Page 37 of Keeper of Secrets

“Chloe,” he rumbled, leaning his elbows on his knees.“Look at me.”

She shook her head.“I don’t want to.”

“Why not?”

She nipped at her lip.“You just told me you didn’t want me.”

He was worse than horse dung.“I didn’t mean it.”There.He’d said the words.He pushed further out on his seat, reaching out a hand to brush her knee with his fingers.She turned to the side, pulling her legs as far away from him as the space in the carriage would allow.

“No?”

He let out a long sigh.“You’d told me that I was like my father, and I wanted to hurt you back.”

She looked at him then.“Was your father a philanderer too?”

His brows drew together.She’d mentioned his fidelity twice now.And then he remembered… he’d heard a noise outside his study the night that Strongborn had come calling.“It was you who was eavesdropping.”

Her chin dropped then.“I…”

He sat back, crossing his arms over his chest.She knew why he’d gone to that ball.“Why were you listening?Tell me.What did you hope to hear?”He sat forward, his legs spread wide, his elbows on his knees.Had she been instructed to do so?Was she in league with Adam after all?

Her hands pressed tightly together, her breath catching, as her gaze swung back to him.“You only gave me a fortnight.I had to know if I was making the biggest mistake of my life.”

The words cut him.“You think marrying me will be the biggest mistake of your life?”

She shook her head.“I’m not meant to be shunted off alone, Ryker.I just wanted to know if you would ever really desire me.I got my answer.You went to that ball tonight to…” She shook her head, refusing to speak anymore.

He might have been angry, but satisfaction filled his chest to think she was jealous.“Did you plan to go with Countess Green to stop me?”

“I planned to end our engagement.”Her chin notched up.“And to find a new prospect.”

He swallowed down his growl of protest.For a moment he just stared and then he sat back on his bench seat, his legs still wide and powerful.Her gaze moved down him as she swallowed a visible lump.“I wouldn’t have done it.”

Her mouth opened and then closed.“Easy to say now.”

He noted they’d only discussed their personal matters.“And what did you learn about Adam?”

Her confused stare met his.“Who is Adam?”

“You tell me.”

She shook her head.“I’m sorry.But I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You listened to our conversation, so I know you heard him mentioned.You’re lying to me.”

Her eyes widened.“I only heard a few sentences.A club, a challenge, the master of something or other, a widow.”She scooted out on her seat.“And if you don’t trust me, or don’t want me, Ryker, send me away.I’ll go.I’ll find another husband and you’ll never hear from me again.”

For a moment, Ryker stared at her.He had a choice.Believe her or not.He had no new evidence, nothing but his own intuition.He closed his eyes and drew in a deep cleansing breath.

Chloe was telling the truth.

He opened his eyes and his arms to her, a clear invitation.“Why don’t you come over here so I can prove to you that I can hardly think of anyone other than you?”

Indecision flashed in her eyes.“Ryker.”

“What, love?”

“It only muddles…” Her hands clenched and unclenched.

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