Page 65 of The Duke's Mysterious Lover
Aye, but they’re sympathetic at least. They ken Demon shuns them because of his scars, and Georgia was disowned by her own father.
Society wouldn’t be sympathetic to Kit, not once it became known she’d lived as a man and as Thorne’s valet—hislover. Hell, she’d have to be a princess for Society to forgive that!
Shaking his head, Thorne turned back to the window, although he wasn’t really seeing the view, and braced one hand on the frame.
Society will think ye’re just using her.
Well? Isn’t that what he was doing?
He was using Kit because she made him feel good—not just his body, but his heart. She was the person he wanted to wake up holding for the rest of his life. She was the person he wanted at his side, helping him focus, rubbing his shoulders, telling him hewasworth the best things in the world.
She was the person whose love he wanted most.
Ye sound like a child. Me me me. I want I need give me give me. Not a thought to whatshewants.
Groaning, Thorne dropped his forehead to his forearm, braced against the window.Fook. He’d been so selfish in asking Kit to marry him, and her response had shown that.
She’d only come to London to find out more about her father, and Thorne had forced her to turn all of her attention tohim. He’d offered to help her observe her father, and hadn’t done shite in furthering her goal.
Damnation.
Behind him, the concerto reached its crescendo, and Thorne forced himself to inhale deeply.
She’s made her feelings clear. She doesnae want to be married to ye. Think about whatshewants for a change, ye dumb shite.
Aye.
Aye, he could do this.
If Kit viewed this—this—whateverthiswas between them as only a bit of fun, then Thorne could as well.
He chuckled dryly.
How often had he been the one to gently explain to a lover that he had no interest in taking things further than a bit of bedsport? He’d always broken off the affair after that, so he supposed he should be grateful Kit still took joy in his company, aye?
Ye can do this.
Aye, he could. He would. The alternative would be losing her, and he would not lose her.
With another deep breath, Thorne pushed himself upright and headed for the drinks cart. Focus on the problem at hand. How to trap Blackrose without putting Bull in harm’s way?
Right. Focus.
“He doesnae have to go alone,” Thorne muttered, pouring himself a small measure of whisky. “The lad would have backup. Nay, we’d be recognized.” He scowled at the liquid. “Then outside the house. Bull could let us in. Danielle and Georgia can give us floorplans. If Blackrose hasnae rearranged, they can tell us where the safe is likely to be.”
He glanced over at Kit, who was now holding his gaze, a small smile on her lips. She was no longer following the sheet music, and he didn’t recognize the melody.
Without prompting, his feet moved him toward her, and it wasn’t until he stepped off the rug that he realized he was ready to taste her again.Focus. Grimacing at his own self-centeredness, Thorne threw himself into one of the two armchairs bracketing the hearth and her playing area.
“Fook,” he muttered yet again, this time not sure exactly why.
A noise at the door pulled his chin off his chest, and he frowned when he saw Bull slip into the study. The lad turned to softly close the door and press his cheek to the crack.
“What are ye doing?” barked Thorne, gratified to see Bull startle.
The lad looked toward the desk, and when he realized Thorne wasn’t there, scanned the room. His brows softened into his typical smirk when he jerked his head toward the hall. “Practicing my ninja-sneaking.”
“Ninja-sneaking,” Thorne repeated in a deadpan tone.
