How kind of him. She gripped the armrests of her chair. How bloody magnanimous. “I didn’t agree to your plan for your company. I did it for the four thousand pounds.”
He winced, just a flash of one, before his features settled back into its aloof mask, one he hadn’t worn around her in quite some time. “Of course, I didn’t intend to renege on our terms. I had thought with my offer ofcarte blancheyou could expect to prosper in many ways.”
Netta shot to her feet and pressed against his legs. “Forgive me. I didn’t mean it that way. Truly, your companionship far surpasses money.”
A crack appeared in his composure. “But?”
She dropped her head. “But…I need that money.”
Tucking his finger under her chin, he raised her face. “Why? While I admit that your situation is far beneath the station you deserve, you do not appear to be in desperate straits.”
Netta pulled away and stalked about the study. “My situation is not as it appears. I am not as I appear.”
A crease lined his forehead. “Explain.”
She darted him a look but continued pacing. The swift back-and-forth steadied her mind. “I could not have continued in your scheme even had you not dismissed me.”
“I did not dismiss you,” he objected. “Merely found another use for you.”
“On my back?” She raised her hand, cutting off his objection. “My apologies. I find that I become churlish when I am nervous. You are my unfortunate victim.”
“Netta, stop.”
She continued marching.
He stepped in front of her, taking her elbows. “Stop. Tell me what is the matter. I will fix it.”
She huffed out a laugh. “You can do many things, but this cannot be fixed. It can be resolved, but I fear the resolution will not be to anyone’s liking.”
“For once I grow tired of games.” He gave her a small shake. “Speak plainly. What is amiss?”
She stared into his eyes. The blue was so deep and dark she felt she could dive into them, find her escape. But there was no escaping this reckoning. “I am not Antoinette LeBlanc.”
His nostrils flared. “Not Ned Pickle, nor Netta Pickle, and now not even LeBlanc.” A tiny muscle in his jaw flicked. “Who, pray tell, have I been sharing my bed with?”
“I was born Miss Evered. Miss Agnes Evered, but my family and friends did call me Netta.” It was difficult to take in full breaths; her lungs didn’t seem to want to expand. “My father is Viscount Darby.”
She held her breath until her head went light, yet still John said nothing.
“Well? What have you to say to this latest deception?” She shook off his hands and crossed her arms under her chest. “Are you not grievously disappointed? Shocked beyond all measure?” The daughter of a viscount shouldn’t even know the address of the theatre she worked at. Should have saved her virginity for her husband. Shouldn’t have been thieving on the streets.
When she thought about what her life had become, even she was shocked. She lifted her chin. Shocked, yes. But that didn’t mean she would change it. ShelikedNetta LeBlanc. Liked the freedom of being a common Cit. Of living how she wished, without the restraints of a father or husband.
What she didn’t like was the carefully arranged blank expression upon John’s face.
“Disappointed yes,” he said. “I had thought we’d arrived at an intimacy where you’d have felt free to inform me of this before now. But shocked, no. Nothing you do surprises me anymore.”
She stepped forwards, clasping her hands together to keep from reaching out and grabbing hold of him. “We have become close. I’ve wanted to tell you for ages, but I was scared.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Of me?”
“Of how you’d react.” Hurt flashed in his eyes, and she turned away, unable to see it. “I left home when I was but seventeen. I’ve learned hard lessons about the dangers of trusting someone. I wanted to tell you, but the part of me that’s kept me alive told me to wait. Just as you didn’t feel safe telling me about being a spy before now.” She made her way to the study’s window and pressed her palm against the cold glass.
It was as dark as pitch outside in the garden. The wavering oval reflection that represented her face was the only thing she could see.
Until another pale oval came to hover behind hers.
John rested his hands on her shoulders. “Why did you leave home?”
