Page 48 of The Duke and the Lady in Red
“I’d rather you didn’t. You may add to your fees if needed in order to make you feel less a fool.”
Beckwith’s pride had an inflated sense of self, but Avendale paid the amount without quibbling. It seemed there was a bit of a swindler in everyone when given the opportunity.
Avendale then saw to the matter of Rose’s residence. For reasons which he didn’t examine too closely, he paid what was owed and an additional three months. He knew in all likelihood that she would leave London at the end of the week, but if she wished to stay a bit longer, he wanted to make the opportunity available. She was with him now because of the bargain, because shehadto be if she wished to avoid dire consequences.
That knowledge grated. He wanted her with him because shewantedto be there. What passed between them was incredible, nearly earth-shattering if he were honest. But it clawed at his conscience that he had forced her into his bed. If he were any sort of gentleman, he would relieve her of her debt to him.
But he’d been a scoundrel too long to give up anything he wanted so badly.
And he wanted her.
He was damned anyway. Might as well ensure he took memories of the very best adventures into hell with him. So far she was proving to be the best of all.
“Did he hurt you?” Merrick demanded as Rose stepped out of the carriage with the footman’s assistance. He’d rushed out of the door as though the hounds of hell were nipping at his heels. Her words to him the night before—Tell Harry there has been a change in plans and we’ll be staying in London a bit longer. I’ll see him at two tomorrow.—had ensured he’d be waiting for her.
“Don’t be absurd,” she answered as she walked past him into the house.
“I don’t like him.”
Reaching down, she rubbed his shoulder. “You don’t have to, although I think if you removed me from the equation you’d like him very much.”
“He took advantage.”
She arched a brow. “I daresay he’s not the only one. We’ll be leaving with five thousand quid and anything else that we want as it’s all paid for now.”
“But at what cost?”
“One I was more than willing to pay. Now cease your harping. I want to spend some time with Harry. I can’t be gone more than an hour or Avendale will seek me out. I’ve no doubt of that, as he doesn’t trust me. Not that I blame him. I assume Harry’s in the library.”
“Yes. He’s in a mood, though. I had to explain a bit more than you wanted as he threatened to go after you.”
That would have been disastrous.
“I trust your judgment, Merrick. Have Sally bring us some tea and biscuits.” With a fast clip to her stride and her heels echoing through the hallway, she quickly made her way to the library. The door was open. Always a good sign. He wasn’t in as troubled a mood as Merrick had indicated, although perhaps he was, but knowing her time would be short, he had decided not to waste it by having her trying to beat down the door.
She was reminded of the closed library door last night. It seemed all men had something in common when their pride was wounded: a need to lick their wounds. She was still amazed that Avendale had been upset to discover she was a virgin. She’d judged him a man whose pride would cause him to burn with anger, but not remorse or guilt. She’d thought he’d consider himself above those sorts of emotions. She’d never so erroneously misjudged a person.
Unfortunately she had also misjudged what this week in his presence was going to cost her. At the end of it, she was going to be irrevocably changed. But that was for dealing with next week. For now, there was Harry.
Striding into the library, she found him at his desk, pen in hand. “Hello, dearest. How is the story coming along?” she asked.
He leaned back, studied her with crystalline blue eyes that held a wealth of pain. “You simply left ... without a word.”
“I didn’t have a choice, but I’m here now. Although I have less than an hour. Let’s not spend it squabbling.” Tugging off her gloves, she tucked them into her reticule. “Come sit with me by the window. It’s a lovely day.”
“It’s going to rain.”
She looked out at the cloudless sky. “Do you think so?”
“Yes. Tonight. Late.”
He was remarkably skilled at predicting the weather. She thought about how lovely it would be to be snuggled in bed with Avendale while the rain pattered the roof and windows. She shook her head. She could not be thinking of Avendale right now.
Sitting on one end of a long sofa, she was grateful when Harry joined her at the other. Sally brought in tea and biscuits on a tray and set it on the table in front of them. She stared hard at Rose as though that were enough for her to decipher everything that had transpired since Rose had left. Rose blanked her expression, tried to make it as innocent as possible. With a narrowing of her eyes, Sally huffed before leaving.
Rose prepared the tea, set a cup in front of Harry, even knowing that he probably wouldn’t touch it. Sometimes they both just needed a sense of being civilized.
“It was that duke, wasn’t it?” Harry finally asked. “He forced you to go.”
