Page 24 of Stolen By the Rogue
Jane uncrossed her legs and lifted the satchel onto her lap. After a brief moment of rummaging around, followed by the rustle of papers, she produced an old, tattered folio. “Before I explain what all this means, there is something I need to get off my chest.”
George nodded. If the shoe had been on the other foot, he wouldn’t have strolled so calmly into the room. He couldn’t blame Jane if her intentions included tearing strips off him.
“I have come to the realization that while you were toying with my emotions and letting me develop a sense of romantic attachment to you, you were, in fact, planning on betraying me. Do you have the slightest notion as to how much that hurts?”
“If I said yes, would you believe me?” he replied.
“No. Because I have also come to the heartbreaking understanding that you, George Hawkins, are nothing more than a ruthless criminal. I am still in two minds as to whether I should report you to the authorities and let them deal with you.”
He held up his hand. “I fully—”
“No! You don’t,” she interjected.
Jane leaned forward in the chair and pointed her finger at him. “It took years of diplomatic moves to get Baldwin’s crown to England, for the sultan to agree to let it leave Constantinople. So, I am bloody well certain that you don’t have the foggiest of notions as to how hard it would have been for me to tell the ambassador that someone had stolen it from under his nose.” Tears sparkled in her eyes.
He hadn’t just betrayed her; he had broken her heart. “You’re right. I don’t know what this has cost you. All I can say is that two weeks of bed rest has given me time to reflect on a few things. One of which is that I have to become a better man, to turn my life around.”
“Is that your version of an apology?” The pain underlying her accusation was clear.
As far as she was concerned, he had no idea what he had done to her. And if she thought him clueless, how could he have any chance to make amends?
If I could just hold you in my arms and tell you that I am so sorry for everything I did to you. That I will do anything to have you believe in me again. Oh, Jane. What sort of fool would choose a jewel over something as precious as you?
“Because if it is, then I may as well give up now and leave. A man who thinks that a brief ‘sorry’ is enough, doesn’t deserve a second chance at anything.”
“Jane I am so sorry for what I did. I hate that those words sound trite and hollow, but I am sorry. More than you can ever know. Please believe me when I say, I have much to atone for—not the least being that I stole your love.”
He had been reckless and selfish. And it had cost him dearly. But George Hawkins was still a rogue, and he was determined that what had once been his would be his again.
I don’t care what it takes. I want you back. I want you forever.
“I know you might hate me at this juncture, and with good reason, but I am not giving up on us.”
She glared at him. “You flatter yourself, George Hawkins. As far as I am concerned, there is nous; and I only mentioned a sense of romantic attachment. You were the one who used the word love.”
Chapter Fifteen
She shouldn’t derive any sort of pleasure in seeing him so awkward and ashamed, but Jane did. It had taken all her resolve not to shoot him a second time that night, or to scream bloody murder and turn him over to the authorities.
He had stolen something of great value from her.
And yet you are still in love with the scoundrel.
Her gaze settled on the satchel, and with some effort she forced her heartache down. She wasn’t here to rehash the events of what had happened at the embassy or even the tender moments they had shared in the days leading up to it.
“You will be pleased to know that Baldwin’s crown has safely left England and is now on display in Flanders. It will then travel onto Paris and finally Valenciennes, Baldwin’s birthplace, before returning home to Constantinople.”
With the exhibition over, she was back to seeking a new position as well as somewhere to live. The Ottoman ambassador was a kind man, but she could only remain at the embassy for a little while longer before she outstayed her welcome.
“Which means that I am now at a loose end. And this is whereyoustep back into the story, and hopefully redeem yourself,” she said.
“Yes?”
Jane took a deep breath and steadied her nerves. She had rehearsed the words enough times to her reflection in the mirror, but actually saying them to George in person was a different matter.
“I want you to buy me a house. If you don’t, I will have you arrested.”
* * *
