Forever Mine by Monica Burns Page B

what’s wrong.” Her fingers lightly stroked his forehead. Nicholas caught her narrow wrist and pushed her hand away. Rising to his feet, he crossed the floor to the liquor cart to pour a small amount of brandy into his snifter.
    “While I appreciate your concern, Eleanor, I have no need of comfort.”
    “Surely you can’t mean that,” she said in a voice that held the assurance of a woman determined to find her way into a man’s bed.
    “I do, Eleanor, and I’m not interested in furthering our friendship beyond its current boundaries.”
    “But we would be so good together, Nicholas,” she exclaimed softly. “You know we would.”
    “No, I don’t think we would suit each other at all,” he mused as he studied his brandy for a second before taking a drink of the smooth liquor.
    “How can I make you believe me, Nicholas? I could make you happy.”
    The pleading expression softening her features emphasized the heartfelt emotion threading through her words. Caught off-guard, he stared at her for a long moment. Was it possible Eleanor truly cared for him? If so, then he’d done her a disservice by not having this conversation with her sooner.
    “I have no interest in taking a mistress, Eleanor. I’m a married—”
    “How do you know she’s your wife?” Eleanor interrupted angrily. The question sent a chill through Nicholas as he met her gaze.
    “Exactly what are you implying, Eleanor?”
    “She does not act like the Vickie everyone knows,” she said with a defiant tilt of her chin. “We all saw it. What if she’s an imposter?”
    An icy chill slid through Nicholas at the harsh words. Eleanor was right. So certain his wife’s behavior was an elaborate charade, he’d failed to realize others might come to a different conclusion. The repercussions of others thinking his wife was an imposter could be devastating. The memory of Victoria adamantly stating she wasn’t his wife made his gut twist violently.
    Was it possible he’d erred in his judgment? If he had, then he’d forced Victoria into playing the role of his wife. Her innocence would be difficult to prove after his announcement of her return. Worse, if she was an imposter, where was Vickie? Angry at the ludicrous direction of his thoughts, he sucked in a breath and released it then glared at the duchess.
    “For the past three weeks, the rumors of foul play surrounding my wife’s disappearance have hung like Damocles’ sword over my head, Eleanor,” he said through clenched teeth. “I do not appreciate the suggestion that I’ve replaced my wife with an imposter.”
    “Dear God, Nicholas,” Eleanor exclaimed as she hurried forward to touch his arm. “I would never suggest something so reprehensible. But Vickie was gone for such a long time. It would be easy for an imposter to take advantage of you and take her place.”
    “Now you’re questioning my ability to recognize my own wife,” he snapped.
    “No, of course, not.” Eleanor shook her head in dismay. “Nicholas, you mis—”
    “My wife has suffered an injury to her head, Eleanor. It has clearly affected her behavior,” he said coldly. “I’ve no doubt she’ll be back to her usual antics in the near future.”
    “Vickie’s behavior need not destroy what we have, Nicholas. I know—”
    “We have nothing but friendship between us, Eleanor. If you thought otherwise, I’m sorry.”
    “Oh please, Nicholas,” she whispered as both her hands clutched at his arms as though he were a lifeline. “Please don’t push me out of your life. I cannot bear the thought of it.”
    The desperate note in her voice made him frown as he looked into her terror-glazed eyes. Narrowing his gaze, he studied her expression with curiosity. As if aware she had somehow given something away, she took a quick step back and looked away.
    “If you do not mind, Nicholas, I should like to leave first thing in the morning.” The strain in her voice vibrated with something more than rejection, but he was