Page 73 of The Duke and the Lady in Red
With a huff, Rose planted her hands on her hips. “You barely know him and you’re going to let him read it? And not me? The sister who loves you more than life?”
Harry’s gaze never left Avendale. “I think he should read it.”
“I will be most delighted to do so.”
Harry shoved it toward the edge of the desk. Avendale gathered it up. “Thank you for trusting me with it.”
“Don’t let her see it.”
“Honestly,” Rose said indignantly, “if you ask me not to read it, I won’t.”
“She lies,” Harry said.
Avendale chuckled low. “So I’ve discovered.”
“I’m insulted. Harry, I’ve never lied to you.”
He swung his head toward her, his blue gaze intense, and she realized she’d not done as good a job at protecting him as she’d intended. He knew she was conniving, that she’d not always been honest with him.
“Make yourself at home,” Avendale said. “I’m going to see that your sister lies down for a bit. She didn’t sleep well last night.”
How did he know that? Was he aware that she was exhausted, thought she might drop at any moment? The worries had taken a toll.
She hugged Harry, told him to send Gerald for her if she was needed, then she quit the room with Avendale at her side. With orders to take the manuscript to his library, he handed the pages to a footman they passed in the hallway. Then with his hand at the small of her back, he led her to the bedchamber.
She’d expected him to tear off their clothes, to take her before they’d even reached the bed. Instead he merely said, “I’ll send Edith in to assist you with your clothing. Get some rest.”
She sat on the edge of the bed. “How do you know I didn’t sleep?”
“Because I was holding you and was very much aware of how tense you were. You never relaxed a muscle.”
“I thought coming here might be a disaster.”
He crossed over to her, cradled her cheek. “Even though I told you it wouldn’t be?”
“I’ve been in charge for so long. I find it difficult to hand over the reins where Harry is concerned.”
“You haven’t handed them over. You just have someone else to help you hold them.”
Reaching up, she trailed her fingers along his bristled jaw. “Every time I think I know you, I discover that I don’t. Why are you not staying with me now?”
“Because I have some matters to which I must attend. While it may appear that I live a life of leisure, I am only allowed to do so because I attend to my business when I should.”
“Are you going out then?”
“No, I’ll be in the library, studying reports, making decisions. It’s boring and tedious, but it must be done. When I’m finished I’ll join you here.”
“I know I said it earlier, but I can’t believe how kind you’re being to Harry.”
“You say that as though you are on the verge of recommending me for sainthood. I’m far from being a saint. I’m merely keeping to my end of our bargain.”
He brushed his lips over hers, before leaving the room. Her heart would remain safer if she believed him.
The problem was—she didn’t.
But even if he professed undying love, what would come of it? He was a duke. She was a criminal, with a past that shadowed her and would one day blot out all the light. Until then, she could serve as his mistress for as long as he wanted her—or until he took a wife. Her transgressions were many, but taking a married man to her bed was not going to be one of them.
Chapter 15
