The Golden Spider (The Elemental Web Chronicles Book 1) (42 page)

His eyes slitted open. One brown and one blue. Apart from the color, no one would guess one was not his own.

She continued. “Emily left behind everything she knew to be with
you
, gave up her entire life for
you
. It’s time for
you
to make your own sacrifice and do what is right. Together, you can begin again.”

His eyes lost some of their distance. “Not as Roma.”

“No. Not for now. But neither will you suffer the disgrace of becoming a peer.” That made his lips twitch. “At least agree to marry her
gadjo
style. Then you can discuss‌—‌
together
‌—‌the value of two eyes.”

A long moment passed.

“Agreed.” She began to stand, but Luca caught her hand. “Thank you, Amanda. For stopping that awful woman. For caring what happened to my people.”

She squeezed his hand. “Anything for my brother-in-law. Take good care of Emily and my niece or nephew.”

“I will.”

~~~

A minister conducted a short ceremony the very next morning at Luca’s bedside. Mr. Black, Father, and Amanda alone stood witness for the agency refused to grant Mother, Ned, or Olivia access.

Not that Mother or Olivia would have attended. News of Emily’s appearance at the house, some six months pregnant and dressed in “gypsy rags” had torn through the
ton
like wildfire. Likely both women were prostrate with humiliation.

“It’s only for five years,” Amanda said, embracing her sister, losing the fight to hold back the trickle of tears trying to escape her eyes.

Though her mother and sister behaved abysmally, Father had promised much to the Queen so that his son-in-law might walk free with such a valuable device implanted in his thick skull. Heavens only knew what it had cost Father to convince the Queen to agree that Emily and Luca could return in five years when such technology would no longer be cutting edge.

Several minutes later, Emily wiped her own eyes and pulled away, wrapping an arm about her stomach. “I promise, the very next day, I will be on your doorstep with my son or daughter.”

Black stood at the door, his eyes turned upward to study the ceiling as he rocked on his heels, their long goodbye clearly trying his patience. Beside him, Luca beckoned, anxious to leave. Four walls and a roof had never surrounded him for such an extended period of time.

With hope and love shining in her face, Emily walked toward her husband. Seconds later, they were gone.

~~~

Father walked beside her as they exited the building. “I’m told that gypsy weed has begun to bud,” he said. “Lord Thornton anticipates scheduling Ned’s surgery in a few weeks’ time.”

“That’s wonderful.” The expected response, though her words were flat. Thornton had yet to appear. He’d not sent even a simple message in her direction. She felt numb.

“You have proven yourself, Amanda. I was wrong to keep you from medical school. I trust you will assist with Ned’s surgery?” Worry drew his eyebrows together.

A few weeks ago, Father’s request would have puffed her chest with professional pride.

“Of course.” She was a professional. Feelings had no place in the surgical suite. She and Thornton worked well together, and she would let nothing stand in the way of seeing Ned once again walk on two feet without mechanical assistance.

“Good.”

Still, she felt strangely empty. Hollow. For too long her life had revolved around work and now that it was done…‌ She should feel something more, having finally reached the goal she’d set herself some five years ago.

She straightened her shoulders. It was time to let go of the guilt that had driven her research and move forward. It was time to find a new passion, a new problem to solve. There was certainly no dearth of disease and injury about. She would select another research topic, something not involving neurophysiology. Rumor was Professor Rathsburn was encountering difficulty with a cell line designed to speed and promote healing of bone injuries. Perhaps he would consent to let her join his laboratory.

Father sighed. Father never sighed.

“What is it?” Amanda braced herself, waiting for him to name the man he’d chosen for her to marry. After the disaster with Simon, he likely had little confidence in her ability to choose for herself.

“After much thought and consideration,” he began, “I have decided to release you from your obligation to marry.”

“Excuse me?” Her feet stopped moving. Certainly she’d heard wrong.

“Your passion and dedication to medical research impress me. As do your results. I’ve instructed my solicitors to set aside funds to provide you with an allowance. It is enough that you may live alone if you so choose, though I hope you’ll consider remaining at home.”

Her mouth fell open. “I need not marry?”

“That is what I said.” His eyebrows rose. “Of course, if you
want
to marry…‌”

“Not at this time,” she said, looking away.

“About Mr. Sommersby. I’m sorry. Sorry to have pushed him on you.” Father admitting culpability. It seemed today was a day for many firsts.

“I chose him,” she conceded. “Shall we agree to bear culpability equally?”

He nodded, then drew a deep breath. “Unfortunately, before Mr. Sommersby was caught in illegal possession of Lister University technology, he lodged a complaint against Lord Thornton.”

“A complaint.” Amanda couldn’t seem to inhale.

“There’s to be an inquiry concerning improper behavior between a student and a professor. Tomorrow. First thing in the morning.”

Right or wrong, the simple fact that she was female meant that, if there was fault to be found, it would land squarely on her shoulders.

Her hand flew to her chest. Was she to be expelled?

Chapter Forty

I
T WAS WITH A
curious kind of relief that she finally stood before the school’s board of trustees. Her relationship with Thornton had come to light. Hours of worry had paralyzed her, but now, for good or ill, judgment would be passed.

From a wall of the dark paneled room, Joseph Lister stared down at her from his portrait in seeming disapproval. Five more frowning, white-haired, older gentlemen sat behind a long, polished table. No chair was provided for her.

Dressed in a simple dove gray walking dress, her hair pulled back from her face tightly twisted in a chignon, Amanda clasped gloved hands demurely at her waist, waiting for them to pronounce judgment.

Where was Thornton? How could he leave her to stand here alone? She’d been certain he would at last present himself.

