Page 28 of Lady Gambit
Aaron sat forward, resting his arm on his knee. “If I place my faith in you, Flynn, you had better deliver. Cross me at your peril.”
He took the threat seriously.
Aaron Chance would kill to protect his family.
“Here are my terms.” Dorian swept his hand between them. “There will be no lies, no skirting around the truth. If you must take matters into your own hands, you will inform me first. You’ll not tell a soul where I live.” He’d not have wolves scratching and howling at his door. He’d not suffer his father’s interference. “You’ll not arrive here unannounced.”
“Andyouwill treat my sister with the utmost respect.”
Their passionate clinch flashed through Dorian’s mind.
It’s just as well this is goodbye.
I doubt I’d ever tire of kissing you.
“Miss Chance is my client and a witness in an investigation. I shall treat her accordingly.” He daren’t look at her. He had overstepped the mark, but the sadness in her bewitching eyes tugged at his heartstrings. “Let me begin by explaining why you’re wrong about who arranged the attack on your family.”
Aaron Chance listened intently while Dorian described meeting the exuberant Nora Adkins. He mentioned her silly dance and the parting words that had sent a shiver shooting down his spine.
“She sounds like a loon,” Aaron replied.
“Whether you believe her ramblings is immaterial. Allow me to give you the facts. Someone is paying to keep Nora at Bethlem. In front of witnesses, Nora called your sister Sofia. Within a week of me questioning the woman, thugs attempted to abduct Miss Chance from outside the modiste’s.”
Miss Chance shuffled forward in the seat. “You think I am the child who fled? That Sofia was my mother? That I am Caterina?”
Before Dorian could reply, Aaron Chance scoffed. “You’re not Caterina.”
“Perhaps someone thinks she is,” Daventry said.
“Then who am I, Aaron.” The lady’s hands shook as she gripped the brandy glass. “Is my past so terrible you would deny me the right to know my parents?”
Aaron scrubbed his face with his hand and glanced at Daventry. “I blame you for this. In future, keep to your own affairs.”
“She deserves to know the truth,” came Daventry’s stern reply.
“The truth will get her killed.”
“She is already in grave danger. You knew this day would come.”
Aaron hung his head, the strain of keeping the secret taking its toll.
The silence stretched, the incessant ticking of the mantel clock like the drum of a death knell.
It took Aaron a moment to gather himself before he said solemnly, “You’re an orphan. Your parents perished and are buried in a pauper’s grave. I’m sure they loved you. How could they not?”
It wasn’t the whole truth. He hadn’t touched on the damning fact that placed her in jeopardy. Indeed, why would he keep such an unremarkable tale to himself all these years?
“You’re hiding something from me.” Miss Chance’s intelligent eyes narrowed. “How did they die? What were their names? Why was I not sent to the workhouse?”
Aaron shuffled in the seat. “I don’t know.”
The lady downed a mouthful of brandy, almost choking as the fire scorched her throat. “I can forgive you for trying to protect me. But your reasons make no sense. How did I hurt myhead? How do you know my parents are dead if you don’t know their names?”
Tense seconds passed.
“Why won’t you trust me?” she pressed.
Aaron gritted his teeth. “If one word of what I’m about to say is repeated outside this room, I’ll kill the man responsible.” He pointed to Daventry and Dorian in turn. “Before I reveal the details, I want your solemn vow, your promise to protect her. No matter the cost.”
