She sat up slowly, drawing her skirts down over her naked limbs. She was trembling.
"Nicholas… I am sorry," she whispered.
His dark eyes met hers. "I know."
Reaching for her, he cupped her face in his palms. He stood looking down at her for a long moment before slowly bending. When his lips brushed hers, heartbreakingly gentle, anguish clawed inside her.
Then he stepped back and drew a shuddering breath, as if fighting for control. His voice had no inflection when he spoke. "I intend to sail with the tide tomorrow night. If you change you
r mind, you know where to find me."
He turned and went to the window. A moment later, the shadows covered him and there was silence.
Aurora pressed her knuckles to her mouth and bit down hard. The pain was so raw, she felt as if a knife had sliced through her heart.
He was truly gone. She had sent him away.
Aurora covered her face with her hands and wept.
Chapter Twenty-Four
It is true that passion of the flesh can beget passion of the heart. I am living proof.
Aurora stared blindly at Lady March's supper invitation. The countess begged Aurora to attend their private family gathering that evening, although it would entail bending the strict rules of mourning. She would be performing an act of Christian mercy, Lady March wrote, to help ease Geoffrey's reentry into society.
It would also permit them to show their support for Aurora during this trying period in her life, until her sham of a marriage was dissolved. Apparently the countess still wanted Aurora as her daughter.
Numbly Aurora set down the invitation and glanced at the ormolu clock on the mantel. Seven o'clock. The engagement was for eight. She should bestir herself to dress, and yet she didn't know if she could bear to see Geoffrey and his mother this evening. If she could find the willpower to feign a cheerful facade when her heart was breaking. In a few hours Nicholas would set sail without her.
A fresh wave of bleakness washed over her, leaving her cold, empty.
Despairing, she picked up the journal and turned to a well-worn page – the death of Desiree's prince.
My tears fall on your pale face as the lifeblood drains from your once powerful body. In desperation, I kiss your waxen lips, willing you to live. But my efforts are futile. Hopeless.
You open your eyes, your dark gaze so full of pain and tenderness. No tears, you whisper hoarsely. Your tears are torment.
But what of my torment? My heart is ripping from my chest. Dear God, I cannot bear it.
Your trembling hand, so weak now, rises to caress my face. Be free, my beautiful Desiree.
With your last breath, you give me the freedom I yearned for. But merciful heaven, that price is far, far too dear…
Aurora swallowed the burning ache of her own tears. Desiree had realized too late that freedom was nothing compared to love -
A quiet rap on her bedchamber door interrupted her dark thoughts.
"Miss Kendrick has called again," Danby informed her through the door.
"Please tell her I am indisposed," Aurora responded, closing the journal. She could not face Raven just now.
A few moments later, the knock was repeated, only this time much louder.
"Aurora?" Raven called out urgently. "I must speak with you."
With a resigned sigh, Aurora bid entrance. It would take more stamina than she possessed just now to fight Raven's determined assault.
Entering the bedchamber, the younger woman shut the door behind her and stood for a moment. Aurora was sitting before the empty hearth, feeling as cold as a winter's day, even though the July evening was quite pleasant.