Page 42 of A Kiss Of Lies

She couldn’t keep the fear from crawling over her skin. Panic kept her rooted to the spot. Her shift clung to her body and she knew without even looking down that it was completely transparent. Sebastian’s gaze looked her over thoroughly, his eyes roaming like fingers over her skin.

She watched with wary eyes as Sebastian bent down and picked up her robe.

Sarah looked wildly around—where could she run to? Would anyone hear her if she screamed? Her voice caught in her throat, and she couldn’t make a sound.

He approached her from across the sand. His powerful frame of rippling muscle moved forward, declaring that this was his beach and he’d do what he liked on it. He did not even have the decency to keep his eyes on her face. His eyes swept over her form, lingering on her breasts and the junction between her thighs.

Sarah tried to shield her body with arms and hands. His response was a cold, tight smile.

She took small steps backward as he prowled nearer. She stopped moving when she felt the water lapping at her feet. There was nowhere to go.

She straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. She’d sworn never to cower before a man ever again.

He came to a halt in front of her, leaving only a gap between them small enough for a coin to drop through. He handed her the robe. “Cover yourself.” He turned away from her and began walking back toward her spot under the trees. He called over his shoulder, “You and I are going to have a little chat. Only then will I decide what I shall tell Christian.”

Her stomach plummeted to her feet. She realized without a doubt that Sebastian knew the truth. He had remembered who she was.

She walked back up the beach as if walking up the steps of the gallows. She was stupid to have thought she’d ever escape her punishment. This was it—if he knew about her husband’s death, he’d see her arrested.

He indicated for her to sit on the blanket. He remained standing, leaning against the tree.

“Why don’t you start by telling me how you managed to escape the clutches of an animal such as Peter Dennett?”

She looked up in surprise. “Most people thought my husband was a fine gentleman.”

Sebastian scoffed. “His brother may be a marquis, but he’s a pig of a man, nothing less than a bully and a sadistic reprobate.” Then his expression shifted. “Hold on. What did you say? I beg your pardon—was?” He straightened. “Are you telling me Peter Dennett’s dead? No one on the island has heard this news.”

“Then I’d like it to stay that way.”

“Why?”

She buried her head in her hands and felt the nausea well up her throat. “Because I—I killed him,” she sobbed. “I swear to you it was in self-defense.”

His face paled under its tan. Without hesitation, he replied, “I’ve no doubt.” He dropped down to his knees in the sand before her and gently pulled her hands away from her face. “Tell me.” He wiped away a tear. “Tell me what happened. I know what Peter liked to do to women. I witnessed one particular episode. His cruelty saw him banned from every high-class brothel from London to the Americas.” He turned her round slowly until he could reach her back. He pulled her robe and shift partway off her shoulders, as if already knowing what he’d find. He cursed under his breath. “Does Christian know?”

She pulled her robe back up and swiveled to face him. “He knows Mr. Cooper mistreated me. Nothing more! You haven’t even asked me why I killed him.”

Sebastian waved a hand in dismissal. “I know why. Peter was evil.” He eyed her knowingly. “I’m sure a whipping was not the worst he did to you, was it?”

She could only shake her head.

“What about your father, Lady Serena? Why didn’t you go to the Duke for help? Christian would take you to him. No one would fault you for killing in self-defense. Not when the Duke of Hastings is your father. He surely would not allow any man to treat his daughter this way.”

She looked up with a wry grimace. “He knew what Peter was like. He just didn’t care. Peter offered to cover his debts in exchange for the honor of marrying his daughter. My father had huge gambling debts, and Peter . . .” Her voice sounded small. “Peter was clever. He only paid my father enough to keep his head above water. I was nothing more than a commodity to my father. Shortly after our marriage, when I wrote him a letter complaining of Peter’s treatment, he told me I had made a vow before God and that I should honor and obey it.” Her body shook uncontrollably. “God! I’m sure the games Peter forced me to play would have had God wanting me to escape his clutches, not to become a slave for Peter’s depraved amusements.”

Sebastian ran a hand through his hair. “Christ.” He stood once more and began to pace. “I certainly understand why you went to Christian for help. He’s the most honorable man I know. He has a reputation for protecting the underdog, the underprivileged, and those who are bullied. He must have welcomed you with open arms.” He gave her a wicked smile that knocked her breath from her lips. “For several reasons.”

Rather primly she stated, “I didn’t seek him out for help. He doesn’t know who I am. He hired me to be Lily’s governess. With the help of Zachary, one of Peter’s slaves, I escaped north to Canada. I needed employment, and Lord Markham advertised for a governess who wished to live quietly in Dorset. I simply thought it would be a great place to hide.”

“So you’re not using Christian to fight your battles.”

Her hand flew to her chest. “No! I don’t want him involved. If they find me and think he’s been aiding me . . .”

“You haven’t told him any of this? He really thinks you’re Mrs. Sarah Cooper?” He stopped pacing and looked at her for several moments. “I believe that you acted in self-defense. Besides, you’re good for Christian. Not since Waterloo have I seen him this happy. Between ourselves, since his injury at Waterloo, I have been scared he was losing the will to live.”

Without thinking, she said, “We’re good for each other. I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to . . .” She looked away, blushing, and swallowed hard.

“You can trust Christian. Don’t listen to what anyone else might say. He’d never hurt a woman. He’d never, ever hurt you.”

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