Page 69 of The Duke and the Lady in Red
“You can’t control others.”
“I think you might be surprised by what a duke can accomplish and what people will do to please him. Even one as much a reprobate as I am.”
Setting the snifter on the mantel, she faced him squarely. “How would we get Harry to your residence?”
“You have a carriage. We’ll leave before first light. No one will see him depart from here. I doubt anyone will see him arrive at my residence.”
She clutched her slender hands, furrowed her delicate brow. “If my dearest wish comes true and your physician is wrong, and death is not hovering in the corner to take Harry ... should we limit it to a week in your residence?”
“No limits.” He traced his finger along her cheek. “In for a penny, in for a pound.”
“And if you grow weary of us?”
“I won’t.” That he knew without doubt.
“What of Merrick, Sally, and Joseph?”
“They’ll stay here.”
She nodded. “That will create less discord. Merrick doesn’t like you.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
“But perhaps they can visit him.”
“Occasionally, perhaps.” With one hand, he cradled her cheek. “You’ve carried the weight of caring for your brother for a good many years. Let me help you.”
Tears welled in her eyes, her smile quivered. “I’m afraid. I’m not accustomed to not being responsible.”
With his thumb, he wiped away one of the tears that rolled along her cheek. “The night we struck our first bargain, you trusted me. Trust me now.”
She nodded, inhaled deeply, blinked back the tears. He felt a sharp, painful poke in his chest. If he didn’t know better, he’d think a wall was crumbling. Lowering his head, he pressed his lips to hers, tasted the salt of lingering tears.
“I’m going to borrow your carriage to return to my residence to see that things are readied for your brother’s arrival. I will be back tonight, but you needn’t wait up.”
“I’ll be awake when you return.”
“Then I shall return in haste.”
He kissed her again, wondering why it was so blasted difficult to leave her. He’d left countless women without so much as a backward glance. But she was different. He’d known that from the beginning.
Drawing back, he slid the crook of his finger below her chin. “Where will I find the giant?”
“In the kitchen, no doubt.”
“Don’t worry. Everything will be all right.”
“If it’s not—” She swallowed, licked her lips. “I promise to keep to my end of the bargain. Whatever you want for as long as you want.”
He suddenly had a clear understanding of why she hadn’t wanted to accept the necklace. He didn’t want her gratitude. He wasn’t quite certain what the bloody hell he wanted.
“I would expect no less,” he stated succinctly, before striding from the room, wishing he’d been in possession of gentler words.
“Idon’t like it,” Merrick said.
Once Avendale left, Rose returned to Harry’s room, grateful to find him still awake. She suspected he slept little these nights, mostly in fits and spurts. There was a labored quality to his breathing, occasionally a whistling like the sound of air rushing through the narrow confines of a cavern. She’d asked Merrick and Sally to join her there. She’d just explained how she was taking Harry on an adventure to the duke’s residence.
Harry’s face had taken on the wonder of a child being handed a penny candy for the first time. No surprise, Merrick’s face had taken on the appearance of a storm cloud.
