Page 91 (1/1)

A week later, Hart’s coach let Ian and Beth, Curry and Katie out at Euston Station to take the train back north The brothers and Isabella had said they would follow in their own ti Ian would give Beth for consenting to be his wife

The weather had turned rainy, and Ian was anxious to get back to the wide-open spaces of Scotland At the station, while Curry rushed off to purchase tickets after settling Beth into the first-class lounge, Ian turned around to see Hart co parted for his brother’s broad shoulders, just like the rest of the world did Travelers’ heads turned as they recognized the famous and wealthy duke

"I wanted to speak to you before you went," Hart said stiffly "You’ve been avoiding e mounted every time he found himself alone with Hart, and so he had found means to not be alone with him Hart started to pull Ian aside, out of the crowd, but Ian remained stubbornly in thearound theht that I’m a ruthless bastard I truly didn’t know that for five years you were trying to protectsideways like Ian’s always did "I’ froret Mrs Palmer’s death" He watched a puff of steam swell, and then dissipate "She loved you, but you didn’t love her"

"What are you talking about? She wasto me?" "You will miss her, yes, and you cared for her But you didn’t love her" Ian looked at Hart,his eyes for a brief moment "I know the difference now"

A muscle moved in Hart’s jaw "Damn you, Ian No, I didn’t love her Yes, I cared for her But yes, I used her, and before you remind me, yes, I used my wife, and both of the to me?"

"I don’t know" Ian studied his brother, for the first ti edifice of Hart Mackenzie Hart the man looked out of his auish Ian put a hand on Hart’s shoulder "I think you should have o Your life would have been ten times better"

"My wise little brother Eleanor jilted ed "You should have insisted It would have been better for both of you"

"The Queen of England I can handle, Gladstone I can tolerate, and the House of Lords I can make to dance to my tunes" Hart shook his head "But not Lady Eleanor Raain and pulled his hand away His thoughtsfor hie "I have a train to catch" "Wait" Hart put hi straight into each other’s faces, though Ian had toBeth, too, was coht about me I use you shamelessly But with one difference" Hart put his hands on Ian’s shoulders "I love you, if I can be unmanly and say so I didn’t take you out of the asylum just so you could help me with my politics I did it because I wanted you free froiven the chance to live a normal life" "I know," Ian said "I don’t help you because you corowThe crowdaround them turned their heads, s into his brother’s back The two released each other, but Hart kept his hands on lan’s arlanced over as Curry opened the door to the waiting room, and Beth came out She looked at Ian and s" Hart looked surprised, and then he nodded in understanding as Beth came to Ian, her hands outstretched, a warm smile on her face Beth turned and planted a kiss on a startled Hart’s cheek, then took lan’s arm and let him walk her to the train

In the train co sure they’d have everything for the long ride north, until Ian sent hi dusk darkened the sky Beth sank to the cushions and watched Ian yank the curtains closed against the gloom

The train’s whistle hooted, the steaainst the polished wall as the train rolled away froainst the cushions, exhausted "I could wish Curry had found a book or so for me," she said "Or we could have stopped for , up and down the train Ito roam the train" Ian snapped closed the lock on the door "You are here"

"You mean you will stay alone with me? Without a chaperone?" Despite their bit of play in her bedchaain kept his distance

"I have a question to ask you"

Beth stretched one ar she looked provocative "And what is that, husband?" Ian leaned down, his body hee fists rested on the seat back behind her "Do I love you?" Her heart banged in her chest "What a question" "When you were ill, when Mrs Palmer hurt you, I knew I’d die if you died There would be nothing inside me, just a hole where you used to be"