Page 99 of A Little Bit Dangerous
They stripped off their clothes and climbed into bed.
He didn’t find new ways to heighten their pleasure. He merely covered her body with his, his kisses as deep as his slow thrusts. He never took his eyes off her. Amid the glaze of desire, she glimpsed his pain—the fear of loss mingled with abiding love.
ChapterTwenty-One
Isabella didn’t hear Christian climb out of bed. She didn’t hear the trickle of water or the rustle of clothes as he washed and dressed, or the quiet click of the door closing. Yet she knew he’d left the house before she opened her eyes.
She lay still for a moment.
Was this the fork in the road Ethel mentioned, the loss she would feel keenly until the day she died? But Christian had not forsaken her. He had given her the right to forge her own destiny—a gift more precious than historical treasures or expensive gems.
Gathering her strength, she sat up and snatched the notes from the nightstand.They smell of him, she thought, bringing them to her nose and inhaling deeply. She didn’t want the scent to fade. She didn’t want to wake alone, longing to catch his aroma in the air.
With shaky fingers, she broke the seal on the letter she was meant to open first. Folded banknotes fell out. A thousand pounds in signed notes, to be precise. Christian had written a simple message inside.
If you must run, there’s no need to go hungry.
A sob burst from her throat. No one had ever cared if she lived or died. But that’s not what caused the tears to fall. She could imagine him writing the words, the ache of loss like a blade to his heart.
Isabella hugged the letter to her chest. “Oh, Christian.”
The selfless act made her love him all the more.
She dried her eyes and opened the second seal.
If you’re reading this, there’s still hope.
I’m at my house in Ludgate Hill—our house in Ludgate Hill, if you accept my proposal.
Some things you know about me.
I can fight three men with my eyes blindfolded. I’m not as knowledgeable as you when it comes to Egyptian treasures. I love my family and could never forsake them. No other man will make love to you like I do.
Now for the things you may not know.
It’s all or nothing, Isabella.
I’ve lost too much to settle for anything less.
I cannot promise life will be perfect, but as my wife, you will be free to pursue your deepest desires. I ask that you do so with me.
Marriage? Christian was offering marriage?
Isabella’s heart soared.
She shot out of bed but remembered she had nothing to wear but the ghastly red gown. Her only other decent dress was upstairs, though she’d not risk being waylaid by Mrs Maloney. She could ask for Delphine’s help, but the lady spent an age choosing the right apparel.
Then she saw her pelisse draped over the chair in the corner of the room and whispered a silent prayer of thanks.
Hiding the first letter and the signed notes in Christian’s drawer, she tucked his proposal in her pocket and hurried downstairs. She stopped at the front door to take a breath.
Aaron Chance appeared from the depths of his study. Arms folded, he leant against the jamb. “You’ve not eaten.”
“I’ve no appetite.”
Was he keen to know where Christian had gone? Did he know what was written in the letters? Should she mention marriage, or would Christian want to inform his family personally?
He scanned her attire, the depth of his stare unnerving. “Gibbs is waiting outside. He’ll take you wherever you want to go.” He paused, the tension in the air heightening. “You and Christian work well together. You play the part of the intrepid enquiry agent remarkably well. A man might wonder what other roles you play.”
