Chapter 22 #2
Before she could refuse, Dominick practically pulled her along with him, directing her away from the lighted safety of the house and toward the now-menacing garden.
“I’m elated that we’ve found this occasion to talk,” he said, holding her uncomfortably close to his side. “When I arrived, I glanced briefly into the reception room and spied you among the guests, but I didn’t think…things being as they are, of course…that we’d find any opportunity to be alone.”
“Yes…uh, Mr. Grymes mentioned you were in the game room,” she said, trying to keep her tone light.
The cooler air was gradually reviving her wits, and she quickly determined to deal with this unnerving situation as calmly and rationally as possible.
“He said you were having some good fortune with the dice.”
“I was,” he said tersely, his eyes gleaming in the faint moonlight, “but fortune is fickle, I have found. I decided to soothe my loss with some fresh air, and I’m very glad I did.”
Offering no reply, Susanna swallowed against the nervous tightness in her throat.
Although she was trying to keep a firm grip on her whirling emotions, the farther they walked from the house the more apprehensive she became, her imagination running away with her.
Her mouth going as dry as cotton, she remembered all the horrible stories Adam had told her about Dominick’s perverted passion for cruelty, and how sick she had felt upon seeing Adam’s ravaged back and what remained of his foot.
Dear God, was this monster going to do something terrible to her as well?
She couldn’t have been more relieved when Dominick suddenly stopped with her almost in the center of the vast garden which stretched all the way to the blackened waters of the James.
Could she hope that he wasn’t planning to drown her for snubbing him on the day of their betrothal?
She sharply inhaled when he faced her, knowing she was trembling and unable to stop.
“Words can’t express, my dear, how bitterly disappointed I am that you’re not wearing my wedding ring on your finger,” he said, lightly caressing her upper arms. Susanna felt the raw tension in his touch, which made her think he might want to strangle her instead.
“I’ve never known a worse moment than when you informed me that Adam Thornton had become your husband.
To choose my former servant over me…you can imagine my humiliation. ”
“I—I told you I was sorry, Dominick,” she said, chilled by his strange monotone, which was far more unsettling than harsh anger.
“It wasn’t my intention to hurt you. When I came to Raven’s Point that day, I was convinced that Adam held no affection for me and that I would be wasting my time to wait for him to change his mind.
I had fully expected to marry you”—and how much she owed Adam for saving her from this beast!
she thought fleetingly—“but when Adam heard the rumor of our betrothal and then declared his love for me, and me loving him all the while—”
“Spare me an account of your misguided feelings for that scum,” Dominick snapped, his grip tightening as his facade of gentility shattered.
“You should have been my bride, Camille Cary! My wife! Our fortunes should have been joined, not…not squandered on some lower-class trash. What could have possessed you to do such a thing? Your poor father must be writhing in his grave at the misfortune you have brought upon what should have been mine!”
“You’re hurting me!” Susanna said hotly, her sudden rage that he would say such awful things about Adam, and even dare to mention Camille’s father when he had been the foul murderer to send the man to his grave, completely overwhelming her fear.
“I have apologized to you twice, Dominick. What more can I do? Now release me this instant! My head is much clearer, thank you, and I would like to return to my husband.”
“Forgive me, my dear,” Dominick said, loosening his grip, although he still held her arms. He took a deep breath, as if trying to regain his composure, and lowered his voice further.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you. It’s just that I’ve been a broken man since your sudden marriage. I’m in love with you, Camille.”
You’re not in love with me, you disgusting bastard! Susanna thought furiously, sickened by his touch. All you wanted was the Cary fortune. No doubt you would have cast me into an early grave without a qualm, either!
“You shouldn’t be saying such things to me,” she objected, trying to twist free of his grasp. “I’m married to another man, Dominick…in love with another man!”
“Perhaps,” he said silkily, forcing her to face him. “But if anything should ever happen, Camille, know that I would still want you for my wife, despite that you broke my heart. I will always love you. Never forget that.”
What did he mean…if anything should ever happen? Susanna wondered, although she had a terrible inkling she knew exactly what he was talking about. Fear clogged her throat again, not for herself but for the man she loved more than life.
“You are very kind to think of me, Dominick,” she somehow managed to reply, hoping not to give him the impression that she suspected the true purpose lurking in his murderous heart. “But I really should be getting back to the house.”
She wanted to run as fast as her legs would carry her! She wanted to find Adam at once and tell him what she had just heard, warn him, protect him. He had been right! Dominick was plotting to kill him!
“Very well,” Dominick said with obvious reluctance, finally releasing her. “I’m so glad we had this time to talk…to share our deepest feelings. Again, my dearest, don’t forget what I said.”
“I won’t,” she murmured, his frightening words burning into her brain.
“Perhaps, then, you will want to enlighten me, my love. I seem to have missed much of your conversation while looking for you.”
“Adam!” Her heart pitching in her breast, Susanna whirled to find him standing only a few feet from them. It was so dark she couldn’t read his face, but she could easily interpret his wide-legged stance, the set of his broad shoulders, and his furious tone.
“A good evening to you, Mrs. Thornton,” Dominick said smoothly, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. “I enjoyed our walk immensely.” He didn’t deign to say a word to Adam but walked right past him toward the house.
“Adam…I can explain,” she began, but he cut her off with a curt wave of his hand.
“I already know. You were too warm so you came outside to get some air and who should you find but Dominick, right?”
“Yes! That’s exactly what happened. I didn’t want to walk with him in the garden, but he took my arm and wouldn’t let me go—”