Page 109

God, that smile tore through her heart, for even in his bewildered state, there was such tenderness and relief in his expression that she could scarcely bear it. But then he swayed so violently that she feared he would fall.

“Cordelia!” Katherine cried in astonishment. "Why have you returned?"

Cordelia ignored her. She rushed across the room and caught George around the waist, slipping beneath his arm to steady him. He was considerably taller and heavier than she, and she nearly stumbled beneath his weight when he leaned against her, but she tightened her hold and refused to let him fall. He smelled faintly of brandy, although beneath it lingered the familiar scent of his cologne. His breathing was uneven, and she could feel the effort it cost him to remain standing.

"You came back," he said gruffly.

The quiet wonder in his voice nearly undid her.

Cordelia looked up at him, tears once again gathering in her eyes.

"Yes," she whispered. "The moment I thought about the man I know, the man who loves me, I knew you had not betrayed me."

His gaze rested upon her face.

Another faint smile curved his mouth, so tender and familiar that her heart gave a painful squeeze.

"Help me leave," he murmured.

"Of course." She tightened her arm around his waist and turned toward the door.

Katherine moved swiftly to block their path.

"Cori, whatever are you doing?"

Cordelia stared at her sister. For a moment, she could only remember the tears Katherine had shed when she first led her to this room, the anguish in her voice as she pretended to be reluctant to reveal George's supposed betrayal.

She had believed those tears.

She had believed her sister loved her too much to cause her unnecessary pain.

And all the while, Katherine had been helping to arrange a compromise that would destroy the very happiness Cordelia had found. The realization hurt almost as much as seeing George with Lady Victoria. "What you tried to do here was despicable."

"Cori, please, you do not understand."

"Oh, I understand perfectly."

Katherine reached toward her.

Cordelia slapped her. The sharp crack of her palm against her sister's cheek seemed extraordinarily loud in the quiet library. Katherine recoiled, one hand flying to her face. Her eyes widened in utter disbelief. Cordelia's own palm stung, but she scarcely felt it.

"What you tried to do here was despicable," she repeated, her voice shaking with anger and hurt. "And I might never forgive you."

Tears immediately pooled in Katherine's eyes.

"I was only trying to save you," she cried. "Cori, you must believe me. I know the hurt you will eventually experience. I know what it is to place all your hopes in a gentleman who will only betray you. I could not bear to see you suffer as I have."

Cordelia stared at her in disbelief. "And so you thought to betray me yourself?"

Katherine flinched. "You do not understand what men are capable of."

"I understand what you are capable of, Katherine, and that is quite enough for tonight."

Her sister made a wounded sound, but Cordelia could not bring herself to comfort her.

Not now.

Perhaps Katherine truly believed she had acted out of concern. Perhaps the misery of her own marriage had convinced her that every gentleman must eventually prove unfaithful. Yet none of that excused what she had done. Cordelia turned her attention to Lady Victoria.