Page 69 of In a Rake's Embrace
“Where is Agatha? My man said she was here a few days ago.”
Rebecca sighed, her eyes softening. “I don’t know. She left mere hours after you did that morning. She only returned to give me an envelope to hand you.”
He frowned. “The bank draft I sent—”
“Another foolish one, Miss Woodville. After all that work, she refused to take it.” Rebecca went to her deskandopened it, looking regretfully at it. “She said she could not receive payment for spending the night in your arms. She allowed me to give her five hundred pounds and left the draft here, promising to repay my loan one day.”
Thomas took the draft, stuffed it into his pocket and walked away. He had already separated Madam Rebecca’s cut and made a draft ofseven thousand pounds to her and ten thousand pounds to Agatha. By the time he reached outside, he was smiling.
You lovely fool, Agatha.
Agatha stoodin the gentle morning light, a watering can in hand, sprinkling water over the rows of herbs and small flowers she had so lovingly tended these last few weeks. The salty air mingled with the scent of lavender and rosemary from her garden. It had taken time and patience, but she had carefully cultivated each plant, drawing a modest beauty from the earth before their small seaside cottage.
Her family adored the sea. She could hear their laughter faintly as they played further down the beach, relishing the freedom and the fresh air. Moving them to the coast had been a decision both reckless and right. She had only taken a loan from Madam Rebecca, who had been more than willing to lend it, having made a fortune from the night of the bidding. Withcautious planning, she knew this money could last for three years, enough time, she hoped, to come up with a longer-term solution.
But today, as she watered the delicate leaves, tears pricked her eyes and slipped down her face. She felt like a fool, remembering the ten thousand pounds she had turned down. Ten thousand that could have secured their future indefinitely.If I’d accepted it, perhaps we’d have some certainty, but her heart twisted, protesting the notion.
A harsh sob tore from her, and she pressed a trembling hand to her mouth. She had lost far more than money, far more than security. Six weeks had passed since she’d woken alone in the bed atAphrodite, the space beside her cold and empty, and the ache in her chest had not lessened. She missed Thomas fiercelyand hated herself for falling in love with a man she could not keep, whose station and heart were worlds apart.
Wiping her tears on the corner of her apron, Agatha took a shaky breath, trying to steady herself. Her heart still beat unsteadily with longing. She’d built a life around her familyand her love for them, yet Thomas had found a place in her soul thatshe hadn’t known existed.
“Agatha.”
His voice was so unexpectedand familiar that she froze, her watering can slipping from her hand. She turned, her heart slamming in her chest, and there he stood—Thomas. He looked as impossibly handsome as ever, his gaze searing and intense as it locked onto hers. She felt rooted to the spot, her breath caught in her throat, unable to believe he was real and standing before her.
“Thomas?” Her voice was a mere whisper.
His gaze swept over her, softened by something she hadn’t seen before—a mixture of relief and regret.
“You are a hard woman to find.”
“You … you were searching?”
“Yes.It took my man of affairs and a few investigators almost a month. I’ve missed you,” he said, his voice rough.
The simple yet powerful words tore down her defenses, and fresh tears filled Agatha’s eyes. She took an unsteady step forward, her breath hitching, before she faltered, uncertain.
“Agatha …” His voice was low, edged with urgency.
She fisted her hands at her sides, a quiet tremor running through her. “Whyare you here?”
He stepped closer, his gaze steady and sincere. “I missed you, Agatha, and it took me too long to realize I don’t want to go on in this life without you. I want all of you—your honesty, fears, dreams, and hopes. I don’t say these words lightly.”
His eyes wereunwavering as they held hers. “You don’t have to tell me you’re fine if you’re not; I don’t want that. You don’t have to carry every feeling and struggle alone.”
Her heart thundered as he continued, his words cutting through her lingering doubts.
“You don’t have to hide behind a façade or give me what you think others expect. I want to understand you completely, even the parts you’d prefer to keep to yourself. I want your laughter and your tears. I want your sweet, wicked smile. I want your kindness, your generosity. I am greedy. I promise you will never want anything in this life. I promise to give you all of me.”
Her breath hitched. “May I share your pain and struggles, if you have them?”
“Yes. Always.”
An indescribable feeling rose in her heart. Agatha broke. With a soft sob, she hurtled into his arms, her shoulders trembling as she clung to him. His hand moved to her back, fingers pressing into her as if he couldn’t let her go.
“What is it?” he demanded, his voice rough. “Why are you crying?”
She sniffed, her voice breaking. “What took you so long?” She gripped his shirt, then, as if punishing him, pinched his arm with a trembling hand. “Imissedyou so much, Thomas. I thought I’d never see you again. I have been wretched!”
