“Whilst I do not answer to you, I did leave a trail of chalk,” she reminded him.
He shook his head. “You literally chalked your well-being up to a few ephemeral marks. Marks that could be erased by the fog or brushed off by the sleeve of any passer-by.”
“The Angels and I have been using that system for years. It is tried and true.”
“You need a better system.”
“If you do not like the way I run things, you are welcome to leave my society.”
“Goddammit, Charlie. I do not want to leave.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I want you to take better care of yourself.”
“Must I remind you that you are in my employ and not vice versa.” She narrowed her eyes. “You are not my keeper, Devlin.”
“What if I wish to be?”
She stilled. “I beg your pardon?”
“That came out wrong. What I meant to say is that I would like to be more than your employee.”
In a blink, he moved to her side of the carriage, taking one of her hands.
She was so stunned she didn’t stop him.
“We make a good team, you and I.” His gaze was earnest, his voice devoid of its usual irony. “Why should that not extend into our private affairs? You must know that I am attracted to you. For some time now, I have wanted to know you as a woman. As a lover.”
She pulled her hand free. “Devlin?—”
“At least hear me out before you sack me,” he said with a lopsided smile. “Having worked for you these past months, I would be an idiot not to realize that you are a woman who values her independence. I admire that about you, Charlie, and would not dream of undermining your freedom. At the same time, we are both unattached, consenting adults. If we play by agreed upon rules, there is no reason we cannot have some harmless fun, is there?”
Harmless fun.The words might have been uttered in a foreign language. Except for those first blissful months with Sebastian, she’d never been a playful sort.
As if sensing an opening, Devlin pressed on. “As your reputation is above reproach, I know you conduct your private life with discretion. I give you my word that your honor is safe with me.”
Charlie was not surprised that he assumed she carried on discreet affairs. After all, taking a lover was a perk of being a widow. She’d tried it once, years ago, and found it wasn’t worth the bother. Moreover, a man was hardly a prerequisite for pleasure (and sometimes he was an impediment).
“I have not always been, ahem, as prudent in safeguarding my own reputation.” Evidently mistaking her silence for doubt, Devlin looked slightly abashed. “But I promise you that I can—and will be—circumspect when it comes to you.”
As Charlie made it a policy to research the backgrounds of all who worked for her, she knew the gossip about Devlin’s rakish escapades. He was a regular guest at house parties like the Rigbys’, and his appetites were rather legendary. She did not judge him for his predilections. In fact, his experience had uniquely qualified him for a position in her society. Thus far, she had no complaints about how he carried out his assignments. He was loyal, dependable, and knew how to keep his mouth shut: rare qualities in a man.
“I do not doubt your discretion,” she said. “But I am not interested in an affair.”
“Even if there were no strings attached?” There was a boyish charm to his persistence, the way his blue eyes were both guileless and wicked. “I would ask nothing of you, my sweet. No commitments, no expectations. Just the pleasure of your company.”
He took her hand, then turned it gently as he raised it. When he brushed his lips against the tender underside of her wrist, she felt that quickening again in her belly. Then he tucked her hand back onto her lap with a self-assuredness that spoke volumes about his skill as a lover. He was a man who knew when to push and how far.
She shook off the sensual net he cast. “Look elsewhere for a lover, Devlin. Our relationship will remain a professional one.”
“Ah. You admit we do have a relationship.”
At his incorrigible grin, she had to press her lips together to prevent them from twitching.
“We won’t for long if we keep failing on our missions,” she said severely.
“Failure is not in my vocabulary.” He gave her a measuring look. “If I find out what Quinton is up to, will you consider having an affair with me?”
“Whenwediscover the nature of Quinton’s activities, the answer to your question will still be no.” Sighing, Charlie decided honesty was, as usual, the best policy. “Don’t ruin this, Devlin. I have grown to respect you as a colleague. Let us not muddy the waters with romantic nonsense.”
“Who said anything about romance? I just want to go to bed with you.”
