Page 118 of Ruthless with a Rogue
“I think you’re well-aware I’ve never cared for playing by society’s rules.Coin is coin.”Christ, he needed to get out of here.Before he did something stupid like wrap his hands around the portly cove’s neck, damn the consequences.
“I’d like for my solicitor to look this over before I make any final decisions.”
“Of course, of course.I can have a copy of the contract delivered to you.If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to write.”
Derek nodded slowly, a plan coming to life in his mind.
“There is one thing.I like to fully understand what I’m getting myself into.I’d love to see this shipping enterprise of yours.”
Lord Wentworth’s eyes brightened.“That can certainly be arranged.Would tomorrow evening suit you?I generally review my ledgers on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.You are welcome to join me.”
A slow smile pulled at Derek’s lips.“That will do perfectly.”
59
Livy
Footstepsthunderedupthestairs, and Livy’s gaze flew to the door of the Duke’s chamber.She and Dorothea—the dowager insisted they were much past formalities at this point—were watching over the Duke.
He’d had another brief moment of consciousness this morning.They’d gotten him to consume an entire cup of broth.It was the longest he’d been lucid, but he still hadn’t seemed to have any idea where he was or who he was with.His injuries were slowly healing, but the man was terribly thin.Alarmingly so.Livy remembered the first time she’d assisted with repositioning the Duke, something they’d started doing every few hours to prevent bedsores.It’d been like trying to move a stone statue.Now?Dorothea and she could manage it just the two of them.
Derek appeared in the doorway, chest heaving.“How is he?”
Livy caught Dorothea’s gaze, an unspoken conversation passing between them.Livy’d update him.The dowager was exhausted.The Duke’s awakenings brought around such hope, only for him to disappear from them again.Each time, Dorothea seemed frailer and frailer.Livy gave the dowager’s arm a soft squeeze and then strode over to Derek.
“Let’s go somewhere else, and I’ll fill you in.”
Derek nodded, spun on his heel, and headed down the hall.Livy quickly followed—to where Derek led to his chambers.He ushered her inside and then pinned her against the door, mouth falling on hers.
She froze for a heartbeat, eyes wide, then she melted into him.His tongue pushed into her mouth, desperate and determined.She could taste his fear, feel his relief with every roll of his tongue.Besides their brief embrace at the scene last night, they hadn’t had any contact, hadn’t been alone.She’d slipped into an exhausted slumber early, and when she’d awoken this morning, Derek had been gone.
His fingers cradled her face, sinking in to the point of discomfort.She held on to his arms, held on for dear life and did her best to keep up.To provide him with assurance that she was here.
He finally pulled back, ragged breaths bursting from him, and his forehead dropped to hers.“Apologies,” he said on a broken breath.“I’ve been dying to do that since I laid eyes on you last night.I just needed to feel—Needed proof—”
That she was alive.Safe.
“Where were you this morning?”
He pulled away and led them to a pair of armchairs.She went to sit in the one adjacent to his and found herself unceremoniously pulled into his lap.“Not letting you go,” he growled.
Her heart warmed.
“I went to see Lord Wentworth.”
And all warmth fled.The foundling home.She searched the green irises staring up at her.
“I think he’s responsible for the fire last night.”
She nodded slowly.She’d thought the same.Her agreement didn’t seem to take him by surprise because he continued on.
“I was hoping to gain information.Catch him unawares, see if he might betray himself.Not that I had any idea what I was going to do with that information.”
“Blackmail?For the foundling home.”
His chin jerked back, and something that looked very much like awe reflected back at her.“Bloody hell, Livy.You really are ruthless.”
She shrugged a shoulder.Perhaps once she would have been shocked and appalled at where her thoughts had gone, but after everything she’d experienced… The world wasn’t black and white.They lived in shades of grey.“The man nearly killed me.I think blackmail is paltry in comparison.”
