“You do not needmygood opinion, Your Grace.”
“Need? No. But I find myself in want of it all the same.”
“Because my good opinion is not yours for the taking?”
The unexpected jab set him on his proverbial heels. “Is that fair?’
She hung her head, completely concealing any perception of her true sentiments.
“You are an excellent godfather. And—by report—an excellent friend. Anyone would be happy to have your good opinion.”
“But we weren’t speaking ofmygood opinion, were we?”
She shook her headno. “Oh, but just think for a moment and you’ll see, Your Grace. You could not possibly have an interest in mine.”
A neat set down. Polite. Careful not to wound his pride. He supposed he should be grateful. “You do yourself an injustice,” he said quietly.
She sighed a piteous sigh.
He had transgressed. Again.
Then again, she’d no way of ascertaining his intentions, had she? For all she knew, he’d have taken advantage of her innocence without thought of reparation.
She would come to know him better. The next time they were alone in a darkened room would be but a prelude. And she’d be fully aware of his sentiments.
He rose. “Now that I know you are well, I will take my leave. Is there anything I might order for you?”
“No,” she said meekly.
He paused at the foot of the children’s bed and stared down at them. “Allow me to thank you sincerely.”
“And I, you.”
He nodded once. “Good night, then.”
“Good night.”
The door snicked softly closed and he rested his head against the wooden panel. She was not well born. But she was what he wanted. Long ago, he’d had to give up the one woman he’d desired above all else. He’d not had such a reaction to another, since.
Until now. And, this time, no dear friend stood in his way.
The beauty. The bravery. The service of her trustworthy good sense. They would be his compensation, to hell with anyone who thought to question.
If he courted her at his estate, far outside the purview of those who would condemn, he was certain she could be won. All he needed was patience. She’d come to accept the inevitable.
Yes.He’d decided. She was going to be his.
And his decision, in his mind, settled the matter beyond a doubt.
ChapterSix
By Hera’s third and final day on the road, Hurtheven’s distant, civil behavior left her doubting the incendiary, mutual desire she could have sworn they’d both experienced.Hadshe made too much of the near kiss in the lane?
The latent possibility in the heat of their embrace?
The penny in her pocket she’d been repeatedly running through her fingers?
She must have because he made no further attempt to draw her in. Although he was as solicitous and attentive to the children as ever, to her he chose instead to be excessively and irritatingly polite.
