“You must think me devoid of filial affection,” she said. “I can assure you I once held my father in high esteem.”
“I wasn’t thinking that at all.” John shook his head. “I was thinking how much a man’s mind can contort to justify his actions when he is desperate. I cannot imagine a father doing such to his daughters. He must be mad.”
Netta blinked against the burn in her eyes. John might be able to rationalize her father’s actions, but she could not. With understanding came forgiveness, and that was something she was not prepared to give.
“Will you give me the money.” Her heart tripped in her chest. If he refused, she didn’t know what she would do.
John rubbed his jaw. “You said you know that you can no longer help me. Why is that?”
Netta narrowed her eyes. He was using her tactic back on her, answering her question with one of his own. She didn’t care for it. But it was best that he knew all.
“I would no longer be of use in your scheme. Your quarry knows me.” She clenched the skirt of her gown, her nails digging into her palms even through the fabric. “Sudworth is the man my father betrothed me to.”
***
John had a new plan. Kill Sudworth. His friends would help to hide the body. Liverpool would be suspicious, but would eventually let the matter drop. Once he got the man alone, he would—
“John.” Netta wrapped her arms around her middle, looking altogether more distraught than John liked. “Please help me. I need the money.”
“No, you need the threats against you and your sister removed. It doesn’t necessarily follow that includes blunt.”
“You don’t wish to lend it to me.” She loosed a wavering breath then nodded. “I will figure something else out.”
“I don’t wish for you to flee across an ocean.” The thought of Netta disappearing into that uncivilized upstart nation sent a cold chill down his spine. He rubbed the back of his head. “Leaving England isn’t the only way to keep you and your sister safe, nor the best way.” There were two obstacles to their security. Sudworth and the father. His fingers twitched. He would enjoy making Sudworth pay for daring to touch Netta.
“But…” She frowned. “Is that possible? With my staying in London?”
“I will make sure it is so.”
She looked to the ceiling and shook her head. “You are capable of many things—”
“Thank you.” He prowled towards her.
“—but I fear at times your capabilities do not match your ego.”
He pressed a hand to his heart. “You wound me.”
“I do not, but someone else can.” She grabbed the tail of his cravat and tugged him close. “You are not invincible. And not all battles can be won.”
“This one can be.” Slitting Sudworth’s throat would be but a moment’s work.
His bloodlust must have shown. Netta narrowed her eyes to slits. “You will not go about killing people. Not for me.”
“Why? He deserves it.”
“It’s just… You can’t…” She threw up her hands. “An earl doesn’t behave in that manner. It wouldn’t be proper.”
Everyone had a different definition of proper, he supposed. He hadn’t thought Netta would be squeamish when it came to the safety of her sister, but if it upset her to think on it, he wouldn’t discuss the matter in front of her.
He ran his finger along the edge of her bodice. “Nothing can be done tonight. Let’s talk of something more pleasant.”
Her breathing sped up, the tops of her breasts heaving delightfully. “I am in earnest.”
“I realize that.” And when Netta was in earnest, she was a force to be reckoned with. He only needed to turn her ardor towards more pleasurable endeavors. “I can promise you there will be no blood spilled tonight. Let’s not ruin the remainder of our evening.”
Her tongue darted out to lick her lips. “I should leave. It would be the sanest course of action.”
The back of his neck prickled. “I won’t have you running away. I won’t allow it.”
