“Iamrelentless,” she said with a chuckle. “My poor sisters would tell you the same. But I’m very much in control, perhaps for the first time in my whole life. I’mtakingcontrol.”
He pivoted back toward her. She was the most frustrating and fascinating woman he had ever encountered. Part of him applauded her singular focus on what she desired. The other part was absolutely terrified of what that focus would expose her to. Dangers far deeper than just him.
“In addition,” she added softly. “I also have access to the plans Rook and Harcourt are hatching. Iknowyou want access to those.”
He froze. He did, indeed, want to know what his cousin was planning. And where he had put the code that would lead to the treasure Leonard sought so desperately. If Ellis had that, drawing out his quarry would be far easier.
But was it worth putting Juliana in danger…again?
He shook his head. “Just stay out of it.”
She held his stare. “No.”
Lunging forward, he caught her arms. There was a ripple that worked through her when he did. She trembled against his chest. Was that fear? Was that desire? Was it both?
“Stay out of this,” he managed to repeat, grinding the words past clenched teeth. “You aren’t wanted in this. I don’t want you in this.”
She leaned up and brushed her lips to his again. Then she pulled free of his grip and stepped away. “You either want it all or you want nothing. And whatever you say, I know you don’t want nothing.” She stepped toward the door. “I’m not giving up, Ellis. Think about it.”
Then she turned on her heel and left the parlor. He heard her exit the house, and he threw up his hands in frustration.
“Fuck!” he barked, picking up the glass of whisky and hurtling it against the back wall. He gripped his hands against the sideboard, his heart throbbing as her carriage jangled by merrily, taking her back to God knew where.
The woman was truly unstoppable. And as much as he admired that, he also feared it. In this situation, it might get her killed. And to what? Protect him? He didn’t deserve that.
So he was going to have to take the next step. And he was very much not looking forward to it.
Ellis had broken into the home of many a fop in his long and illustrious career as a thief. It was never as difficult as those who inhabited the places likely thought it should be. And the house of the Earl of Harcourt was no different.
With a flick of his wrist, he managed to pry the window open and slid inside. He shut it behind him and turned, only to find his cousin, Rook, leaning against the door that led to the hallway. Glaring at him.
Ellis jumped despite himself and returned the glare with his own. “What the hell? How did you know I was here?”
“I heard the dogs barking,” Rook said without moving. “And then I watched you from my bedroom window as you crept in from the garden. You’re getting sloppy, Handsome. Distracted?”
“Yes,” Ellis grunted, and then shook his head. “No.”
Rook pushed off the door and took a long step toward him. Ellis hated that his reaction was to shift into a fighter’s stance. This was how far they’d fallen. And it was all his own fault.
“What the hell are you doing here, Ellis?” Rook growled, his hands fisting at his sides as he brought himself up short.
“I’m breaking into Harcourt’s house,” Ellis barked back. Rook’s jaw tightened and he folded his arms. Ellis felt his shoulders roll forward. “I needed to see you,” he admitted softly.
There was a flutter of emotion that moved over Rook’s face. All the love that the two cousins, nearly as close as brothers, had ever felt. And then it was gone, hardened and erased in a moment. Ellis hated the loss of it and hated the pit it caused in his own stomach.
Caring about others was exactly the distraction Rook had mentioned earlier. And it was endangering everyone.
“See me,” Rook said. “Well, here I am. What do you want?”
Ellis drew a breath. He had been rehearsing this on the ride from his home. The words still didn’t come easily. He paced away so his cousin wouldn’t see his face when he said it. “Juliana.”
There was a long, heavy pause, and then Rook took a step toward him. “What. About. Her?” He ground out, accentuating every word.
Ellis pivoted to face him. “She is endangering herself.”
Rook shook his head. “You must be desperate to drag her into this. To lie.”
“It’s not a lie,” Ellis snapped. “She’s been sneaking out of her father’s house. Going to—” He broke off. Juliana would never want her family to know where she had gone. That betrayal would be far worse than getting her banned. And yet he had no choice if he was going to protect her. “She’s been going to the Donville Masquerade.”
