Page 16 of A Kiss Of Lies

She stared at him for a long moment. He showed no sign that he knew she’d been in his room. A tingle of disappointment rippled over her. If he did not remember her visit to his room last night, then it wasn’t her compassion that had driven his interest. Therefore, he was like every other man she knew. He was simply reacting like a randy cad to a pretty face.

For a minute she wished she’d kept her glasses and cap on, as at least they served as a barrier to any unwanted overtures.

Yet Sarah didn’t think she was in any real danger. She knew he would not force his attentions on her. She did not believe he had a dishonorable bone in his large, overtly masculine body. Look at how he’d stepped forward to care for Lily.

However, it was obvious that he did not mean to let their relationship remain platonic for too long. She sensed that, like a cat playing with a mouse, he intended to swat at her until she was worn down. Then he’d pounce. She even knew the time and place: tucked away at sea, where she’d be unable to escape.

Perhaps she didn’t wish to escape.

But therein lay the danger.

Nevertheless, in her limited experience, danger was best faced head on. So she put down her cutlery and asked, “As you wish us to get to know each other, tell me, how is it you came to be in York?”

He gave a harsh laugh. “You don’t expect me to believe you have not heard the rumors, do you?”

“I have heard many stories. I have no idea if any are true. Besides, I rarely listen to gossip.”

“Indeed.” His smile failed to hide his disbelief. “Then you are different from any lady I have previously known.”

“More than likely, I would say.”

“Let me see if I can recount all the wild stories.” He sat back in his chair and gave a wry smile. “My fiancée broke off our engagement due to my disfigurement, and I left England brokenhearted.”

“I would not blame you for needing to escape for a while, if that were true.”

He shook his head. “Women’s heads are filled with romantic notions. I had no fiancée, but I did have a mistress. When she saw my burns, she found herself another protector. But that did not leave me brokenhearted. I feel that I had a lucky escape.”

“True. Any woman who is so dishonorable does not deserve you.”

“Another story is that my fiancée left me for another man, and I fought a duel with him and killed him.”

She laughed. “I know that you did not have a fiancée, so I shall dismiss that rumor too. In fact, any rumor regarding fleeing due to your fiancée I shall ignore. Tell me, what is the real reason?”

His smile died, and his face darkened into a stern frown. “Do you really want to know?”

She nodded, but her throat was constricting. Did she, really?

“You should have asked me this question before you accepted the job.”

“Why? I doubt your answer would have made any difference to my decision.”

His black eyebrows drew together as he uttered, “Wait until you hear why I am in this hellhole. Then we shall see if you want this job so badly.” He studied her closely as if trying to ascertain her motives. “No one knows the truth. Only Matthew Pearson did. I’m not sure why I’m telling you except that you are only the second person to ask. I was shanghaied to York by the Duke of Barforte’s son, accused of raping the Duke’s daughter.” He put down his cutlery and grimaced. “Do you feel so sure about your decision now?”

“Is it true?”

“I—I beg your pardon?” he stammered.

“Is the accusation true?”

His smile held total admiration. “What a question!”

She shrugged. “It would appear to be the only question to ask.”

“At first, I could not recall.” At her puzzled expression, he continued. “The nightmares . . . I cannot always remember everything that I do during them.”

Sarah’s face flushed. Like last night. Now she was certain he did not know she’d been in his room.

“But with time my memories have become clearer. I know with certainty that I did not have Harriet Barforte in my bed. I’ve never even met her.”

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