Gift of Desire Read Free Page A

Rhys, pretending that he hadn’t fallen in love with him. “I was just…it’s all so overwhelming.”
    “Exactly,” Rhys said. “We’ll do as you want. But not tonight. I’m asking you please, for me, don’t say anything to her tonight. I love her too, you know, and I want her to have this night with you, as if everything is still normal.”
    “Everything is still normal,” Jeremy argued. “It’s simply a different normal. For us.”
    Rhys laughed without amusement. “Yes. For us. Now go.”
    With a weary sigh Jeremy stood. “Fine. But I don’t like it. I don’t like leaving you alone. You won’t sleep, will you?” It was more a statement than a question.
    “I’ll try. We’re home now. Perhaps I will.” Rhys wouldn’t meet his eyes, avoiding them as he fussed with folding his cravat and setting it on the bed beside him.
    Jeremy let him have his pride. “Good. I hope so.”
    Rhys waved him out. “Go. You’ve been waiting almost a year to hold her.”
    “So have you.” The words hung there between them.
    “I had you,” Rhys finally said. “Now go.”
    With regret Jeremy complied with Rhys’ wishes. But guilt nearly crippled him as he closed the door behind him, leaving Rhys alone inside.

Chapter Four
     
    Cordelia stood at the counter drying the dishes and sniffling, trying not to actually cry. Rhys had been horrified by her admission. And he should be. She was married to his best friend, his comrade and childhood companion. What had she been thinking, to almost reveal her feelings in such a fashion? She was selfish beyond the extreme. She’d thought the truth would set them all free, but she’d been wrong, hadn’t she?
    She loved Jeremy and she was so happy he was back home with her. He would be enough. To think that she might also have Rhys was foolish and naive and dangerous. She ought to just be glad he was still in her life—still alive, and still one of her and Jeremy’s closest friends. She’d see him everyday. She could survive on that and live with her secret love buried in her heart. She sniffled miserably again.
    “Here,” Jeremy said quietly from behind her. She jumped in surprise and then a handkerchief was held over her shoulder. She dried her hands on her apron and took the offering.
    “I’m sorry,” she said, turning to face Jeremy. “I’m happy you’re home. I am. I’m just a silly watering pot tonight.”
    Jeremy simply gathered her in his arms and it felt so good and so right that she lost the battle and gave in to tears. “Oh, Jeremy,” she said brokenly, crying into his shoulder.
    “I know, Cordy,” he whispered. “But don’t you see? This is a gift, our returning to you. I didn’t think it would happen.”
    “I know.” She stepped back and wiped her runny nose with the handkerchief. This was not what Jeremy needed to see his first night home. “I thought I’d lost you. They told me so once. Told me you were both dead.”
    “What?” Jeremy said in shock. He grabbed her shoulders tightly. “We are not dead, Cordy. We are very much alive and back here with you.”
    “Have you seen your mother yet?” she asked. “She was here for a long while. She forgave me, I think, for—what was it she accused me of? Bewitching you.” She laughed weakly. “We cried over you together and prayed for your return. I think she’s ready to forgive you for marrying beneath your station.”
    Jeremy hugged her again. “I’m glad. I know she and Grandfather paid the ransom for both of us.”
    “I begged her to,” Cordelia admitted. “I couldn’t bear the thought of Rhys…” She couldn’t go on, and bit her lip to stem a new flow of tears.
    “I’m glad you did. Did she fuss a great deal over it?” Jeremy was rubbing her back soothingly. It was like before, the way he held her and touched her and cared for her. She threw her arms around his neck and held on.
    “No.” She rubbed her nose against his neck, longing for his familiar scent. It wasn’t