Page 38 of The Secrets He Keeps

It was almost comical how Mason looked at her, as though she’d suddenly become a different person. And in a way...she had. “What’d you do?” he asked, his tone slightly incredulous, slightly wary.

“I chased him away.”

“So, get him back.”

She scoffed. “It’s not that easy.”

“Sure, it is,” he argued. “You want the man?”

Want him? Yes.

And more.

With a rough sound of frustration, she whipped her skirts aside and crossed the room. “What’s the blasted point? It cannot last. Nothing like that ever does. It’s a fool’s illusion.”

“So, be a fool. Take the bloody risk. It’s fucking worth it, Lissy.”

Keeping her back to her brother, she shook her head. She’d avoided that kind of risk all her life. Starting with her own mother, Callista had seen far too many times what a woman’s love got her—beaten, sold, degraded, lost to the desires and demons of men.

Of course, she’d also encountered men who were noble and honorable. But as a whole, they were rare creatures. Despite his rough edges and crude demeanor, Mason was one.

And Erik. He was one.

But that didn’t guarantee a thing.

“Listen,” Mason said behind her, setting a hand on her shoulder to turn her back to face him. His brows were furrowed and his gaze met hers with surprising compassion. “Whatever this is, you’ve gotta play it through to the end. And if he turns out to be an arsehole...or if you end up being the arsehole, you deal with that when it comes. Sometimes it doesn’t work out.” His eyes darkened and she suspected he was thinking of Claire’s mother. But then his mouth tilted in an irreverent grin. “But when it does, Lissy, it’s pretty fucking amazing. Don’t cheat yourself out of that possibility just because you’re a little scared.”

Callista narrowed her eyes at that last comment, which he’d obviously added just to provoke her. Mason knew damn well she was not afraid of anything.

But then again... Was fear holding her back?

The answer hit her like a fist to her sternum. Dammit to everlasting hell. That wouldn’t do at all.

Giving Mason a look that would turn most men to stone, she noted in a dangerous voice, “You know what? I’m pretty sure you’re the arsehole.”

He threw his head back and laughed. “That and more, as my duchess would no doubt attest.”

“I don’t know how that woman puts up with you.”

His smile then was full of pure male arrogance. “The lady loves me.” He lifted his fists and curled both arms to flex his biceps. “And these. She fucking adores these.”

With another roll of her eyes, she turned and walked away. “You know the way out,” she offered over her shoulder as she continued from the room, his laughter echoing behind her.

#

MAXWELL’S BUTLER GREETEDher at the door with a shallow bow and a sweep of his arm toward the stairs. “You’ll find him in his sitting room, madam.”

She’d suspected on her last visit that Erik had given instruction to allow her free entrance, but now she was sure of it. Why hadn’t he rescinded the order after last night? She would have if their situations had been reversed. She honestly never would have wanted to see his face again if he’d treated her the way she’d treated him.

Heat flowed across her nape and her low belly twisted. This was going to be harder than anything she’d ever done.

Though a hollow feeling settled in her chest—she refused to call it fear—she made her way up the stairs to the concealed doorway.

During that first visit, she’d guessed his reason for so readily revealing the secret passage to his private rooms was to demonstrate his consideration of her—the great Madam Pendragon— as a business colleague. A professional equal. Having his butler lead her through the secret passage to his private rooms hadn’t been a careless choice. She knew him well enough now to be assured that Erik Maxwell did nothing carelessly. At the time, she thought it a clever if presumptuous move. Madam Pendragon had no equal and she’d been anxious to enlighten him on that basic fact.

But now, as she triggered the latch to open the panel, a new understanding dawned.

She’d come to Maxwell’s nearly a fortnight ago, prepared to stand toe to toe with him, to threaten him if necessary. He’d been yet another man who endangered her business, her very livelihood, and most importantly, her power.

---