She wouldnotbe parted from the streets. From her world. From herhome.
“I don’t want to be a lady,” she said with fierce urgency. “I want a place by your side, Grandpapa, to help you—especiallynow, when there are threats facing our family.” She darted a glance at Bennett, not wanting to say more about the assassination attempt on her grandfather in front of a stranger. “Why can’t you understand that?”
Why can’t you see that you need me? Why can’t you see…me?
“Time you faced facts, Tessie. If you were a man, things would be different. But you ain’t,” her grandfather said bluntly. “You’re a female, and you ain’t got no place in my world. If you want to help me, you get married to the nob I got picked out for you. Give me great-grandchildren. That’s your duty.”
Pain bled through her. A dagger in the chest would have hurt less.
“My biggest regret was that I was too soft on you, Tessie,” her grandfather went on heartlessly. “Let you run wild for far too long. No longer. From ’ere on in, you do as I say. You’re going to act like a lady. Like the future bride o’ the Duke of Ranelagh and Somerville.”
When her grandfather had first announced his plan to marry her off to the Duke of Ranelagh and Somerville, she’d thought he was making a poor jest. But he’d become increasingly adamant on the subject, and none of her arguments could sway him.
“The duke is a knownrake,” she said desperately. “He’ll make a terrible husband!”
“All that matters is that ’e’ll keep you safe.”
“I don’t need him to keep me safe. I have you—”
“Won’t be around forever, Tessie, and won’t spend what time I got left arguing with you neither. Baroness von Friesing will be ’osting a supper for us, and ’Is Grace will be there. You’d best be prepared to make a good first impression.”
His casual reference to his own mortality churned her insides with dread. At the same time, his high-handedness made her furious.
“I willnotmarry some stupid duke and breed a high-nosed litter!” She raised her chin. “I belong here with you, with the people whose lives I make a difference in. You can’t force me to do anything I don’t want to do!”
“Won’t ’ave to. That’s Bennett’s job now.” Grandpapa’s smile was smug. “Meet your new bodyguard.”
“What?” She turned to Bennett, who’d risen when she had. “I don’t need another bodyguard!”
“’E’s your only one. ’Ad to let the other one go,” Grandpapa muttered. “Worthless git.”
“Your grandfather has your best interests in mind,” Bennett said. “You’d do well to abide by his wishes.”
As if her grandfather’s rejection wasn’t enough, now she was beinglecturedby this blighter? She’d credited Bennett with being an intelligent man, and he’d seen her in action this eve: her clever disguise, her duping of O’Toole, her agility in the stews’ streets. Yet he still believed her to be aboredmiss in search of diversion? Some useless ninny who needed a keeper?
Her rage and despair found a fresh target.
“How much is my grandfather paying you?” she said acidly.
“None o’ your business, Tessie,” Grandpapa cut in.
She ignored him. “How much?”
“We haven’t discussed terms as yet,” Bennett said.
“Well, I can assure you that no amount of gold will be worth the trouble I’ll cause. If you take this job, you’re adding yourself to my List of Retribution,” she vowed.
He stared at her. Unbelievably, his lips quirked. “Your, er, List of Retribution?”
“An eye for an eye,” she said succinctly. “A Black never forgets a wrong.”
Instead of looking afraid, or even wary, amusement glinted in his eyes. “I’ll take my chances.”
“Youwillregret this.” Enraged, she poked him in the chest and was further irked when it felt as if she’d jammed her finger into a slab of granite.Ouch.Resisting the urge to rub her smarting digit, she stormed past him.
“Good evening, Miss Todd,” he called after her, and her face burned at the humor in his deep voice. “’Twas a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
You don’t know me, Bennett, she thought darkly.But if you insist on crossing me…you’ll find outexactlywhat I’m capable of.
