Free The Baron's Betrayal by Callie Hutton

that his well-laid plans of remaining “dead” had been thwarted by the woman he’d trusted. Never did he think he would have to contemplate how to release Marion from her vows.
    A visit from his solicitor was in order.
    Later in the evening, after a pleasant dinner, he and Marion retired to the library where she began Pride and Prejudice . He closed his eyes and rested his head against the back of the comfortable leather chair. He was close enough to the fire to enjoy its warmth, without being near enough to cause the all too familiar smothering panic. Her soothing voice rolled over him, teasing him with how pleasant life could be had things been different. He and Marion, sitting together at the end of the day, enjoying a book, a brandy, and conversation.
    No point in heading down that path. Life would never be the same, and the sooner he persuaded her to understand that, the sooner she would leave him, and he could get on with his own life. By himself.
    Lonely. Boring. Endless.
    Marion shut the book. “Perhaps we may end here. I find my eyes are growing weary. We must have Mrs. Downs add more oil lamps to the room.”
    “You may instruct her in the morning. Until now I have had no reason to concern myself with that.”
    The unspoken words echoed in the room. Because I don’t need them.
    “Yes. Well. I will speak with her tomorrow,” she answered softly, leaving him feeling like a cad for having baited her that way.
    “Marion, may I offer my apologies?”
    “Whatever for?”
    “I’m afraid my years away from society have left my manners a bit raw. I don’t intend to hurt you. Lord knows I’ve hurt you enough without adding to it by snapping. Please forgive me.”
    “There is nothing to forgive. You are quite right that I should be more sensitive to your new status. I don’t mean to hurt you, either.”
    Of course she wouldn’t. His Marion loved him. She had loved him when they were children, when they were new lovers, and even now that he was no longer a whole man. Truth be told, she had him tied in knots. Everything had been so clear before his injury, but now his body and heart wanted to rule his brain. He could not allow that to happen.
    “Come, let us retire upstairs.”
    …
    Marion stopped in front of her bedchamber door and turned toward Tristan. Sometimes everything seemed so normal, as if the past two years had never happened. Except, of course, his blindness.
    However, he had appeared to enjoy her reading of Pride and Prejudice . He had swirled a brandy while she had sipped on tea. The room was cozy and warm. Tristan had rested his head on the back of his chair, a slight smile on his face. She would have given a king’s ransom to know his thoughts.
    Now she pondered how she could convince him to come into her room and join her in bed. As scandalous as those thoughts were, she couldn’t help the desire that welled up in her as she regarded him. His spicy scent teased her, daring her to rest her hands on his shoulders and rise up on her toes and meet his lips.
    His blue eyes stared at her, one lock of silky blond hair resting on his broad forehead. Numerous times she’d brushed it back, to only have it fall once more. She raised her hand and cupped his cheek. The smoothness of his face from his before-dinner shave, combined with the strength of his jaw, only increased her desire.
    So many nights after she’d received word of his death she had lain in bed hugging her pillow close, wishing it were his body. Tears had coursed down her cheeks, soaking her bed linens. Now he stood right before her but, in some ways, he was as unreachable as he had been during those long and lonely nights.
    Tristan closed his eyes and groaned. “Don’t do this, Marion.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because it will not end well.”
    She drew in a deep breath and mustering her courage, said, “Come into my room.”
    He shook his head and stepped back, as if putting space between them would stop the tension that radiated off