“Apologies for the interruption.” Wynn spoke from the open doorway behind them. Svetlana spun around and spied a telegram in his hand and a cool expression icing his face. “I’m off to London for a few days.”
The telegram. Svetlana shot to her feet, brushing Sergey out of the way. “What’s happened?”
“I’ve been called to speak before the medical board.” His gaze flickered to Sergey, then back to her. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to pack to catch the two o’clock train.” He turned and left.
Svetlana hurried down the corridor after him. Despite her long legs, her pace was no equal to his.
“Has it do with Harkin?”
“Most likely.”
“But you’ve given your statement.” Her words hit his retreating back.
“They want it again.”
“Has something in the report changed that they need you to verify? Why so many inquiries over a single death when your profession deals in tragedy every day?” She had not been privileged to see the business side of medicine for long, but what she had glimpsed consisted of mounds of paperwork, hidebound old men, and red tape. So many rules on how and when to save a life. If a life was lost due to a broken rule, the fury of repercussions would be great indeed. And if that life had been unnecessarily put at risk— “Do they suspect he was killed?”
“There’s been no mention of foul play.”
“Then I am coming with you.”
That stopped him. He turned around to face her. “No, there’s no need. I’ll be back in a few days. Besides, your mother needs you.”
“So do you.” She swallowed against a charge of emotion. She needed him to know that
The coolness melted from his eyes and pooled to soft green. He trailed his fingertips along her jaw like a sculptor admiring his creation. Svetlana leaned in to his touch, marveling at his ability to center her as the one woman in his world.
“You’re so beautiful. Have I ever told you that? Looking at you, I lose my bearings between heaven and earth.” His husky voice ached with desire. Svetlana laid a trembling hand over his heart to show him she felt the same, but the movement shifted something in his eyes. The molten gold cooled and his touch dropped from her face. “Even if the moment is a fleeting indulgence.”
He was retreating from her again. Pulling into himself while keeping her at arms’ length. Too much separation and they might never find a way back together.
“Please allow me to come with you to London.”
His gaze swept over her face as she saw his mind whirling with conflict.
Unease sprang to her heart. “Explain what?”
“Will you trust that I have only your best intentions in mind?”
“I trust you completely. As I hope you do me.”
In answer he leaned down and brushed his cheek against hers before pressing a kiss to her skin. He lingered for the briefest moment before walking away. Svetlana cupped her hand over her cheek, longing to hold a part of him close since she could not hold the man himself. Steps apart again.
If she wished to close the distance, she would have to take matters into her own hands. That started with getting to the bottom of the medical board and their continued harassment of her husband. To do that, one needed to know the right people, and as before in Russia, she had begun to cultivate her own notable list in her new country. Striding with purpose to the library, she sat at her writing desk and pulled out a crisp slip of cream paper with the Duchess of Kilbride seal embossed in gold at the top. She may not be able to solve the torment in her husband’s mind, but she could try to bring peace. She dipped her nib in the ink and set it to paper.