She jerked his hand away and turned to face him, pain evident in her eyes.
“Answer me, Maxwell. Am I right? The only reason you’re here is to tell me we’re finished?”
“I’m here to tell you that I’m getting married and wish to remain faithful to my wife. I could just as easily have abandoned you without a word.”
She appeared to ponder for a moment and then shook her head. “But being married doesnae mean you have to shackle yourself to one woman. You can bed your Sassenach wife and still share nights with me. She need never know.”
“ButIwould know,” he countered. “Besides, it’s not as though I’m the only man who shares your bed, and don’t dare deny it. I wouldn’t have been overly surprised to find someone here tonight.”
“If I seek company elsewhere, it’s only because you’re away most of the bloody time,” she said, scowling. “I get lonely.”
“I’m sure you do,” he replied, “which is why I’ve never insisted you stay faithful to me. I doubt you’d have done so anyway.”
“Aye, I would, if you’d asked.” She blew out a breath and cast her gaze around the room. “How long do I have, then?”
“Till when?”
“Till I need to find somewhere else to live. You’re no’ throwing me out right away, are you?”
“I’m not throwing you out at all,” he said, putting the stopper back in the decanter. “The house is yours. I transferred ownership to you this morning.”
She flinched as if she’d been slapped. “If that’s meant as a jest, Max, it’s a cruel one.”
“It’s not a jest,” he said. “The house belongs to you, as well as a lump sum of money that will be dispatched to you in monthly increments, enough to cover your expenses for the next six months. After that, you’re on your own, so get yourself sorted out and find yourself a job. There’s no shortage of work in the city right now and it’s not as if you’ll have rent to pay. And go easy on the drink, Flora. I don’t like what I’ve seen since I got here tonight. That stuff will ruin you.”
The entire time he’d spoken, she’d merely gaped at him. “Bugger me,” she muttered, and then hiccupped. “I own this house?”
“Aye.” Maxwell sighed. “Did you hear any of what I just said?”
“My God, Max.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I dinnae ken what to say.”
“Flora, did you hear—?”
“Aye, I heard you. Get a job and dinnae drink so much, blah blah blah.” She sniffed and slid her hand down to his cock again, caressing him through the fabric of his trousers. “But one final night, eh? For old time’s sake. You’re no’ married yet, after all, and I’ve been burning for you since I saw you on the doorstep. Aye, there you go, my sweet, up and ready. You want it as much as I do. Have you even had any since our last meeting?”
Maxwell gritted his teeth as his traitorous cock stiffened. No, he hadn’t had any and, for a moment, he considered capitulating to Flora’s persuasive touch.
Only for a moment.
“Stop.” He took hold of her wrist and kissed the smooth, pale skin on the inside of it, breathing in her familiar perfume. “Flora, listen to me. Do you know Alexander Blair and Sons, the solicitors on Bath Street?”
She snorted. “Och, aye. Alex and his sons are old friends of mine.”
He gave her a withering look. “You know what I mean. You must go there tomorrow morning to sign some papers.”
“What papers?”
“Legal papers regarding the ownership of the house and the terms of the expense coverage. Everything has been taken care of. All you have to do is sign.”
“That’s it?”
He nodded. “That’s it.”
The glaze in her eyes softened, shimmering in the lanternlight. “I cannae believe it, Max,” she said.
“Just make something of it, Flora.”
“That’s not what I meant. I meant you and me. I cannae believe it’s over.” She cocked her head. “It doesn’t have to be,mark you. If you find your Sassenach wife doesnae keep you topped up, you know where I am.”
