He opened a door that Catherine had not seen. It led to a shadowed corridor and an open archway beyond which seemed to look out onto a cobbled back street. Aaron strode out into the street and gave a sharp whistle, then clicked his fingers over his head. Catherine heard the clatter and jingle of a carriage approaching. Panic gripped her.
“Do not worry about the fare. I will cover it to Haventon,” he added smoothly.
“N-no, you don’t understand. I can’t go back. They will be furious—”
“Yes, I imagine they will if you have put them to some insult. But as your Aunt and Uncle, I’m sure their anger will be limited. One does not remain angry at a close relation for long. You are their niece and their ward, after all.”
“You don’t understand,” Catherine whispered in a flurry.
The carriage was approaching at speed, not yet seeing Aaron, who stood in the doorway. Catherine steeled herself for what she knew she must do.
This was always how it might end. I will not marry that ogre! I will not be coerced. I will have what control I can have over my own life. Or the end of it!
When it was too late for the driver to stop, she darted forward directly into the path of the horses.
CHAPTER 3
Gideon stood impassively as the carriage barreled forward, the driver oblivious. He had barely raised his hand to signal when Catherine flew into the street.
Instinct overtook him.
He launched himself forward and shoved her hard, palms flat against her back, sending her sprawling clear of the horses’ path.
The driver’s shout rang out into the night.
Leather reins snapped taut.
The horses screamed and reared, hooves slashing the air—and the iron-rimmed wheel caught Gideon square in the shoulder with a sickening crack.
He was hurled to the cobbles, landing on his back and sharply rapping the back of his head against the stone. Catherine, the woman he had pretended to recognize but who was nothing but a stranger, ran to his side.
“Oh my God, Aaron!” She dropped to her knees beside him, her hands hovering over his chest, his shoulder, unsure where to touch without causing more pain. “I'm so sorry—I didn't mean—I never wanted you hurt, I only wanted—”
The carriage bore two bright lanterns to either side of the driver. They cast a strong light down onto the woman who knelt beside him. A friend of his twin brother,Aaron. The man everyone believed Gideon to be.
Her friendship with Aaron can mean nothing good to me. Nothing that came from Aaron was good. Even his name. My deception can only be put in jeopardy by association with someone who knew Aaron well.
His eyes swam into focus, and he found himself looking up at an angel. She was haloed in the light from the carriage. It picked out the silky sheen of her flowing mane of hair. Her face was round, and her nose was pretty and delicate. Her mouth was a rosebud that begged to be kissed.
“Damn you…” he murmured before consciousness fled.
“I am sorry, Aaron. For what I have done to you and the bother I have caused you. More sorry than you can know...”
The sobbing reached Gideon, and he angled his head towards it, but did not open his eyes. Pain ruled his skull, and he knew that unshuttering his eyelids would only make it worse. It was only when Catherine gave a small moan, as if in pain, that his eyes opened instinctively. He was transported to his bedchamber, lying atop his bed, fully dressed and with a cool, wet linen across his forehead.
Catherine sat hunched over in a chair beside the bed. She had both arms wrapped around her middle, and her face was sickly pale. When she saw him open his eyes, she straightened and wiped her cheeks, but the pain remained writ large on her face.
“You are awake, thank the angels!”
“I am…indeed,” Gideon squinted, trudging himself up on his elbows, “what in the blazes happened? I remember leading you to the exit of Spencer’s, and then…”
“You summoned a carriage, and it hit you. The driver was going too fast without enough care,” she said, blushing.
Gideon frowned, touching his head and wincing.
“You are a friend of…” he stopped himself.
I was about to say a friend of Aaron’s! That would put the cat among the pigeons. And utterly destroy the lie I have been living as Duke. I must get control of myself. And get rid of this woman. She is the cause of it.
