The unspoken words hung in the air. There it was, that veiled threat to withhold the pardon.
“I’m sorry,” Charles added with a sympathy Trick knew was sincere. It was part of the charm that made the king so popular with the people. But under that genuine kindness hid a streak of determination that was every bit as integral to the man’s personality. “I cannot afford to have it bandied about that the king is condoning robbery, no matter the reason or how deserving the victims. They’re my subjects, nonetheless.”
“But—”
“I’m asking you, as your monarch and your friend, to keep this wholly to yourself.”
Trick mentally threw up his hands. Opposing the monarchy went against everything he believed in. And although he’d agreed to this mission out of patriotism for king and country, he needed to finish it for his marriage. For Kendra, and for the children he hoped they’d have. Even now, an heir might be growing in her womb, and that son deserved Amberley.
He sighed. “Of course.”
“Return to Sussex and arrange to meet with Pendregast. Fear not, for I’ve been thinking since I heard the news, and I’ve a plan to wrap this up. I owe you a debt for solving this little problem, and I won’t see you or the Chases implicated in any way.”
With a sinking heart, Trick listened to the plan. Despite his intentions otherwise, the deceptions would continue. For a man didn’t put his wife before his sovereign.
Not a wise one, in any case.
Sixty-Six
KENDRA WOKEto a husky whisper in her ear.
“I have a present for you,leannan.”
Her head was lifted, and something cool and heavy slid down about her neck. Sleepily she reached for it, her fingers meeting a strand of smooth, hard orbs that could only be pearls.
Her eyes flew open. “Has it an amber clasp?”
“But of course.” Standing over her stark naked, her husband smiled. Dear heavens, he looked gorgeous, every muscle outlined in the low light of the fire. “Charles tried to give me a solid gold platter as a reward, but I would have none of it.”
She ran her tongue over her teeth, thinking of that tiny chip in his. “Well, are you going to come down here and let me thank you?”
She sighed as he joined her beneath the coverlet and settled his warm body beside hers, then laughed when he reached for the hem of her chemise and tried to pull it off, needing to draw it through the necklace to accomplish his goal. With a grin, she grabbed the far end of the long strand and slipped it over his head, roping him close.
“I’ve got you,” she said.
“You certainly have.” His mouth met hers for a leisurely kiss, and she melted happily into his embrace.
No matter how many times he did this, she still thrilled like it was the first. A shiver of wanting rippled through her as she thought of all the times ahead.
A flush heated her skin, warming the pearls that draped heavily on her neck. When he rolled the two of them to their sides, the strand tangled between them, and she reached to pull it off.
“I’ll take those,leannan.” He held out his hand. And she gave them over, expecting him to drop them to the night table, as she had been about to do.
But instead, he just held the long rope in the air.
“They’re beautiful,” she said, watching them swing gently, firelight dancing off the gleaming round surfaces.
“Not half as beautiful as you.” She’d never thought of herself as beautiful, and she swallowed hard as he brought the pearls under the covers and started drawing them over her body. Slowly. “Do you know how much I care for you, lass?”
Breathlessly caught in his gaze, she felt each individual pearl, an entire long row of them, skim her sensitive skin. “How much?” she whispered.
“Enough to make me question my loyalties.”
Loyalties? Though she didn’t quite understand, she could tell the admission was wrenched from somewhere deep inside him, and it softened the pain of not hearing the words she’d so desperately hoped he would say.
I love you.
She should tell him first, she thought, feeling light-headed as the pearls continued their sensual assault on her body. Over her arms, her back, her legs, her hip, her side, making soft little clicks as they went. Then up to trail her breasts, hitching as they caught on a nipple.
