Page 69 of The Courtship Trap
Sebastian rubbed at his temples.
It was almost too much to comprehend.
A barmaid turned housekeeper. A widow who had barely escaped her husband’s cruelty. And now, an orphaned pickpocket who had been given a second chance at a respectable occupation in a good household.
A strange collection of people indeed.
And at the center of it all—Harriet.
Harriet, who had lied to him.
Harriet, who had deceived him.
Harriet, who had saved them all.
She truly was trying to change. He had always thought she possessed such potential, but there was no denying that Harriet had been rather selfish by nature when he had known her. This trouble she was taking to help women in peril was not carried out by the same girl who had always sought her own pleasures first.
Jem gaveHarriet’s hand a firm squeeze, her small fingers wrapping around Harriet’s own with surprising strength for one so slight. Her big hazel eyes—too knowing for a girl so young—fixed on her with solemn determination.
“Men,” Jem declared, in the same flat, matter-of-fact tone she might use to list items for the wash. “They beat ye if ye dinna steal enough. They take what they want if ye ain’t quick enough to get away. An’ a good blade’s always a good idea.” She gave afirm nod, like she was imparting the most sensible advice in the world. “Stick ’em in the leg. Right in the thigh. Then ye got time to run.”
There was a moment of stunned silence. Evaline’s gloved fingers stilled where they had been tracing a thoughtful pattern over her skirts. Finch, mid-sip of tea, gave an approving grunt, as if Jem had spoken nothing but truth. Even Belinda, who had weathered enough of life’s cruelties to be unsurprised by much, blinked at the girl in surprise.
Harriet, however, felt her throat tighten as she looked down at Jem’s small hand curled in hers. This thin, waiflike girl, who had stolen her way into Harriet’s heart during her terrible fever, spoke as if men were merely another hazard of the world, like a carriage rattling too fast through the streets or a bitter cold snap that stole the warmth from your bones.
Jem had lived in a world where men were threats to be feared. A world where survival meant fighting back, running fast, or hiding well.
And Harriet, who had never suffered such things, but had known her own share of disappointments at the hands of men, had been inclined to agree.
Until now.
Her fingers tightened gently over Jem’s. She did not speak, only stroked the girl’s knuckles with the pad of her thumb, offering comfort in the only way she knew how. Jem had endured things no child should, and Harriet had tried to give her a home free of such fears. But those early years had left their mark. Yet even as sympathy bloomed in Harriet’s heart, another thought followed swiftly on its heels.
Sebastian.
Sebastian, whose hands had never been cruel.
Sebastian, who had never used his significant size to intimidate, only to protect. Who had always been aware of hisstrength, careful with it, as if mindful that others were smaller, more breakable than he.
Even last night, when they had tangled together in the dark, his passion had never turned to roughness. He had been cautious even in the height of his desire, treating her with a reverence that made her ache now to remember it.
And what had she done?
Lied to him. Manipulated him. Used him.
She had thought herself clever, but she had been nothing more than selfish.
She did not deserve him.
Sebastian had spent years building a life of integrity, of art and purpose. And she? She was a scheming widow with a flexible sense of truth and a ruthless nature when it suited her.
No, she did not deserve him at all.
Harriet swallowed hard and looked down at Jem, who was waiting expectantly for approval of her tactics.
Harriet forced a small smile. “I sincerely hope you will never need to do such a thing under my roof.”
Jem tilted her head.
