Page 90 of A Rogue to Ruin
“I’ve freely admitted my criminal past. That should answer your question.”
Aylesbury exhaled. “Indeed it does.”
“Can we assume you had a reason for that behavior?” North asked. “You were kidnapped, were you not?”
“We were. Our nurse’s brother was a footman at Stonehaven. My uncle enlisted him to start the fire. The nurse was to save Selina but leave me to die. She took us both and gave us to her brother. She was afraid because she hadn’t followed my uncle’s instructions. Her brother brought us to London, where he used us to steal and swindle. After a few years, he sold us to a man who ran a number of gangs.”
Both men stared at him, their expressions full of first shock and then sympathy.
“I am not proud of my past but Iamproud I survived it,” Rafe said. “I did what I had to do with what was available to me.”
Aylesbury clenched his jaw. “Harry will find the proof you need.”
“He’s running out of time,” North said, earning an angry glare from his father.
“Well, you have my vote.” Aylesbury clapped Rafe’s upper arm. “You’re part of the family, and we won’t turn our backs on you.”
“Thank you.” It was all Rafe could think to say. He was incredibly humbled by this man’s acceptance. It gave him hope that there was perhaps a small chance Anne would forgive him.
As he walked toward Upper Brook Street, his thoughts turned completely to her. He’d barely slept last night, wondering if she’d been able to find her rest.
Would she give him the chance to apologize? To explain?
He didn’t know how long he could wait to find out. It seemed the more time passed, the less likely he would be able to win her back.
Be patient.
He wanted to scream the word no, that he was done being patient. If he waited for Harry to find proof of Mallory’s crimes, justice might never be done. And if he waited for Anne to summon him, he might lose her forever.
Rafe wasn’t going to let either of those things happen.
* * *
Moonlight spilled through the opening in the drapes in Anne’s room. Lying on her side, she forced herself to close her eyes and try to sleep. Though why she expected this time would be any different from her other attempts over the past two hours was a mystery.
Because you’re a bloody optimist.
And because she couldn’t stop thinking of Rafe. Of how much she loved him. Of how she missed him. Of how hurt she’d felt.
She’d thought of little else all day, choosing to remain in her bedchamber and sitting room in order to brood by herself. Jane had visited a couple of times, but Anne hadn’t felt like talking.
Except shedidfeel like talking—just not to her sister. Anne wanted to saymanythings…to Rafe. She’d held the conversation several times in her head.
Stop. Sleep.
She closed her eyes more tightly and willed her body to relax. This shouldn’t be difficult. She was exhausted.
Clearing her mind, she focused on the weight of her limbs, the softness of the bed, the scent of lavender from her pillow. Yes, this was better. She was so tired…
The sudden press of a hand over her mouth and the weight of a large, warm body against her back filled her with a desperate panic. She tried to breathe but couldn’t. Terror streaked through her veins as her eyes flew open.
“Shh. It’s me.” Rafe’s voice was soft and deep beside her ear, sending a shiver of longing down her spine. Her fear receded and was instantly replaced with an equally strong emotion—lust.
“Will you be quiet, or do I have to tie something around your mouth so you’ll listen to me? Nod if you’ll be quiet.”
She nodded, and he eased her to her back. Keeping his hand against her mouth, he threw his leg over her and straddled her thighs. She bit the inside of her lip to keep from moaning. She was an absolute wanton. After he’d lied to her, she wanted him more than ever.
He slid his hand down her neck and kept his palm pressed against the base of her throat. He wasn’t wearing gloves, so his flesh was bare against hers above the edge of her night rail.
