Page 18 of The Lady Needs a Rogue
Blast it to hell, but Jon was making sense. Despite Macie’s determined will and independent nature, she was not as worldly as she believed. A woman of her means had been shielded from the darkness permeating the city. If she found herself in the sights of a man with ill intentions—whether a street tough or an entitled noble—she would be vulnerable.Defenseless.
The thought of Macie falling victim to some gutter-dweller plowed into Finn’s gut like a fist. By hellfire, he was entering a trap. And he knew it.
But there wasn’t a blasted thing he could tell himself that might convince him to walk away.
“Tell me this, Jon. Why me?”
“You already know the answer, Finn. You know how to use your fists when you need to. You’ve never shied away from a fight.” Jon met his gaze. “I need to know Macie is protected. Above all, I need someone I can trust.”
Trust.How bloody unexpected.
“It goes without saying that discretion will be required,” Jon went on. “I am counting on you to keep her safe. And out of trouble.”
Finn dragged a hand through his hair. Bloody hell, what was he getting himself into? “Protecting her is one thing. Keeping her out of trouble is quite another.”
“How well I know,” Jon agreed. “It is imperative that she does not create another scene that sets tongues wagging.”
Jon’s tone was so staid, it was hard to reconcile this man with the rowdy rogue who’d once ridden a horseintoa tavern for the sake of an ill-considered wager. When had his friend cast aside his amusement over his sister’s harmless scandals? He threw him a speaking glance.
“No, we wouldn’t want her to do that, would we? By the way, did ye ever put Thunder out to stud?”
“There’s no need to remind me of my misspent youth. God only knows Father takes great pleasure in that pursuit.” Jon frowned. “You seem to admire Macie’s talent for wreaking havoc.”
“Some might consider it an art form.” Finn didn’t bother to hold back his smile. “Is it true she dumped a cup of cold punch over some unlucky baron’s head?”
“Something like that.” Jon looked as if he’d gritted his teeth at the memory. “As I recall, he was a viscount.”
“I’d wager the bastard deserved it.”
“He did.” Jon glanced at the gold timepiece he wore on a chain tethered to his waistcoat. “Surely you can understand my reasons for asking you to watch over her. Keep her safe. And out of trouble. If she can land a noble by the time I return, so much the better.”
Finn considered his words for a long moment. “I cannot imagine Macie wishes to call herselfLady Birdwit.Are ye telling me ye’re willing to sacrifice her freedom for a title she neither needs nor wants?”
“I don’t give a damn about hitching Macie to some high-browed fop. Our families could buy and sell most of these so-called lords any day of the week. But Father has gotten it into his head that Macie should pursue a title, that she deserves to be a lady.”
His friend’s words dug into his stomach like a fist. “Jon, she alreadyisa lady.”
“You think I don’t know that?” Jon drummed his fingers in an irritatingly precise rhythm. “I do care about Macie. She deserves a chance to shine. If she ruins her chances simply to sabotage our father’s whims, that will be a blasted shame.”
Finn kept his peace for a long moment, considering Jon’s words. “And if I agree to this arrangement?”
“The contracts will be yours. No further negotiation required.” Jon’s fingers stilled, thankfully silencing the nervous beat. “But there is one thing... one thing I must say before we make this agreement.” His eyes narrowed strategically. “Youwillbear in mind that she ismysister... at all times.”
“That goes without saying. Ye do realize that Macie regards me as fondly as she might look upon a burr in her shoe?”
“I am not a green lad. Frost can be melted. My mother and father are proof of that. But I am trusting you will not be the one to chisel away the ice Macie uses as a shield.”
“Ye’ve no worries on that matter.” Finn resisted the urge to down another gulp of whisky as Macie’s scandalous proposition echoed through his thoughts, contradicting his own words.
“I’m counting on you to watch over her. Even if it means protecting my sister from her own schemes.”
Bloody hell, was he up to that challenge? “What makes you think she’ll go along with this?”
“Macie will see the logic in this arrangement.” Jon sounded like he was trying to shore up his confidence. “You’ll see.”
Chapter Six
“Bodyguard? Really, Jon?”Macie stared at her brother, fury replacing her confusion as she realized his absurd proposal was not a pitifully unfunny attempt at humor. When he’d requested that she join him in his study, she had expected him to quiz her about her plans for the upcoming gala. Given his decidedly perturbed state upon seeing the gown she’d worn to Lady Drayton’s soiree, she would not have been surprised if he’d wanted to see what she had in mind for the next event. But this—this was beyond the pale.
