Page 55 of A Lady's Past
Those large eyes begged for something, but he wasn’t sure what. Nothing about her nightdress was alluring, yet when she crossed her arms over her chest, she was adorable. “How can you not be? I almost caused your death. If they had hit you any harder, you could have been permanently damaged. It’s a miracle no one was killed. And for no good reason.”
He hated the tears tightening her voice. “You were not to blame, Diana. I should have protected you better, but that fact aside, Victor Caron is to blame, the French government he works for is to blame. None of this is your fault.” He stepped so close she had to look up to keep her gaze on his. “As for the reason, you are more than enough. Do you think Bertram would have stayed home if he had known he would be battered trying to protect you?”
“I cannot watch anyone else die for me. You should not be here, Jacques. These men work for the government and will use me to get what they want. If you get in the way, you will be hurt. I want you safe.” Her tears flowed freely down flushed cheeks.
“What good is it to be physically well if my heart is broken?” He ran his thumb along her cheek and wiped her tears away. “I would die for you, Diana. I appreciate your concern, but I will not give you up.”
She backed up a step, and Jacques was captivated by the bobbing of her throat as she swallowed. When she spoke, her voice was a whisper. “And if I tell you I don’t share your feelings?”
“If I thought it was true, you would destroy me. However, I do not believe you are devoid of feelings for me. Perhaps it is arrogance, but I think you care for me, if only just a little.” He touched the soft braid at her shoulder, then pulled his hand away and waited.
“You should go back to London or to your parents’ home.” She clasped her elbows with her hands.
Jacques pulled her hands away. Kissing one, then the other, he rejoiced in her sigh. “Even if you hated me, I would not leave you when the danger is still very real. I must know you are safe. If, after Caron is caught, you wish to send me away, I will have no choice but to go. But I shall see this through with you. The Horsemen are good men and they will protect you, but they also have an obligation to make sure you are not a danger to England. That duty overshadows anything else they may do. You need more than Lady Chervil on your side. Preston and I are here for you. We will keep you safe not only from Victor, but also from the Horsemen if need be.”
Since she didn’t pull her hands away, he kept them in his. Touching her gave him purpose and a taste of what his life might be. He refused to believe it wasn’t possible.
“Jacques, you do too much. You cannot hope to save me from England.” She rested her cheek on his chest.
Heaven. Wrapping his arms around her, he breathed in the flowery scent of her hair and reveled in the warmth of her skin. “Preston is a duke. He has quite a bit of influence. Michael is also a duke and a hero, and while his loyalties are split, he is well known for always doing the right thing. He will not let anything happen to a good person.”
“How can you be so sure I am good?” Her body sagged into him.
Jacques lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed. Placing her on the sheets, he leaned over and kissed her forehead. “You are good. I have never doubted it, and I shall never doubt you, my sweet goddess.”
She closed her eyes and sighed. “You have always believed in me.”
Leaning away, he said, “And I always will.”
“Where are you going?”
“Back to my own bed.” He brushed an errant hair from her cheek.
“Will you not hold me until I sleep? It is only in your arms that I can truly rest.” She curled on her side and wrapped her arm around her pillow.
Knowing he should leave, and being able to deny her, were two different things. “Only for a short while. I will not give anyone cause to mistrust you. You are a fine lady and should be courted.”
“I used to be fine. Now I’m soiled. You can do far better.” Sleep further roughened her voice.
Jacques climbed into the bed behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Just as it had been the first time, it was perfection. So much trust rested with him when she had little reason to trust anyone. It was his undoing. “There is no one better than you, goddess. You are as perfect as the moon herself.”
Breaths even and deep, she might have been asleep before hearing him. It was of no consequence. He would have time to tell her every day how perfect she was. Somehow this remarkable woman would be his.
The fire dwindled and popped, waking him just before dawn. Jacques crept from the bed and made sure Diana was properly tucked in before slinking back to his own room and into bed.
It hadn’t been exactly what he’d wanted, yet it was more than he’d hoped for—to hold her for a few hours and give her some peace. One day he would chase all her demons away.
* * *
The ladies broke their fasts in their rooms, so only men sat at the breakfast table. Jacques’s father had told him that boys who went to the Buckrose School grew into remarkable men. These Horsemen were remarkable, that was true, but he didn’t know if he could trust them to keep Diana safe.
Preston gave him a look that said he was staring and should stop. Much like the four Horsemen, he and Pres had been friends long enough that they managed much conversation without saying a word.
Turning his attention to his coddled eggs and sausage, he ate and listened to Oliver and Alex discuss some plan to draw Victor into the open. Neither said how they would accomplish this feat.
Sebastian said, “Once we have him, you know we will have to turn him over to London. They will want a trial, and either lock him up or hang him publicly.”
Sitting back in his chair, Alex placed his folded hands on his stomach. “They will get him, but not before we have all the information we need from him. Miss MacLeod’s situation is unfortunate for her, but might prove very helpful to us.”
