Page 123 of From Rakes to Riches

“Our paths cross from time to time,” Theodore replied, although it was an exaggeration of the truth. He didn’t know His Grace directly, but if the innkeeper thought him a friend of the duke’s, perhaps the man would get on with the telling.

Instead, the innkeeper looked troubled. “His Grace owns the property on the hill. It’s his country seat. A few years ago, a problem occurred there. That’s really all I can share.”

“That’s all? That’s nothing,” Theodore said, his frustration coming through in his words.

“I cannot speak poorly of a peer. It would compromise my personal integrity. Especially when you and he are acquainted and likely to meet again in the future. You should ask him yourself as you consider him a friend,” the innkeeper said before he excused himself and walked away.

Theodore closed his eyes, summoning his last reserve of patience. He strode to his room and wrotetwomessages. One for Margaret and one for Lola. He dispatched them at the front desk of the lodging house and then ordered Wyndham to prepare for their departure. He was tired of mistruths, complications, and secrecy. It was time to demand answers.

17

Lola was leaving for Vauxhall when a messenger arrived. At first, she was unsure if she wanted to read what the letter contained, having convinced herself Theodore had exhumed every ugly truth buried in her past while he was in Ipswich. But eventually, in an act of preservation so she could walk the rope with peace of mind and know exactly where she stood with him, she opened the note. Relief rushed through her when she found an endearing message instead of harsh accusations written inside.

Lola,

I’ve missed you and will come by this evening at eleven o’clock. Leave a candle in the window if you will see me. I hope to see the light.

Theodore

His words weren’t troubling. The opposite, in fact. But she was too unnerved by his trip to Ipswich to convince herself any good would come of it.

She managed to ignore these insecurities while she performed and later talked to friends, though as soon as she returned home with Sofia and her brothers, Lola went upstairs to bathe and change her clothes. She put the candle in the window early.

When Theodore finally arrived at eleven o’clock, her conflicted emotions had a stronger hold. She tiptoed downstairs and greeted him with a slight smile. Then they moved up to her room in silence.

He followed her inside and pulled her into his arms before they exchanged a word, their kiss all the communication needed for the time being. His mouth slanted over hers again and again, his kisses anxious and yet enduring, and she met each caress equally as if they both wished to reaffirm their desire.

“I thought of you all the way home,” he murmured as he nuzzled kisses down her neck. He banded his arm around her waist to tighten his hold, her breasts crushed against his broad chest, warm and secure, making it far too easy to dismiss her concerns and questions. When he broke away, he buried his face in her hair and breathed her in before he moved his lips against her ear, his words nothing more than a rasp. “I couldn’t wait to see you.”

Her heart tripped over itself, a feeling of being cherished in a way she’d never experienced causing the leap in her pulse. Still, she couldn’t ignore what she desperately needed to ask, hoping he’d answer honestly.

“Where were you?” Her cheek was pressed to his chest now and she could hear the steady rhythm of his heart. Each breath brought with it the familiar scent of his cologne.

“I traveled to Ipswich to meet with Fremont’s valet in hope he could offer insight in regard to what happened. He’s retired now and lives there with his mother.”

Spoken in his low tenor, every syllable reverberated through her as she listened to his explanation with an odd combination of relief and happiness.

“Is that all the business you sought?”

He set her back from his embrace gently, though he didn’t let go, his eyes taking her in, lingering on her mouth as if he was contemplating another kiss. “Yes. It’s the reason I went, although Ipswich is charming. You must have enjoyed growing up in such idyllic surroundings.”

Was he playing a game or did he speak sincerely? Uneasiness with her own deceit impaired her judgment.

And her desire to be honest with him and bare her soul.

In more ways than one.

The need to confide in him tempted her. To unburden herself and share the choices she’d made and consequences she’d endured. Yet those same choices would ultimately keep them apart.

“It’s a lovely town,” she said as she dropped her gaze and touched a fingertip to the buttons of his waistcoat. He must have removed his greatcoat and gloves after tying off his horse.

“Have you no wish to visit again?”

His question was innocent enough, though she took a deep breath before she answered. “No. An unfortunate incident occurred there and I’m in no hurry to return.”

He must have sensed her inner conflict and tugged her forward, back into his arms and the maelstrom of emotions his kisses caused inside her. Yet, when he bowed his head to take her mouth he paused, his expression possessive and fierce. “Did someone force their attentions on you?”

The question was asked with such lethal calm, emotion welled in her throat.

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