Free What a Lady Most Desires by Lecia Cornwall

intelligence officer, a spy, Ives. I was good at it too. I always found what I was looking for—­not that I’m bragging,” Nicholas said. “I found that men do not change their character. Not without a damned good reason, and men who value their honor never change.”
    Stephen felt relief, a lump in his throat. “Shouldn’t you ask Meg before you go issuing invitations? Aren’t you about to become a father?” he asked. “Delphine told me.”
    â€œI am.” He heard the grin in Nicholas’s voice. “Meg’s mother will want to come to Temberlay, and I will need someone reliable by my side in case of ambush, someone to share a drink with, to complain to about the caprices of expectant women and overbearing mothers-­in-­law, and—­” He broke off.
    â€œAnd what? To play cards and billiards the way we used to? To ride out with you over all those green Derbyshire acres?” Stephen asked bitterly.
    â€œCome to recover, Stephen. Just that.”
    â€œIt’s kind of you, but I’ll need help. It wouldn’t do to be a burden.” He was not a man who felt at ease asking for help. He took care of himself, and always had.
    â€œOf course. I’ll find a manservant for you, and Meg and I will be there.”
    â€œNo, not that. Not Meg. I don’t want her to see me this way,” Stephen said.
    â€œShe was here yesterday to see Delphine. Meg knows about the charges, Stephen. It’s all over town.”
    Stephen clenched his teeth. “And Delphine knows as well, I suppose. She’s Fairlie’s sister-­in-­law, how could she not?” He felt his skin heat. How mortifying. She wouldn’t kiss him now, and if he could look into her flirtatious green eyes, he’d probably find them hard with disdain. Or laughter.
    â€œFairlie didn’t want her told,” Nicholas replied. “Her family is very protective of her, but being Delphine, she asked Meg.”
    Then he would not likely see Delphine again. She would shun him now—­a traitor, coward, and thief. He felt an instant of disappointment. He’d miss her. He squashed it at once. He’d simply grown used to the sound of her footsteps, to hearing her voice, to feeling her hand on his brow, inhaling the scent of her perfume as she bent over him. He shifted his head on the fine linen pillow, linen that she’d smoothed under him a dozen times a day, ensuring he was comfortable. But that had been before the accusations. She wouldn’t come again now. His jaw tightened. Well, he’d be better off without her scorn. He would be spared the need to say good-­bye, or to offer thanks for her care—­and since he was blind, he wouldn’t have to see the pity, the mockery, and the disdain in her eyes.
    Nicholas rose. “I’ll make the arrangements once the surgeon says you’re fit to travel. It will be a hard journey.”
    â€œI’ll manage,” Stephen muttered. “Just get me out of here.”

 
    Chapter 10

    â€œC owardice?” Delphine’s teacup rocked in its saucer. “Oh Meg . . .”
    The Duchess of Temberlay frowned. “Perhaps I shouldn’t have told you. I don’t believe it, of course, nor does Nicholas.”
    Delphine looked into the depths of her tea for a moment. “Meg, who’s Julia?”
    â€œJulia? Do you mean Julia Leighton? She was betrothed to Nicholas’s brother before his death, and more recently she was Dorothea Hallam’s companion in Vienna.”
    â€œDoes Stephen—­” Delphine swallowed, felt her cheeks grow warm. “Does he love her?”
    Meg set her cup down. “I don’t know. She wrote to Nicholas a few months ago. She’s married now, and gone to America. Why do you ask?”
    â€œStephen calls her name in his sleep—­and Dorothea’s too, of course.”
    â€œI see. Has he written to