Almost a Gentleman (49 page)

Oh, God—was it? Or was she dreaming? Ducas…
Ducas
? As if she'd conjured him with her thoughts. Injured? Maimed? Oh, mighty Lord in heaven, he must not see her here, not like this, not now… there could be no explanation, ever, for her skulking around his house.

She ducked into the bushes, watched him walk slowly and painfully on the arm of the stranger up to the front door.

A jangling bell in the distance. Scurry of footsteps. The door opening. She couldn't see anything—it couldn't be him, could it?

But it must be… a word, a welcome, and he limped into the house.

Thank heaven there was fog—while they were all occupied by the surprise of his return, she could slip and slide away without anyone noticing.

But dear heaven, this was so unexpected; he couldn't be back yet, could he? She felt so disoriented by the arrival of this man who looked like Ducas. It was so soon after he'd gone, so unreal, coming out of the fog.

She didn't know what to think, what to do, as she slipped away from Sangbourne Manor as quickly as a wraith.

She had to get home, she had to think, she had to plan.

But you don't have to do anything. Not yet, not now.

Ducas is home…