Page 61 of Rakes & Reticules
Rustling on the other side suggested she’d risen from bed or perhaps an armchair.
“Why?” Her distrustful voice filtered through the walnut door.
He leaned his forehead against the cool wood. “Because I hurt you, which was the last thing I intended to do.”
“Did you set the fire too?” The wood muffled her words but not the accusation behind them.
He sighed. She might as well know everything. “Yes. I had my men stage a fire in the building next door in a fireproof container so it would not spread, and it was my man who announced it in the club. All the hullabaloo outside was also fabricated. Armond Chambeau, my theater director, recruited actors and actresses. Chandler convinced the viscountess the plan was his idea.”
He’d staged the entire thing to entrap the Huxleys—specifically Lady Huxley.
Siobhan’s voice, a mere thread of sound, penetrated the thick door. “We might’ve been shot, Fletcher. Did you not consider that?”
A hint of her earlier ire raised the pitch of her voice.
Wincing, he laid his palm flat against the door.
He’d done this to her. Made her fear for her life and his—likely her brother’s and sister’s too.
“Chandler removed the ball from Lady Huxley’s pistol. Only he had a loaded gun.”
A long pause ensued.
“Siobhan?”
“It seems you thought of everything.” Sadness and resignation laced her low tone. “I’m happy you were able to catch Lady Huxley. What made you suspect her?”
“She was receptive to Chandler’s complaints about me. That is why we decided on the course of action you witnessed tonight, although I still wrongly believed Lord Huxley was behind everything until a few days ago.”
“That is what Chandler wanted to discuss with you privately that day I fainted, isn’t it?”
“It was.” Fletcher smoothed his fingers across the wood, wishing it was her he comforted. “Open the door, sweetheart. Please.”
Silence reigned for several heartbeats.
“Why?”
Because I love you. I want to take you into my arms and assure you you’ll never have to be afraid again. I long to taste your lips in a soul-searing kiss.To convince you that you are the most precious thing in the world to me.
Instead, he whispered, emotion clogging his throat. “Because I desperately want to see your beautiful face and to apologize for not including you. It was stupid of me.”
Several more gut-wrenching moments passed before the key scratched into the lock.
However, Siobhan didn’t open the door.
Taking a deep breath, Fletcher pressed the latch down, and the panel swung open.
His entire future rested upon what happened in the next few minutes.
She’d retreated to the window, her virginal nightgown enshrouding her like an angel, her ebony hair falling past her shoulders. She glanced at the bedside clock.
“It’s almost midnight, Fletcher. Say what you need to say, and let me seek my bed. I’m exhausted.”
Her blue eyes round and wounded, she regarded him as an injured doe would have done, leery and ready to flee.
“I’m sorry, my love. So very sorry.” He held out a hand in entreaty. “I can bear anything, punishment or pain, except knowing I’ve hurt you. I thought it was for the best, but now I know I should have told you everything.”
Twisting the gown’s fabric with her fingers, she bit her lower lip and averted her gaze. Not, however, before Fletcher saw tears pooling in her incredible eyes.
