basic truth is the main reason why we have nothing to offer one another except a passion that shames me. It is you, sir, who are poor.” She whirled to leave, then spun back around. “And keep your money. I think John would rather starve than accept a farthing from you.”

“Aye,” a harsh voice added, arresting Katrina as she began to walk away. She and Devon both turned to look at the angry young man who stepped out of the shadowy cottage doorway. Jimmy slammed the gate back against the fence and strode forward.

“We don’t need your help, your
lordship."
Jimmy spat the title as if it were an epithet. “And you’d best leave while you still can.”

Devon crossed one ankle over the other and drawled, “Oh yes? And you, I perceive, enjoy my company so much that you want me to stay.”

Jimmy’s hands balled into fists, but when he tensed to leap forward, Katrina ran to him and caught his arm. “No, Jimmy, he’s leaving. Aren’t you, my lord?” Her challenging look was returned full measure.

“Am I? I thought you more astute than that.” Devon unfolded his ankles and marched toward them. “I’ll leave when I’m ready, and that won’t be until I know why this young pup dislikes me so.” He stopped two steps away, his eyes deeper and more impenetrable than ever in the bright moon
light.

“I hate everything about you and your kind,” Jimmy spat. “Gentry! You who live like kings on the profit of our blood and tears. And to come here, lifting your lordly nose at our food, telling Katrina she should leave—we’ll not tolerate your arrogance no more. There’s many who feel as I do, your bloody lordship.” Jimmy’s voice softened with m
enace. “As you may find soon enough if you don’t leave us be. Her too.” He put a proprietary arm about her shoulders.

Normally Katrina would have shrugged off his touch, but she smelled the fury hovering in the air like a damp, smother
ing mist. She did then the only thing she could, despite the pain it caused. Her loyalties had been decided two years ago; indeed, Devon had pushed her into the choice.

Thus, when Devon narrowed glittering eyes on Jimmy’s arm and snarled, “Methinks ’tis
you
who presume too much, you insolent boy. This woman is far above your touch,” Katrina pushed Jimmy toward the house before he could lift his fist to strike.

“Jimm
y’s only trying to protect me. I honor him for it.” Katrina’s voice shook a bit, but she forced the words out anyway. “More than I can ever honor you. Go, Devon. And don’t come back.” She turned, caught Jimmy’s hand, and pulled him with her inside the gate. Tears blurred her eyes, and she almost blundered into Billy, who was standing, back propped against the cottage wall, listening to every word. She couldn’t bear the sympathy in his eyes, but it was Devon’s gentle promise that made her freeze, one hand clasping Jimmy’s, the other the cottage doorknob.

Strangely, Devon didn’t sound angry. “As you will, Kat. For now. But I will be back. Why? Because you want me. No matter what went between us, or what will come, you long for me even as I long for you. You’ve proved that today, in protecting me, and in the hunger in your eyes for the joy we tasted so briefly. And by all the saints, my darling, we will taste it again.” He beckoned Billy, then whirled and strode toward his carriage.

Katrina flung Jimmy’s hand away and rushed inside, up the stairs to her room, deaf to Rachel’s, “Lass, staay and have a cuppa,” and John’s sharp, “Be ’ee well, my girl?”

Katrina flung herself down on her cot and hugged her hard straw pillow to her breast. This ache was more of the heart than of the flesh, for she knew that despite Devon’s promise only sorrow awaited them. He weakened her; she brought out all his worst instincts. They were a sickness to one another. Pleasur
able though that fever was, they could give in to it at their peril or scorn one another like the plague. Katrina had learned the hard way which it must be; if she spurned Devon every time she saw him, he, too, would learn. Sensible though she knew she was, she buried her face in her pillow and blessed it with her tears.

The next day was as dreary as Katrina’s spirits. She helped with the washing, scrubbing each garment vigorously, but she still could not banish thoughts of Devon. By the time Will stopped by, she was eager for any diversion—until she saw his face. She turned from hanging the last item over the line to spy him five feet behind her, a look in his eyes she’d never seen before. She took a step back, then pushed one of Ellie’s chemises out of her face when it wrapped about her head. When she looked again Will’s expression was mild.

His voice, too, was even. “Jimmy tells me your old, er, suitor was here last night. And I’ve already heard of the ruckus in town. Have you lost your mind, Katrina? Associate with such as him and you’ll earn the very name you’ve worked two years to eradicate.”

Anger spurted hotly, but she told herself he interfered out of concern. “Perhaps, Will. But from the reception I get from Hennessy and others, that’s already the way I’m regarded.”

W
ill put out a pleading hand. “It doesn’t have to be that way, Katrina. If only you’d marry me—”

Katrina shook her head wearily. “Don’t, Will.” His hand dropped in defeat and he began to turn away. She hurried forward and caught his arm. “Please, try to understand. I’ve no intention of involving myself with the Earl of Brookstone
—or anyone else.
I’m . . . just not ready.”

Will caught her in his arms and hugged her. “I do under
stand, Katrina. I, better than anyone else, know what you went through. But seeing the man who caused you such mental and physical agony doing all he can to worm his way into your affections again—well, it’s more than I can bear, caring about you as I do.”

That was as close to a declaration as he’d come; she didn’t dare let him go further. She inserted lightly, “Have no fear. My wits went woolgathering yesterday, but I don’t think the price of fleece is worth the toil. Do you?’ ’

He returned her whimsical look with a grim stare. ‘ ‘No.’ ’ He hesitated, then murmured, “I’m glad you feel that way, Katrina, because there’s something you should know. Something I’ve forborne to tell you because you’d been hurt enough, and until now it didn’t seem to matter.”