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He nodded their dismissal.  If you ladies don t mind, I d like to speak to Miss Hamilton in private.
After Lizzie and Jacinda had slipped out, Bel folded her arms over her chest and turned to him curiously.
 What s going on?
His dark eyes shone with triumph as he strode over to her and clasped her arms, giving her a light
squeeze.  You re not going to believe this. Sit down.
 We re going back to London?
 Yes, yes but we won t be staying there long.
She gave him a puzzled look.  Where are we going? That is am I coming with you, wherever it is?
 Of course, he scoffed.  I don t go anywhere without my political secret weapon, my lovely, sparkling,
ravishing hostess!
 Well? What s the news? You look like the cat who ate the canary.
 Bel, I have been chosen to go with Castlereagh s British delegation to the Congress of Vienna.
She gasped and clapped both hands over her mouth.
His hands turned to fists of victory.  Isn t it incredible? He paced in jittery excitement.  Do you realize
this congress is going to be the most important international gathering since the time of Charlemagne?
 Oh, Robert, you will be in the history books, just like so many of your ancestors!
He grinned, blushing slightly.  We still have to get the Regent s approval of my appointment, but I have
the prime minister s recommendation, thanks to Coldfell. Wellington, of course, will also participate.
 Wait one moment what was that about Lord Coldfell?
He turned to her, hands in pockets. She noticed a flicker of some vague uneasiness in his dark eyes.  He
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was the one who put my name before the committee.
 Robert, she stared at him, flabbergasted.
 What? he asked a trifle guiltily.
 If this came from Coldfell, then there sgot to be a catch.
 Well, of course there is, he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck as he let out an uncomfortable little
laugh. He glanced at her with pleading emotion in his dark eyes, then he dropped his chin almost to his
chest.  God, this is hard to tell you.
She paled.  He s not asking you to risk your life and limb again " 
 No, nothing like that. He swallowed hard.  I want you to know straight off that it doesn t mean
anything. It s just  He faltered.
 Robert?
He drew a deep breath, visibly steeling himself.  He wants me to marry his daughter, Juliet. And I have
agreed.
Hawk could barely bring himself to hold Belinda s shocked stare. Her eyes had gone glassy and the
color had drained from her face. She sank down into the nearest chair, staring at nothing.
He took a step toward her.  Please don t misconstrue this. You re the one I love. I have to marry
sometime.
Her eyes seemed huge and they grew darker and darker, but when she spoke, her voice was barely a
whisper.  The little deaf girl?
 Yes. Coldfell hasn t got any more heirs. His daughter must bear a son before he dies or his title will
revert to the Crown. He crouched down before her chair.  Coldfell merely wants someone who will
keep the girl protected. Belinda 
The silky rustling of her skirts twisted his heart as she rose and glided past him, momentarily stunned into
silence.  She is Jacinda s age.
 It doesn t matter. My relationship with Lady Juliet will be scarcely more than fraternal. You re the one I
love, the one I need. The one who inspires me. You re my equal. I know you understand my position,
Bel. Please, say something.
 I think I shall be sick, she whispered.
 I don t want this to hurt you, Bel. You know I have to take this opportunity.
 A son, Robert? What am I to say? The stork isn t going to bring it. How can I share you? she cried.
 You can t possibly be jealous of her.
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 Why can t that cunning old man leave you alone? What if it s a trick?
 It s not a trick. I just received Lord Liverpool s letter confirming my appointment.
 Confirming it? Then you ve known of this for how long? And you said nothing? How long, Robert?
she demanded angrily.
 A few days, he forced out.
Glaring at him, she stalked over to his desk and sifted angrily through its contents until she found the
communiqué from the prime minister. He saw that her hands were shaking and he lowered his head.
  Castlereagh verging on another depression,  she read aloud.   We need someone steady and cool
headed on hand. . . . 
Seeming to lose interest suddenly, she tossed the letter back onto his desk and went to stare out the
window with her arms folded tightly over her chest.  I knew this would happen, she said.  I was waiting
for it.
He took a step toward her slim, bristling silhouette, then thought better of it. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]