Love Me Again Read Free Page A

thought it was all in her mind, too, she reflected with morbid humor.
    Still, one never knew; there might be that one miracle out there....
    Swallowing, she reached over and grasped his hand. “Maybe we should see that doctor in Prague. They say,”
    Covering her hand with his, Edward shook his head. “No, my dear. I'm through with all those quacks. I fear they have done more harm to me than good over the years. I wish to let nature take its course. ’Tis best, I believe.”
    Christina snatched her hand away and shifted away from him. Breathing deeply, she looked out over the beauty of the man-made lake. She didn't want to think about nature and fate and all that rubbish. Down that path lay only heartache and loss. Immeasurable loss.
    Clearing her throat, she tried for a lighter subject. “Robert should be home in a few days. I received a letter from him this morning. The suite is due to leave for Vienna by the end of the month.”
    When there was nothing but silence behind her, she turned and looked curiously up at her brother-in-law. He was watching her closely, too closely. She didn't like the look in his gentle gaze. “What is it?”
    “How do you feel about going to Vienna? You have never been out in society with Robert, and now with these plans to attend this Congress...” his comment trailed off.
    She stared at him perplexed, wondering why he sounded so worried. It was true that since she had married Robert in a secret ceremony in Italy and had arrived at Kerkmoor, she had chosen never to leave its borders. She wanted nothing to do with the outside world. She certainly didn't want tales of her gossiped about in the salons of England only to end up in a trail that could possibly lead Varek to her. Kerkmoor was her sanctuary and, thankfully, Robert had been content to let her hide away in the wilds of Yorkshire, never demanding that she act as hostess to his ambitions in London. And now, for the first time since their marriage, he was making a request of her, and in all conscience, she could not deny him. Even if it meant going to Vienna.
    Christina's eyes slid closed. Vienna. She knew every street and alley in that beautiful old city. She and Varek had spent the months after their wedding rediscovering everything there was to know about its history and people. Vienna was their city. How did she feel about going to Vienna? Terrified.
    Striving for calm, she took a sip of the cool liquid and almost choked, so constricted was her throat. “It should be interesting. History will be made during this meeting of the Allies, and I shall be proud to be a part of it.” How smoothly she had learned to lie.
    Edward looked down at his hands. When he spoke his voice was so low she could barely hear him. “The chances are great that you will see him again. You do realize this, don't you?”
    Christina's heart began to slam against her chest. She stared at Edward in shock. How did he know? No, she was just imagining something deeper behind his words. Wetting her lips, she asked coolly, “Of whom do you speak, Edward?”
    Edward pinned her with a look that took her breath away. The sympathy radiating from his perceptive gaze almost made her want to run. “I'm sorry, my dear, but I do know who you are. When you first arrived I had you investigated. It took me a while, but I did find out all about you. Why you chose to keep your background a mystery from my brother is your affair. However, as head of this family I could no more allow a stranger with no past walk into our midst than I would allow a member of my family to knowingly endanger their life.”
    The glass slipped from her nerveless fingers. She rose to her feet and stood staring down on this man whom she loved above her own husband. She felt hurt and humiliated. He knew all about her and her failures! Suddenly, she felt light-headed and close to swooning. Her breath came in tight little pants from which she couldn't seem to draw an even breath. He knew it