She hated to admit it, but she missed him horribly. Missed his arrogant confidence, the sound of his rumbling voice, the smell of his skin, the touch of his hands. She’d been hoping for one last glimpse. A chance to say goodbye.

A mustachioed and bespectacled man cleared his throat. It seemed they were starting without him. Amanda pulled back her shoulders.

“Lady Amanda,” the man began. “A number of damaging accusations have been hurled in your direction suggesting that your relationship with Lord Thornton is of an improper nature, but given that the source of these allegations is untrustworthy at best, further investigation would be required.”

She held her breath. Could it be that she was not to be expelled, that they would simply slap her hands and burn her ears with a warning?

“We are deeply disappointed in you, young lady.”

Several other older gentlemen grumbled.

Though she met his gaze unashamed, Amanda’s stomach soured as hope curdled.

“Prior to your association with Lord Thornton, you were top in your class.” The mustachioed man lifted a pile of papers, tapping them into perfect alignment. “The
only
reason you will be afforded the opportunity to reclaim your place is because Lord Thornton has resigned his position at Lister University, effectively rendering any relationship between you irrelevant.”

She gasped.
He’d done what?

“That is correct, my lady.” He leaned back in his chair. “I suggest you return with all due diligence to your studies and refrain from further intimate contact with anyone who might be perceived to be your superior.” He slid his glasses down his nose, staring at her over their rims. “You may go, Lady Amanda. Quickly, before I change my mind.”

She spun on her heel, exiting the room. Heart racing, she turned corners until she found herself inside Lister Laboratories, striding down its wide hallway. She came to a sudden stop outside Thornton’s office.

Several feet away, the great iron door stood crowing its impenetrability. Her access was, no doubt, revoked. Amanda vowed it would be temporary. First, she had to stop Thornton from making a horrible mistake. She would not be the cause of the end of a great man’s career.

It wasn’t right, and it certainly wasn’t fair.

~~~

Thornton was pulling yet another handful of books from his bookshelf when his office door opened. He spun around in time to watch it slam shut. He’d been expecting Black. The interrogation was to begin soon.

Instead, Amanda leaned backward against his door, looking quite unlike herself. He supposed he’d grown used to seeing her in high fashion. Or in complete disarray. But not like this. Her hair was ruthlessly scraped back from her face and twisted into a severe bun. Nor had he ever expected to see her in a gown with a starched neck so high it was likely to strangle its wearer. And gloves. Long black gloves that stretched beyond her elbow. Her eyes were narrowed and her chest heaved.

He should have known she’d come. He should have locked his door. “Can I help you, Lady Amanda?” He forced the title from his throat, tacitly agreeing to respect the distance her attire‌—‌if not her behavior‌—‌worked to establish.

“Stop,” she spat. Her chin lifted. “Spare me the manners. No lord this and lady that. How could you let me face the board of trustees all alone?”

His ire rose to meet hers. “We’re not partners, Amanda.” She winced, but didn’t look away. “There is no equality here. Not in the eyes of our larger world. We are‌—‌were‌—‌professor and student. Primary investigator and research assistant. Man and woman.”

Didn’t it boil down to just that problem? He was a man who could easily force her world to meet his desires. He would not do that. It wasn’t right, and it wasn’t fair. “My attendance was unnecessary.” He struggled to keep all emotion from his voice. “We reached an agreement earlier, my resignation in return for your continued enrollment and an end to the investigation.” He’d accepted all the blame for their indiscreet behavior. He had options; she had none.

His absence was calculated to injure. Intended to sever their connection with one clean blow. Yet here she stood, eyes blazing.

He met Amanda’s incredulous gaze for a long moment, then turned abruptly back toward his bookshelf and resumed packing. “I’ve taken the position your father offered me. Director of a private laboratory.” Far from the inconvenience of incompetent students, his employees all carefully vetted and handpicked by the duke. It was a desk job. He suspected he’d hate every minute of every day. In his new position, he would foster and direct new research projects‌—‌the projects of other scientists. Wouldn’t that be a special kind of hell? “In return, the duke has agreed to release you from your agreement. You’re free from all time constraints and may choose to marry‌—‌or not‌—‌on your own terms.”

“You!” Her voice was incredulous, her stare pained. “
You
brokered a deal with my father? You did this for…‌ me?”

“Yes.” He jerked his head in a nod. He’d carved out his heart, set aside his own wants and desires. For her. Such brilliance should not be snuffed before it had a chance to burn bright.

“But your work!” She stomped a foot. “
Your
laboratory!”

He clenched his hands into fists. “What laboratory? I’ve lost every competent assistant.”

“No. You can’t leave.” She shook her head. “You’re a brilliant and famous neurophysiologist. Your research is groundbreaking. Even if the only ones who know it are sworn to secrecy. You can’t just leave.” Her voice cracked. “You can’t sacrifice your career for
me
.”

“Why not? Who’s to say you’re not the next brilliant mind? That your research won’t save lives?” He dropped a lid on the crate, lifted a hammer, and viciously drove home one nail after another. He’d had his chance; she deserved hers. “Go, Amanda. Become a physician, a surgeon, a research scientist. Marry or don’t. The choice is yours.” He couldn’t bring himself to look at her face. Instead, he picked up another nail.

Her next words, softly spoken, brought a whisper of hope. “What if the professor is married to the student? Would that still constitute an improper relationship?”

His hands froze. “No.”

“Too bad you have no interest in acquiring a wife.” Her words curled seductively about him.

He set the hammer down on his desk with extreme care. His mind raced. She was
teasing
him? Was it possible she
wanted
him to propose? He took a deep breath and straightened, turning to face her. “What if I said I’d changed my mind? What if I told you that there is one, and only one, woman I could marry? Only one woman that I love?”