Page 99 of The Duke's Mysterious Lover
As Thorne turned them away, her Father said, “You will contact me.”
She didn’t acknowledge the order. She wasn’t certain how.
It wasn’t until Thorne settled his hand on her back, falling into the classic closed position, that she realized she was trembling.
“Kit?” he murmured, as the music began.
“That man is more evil than I could’ve imagined.” It waseasier to confess it here, in his arms. “I feel as if I need a bath to scrub away his influence. Some things never wash away.”
Thorne’s eyes were sad. “I’m sorry, love. I’m sorry ye had to face him, and I’m sorry for his place in yer life. And I’m sorry I had to say such horrible things about ye.”
It took a moment to realize what he meant. “Your comments about musicians?” She tried for a small smile. “Don’t be sorry, it was the truth, wasn’t it? Iamyour lover, and my father apparently had a similar relationship with my mother.”
Something like a wince crossed Thorne’s face, and he opened his mouth as if to reply. But instead, he glanced around the room and swept her into a turn.
There was more. “Thorne, I don’t think he’s planning on attending the musicale.”
His blue gaze turned sharp. “What do ye mean? He didnae fall for the bait?”
“Oh, he fell for it,” she assured him, voice bitter. “I did such a fabulous job of convincing him of my loyalty to him, that Father believesIshould steal the evidence and rush it to his home.”
“Where he’ll protect ye from my ire, nae doubt?” Thorne bit out, sarcasm lacing his tone.
“What are we going to do? He knows you have evidence against him.” Revealing their secret advantage had been a calculated risk to lure Father into making a move—a move he had not made. “Hehasto attend that musicale!”
“Dinnae fash, sweetheart, he will. I’ll find a way.”
And suddenly, it all came crashing down on her. Kit dug her fingers into his shoulders, determined not to faint as the room went spinning around her.
“I know you love to dance, Thorne,” she gasped. “But would you mind terribly if we—if you took me home?”
Home.
His expression immediately turned to concern, and he led her toward the stairs. “Absolutely, love. I’ll fetch yer shawl.”
Kit hadn’t been lying; shedidwant a bath. Then she wanted to curl up in Thorne’s arms and listen to him reassure her that everything was going to be alright.
Even if that was a lie.
Chapter 20
“What has ye looking so guilty?”
Thorne startled, realizing he’d been staring out the window without seeing for the last—uh, what day was it? Hour, at least—and unfolded his arms from in front of his chest.
“What?” he barked at Fawkes, who was frowning down at the billiards table.
His cousin straightened and tapped his billiards cue against the edge of the table. “Ye’ve been staring at that pigeon for a while. Pigeons are no’ that interesting. And nae offence, Thorne, but ye’re fooking easy to read. Ye’re looking guilty about something.”
Thorne wanted to bristle, to claim thatnay, he wasn’t easy to read; his years working with Blackrose had taught him that. But unfortunately, Fawkes was right. Hewasguilty.
“Ye’re thinking of Kit, aye?”
Scowling, Thorne leaned his hip against the edge of the billiards table. “She’s fine.”
“Aye, she is. Ellie’s beyond ecstatic, to be helping, ye ken. It was generous of ye.”
As part of the planning for the musicale, Georgia hadannounced Kit would need a different gown than the orange one she’d worn to the Stallings assembly, and since Fawkes and Danielle were staying at Stroken House, it was easy enough to recruit Danielle to help.
