Page 30 of A Rogue to Watch Over Me
By hellfire, he wantedher. A powerful hunger coursed through his body. Desire. Need. And something more. Something far more fierce. Far more dangerous.
With ruthless discipline, he took control of his will. Of his heart. A woman like Amelia deserved more than a man like him could ever offer. She deserved more than passion. More than pleasure. Amelia deserved the one thing he could not give. Love was not in the cards.
Not with her.
Not with any woman.
All those years ago, he had given her brother his word. And he would honor that vow. No matter the cost.
He would protect her.
Even from himself.
Chapter Nine
Giving in tothe nervous tension brewing within her, Amelia paced before the large stone fireplace in MacLain’s office. When she’d been a girl in braids, Amelia had endured more than one scolding from a lemon-tart governess who’d had tried with little success to direct Amelia to channel her energy—nervous, or otherwise—into more subtle, more ladylike actions. But as Logan MacLain laid out his strategies for ensuring her safety, the even footsteps over his plush carpet seemed precisely the thing to ensure her fragile sense of composure. That is, until he spoke the words that stopped her in her tracks.
“It goes without saying that ye will need to take up residence in my home.” He spoke the words as if he’d stated an unarguable fact.
My, the man was arrogant. Well accustomed to getting his way, she supposed. A more prim and proper woman than herself might have feigned indignant shock. After all, it wasn’t every day that a known rogue proposed a respectable widow take up residence with him.
Fortunately for both of them, she hadn’t given a fig about being prim, let alone proper, for quite some time.
“What you are suggesting is utterly scandalous,” she said matter-of-factly. “But you already knew that, didn’t you?”
“I did,” he agreed. “We both know I don’t give a damn about scandal. What I am proposing is the most practical option for keeping you safe.”
“Goodness, the gossips will have a high time with such an arrangement, won’t they?”
“Ye’re not afraid of tongues wagging, Amelia.” His eyes flashed with challenge. “Ye’ve more backbone than that.”
“You do have a point. Given the circumstances, perhaps there is no better alternative.”
“So ye agree... ye will stay with me?” He frowned. “Just like that.”
Was it her imagination, or did he seem a bit let down by her ready agreement?
“I suppose it is the wisest decision. I do hope I have not deprived you of an opportunity to exercise those powers of persuasion you take such pride in.”
“Ye could say that you have.” A half-smile tilted his mouth. “I was looking forward to the challenge.”
She went to the table beside the wing chair and poured a cup of oolong tea from a pot Mrs. Langford had placed there. “I consider myself a logical woman. I’ve far more pressing concerns than a blot on my so-called good name.”
“That’s not it. Not all of it, at least.” He slowly shook his head. “Yer decision to stay with me is not a simple matter of logic.”
“You think not?”
“It is a matter of trust.” His husky, gravel-edged voice seemed a caress. “I will not let ye down. I will justify that trust.”
Trust.The word echoed in her thoughts. Good heavens, he was right. Deep within, she did trust this man who had been a stranger twenty-four hours earlier. Logan MacLain was bold. He was brash. And she suspected he’d earned his reputation as a rogue.
But her every instinct vouched for him as a man of courage. Perhaps, even, of honor. He would abide by his promise to her brother. And he would help her find justice for Paul.
“There is one thing.” Sudden doubt twisted in the pit of her stomach. “I will not leave Heathy behind.”
“That goes without saying. Though I may regret it when the wee beast sinks his little teeth into my leg.” He flashed a grin. “We certainly would not leave behind such a fierce guard dog.”
Drat the man, Amelia thought as his smile reached his eyes. Logan MacLain had no right to be so blasted appealing.
