Page 67 of The Dravenhearst Brides
Ahalfhourofsilence.That was what followed his admission.
Celibate?
The word spun in Margot’s mind, round and round. Perhaps she needed a dictionary. Perhaps the word didn’t mean what she thought it did. It couldn’t. Priests were celibate. He was a thirty-one-year-old atheist. With areputation, for Christ’s sake.
“If the gun makes you nervous, stow it in the dash,” he finally said, breaking the standoff.
She hadn’t been staring at the gun. She’d been far more focused on the crotch of his pants, actually. Wondering how on God’s green earth thiswas possible…
A sign for the Indiana border flashed by, startling her. “Where are we going?”
“The ‘where’ isn’t important, but I need you to give your word that when we get there, you’ll stay in the car.”
“Why?”
His grip tightened on the wheel. “Because I said so.”
“I’m not a child.”
“Really? You sure acted like one back at the house.”
Margot sucked in her lips over her teeth. She deserved that. “If you would just tell me what you’re doing, sneaking out like this multiple times a week, I wouldn’t have to resort tohysterics.” She spat out the final word, tasting the pain of it. Cataloged the dozens of times it had been used against her.
Merrick gave her a fleeting side-eyed glance. His shoulders softened. “I’m sorry I said that.”
“No, you’re not.” She tipped her chin up and stared straight ahead.
“Yes, I am.” He reached over to grip her thigh. “I’m sorry, Margot.”
Three words. No excuses. Pure earnestness.
When she chanced a glance at him, his eyes were wide. Ringing with truth. They made her feel small. He was so much bigger a man than she’d ever expected. She, who had been unfairly judged all her life, had done the very same to him. A philistine, she’d called him. A rake, she’d assumed.
Celibateandan apology—one that somehow made a dent in the pain from all the times she’d never received one before? All in one night?
She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry I forced myself into your car like a wayward highwayman.”
“A very pretty highwayman, at least. Nightdress and all.” One corner of his mouth hitched up, the ghost of a smile.
“Will you tell me why I need to stay in the car?”
He sighed. “Because it’s dangerous. The people I’m meeting…I’d rather not involve you.”
Margot uncrossed her legs. Began to bounce a knee. Recrossed them.
“So will you?” he asked. “Will you stay in the car?”
“Yes.”
His posture visibly relaxed once she gave her word. The remaining miles passed in silence.
Merrick brought the car to a stop on a desolate stretch of road just across the Indiana line, after pulling down a small embankment beside an underpass. There was another automobile waiting, a sleek black Duesenberg.
When Merrick shut down the engine, the Duesenberg flashed its headlights. Once, twice. Merrick flashed back.
“That’s the signal,” he murmured. “Stay put. I won’t be long.” He reached for the door, and Margot grabbed his wrist.
“You’ll be okay, won’t you?”
