Monty was talking like he did when he spoke with her. No silliness, or airs and graces. Her eyes went from him to the other men present. Zach was watching her and not Monty. She looked back to her friend and decided to keep her eyes there.
“Because no one would take you seriously?” Michael said, shaking his head. “I presume Geraint knew?”
“When Walters passed, it was Geraint who took over. Until now, no one but him and Mary knew that Lord Plunge is not exactly who he says he is.”
“So, you’ve lived your entire life since entering society as a lie?” Nathan asked.
“Not a lie precisely. I am Viscount Montgomery, but I am also Lord Plunge. Were I not doing what I did, I can assure you however, that I would not be dressing as I do.”
“But to selflessly give over your entire life—”
“It has not been a bad life,” Monty cut off Nathan, “and I do get to laugh secretly at society.”
There was a deeper reason as to why Monty did what he did, and Mary knew it was due to his family. She’d questioned him but he had never elaborated on his past. Sometimes she caught glimpses of the pain in his eyes when she probed and so had stopped.
“So, you and Mary work together?” Zach asked.
Mary’s eyes went to him again. He’d kissed her last night, and she’d gone to bed thinking about that and not the fact he could destroy her life.Fool that she was.He’d held her like she was important to him. Told her that he wanted more of her kisses. What did that mean? Was she just like all the other young ladies he’d had encounters with?
That was a depressing thought.
“There is a great deal you are not telling us, and I understand we have not given you a reason to speak freely, or trust us,” Lord Raine said.
Monty nodded, as did Mary.
“Why are you agreeing?” Zach growled. “You should trust us.”
“Oh really? Should I?” She glared at him. “You think I should be at home stitching, with my biggest concern being jabbing my finger with a needle. I dare you to deny it! You hate that I am part of Alexius and doing things a woman, in your eyes, should not do.”
“You do know who the women in my family are, I hope? As if any of them would allow me to behave in such a manner,” Zach said in a hard voice.
She huffed out a breath. He was right, of course. The women in his family were strong and determined.
“And wanting you safe has nothing to do with trust,” Zach snapped.
Warmth settled in her stomach at those words.Zach wanted her safe.
“Thank you for helping me find Ruby, Mary,” Forrest said, stepping in before Zach and Mary launched more verbal barbs at each other. “I’m sure you were the woman Zach heard at the church door that day.”
She nodded. “You’re welcome.”
“What now?” Monty asked. “How do we proceed?”
“I see no reason for anything to change. We know who you both are, and you know who we are,” Gabe said. “If anything, this knowledge strengthens our positions.”
“How so?” Monty asked.
“We can have your back, as you can have ours. Plus, we get to tease you even more mercilessly.”
Monty snorted. “I usually work alone or with Mary.”
“She must not be put in danger,” Zach growled.
“You have no say in this, and—”
“She does nothing without me, unless it is a place that only a woman can go,” Monty said, cutting her off. “And then I am nearby.”
Mary sat there seething as Zach nodded. His brothers were staring at him with a look, which she had no idea how to interpret.
