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.Dying, indeed.Hope I had not known for so very long was suddenly real.“In the meantime, through a friend at his club in London, William heard that your Jamaica partners were having their annual meeting in Edinburgh.He decided to go and introduce himself in your stead and took his father with him.He would surely find out that the letter I had produced about the money lost in the drought was a fake.It was now or certain doom.I left for London immediately with Davidson, hoping we would return before he did.” She gripped his arm.“Forgive me, Brandon, for not having tried sooner,” she whispered.“You suffered, and I let it go on.”“This has nothing to do with you, you brave girl.There is nothing to forgive.” His fingers skimmed her face.“This is all on William.”She bit her lip and suddenly leaned over her side of the bed, sticking her hand under the mattress and removing a small satin pouch.She opened it and took out a key.“This is a key to a cabinet in the kitchen.”Brandon’s brow creased.“A cabinet in the kitchen?”“Yes.It’s where I keep those documents safe,” she whispered.“I’ll show you everything in the morning.” She stifled a yawn and sank back against her pillow again, her body curling around another pillow.She looked up at his face for a moment and then her gaze fell to his bare chest and lingered there.He reached over and pulled the covers around her.Her eyelids closed.“What are you doing?” Brandon’s voice echoed through his former bedchamber.Justine’s head snapped up.Her breath caught at the sight of him leaning against the doorjamb, his arms folded at his chest.Dear God in heaven, he was like the formidable full-size portrait of his stern-faced grandfather which hung in the stairwell.The same grey-green eyes, now cold and unreadable, the same broad shoulders and chest, the same casual elegance and sophisticated bearing.But this younger Lord Graven before her was a more modern, rugged figure.He wore his white shirt opened at the neck over close fitting breeches and high boots, his dark hair loose, almost grazing his shoulders, his scars clearly visible.She turned back to the heavy blue brocaded panel before her and swatted at it with a great straw paddle.A cloud of dust released over her.“What does it look like I’m doing?” she asked.All the windows were open and the morning sun streamed in from the open leaded glass windows through a thick haze of dust.The massive, dark Jacobean oak bed with the heavy cornices and deep blue canopy was stripped bare, the thick inlay and elaborate carved posts gleaming in the light.Justine batted at the large panels of ancient fabric once more.“It looks like you are hell-bent on kicking me out of your bed,” he said.Her eyes widened, yet she continued to swat the fabric.“Stop it, Justine, now.”“Whatever for?”“I don’t want to use this room again, ever.”She stopped bashing the thick blue hanging, its gold edges worn and dark in the harsh light.A great puff of dust settled about her as she turned towards him.“Brandon, why?”He shifted his weight and leaned against the other side of the doorjamb.His eyes rested on the tall, heavy dresser as he cleared his throat.“This room represents a whole other existence to me.I’m not that person anymore.So don’t bother.” His gaze darted to the bulky canopied bed that once belonged to his great grandfather.“Please, Justine.”“Very well.” Justine shoved the thick hangings to the side.“Of course, you should be in the master bedroom,” she said, rolling her eyes at herself.“What was I thinking? I will prepare Lord Jeremy’s room for you directly.” His eyes tightened and he clenched his jaw.She stopped at the sight.“Surely you would prefer your own bedroom, a room to yourself, the master’s bedchamber?” she asked.“No.”“But Brandon—”“Unless, of course I’m bothering you?” His eyes pierced hers.“No, you aren’t bothering me, but—”“Your room.With you.”Her heart skidded to an abrupt halt.She couldn’t tear her gaze away from his pale eyes, so like some sort of exotic sea in a country far away.“Thank you for the clean clothes you left for me,” he said, his voice more controlled now.His gaze darted to the right once more in the direction of the massive chest of drawers.He raised his chin.“You’re welcome.” She turned her head slightly [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]