“Right-o. On my way.” Getting up, he sauntered over to Rhys. “Before oi go, guv, wanted to thank you again for putting me up in this palace o’ yours.”
“You’re welcome. Now get out,” Rhys said.
The trio left, leaving Rhys and Maggie alone.
Her emerald eyes formed slits. “You’re letting Jeremy stay here?”
“The man fought beside me. It’s the least I could do.”
“He’s Jeremy. He’d fight just to fight.”
She had a point. “Don’t distract me from the fact that you shared with the world that we’re lovers.”
“It wasn’t the world. Just Hypatia, Mr. Newton, and Jeremy. All of whom probably guessed the nature of our relationship.”
“Nonetheless.” He braced his hands on his hips. “I didn’t want to compromise your reputation.”
“But you would make love to me and then leave?”
Her accusation decimated his self-control.
“Damnit, I don’twantto leave you. I have to. For your own good—Christ, I nearly got you killed!” he exploded.
“Do not tell me what is for my own good! I am not some nitwit.”
“Then stop acting like you are,” he said acidly, “and do as I tell you.”
“Don’t youdaretell me what to do,” she blazed. “For years, I heeded my husband’s advice—but I’mdone. Done with doing what others want of me. If I want to shout to the world that I have a lover, I’m going to shout. If I want to wallop a bastard with a pan, he’d better beware. If I want to go to London, you cannot bloody stop me. I am a grown woman, capable of looking after my own interests!”
Her temper matched her hair, full of hidden fire. He realized that he’d never seen her unleash her anger before. Not in full force. Devil and damn, but she was a spitfire—and it aroused him. To see her lose her temper because she didn’t want to be parted from him. Because she was fighting for her own interests…for him.
A fierce ache throbbed in his chest. His cock, too.
Hell, he was getting hard from their row.
“I know you’re capable. In point of fact, I’m in awe of your competence.” He reached for her, but she jerked away. In a placating tone, he said, “What you are not capable of, however, is taking on cutthroats. Have no doubt that I want you with me, Maggie; I just want your safetymore.”
“You can hire guards in London to keep us both safe.” While she still kept her distance, the entreaty in her eyes would have melted a stone. “We’re stronger together than apart, Rhys. Iknowwe’ll find the treasure. The sooner we do that, the sooner we’ll all be safe.”
He dropped his hand. Stared at her broodingly. Never had he felt so torn between his own desires and what he believed to be right—to be better for her. His teeth ground together as he fought to make the right choice...
“There is something else you should know,” she said.
He cocked his head.
Looking him in the eye, Maggie declared, “Glory is your daughter.”
23
What have I done?
Maggie hadn’t planned to vomit out her secret. Yet the truth was out; she couldn’t take it back. And she couldn’t read Rhys’s reaction. He’d gone still. So still that she could see a dust mote hover above his shoulder before landing on the silver-grey wool.
His expression was cool. Composed. Ducal.
In contrast, she felt like a former serving maid who’d just blurted out that she’d had a child out of wedlock. Oh, wait—thatwasher.
The demons of doubt swarmed her.What if he repudiates Glory? What if he wants nothing to do with me or the bastard he sired? What if I’ve just been a convenient bed warmer for him…the way I was nine years ago?
