Page 110 of The Last Chance
“No, we spoke about the future.”
“They called me Satan’s Spawn or Lucifer’s Lackey.” Whena man was called something for so long, he was inclined to believe it. “As you’ll see tonight. I have something of the devil in me.”
She swallowed deeply but seemed determined to drag him out of the mire. “As we all do when we’re pushed to the limit. That’s why it’s important to discuss our thoughts and feelings.”
Whatever he said, her balm took the pain out of the sting.
“Shall I tell you what I’m thinking?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “If I stare at you for much longer, I’ll not make it to the first bout. It’s cold. You should dress before you catch a chill.”
“Focus on winning your fights, and forget about me.”
How could he forget about her? She was his last chance to forge a new life, his last chance to escape his father’s legacy. He loved her with every fibre of his being. The love for his family was unaltered. This was a different feeling—a deep intimate connection like they shared the same soul.
A sudden knock on the door startled them both.
“The fights have begun,” Aramis called.
“I’ll meet you downstairs.” Aaron turned to her, not wishing to keep secrets or lie. “I need to tell you something before I leave. It will affect the future and what happens once I’ve fought tonight.”
Joanna yanked back the bedcovers and crossed the room, looking more concerned than intrigued. “You’re not sending Lucia away? Mr Daventry assured you no charges will be brought against her. We would never have known about Natasha’s plans had Lucia not confessed.”
“Joanna,” he said, clasping her arms.
But she couldn’t quite catch her breath. “Lucia is guilty of asking a man to buy a watch, another to steal a dagger. She doesn’t deserve to hang.”
“She gave her mother the murder weapon,” he reminded her.
“Yes, but she was scared out of her wits. She risked her life to save you. Oh, Aaron, she’s just a girl who?—”
“Joanna,” he said softly. “I’m not sending Lucia away. She will live with Delphine at Mile End. It’s all arranged. Rothley spoke to the magistrate on Lucia’s behalf.”
“He did?”
“Yes, I can’t get rid of the man.”
“Gabriel wants to help. He despises injustice.”
Aaron owed Rothley a debt he could not repay.
The marquess had forced Fitzpatrick to make a statement, confessing he had offered Howard money to ruin his sister. Howard had declined. Rothley found the anonymous letter Natasha wrote—urging Howard to come to The Jade—stuffed down the side of the seat in the lord’s carriage.
“That’s not all Rothley has done.” Aaron inhaled deeply, shocked the words were about to leave his lips. “I have an audience with the King tomorrow.” He prayed he wasn’t nursing a broken nose and bruised eye. “Rothley will accompany me, as will Daventry and the Home Secretary.”
Joanna stared at him, swallowing like she stood at the edge of a forest at night, afraid to take the path. “You intend to ask His Majesty to grant you the earldom?”
“I am the rightful heir. As I have the money and the means to restore the estate, I have every reason to believe he’ll accept. I must make a formal submission to the House of Lords, but that’s merely procedure.”
“But what about Fortune’s Den?”
“I shall keep my share of the business but appoint a manager to help run the club.” He wanted to say more, to drop to his knees and ask her to be his countess, but she needed to see him fight, and he needed permission from the King before proclaiming himself the earl.
“How will you watch me from the window if you’re living in Mayfair?” she said, offering a sad smile.
He slipped his arm around her waist. “I won’t need to watch you from the window if we share the same bed.” He placed hisfinger on her lips before she offered reasons why that was impossible. “Wherever I am, I want you with me. Now, you must decide if you feel the same.”
Aramis returned and knocked again. “They’re waiting for you.”
“I’m ready.” If he didn’t leave now, he never would. “I must go, or my opponent will win by default.”
