Page 57 of A Rogue to Ruin
“And Beatrix. I don’t keep secrets from her.”
Rafe exhaled. “Fine. But she and Rockbourne must swear secrecy.”
Selina nodded. “They will. You’ll be the earl soon. Things will get even easier then.”
Perhaps. Rafe put no trust in such things. He trusted his sister and himself.
And he was going to do whatever necessary to make their uncle pay for his crimes. Even if he had to use Anne to do it.
Chapter 10
Two days felt like a lifetime, particularly when Anne had no idea how many more days it would be before she saw Rafe again. She wandered downstairs to the library and ran into Jane, who promptly frowned.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Anne asked.
Jane’s eyes narrowed. “Why doyoulook like that?”
“Like what?” Anne tried to sound light and even lifted her shoulder in the hope of conveying a careless attitude. She was fairly certain she’d failed spectacularly given the deepening concern in Jane’s brow.
“As if you’ve just received the most disappointing news. You haven’t, have you?”
What would that even be? Anne tried to think of the most disappointing thing. Not ever seeing Rafe again. And since she currently had no plans to do so, yes, she supposed it was the equivalent of the most disappointing news ever. God, she was a pathetic mess of unrequited love.
“I have not,” Anne said, debating whether to confide in Jane about what had happened between her and Rafe the other day.
The butler came into the library, interrupting anything Anne might have said. “Lady Colton, Mr. Mallory is here to see Miss Pemberton.”
“Please show him in,” Jane said.
After the butler departed, Jane looked toward Anne, her brows climbing. “He’s calling on you?”
Anne’s heart pounded, and her belly flipped. “I wasn’t expecting him to.”
“That explains your demeanor,” Jane said with a light smile. “I’ll leave you alone, but with the door open, and I’ll sit just outside. Not to eavesdrop, but to pretend there’s just a bit of propriety happening.” She winked at Anne just before Rafe stepped into the room.
Everything faded into the background around him. He looked spectacular, his golden hair combed into a perfect, rakish style, his dark gray costume with burgundy waistcoat fitting his physique impeccably. Anne’s throat went dry as she recalled their last encounter, when she’d been stripped nearly bare in his embrace. Her pulse raced as a thrilling heat swept through her.
He bowed his head. “Lady Colton. Miss Pemberton.”
“Lord—” Anne stopped herself. “Mr. Mallory.” He was not yet Lord Stone. Nevertheless, she’d wondered if he was an earl on the very day they’d met. Perhaps there was something intrinsically noble about him.
The butler left, and Jane stepped toward the door. “Good afternoon, Mr. Mallory. I presume you’d like to speak with my sister. I’ll be just outside.” She glanced toward Anne before departing the library.
Rafe walked toward her. “Your sister is very accommodating. What does she know?”
“She knows about our…friendship, how I feel about you.” She looked up at him, her body swaying, aching for his touch. “I did not tell her any specifics about the other day.” Warmth rose in her cheeks to match the heat in her core.
“I came to ask a favor, if I may.” He was being very reserved. Was that because the door was open? Or because he truly wasn’t going to continue their…whatever it was?
“Shall we sit?” She gestured to the settee to her left.
At his nod, she perched on the edge, angling herself toward him. He also sat somewhat sideways, facing her. Their knees nearly touched. They were so close, but the bare inch felt as though it were a canyon.
Anne couldn’t imagine what favor she could grant him. At least not one that matched his current behavior. “I gather this is not a favor of a…personal nature?”
His eyes flickered with heat. “No.” Some of the anticipation curling through Anne dissipated. “I would like to get to know my uncle.”
This surprised her, but she was pleased. “I think that’s wonderful.”
