"Are you really unwell," Raven asked, "or are you merely avoiding me because you know what I will say?"
"I have the headache," Aurora replied, not quite a lie. "But yes" – she smiled faintly – "I would rather avoid this conversation."
Undeterred, Raven moved across the room to stand directly before Aurora. "Nicholas is leaving tonight, do you realize that?"
"Yes, I know."
"And you just mean to let him go?"
"Raven… it is for the best. England is my home. I belong here. And I must stay for Geoffrey's sake."
"My brother said that you mean to have your marriage annulled so you can wed Lord March. Is that true?"
"Yes."
Raven's blue eyes narrowed unhappily. "You are making a grave mistake, Aurora. You should go with Nicholas. He loves you."
"I… I'm not certain what Nicholas feels is love."
"I think it is." Raven fished in her reticule and withdrew a folded piece of vellum. "He asked me to give you this."
Opening the note, Aurora read feverishly.
Aurora, I realize you feel you must honor your obligation to March, but I cannot relinquish you to him without making certain you understand my true feelings. Last night you said I would forget you in time. I won't.
It is curious. I never understood my father, how a man could be so obsessed with a woman, letting his heart overcome his head. Certainly I never believed it could happen to me. I never wanted to find a love like that – a heart-deep passion. The kind that overwhelms you and makes you lose control. But I had no choice. Not once I met you.
I realize now that what my father believed was true. When you find your true mate, then second best isn't enough.
You are my heart, Aurora. You always will be.
Aurora felt her own heart twist in her chest. Nicholas truly loved her, she could doubt it no longer. He could never have made such a tender, intimate confession merely to win a conquest.
"Nicholas loves you, Aurora," Raven said with quiet fervency. "He has risked his life to be with you. What more proof do you need?"
It was true; Nicholas had risked capture and death to pursue her.
Gathering her control, Aurora clasped her hands together. "I cannot leave Geoffrey, Raven. He needs me to stand by him. He is too badly injured to face the future alone."
"He is not alone. He has family, friends, not to mention wealth and title – Oh, how I wish I could make you stop worrying about everyone but yourself." Raven gave her a beseeching look. "I cannot believe you would simply throw away this chance for true love."
Aurora winced at the unwavering intensity of her friend's gaze. "I thought you were the one who didn't believe in love."
"I believe in it. I just don't want it for myself. But you and Nicholas are different. You were meant for each other; even I can see that."
"Geoffrey is not the only reason I intend to remain, Raven. I have other responsibilities… to you, for one. I made a promise to see you safely settled."
"Which you have done admirably," Raven insisted. Taking a deep breath, she sat down in the other wing chair before the hearth. "You need not worry about me, Aurora. I didn't want to tell you yet, but… I have received an extremely advantageous proposal of marriage."
Aurora stared. "From whom?"
"The Duke of Halford. I am considering accepting."
"You cannot be serious."
"I knew you would not approve. But this should be my decision, Aurora. I am the one who must live with the consequences."
Aurora felt herself shudder. "Raven, you cannot wed Halford. He is controlling and dictatorial and cold – "