Page 29 of Stolen By the Rogue
Jane was offering more than just the means for George to secure possible future wealth. She was giving him the chance to finally turn his back on his lawless ways. To become a better man.
“You still haven’t explained why you could possibly think me not capable of committing another act of treachery against you,” he said.
Jane reached into her coat pocket and produced a pistol, which she then pointed at George. A chill of fear slid down his back. The last time he had seen that weapon, it had been fired at him.
He blinked slowly when Jane cocked the gun, the click of the hammer echoing in the still of the room.
“I believe I can trust you, George Hawkins, because the next time you even think of betraying me, I will use this on you. And when I do, the best surgeon in all of England will not be able to save you.”
Bloody hell. I think I might have just fallen in love.
Chapter Seventeen
She was taking a huge risk in trusting George. But without him and his friends, Jane would never have the money to buy the house and search properly for the treasure. She certainly didn’t want the dodgy owner of the property as her landlord. He would be the sort to think he had the right to drop by for a friendlychatwhenever the mood so took him.
Point made, she put the pistol back into her pocket.
Perhaps now is a good time to set a few more ground rules.
“Harry said you were tired of living the life of a thief. That you wanted a way to forge a new future. While I commend your change of heart, I don’t think attempting to steal Baldwin’s crown was the right way to go about things.” She wasn’t sure if she would ever stop being angry with him over that ridiculous and dangerous stunt.
The look of embarrassed shame which sat on George’s face gave her a glimmer of hope.
“I’m going to say this every day until I am convinced that you believe me. I am sorry, Jane. I am sorry I betrayed you. I am sorry I hurt you. And I am going to do everything in my power to gain your forgiveness.”
Jane gave the merest of nods to George’s words. The pain of what he had done to her was still too raw. Her heart was a long way from forgiving, let alone healing.
You would have thought I’d have learned from the last blackguard in my life. Obviously not.
“Let’s set aside your guilt and consider what is to be done. Here is my plan. Harry will prepare a bank instruction for the purchase of the house. Then you and I will sign a suitable tenancy agreement. I shall move in here and begin the process of looking for the treasure,” she said.
George shook his head. “I don’t like that last part.”
“You don’t trust me? Are you serious?”
He drew closer, and she caught a hint of his manly scent. While he had been staying with Harry and Alice, George had obviously not had the use of his personal cologne. Rising above the notes of fresh soap was a natural essence that was purely him.
A shiver of need thrilled through her body.
Why did I have to fall for such a rogue? There must be a nice gentleman who I could fall in love with, someone who is reliable.A little voice in the back of her mind chuckled and whispered.You don’t like safe men. A predictable man would bore you stupid.
George cleared his throat. “I didn’t say I did not trust you. What I meant was that you won’t be staying in this house all on your own. I will be here with you.”
As she opened her mouth to protest, he held up his hand.
“I am assuming that in the time since you have been back in London that you haven’t lived in this part of the city. The jest about it being an up-and-coming area was just that. This is a dangerous place, especially at night. I am not having you sleeping here all by yourself. Especially knowing the type of neighbors you’ll have. If you are going to move into my house, then so shall I.”
Oh no.
He drew closer still, coming to stand so that he towered over her. But if his intention was to have her cower to his physical presence, Jane was ready to set George’s mind to right. Placing a hand against his chest, she pushed back.
It should have been enough, but he remained firmly rooted to the spot. He took hold of her hand and lifted it to his lips, placing soft kisses in the middle of her palm—kisses that sent heat racing to her most secret of places.
If only you didn’t have such an effect over me.
“If we are going to be partners in this endeavor, then we must work together. I won’t have you placed at risk of harm. Don’t fight me on this, because you won’t win.” His other hand lazily traced its way up and down her arm. The soft smile on his face informed Jane that he knew exactly what this was doing to her.
“Let go of me, George,” she said.
