“Daniel, you must listen to me!” Eva grabbed his hands and he stilled, his grey eyes now intent as they focused on hers.
“Are you finally about to tell me the truth, Duchess?”
Oh God, now the moment was upon her, Eva felt her courage waver. Fierce pain lanced through her. Would she lose this wonderful man now? Could he forgive her?
“Talk to me, Eva.”
“Yes, I must.” The words were as much for herself as him. “I have been dishonest, Daniel. Betrayed you and abused your generosity. And I will understand if you wish to send me back to Stratton, but I beg of you, no matter what you think of me, you must help Reggie.”
Leaning forward until their knees brushed, he lifted her chin so their eyes met. “I can do nothing until you tell me everything, Eva.”
She did, starting with her father’s blackmail notes and the jewels she had given him. She told him of Huxley’s visit to Stratton and how he had spoken to her at the theatre and his threat to fight Daniel. She felt purged as she spoke. Finally, the burden was gone. However, she wondered at what price.
“I understand you did not trust me when your father first approached you, Eva, but after the theatre, you should have told me about Huxley.”
“I wanted to but I was injured and there never seemed to be the right moment, and I had betrayed you and given my father your ring and the pendant, Daniel.” The words tumbled out one on top of the other as she tried to make him understand. “Plus, I was afraid you would challenge Lord Huxley and he never loses a sword fight, so my father told me. He has killed and maimed many.”
“You think I care about jewels or money? You think those baubles can hold the same place as you in my life? Christ, woman, I love you! Them I can replace; you, I cannot.”
Eva felt the air squeeze from her lungs as she looked at him. “You love me?”
“Of course I do.” His anger made the words harsh, yet Eva didn’t care. Was it possible he would forgive her for what she had done?
“But the threat from Huxley and my father, Daniel - surely you can see I could not ignore that. Especially after the carriage was shot at. My fears multiplied after that.”
“And this is why you have come to me now?”
Shaking her head, Eva pulled the note from her reticule and handed it to him. “I had decided to tell you, Daniel - you must believe that - but this note made it imperative I do so immediately.”
“That was what you wanted to tell me this morning?”
Eva nodded and watched as he read the note before handing it back to her.
“And you know where they are?”
“Yes, I dropped the pendant there.”
His mouth tightened but he said nothing further, instead reaching above him to open the hatch.
“Daniel.”
“What?” He returned to his seat after barking instructions at his driver.
“I love you, too.”
“I know.”
“You do?” Eva slumped back on the seat, suddenly exhausted. Her body still ached and her shoulder throbbed but telling Daniel everything had taken the last of her energy.
“You told me the night of the accident.”
“I did?”
Opening his legs, he reached for her, pulling her to the edge of the seat until she was trapped between his thighs, his face now inches from hers.
“If you truly love me, Duchess, you will never lie to me again. Do you understand?”
Eva nodded.
