realization that he might have tossed her aside if not for her fortune.
Her father had accompanied them back to London, intending to remain at Hastings House until after the wedding, which would take place in a few short weeks. The banns had been read, her gown was nearly finished, and most importantly of all, she had proof that her night with Dominick had not resulted in conception of a child. Thanks to Diana, she understood that the arrival of her monthly courses meant there was no baby, so she could go on to wed Martin with a clear conscience.
Well, that wasn’t entirely true. Perhaps she wouldn’t enter her union with an illegitimate child passed off as her husband’s, but she was coming into it with a heart that had not yet accepted its fate. It was easy to forget about Dominick during the day, when she had any number of things to occupy her time. However, the darkness and quiet of night brought it all back to her, and she wondered how she could ever allow Martin to touch her in places only Dominick had been. It felt like the worst sort of betrayal to relive the night Dominick had made love to her, teaching her what it meant to become one with another person, and to fear that she might never feel the same way with Martin. The trouble was, she couldn’t decide who she was betraying.
She saw neither hide nor hair of Dominick when she ventured away from home, which left her feeling oddly bereft. For weeks she had felt as if he was everywhere all the time, his presence making her skin prickle with awareness. Now, that feeling was gone, and Calliope remained numb.
She’d begun to think she would live the rest of her life this way, walking about in a daze and feeling as if her heart had been replaced by a boulder, weighing her down with every step, every breath.
Until the day came for her to return to the foundling home. She had been prepared to skip the meeting and leave the proceedings in Diana’s hands, but her sister had insisted she would be needed.
“Besides,” Diana pointed out, “the other patronesses will only gossip if you are absent. You cannot give them the satisfaction.”
Calliope had no choice but to admit that Diana was right. Until she was married, the best thing to do was pretend as if nothing had happened.
So, she had set off for the home with Diana and Hastings, glad Martin had his own affairs to attend for the afternoon. However, the moment she stepped foot inside the home, she felt it again—that unsettling awareness that tipped her world off its axis.
She faltered, one hand coming up to her throat as she laid eyes on Dominick. He hadn’t noticed her yet, occupied as he was speaking with Thomas—the young boy he had played cards with during their last visit. He was handing something to the lad, his expression somber though he seemed to try to smile for the child’s benefit. Thomas accepted the gift with a grin, bouncing on his feet with excitement. Dominick chuckled, and Calliope nearly dropped to her knees as the sound radiated through her—boisterous and vibrant. She’d never thought to hear it again.
Diana was watching her, her lip clenched between her teeth as she fiddled with her reticule. Calliope couldn’t take her eyes off Dominick, frozen in place when he came to his feet, tousling Thomas’ hair and sending the lad off. The boy dashed away and disappeared around the corner, and it was only then that Dominick turned and spotted her. He tensed, his hand flexing around the other parcel he held in one hand.
Then, he was striding toward her and she could do nothing but stand there and wait. She held her breath, and it almost seemed as if he meant to keep coming, taking her into his arms and stealing her good sense with a kiss. He drew up short at the last moment, and Calliope released her breath on a rush. He stared down at her for a long while, his gaze sweeping up and down the length of her before resting on her face.
“Miss Barrington.” He cut his gaze to her sister and brother-in-law. “Lord and Lady Hastings.”
“What are you doing here?” Calliope blurted, before she could say something else. Something stupid like, ‘I’ve missed you.’ Under no circumstances should she allow those words to fall from her lips.