India sighed again. This was too complicated. Became more complicated all the time.
“Remember the tattoo on the man in London?”
“How could I forget?”
“Well, Juan Miguel has one just like it. Once I got a good look at it, I recognized it as the Pagorian symbol for guardian.”
“I fail to see how that makes him a good guy,” Ridge said.
He came to a stop in front of her. “I am confounded by all you have kept from me. When I think how remarkably stupid I’ve been, it nauseates me. I expect such duplicity from Lucinda. But you...you were different. Or at least I thought so.”
He dropped his gaze and shook his head, turning to the fire.
She chose to remain silent. Perhaps after he had calmed she could reason with him. Make him see that she cared about him. No. She loved him.
Just as suddenly as the thought materialized, she tamped down the rising tide of hope. She whipped around, turning her back on Ridge.
She pinched her lips between her thumb and forefinger, doing a remarkable impression of a fish. Her head throbbed and her chest ached.
Maybe she was expecting too much from her declaration. Even if he could see past her deception, it didn’t mean he could return her feelings. And even if he did by some miracle actually forgive herandreturn her sentiment, it certainly didn’t guarantee her anything beyond a broken heart.
For that matter, she wasn’t sure she could provide what he needed or wanted.
Adventure. Excitement. Those were the things he craved. And the things she wanted nothing more to do with.
He was angry at her deception, but he was also angry because she had attempted to take away his first chance at the life he wanted.
“We should get some sleep,” Ridge muttered from behind her.
She nodded but said nothing.
“I’m going to see about Robby. I’ll return in a moment.”
She waited until she heard him walk away before turning back around. The fire had died to a mere glow. Instead of readying herself for bed, she began gathering sticks to throw on the embers.
In a few moments, she had the flames licking skyward and she backed away as her skin grew hot.
Did Ridge plan to sleep here or would he bed down with Robby? She fussed unnecessarily with the blanket she pulled from her saddlebag. Twice she spread it on the ground and pulled it back up.
Where was he?
Finally she settled for sitting in front of the fire and pulling the blanket around her shoulders.
A sound alerted her to Ridge’s return and she looked up to see him step into the light of the fire.
“Robby’s made friends with your Spaniard. They’re enjoying a bottle of port. We’ll sleep here.”
She bristled at his authoritative tone, but lowered her head. Nothing would be gained by sniping at him. And he had reason to be angry. She’d give him his time to brood tonight, but tomorrow she was back in charge.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Ridge watched as India huddled by the fire. She stared pensively into the flames for several minutes, and then as if she couldn’t sit still any longer, she shifted and got to her feet.
“Good night,” she murmured as she walked a few steps from the fire and spread out her blanket.
He didn’t respond. He was still having a hard time speaking in anything but anger. There had been several times he could feel himself softening only for the rage to come swarming back.
So he sat, staring into the fire as it burned ever lower. He glanced over at the dim outline of India’s body, huddled under her blanket. He let out his breath in a long sigh then rubbed his eyes tiredly.
