Page 62 of A Duke's Sinful Bargain
“The same thing,” she revealed. “That he was sent by someone who knew of my liaison with you, and unless I was willing to pay an absurd amount of money, he would tell everyone.”
Alexander nodded. “So, the same as with me. Do you know who sent him?”
She shook her head. Somehow, against all odds, they were finding their way back to each other.
“No,” he heard her say. “The solicitor refused to name the man who sent him.”
“It has to be that scoundrel Sir Rupert.” Alexander was certain. “It wasn’t enough for him to blackmail me, but he had to drag you into this as well? I have half a mind to end his life the moment I see him!”
Alexander curled his fingers into fists, feeling an incredible tidal wave of anger wash over him. It was so powerful that he barely prevented himself from slamming his fist into a nearby tree. The thought of that wretch of a man threatening him was one thing. But threatening Anna… that was something else, something he was willing to kill for.
Anna batted her eyelashes harder. Her eyes fluttered from one nearby object to another until, finally, they rested on him once more.
“Sir Rupert Harland?” she repeated the man’s name.
“Do you know him?” Alexander immediately jumped.
“I…” She spoke slowly, as if trying to find her way through the fog of her mind. “I met him when I was visiting Lady Pentor one afternoon.”
“When was this?” Alexander demanded to know.
“Recently,” she said a little apprehensively, and he knew he had to be more cautious. She had more to lose than he did, and for that, her fear could not be compared to his. Not even close.
“Have you spoken to him?” he asked after a short pause.
She frowned with displeasure. “I had to. He kept asking me all sorts of questions.”
Alexander had to ask the next question, although he knew it could push Anna further away from him. Still, regardless of the consequences, he had to be certain.
“Did you tell him anything about us?” he asked, ready for the storm.
“No,” she replied curtly. He could sense that she was offended by it. He had to soften the blow if he wanted to have her on his side.
“I know you would never divulge anything on purpose, and I am not insinuating any such thing, Anna. Please believe that. Just try to remember if he asked something that might have pulled an unwitting answer from you, one that might have revealed more than you wanted to.”
“No,” she replied in the same manner. “I was very cautious. I stand to lose everything if this comes to light, Alexander. All I have is my dignity, and to be quite honest, I do not have much left of it, either. You… you will be forgiven and soon enough, all will be forgotten. My fate will be far more harsh.”
He knew she was telling the truth.
“I know… I’m sorry,” he said tenderly, taking her hand into his. He expected her to pull away from him, but she surprised him by allowing it. “I promise that I will look into this matter,” he assured her. “But for the time being, you’d best go on back inside. We shouldn’t be seen like this. We are risking too much.”
She locked gazes with him, so many things left unsaid. But this was neither the time nor the place.
“I don’t think I will be returning inside,” she admitted, sounding defeated. “I will go home. I’ve had enough.”
“I know you are scared, Anna,” he tried to reassure her, but he wasn’t certain he managed to do that. “Please, trust me. I will have everything sorted out come tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” She looked bewildered.
“Yes.” He nodded. “Come to my home tomorrow afternoon. I promise you that after tomorrow, there will be nothing left to fear.”
She still didn’t seem convinced, but she didn’t say anything. She nodded, pulling her hand away from his. He could see her slumped shoulders, the way her doe-like eyes fluttered at every unfamiliar sound as she withdrew from him. It pained him to see her like this, but this was his fault for not finding Sir Rupert before the ball and showing him how real gentlemen sorted out trouble.
“Tomorrow,” he repeated, and his voice echoed all around them.
She didn’t nod again. Instead, she rushed back toward the mansion, disappearing through thick shrubbery. Alexander was left alone. In fact, he had never felt more alone than at that very moment. He had to have Anna back, no matter what the cost would be.
Chapter 33
