His jaw clenched and he turned away. “You have no idea the limits of my depravity.”
Oh, but she hoped to find out. “Is that so? Tell me what could be so terrible that they would not only wish to destroy you, but me by association as well?”
This time his face was a mask of cold indifference as he approached her. “What I am about to say cannot be repeated under any cost. Do you understand?”
She would have considered his harsh words to be exaggerated, except she knew him well enough already to be aware that he was not the sort of man who made more of something than what it truly was. “I understand.”
He studied her for a time, as if trying to discern her loyalty. He must have decided he believed her, or else had no other option, as he said, “I am the Duke of Cuthbert to high society, but to the outer parts of London that do not belong to theton, I go by the title of Avalon, the leader of one of the most notorious gangs in the East End underworld.”
At this, Lexie did find her lips curving into a smile, thinking for certain this was a terrible jest. But when his eyes did not even change from the same serious mien, she realized that this was no joke. He was telling the truth. Immediately, her interest toward him was piqued even further. “That is remarkable,” she breathed. “What an exciting life you must have led.”
If he hadn’t already understood that she was different from so many other ladies, he might have shaken his head in disbelief at her reaction. Instead, he merely said, “It has been a rewarding occupation, more so than a birthright I never wanted and didn’t earn.” He glanced away and then returned his attention back to her when he had recovered whatever mental hurdle he’d just encountered. “But those days are behind me now. Or, at least, I am trying to leave them in the past, but someone is determined to make my withdrawal from that position a bit more difficult than I had hoped.”
“Avalon.” She said the name and nodded her head. “I like it. You must take me with you when you return to the East End.”
He snorted. “Absolutely not. It’s no place for a lady. It is filled with thieves and cutthroats eager to rid someone of their finery, or worse.”
The implication was not lost on her. “If you are with me, I shall not have to worry, would I? That is, if you are as powerful as you claim?—”
He shoved a hand through his hair. “Have you not heard anything I said? You are in danger now because of a brief encounter with me. If you are recognized, the threat would undoubtedly grow exponentially worse.”
“The danger doesn’t scare me—”
“But it should,” he returned firmly.
Her blue eyes widened almost innocently. If he didn’t know better, he might have believed her actions were genuine. As it stood, he was starting to realize that she was destined for trouble. “You are reported to be dangerous, and yet, I’m not afraid of you.”
Dominic couldn’t stop a chuckle. “Then you would be the first, and also, quite mistaken. I have dismissed men for much less.”
She gave a small pout, but instead of annoying him, he found the action sent lustful imaginings to his nether regions where he pictured that tempting mouth doing other things. “You said it yourself I’m not like most women. I can handle my own.”
A little demon suddenly appeared on his shoulder and whispered in his ear.Let’s put that theory to the test.He lowered his voice. “Is that so?” Then he reached out and brought her flush against him. Pushing her until her back was against the wood frame of the stairs, he lowered his mouth to her ear. “And what ifI wanted to have my wicked way with you? How would you defend yourself against someone stronger?”
She didn’t seem fazed as her blue eyes regarded him steadily. The only indication she gave that she was disturbed at all was the slight flutter at the base of her neck. “If I have to tell you what I need to do to turn a man’s interest aside from lust, then you have never been the recipient of unwanted attentions.”
He lifted a dark brow. “Touché.” He tried another tactic. Reaching stealthily into his jacket, he had the blade of his dagger pressed against her pulse. “And what if I were to attempt something more sinister?”
He had to admire her spirit, because again, there was no visible sign of any inner struggle other than the fact that her breathing had turned harsher. “I would call out for you.”
He tilted his head to the side. “And you think I would immediately rush to your aid like some daring knight of old?”
“No. Your appearance would only serve to distract the assailant so that I could retaliate.”
As his gaze flickered, he was impressed by the fluid motion of her hand when she easily captured his blade and held the point against the center of his throat.
“Is that convincing enough for you to take me with you?”
Dominic allowed a smirk to steal across his lips. “I admit that not many people surprise me, but it is apparent that someone has taught you the art of self-defensive tactics.”
She handed him the blade and he slipped it back into his jacket. “I can also shoot a pistol and a bow if the occasion calls for it.”
His focus drifted down to her bodice where the gentle swell of her breasts tempted him beyond almost all rational thought. “You are a remarkable woman, Miss Givenwald.”
Her lips twitched, bringing his focus to her mouth. “I am glad you noticed, Your Grace.”
Still standing ever so close together, he knew that should theyremain in such a compromising position for much longer, they had the risk of being caught. As it was, her absence was likely already noted. Reluctantly, he moved back. “You should rejoin your party.”
“If you insist,” she returned coyly.
