“Of course you do,” he said. “I assume Danford has looked into that for you since you came here.”
“Far and wide. Stenfax has even helped.”
He stiffened, and she took a step toward him. “I assure you, we are only friends. Better friends now that we aren’t to marry. But neither of them has found out anything. My grandfather wove his lies and secrets so tightly that they seem impossible to pick apart.”
“You need a different instrument to do so,” he murmured, almost more to himself than to her.
“What?” she asked, cocking her head.
He moved forward. “You went to him because of me,” he said. “Our courtship was enough to make you think you might have new leverage with a man so greedy for a title.”
Her lips parted. He said those words and they sounded even worse coming in his voice. She covered her face with both hands.
“Yes,” she admitted on a broken whisper. “That is exactly what I did, Aiden. I made promises that he would have access through you, that if you and I wed that it would mean he’d havemorepower than even if I’d married Stenfax. But the moment I did it, I know how wrong it was. He said…”
She trailed off with a sob that seemed to tear at her heart it was so painful.
“What did he say?” Aiden pressed.
She swallowed past the lump of emotion in her throat. “He said I was like him, and it was true. In that moment, I was willing to trade you for Fitzgilbert’s secrets, and that was unfair. Cruel. I can’t do it, Aiden. So I had to tell you everything,everything, even though I know it will likely change your opinion of me.”
She dared to look at him. His face was a mask of pain and frustration, and her stomach flipped. Hedidjudge her for this, just as he should. It was evident he was shocked and horrified by everything she’d said.
“Celia,” he said after what seemed like an eternity. “I’m glad you felt like you could reveal everything to me, for it helps me understand your pain. Perhaps it will even help me ease it. But as for my opinion of you, this changes nothing.”
Her eyes went wide and she couldn’t help but take a staggering step toward him. “It doesn’t?”
“Of course not.” He reached out and touched her face, tracing the line of her jaw with a fingertip. “Don’t you know how much I—” He cut himself off and his body tensed. “—care for you?”
She smiled, but the fact that he’d cut himself off stung. She’d hoped he would admit he loved her, as she loved him. But care was good. Care was something. Perhaps she could love enough for both of them.
“And you don’t hate me for offering you up to him?” she asked.
“Of course not.” Now he cupped her face in his palm, drawing her closer. He bent his head and his lips feathered across hers.
She wrapped her arms around him, drawing him closer, letting his warmth flow around her and comfort her. His reassurance and acceptance made her so happy that she thought she could burst.
He drew back at last and tilted her face up so she was forced to look at him. His expression was intense. “Listen to me, Celia. I will use all my resources to help you.”
“But Gray—”
“I’m sure Danford did his best, but he hasn’t the connections I do. But you mustnevergo to Fitzgilbert again, do you understand? If he was willing to physically harm your sister, I must assume you’ll also be in great danger if you are alone with him. Sopromiseme, Celia. Please.”
She nodded slowly. “I won’t. I promise.”
“Good.” He dropped another kiss to her lips before he drew away, leaving her cold in his wake. “Now I must go. There are things for me to do and arrange now that I fully understand the situation at hand. I’ll see you again soon, though.”
Celia followed him into the foyer, and they watched as Greene went to call for his horse. In the brief moment they were alone, she sidled up to him and slid her hands through his.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
He looked down at her. “For what?”
“For understanding. And for taking such good care of me, though I don’t deserve it.”
His lips pressed together, and he whispered, “Celia, you deserve so much better than me, I assure you. Good day.”
He slid his hands from hers and hurried out to his carriage, leaving her alone in the foyer. But as she watched him thunder off into the street, she felt uncertain. He had reassured her, yes, but there was something in his demeanor that made her wonder if the future she’d dared to hope for was truly out of reach.
