“I told you…you matter to me.” Words he’d never said to any woman before her.
Her gaze was searching. His heart thudded. Did she not believe him?
“I care for you too,” she whispered.
Hearing her say that a second time didn’t lessen its impact. Emotion flooded him, foreign but not unwelcome. It took him a moment to recognize the feeling as…happiness.
His throat raw, he said, “I’m going to find those jewels so that I can make you mine.”
“If that’s what you want, then take me with you. Let me help,” she pleaded. “Proveto me that you think I’m worthy.”
“You are worth ten of me.” In his heart, he knew she’d already won.
His main reservation about taking her was safety. But what she’d said earlier was true: now that Garrity and Sweeney knew about her, she’d be no safer here than in London. In fact, she might be safer with Rhys keeping an eye on her—him and the coterie of guards he planned to hire for protection. He had already compromised her well-being, and there was no going back.
Only forward…to London.
And, damn him to hell, hewantedher by his side. The woman he cared for. With her holding the light for him, he felt as if he could navigate the darkest waters and find the way…home.
“Rhys?” she pressed.
He prayed that he was making the right choice.
Hoarsely, he said, “How long will it take you to pack for London, Maggie mine?”
24
Gettingready for the trip took Maggie longer than expected. Not that she had much basis for comparison: this would be her first excursion beyond Dorset. She tackled the requisite packing, the hardest part of which involved saying “no” to the assorted sundry that Glory wished to bring…which appeared to beeverything.
When Glory dragged in her rock collection, Maggie had to put her foot down.
As Hypatia had declared her intention to go on the trip as well—and no one could dissuade her once she made up her mind—the shop had to be temporarily closed. Truth be told, Maggie didn’t mind one bit.
The excursion began at dawn three days later. Rhys had sent Newton ahead to prepare for their stay, and they made the journey by private mail coach. They stopped only to change horses, but the luxurious conveyance made the hours pass quickly. Lulled by the plush cushions and well-sprung ride, Maggie slept most of the way.
Before she knew it, the coachman announced that they were approaching London. Darkness had long fallen; her first view of the city was the twinkling of lit windows, a miasma of grey fog weaving around the dark silhouettes of buildings. She didn’t have the heart to wake Glory, who was asleep between her and Hypatia. Rhys occupied the opposite bench, an ankle propped on his knee, his expression pensive in the dim carriage light.
In the frenzy of preparation for the trip, she and he had not spent much time alone. She knew he still had his reservations about taking her to London. In truth, she had forced the issue—and she wasn’t sorry about it.
You matter to me.
She hugged his words to herself. From a man with Rhys’s past, they meant everything. At a young age, Rhys had lost his mother, suffered mistreatment by his father, been bullied by classmates and abandoned by the uncle he’d loved. As an adult, he’d been shunned by those who ought to have stood by his side. Was it any wonder that he was wary of relationships?
She was beginning to understand that, contrary to his devil-may-care image, he wasn’t an unfeeling rake wedded to his freedom. He was the opposite: a man who cared too much. A man who longed for connection but feared getting hurt.
I’ll never hurt him. Tender resolve filled her.I’ll take care of him…as he’s taken care of me.
Her feelings were strong, undeniable. She cared about Rhys…had fallen in love with him. Despite the risks, the likelihood of pain worse than she’d ever known before, she’d lost her heart. The time wasn’t right to tell him; she didn’t want to burden him with her feelings…or scare him off. But shehadto come to London—so that they could fight for their future together.
She cleared her throat to get his attention. “Will we be going straight to the Seven Dials?”
He slanted her an amused look. “Much as I admire your stamina, we’ll be checking into our accommodations first. I had to let the lease on my usual townhouse go, so we’ll be staying at Mivart’s hotel. I think you’ll like it.”
Maggie had never stayed at a hotel. To her, the notion sounded rather exotic.
“We’ll start our hunt for the treasure tomorrow then?” she asked. “If we’re to search the Seven Dials, we have much ground to cover.”
“From what I recall of London,” Hypatia said, “the Seven Dials is not the most searchable of places.”
