Page 112 of The Duke and the Lady in Red
He might as well have hit her with a battering ram. Just when she thought it was impossible to love him any more than she already did, he did something like this that made her love him all the more. She blinked back the tears stinging her eyes and threatening to make their presence known. But she could not resist the temptation to lay her hand over his in order to soften the blow of her words. “This is not your debt to pay.”
“Now is not the time to quibble.”
But it was. She would hold firm on this. She would not allow him to save her when she was not worthy of being saved. Sitting back, she merely studied him. She knew every line, every curve, every sharp edge of his face. She would miss seeing them in the future.
“Rose—”
“No.” She wouldn’t succumb to his pleas.
The dark eyes that had so often warmed with passion when he gazed on her now turned brittle and hard. The jaw she had so often kissed jutted out with his anger. His nostrils flared. “We had a bargain, you and I,” he ground out. “You would do all that I wanted for as long as I wanted. I want you to give me every name until I have them all.”
“You can’t fix this.”
“I can. Once they are paid, they will drop the charges.”
She laughed. “I’m a criminal, Avendale. Accept it. Let it go. But I do have a favor to ask.”
“No. You won’t give me what I want. Why the bloody hell should I do something else for you?”
Because he cared for her. He wouldn’t be here if he didn’t. She didn’t know if what he felt was as deep as love, but it was something. In spite of his anger, his harsh refusal, somehow she knew he would do this for her. “Take my trunk to Merrick. There’s a secret compartment. He knows how to access it. He’ll find the five thousand there. He and the others are to use it to begin their lives anew.”
“And what of your life?”
“I always knew that eventually it would end here. The guilt over what I’d done weighed so heavily—as heavily as the boulders that poor Harry had to carry. I’m relieved, really, that it’s over. I do regret that I was not able to hold to my end of the bargain I made with you. I came to care for you.”
“Then tell me what I need to know.”
“And then what? We carry on as though nothing happened? Do you not think this will make the newspapers? Tinsdale will see to it, otherwise those who hired him to find me will not pay him. So your mother will know the sort of woman who has been cavorting with her son. And your friends? Do you think they will be pleased to know that a woman who had no compunction whatsoever about taking things and not paying for them sat among them, laughed with them, and took their money? They will be appalled, as well they should be.”
“I don’t give a bloody damn! I love you.”
She felt as though the noose were already about her neck and the trap door sprung. He closed his mouth tightly, squeezed his eyes shut.
“You can’t,” she whispered.
He opened his eyes, resignation swimming within the dark depths. “I do. I have for some time now.”
She scoffed, released a quick burst of laughter. He loved her. She wanted to curl against him, hold him near, but she had to protect him. She couldn’t allow him to ruin his life for her. “What a fool you are. I swear, Avendale, you have been my most successful swindle yet. Dear God, you probably had plans to marry me, have applied for the license.”
“Don’t, Rose.”
“Don’t what? Be honest with you? From the beginning you were my mark. I lied to you that first night at the Twin Dragons and I have lied to you ever since about everything except Harry. Do you really think that I was going to stay with you, do whatever you wanted, for however long you wanted? I said those words because I knew you would respond to them, just as you respond to my touch. I never planned to stay for overly long.”
“You’re lying.”
“Am I? Ask the seamstress. I walked in, I walked out. I wasn’t going to order a gown to wear for you. I was ready to move on. Unfortunately, before I could hail a cab, I ran into Tinsdale.”
“How were you going to pay for this cab? You didn’t have the five thousand with you.”
“As I pay for all things. With promises.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Be that as it may, they are the most honest words I’ve ever said to you.”
Eyes narrowed, jaw taut, he studied her. “Have it your way then.” He stood. “I’ll have the trunk delivered to Merrick.”
“Thank you.”
