He settled back against the opposite cushions. “Just a few sweets for the rest of the journey. After all, I am to be not only smitten but your benefactor as well.”
She gave him a sly smile. “I didn’t know being a mistress would entitle me to such lovely treatment.”
“But there is far more than that.” He reached into his waistcoat pocket and pulled out a necklace with a large oval sapphire and handed it to her.
“This is quite costly. I do hope I don’t lose it.”
He waved her comment away. “Don’t worry on my account. It is yours to keep for your help with this. I could not embark on this next step in my investigation without you, and I am grateful.”
She didn’t know what to say to that, her throat closing over the wealth of the gift.
“And you’ll want to wear this as well.” He held out a large ruby ring with a small diamond on either side. “This makes it clear that you’re mine.”
His words made her shiver, as she wished to belong to no one, but she understood his reasoning. “You believe it will keep me safe from the other peers?”
“I do.” He pointed to the ring in his hand. “Read the inscription.”
She laid the necklace on her lap and lifted the ring from his palm. It was warm from his touch as she angled to read the inside. “Le mien. My own.” She frowned and looked at him. “I don’t understand.”
He grinned as he cocked his head to the side. “I thought it fitting, since we don’t wish anyone else to think you are available. Since you suggested I’m besotted, I’ll ask Leighhall if he has advice on how much time I must spend on a future wife because I cannot bear to be away from you.”
Relief washed through her and she promptly slipped the ring on her finger. “So you had a similar idea as to your role as I did.”
“Of course. It makes the most sense.” Still grinning, he motioned to the necklace. “I even took the liberty of having a small miniature of me done. I will give that to you once we settle in.”
He’d thought of almost everything. “But what do you have of me?”
“I need nothing, as I have all of you.” His grin transformed into pure possession and lust.
Not expecting such a look from him, she felt her pulse race. To give in to such a craving was very tempting, but a part of her couldn’t imagine being at the whim of a man. The idea made her new goal to avoid marriage settle in as a survival plan. “That may be, but perhaps a lock of my hair would be appropriate. I will be sure to make one available to you soon after we arrive.”
He didn’t move for a moment, as if he couldn’t, but finally his face relaxed and he shrugged, leaning back into the cushions once again. “That will be fine. I suppose if I am lovesick, then I should have something from you.”
She took a moment to steady her breathing now that he no longer gazed at her. Gathering up the necklace, she slipped it into her hidden pocket. At least now she had some valuables that she could sell when the time came. Yet even at the thought, she stiffened.
It was one thing to sell a piece that was stolen and quite another to sell a gift. Berating herself for such sentimental ideals, which had no place in surviving, she surreptitiously studied Anthony. Then again, if she did manage to bed him, she could consider the jewels what they were pretending to be—payment for services, services she wasn’t only more comfortable with, but actually anticipating.
Chapter Nine
“One room?” Anthonystared at the butler in disbelief. It was hard enough resisting Lissa in her revealing dress at the inn. It would be impossible if he must share a room with her.
The butler, who looked to be better suited to a pugilist’s ring than an estate, frowned. “Yes, my lord. Lord Leighhall only accommodates guests in two rooms when there are three people.”
Three people? It took him a moment to understand what that meant, then he quickly recovered. “I understand. You’ll have to excuse me, as this is my first visit to Woburn Manor.”
The man waved over a maid who had to be at least two score. “This way, my lord.”
Anthony held his arm out to Lissa. “Shall we?”
She smiled brightly. “Oui.”
They ascended the grand staircase, which split, and were guided to the right. He studied the walls, paintings, even the floor beneath their feet. Everything was in good repair, though not lavish.
The maid stopped at a door halfway down a long corridor. “This be your room, my lord. A valet will be sent up with your luggage and will unpack. The viscount is in the billiard room, so when you are ready, you will find him there.”
He thought to ask where the billiard room was, but held his tongue. If he didn’t know, he had an excuse to wander. “Thank you. And will a maid also be arriving?”
The woman’s cheeks colored. “No, my lord. It is the viscount’s custom to only provide a valet.”
