Bennett’s glance was startled. “How did you know?”
“Because that’s whatIwould do if I were dastardly enough to frame someone.”
His features softened, and his words came out with a hoarse edge. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For believing me,” he said quietly.
“I believe you aboutthis, but you still lied to me,” she shot back.
“I know. And I’m sorry for it.”
Although she didn’twantto soften, the sincerity in his deep voice and the remorse in his eyes made her traitorous heart thump faster. “Tell me the rest.”
“I had an alibi for the night before. During the time De Witt had claimed I was in his lab, I was with Celeste. As a gentleman, however, I could not mention it.”
“Zounds,” she burst out, “it was your career, yourname, at stake!”
“I know.” His mouth formed a tight line. “But I still couldn’t ruin a lady’s reputation. And I suppose I hoped that she would do the right thing.”
“And?”
His expression hardened. “She supported her father’s claim. Said she was with him when they saw me leaving his office that night.”
“Bleeding hell.” Tessa’s jaw slackened. “She was in on it?”
“Ensuring that I played the part of the fool,” he said bitterly.
The pieces fell into place. What he’d told her in the carriage after they’d searched De Witt’s study…about why he couldn’t love again. Because he’d been betrayed by the woman he’d believed himself in love with.
Then Tessa remembered something else he’d said.
“In the carriage, you claimed you weren’t in love with her anymore,” she accused.
His brows drew together. “I’m not.”
“Then why were you making love to her?”
“I swear to you I wasn’t.” He rubbed the back of his neck, muttering, “I was trying to get answers from her about her father, and she just threw herself at me.”
“Likely story,” Tessa said with a huff.
“You can’t honestly think I’d want her after how she betrayed me.”
Hearing the revulsion in his tone, seeing the hard set of his jaw, she said grudgingly, “Maybe not. But you wouldn’t be the first man to think with an organ other than his brain. You cannot deny that Celeste De Witt is a Diamond of the First Water. She’s blonde and willowy and bloody perfection.”
“Not my version of perfection. My taste runs toward petite, curly-haired brunettes who look adorable dressed up as ferrets.” His bespectacled gaze was steady. “I don’t want anyone but you, sprite.”
She tried to hold onto her anger. “Then why did you lie to me? Why didn’t you tell me about your involvement with the De Witts?”
“I’m not proud of my past.” His words were gruff. “And the last thing a man wants to tell the lady he cares for is that he was a stupid bastard.”
He cares for me.It was the closest he’d come to saying that he loved her.
“Oh, Bennett.” Unconsciously, she reached out a hand.
He gripped it like a lifeline. “I haven’t always told you the truth, and I’m sorry for it. But, upon my honor, I vow that I have never lied about my feelings for you.”
