A grimace tugged at her delicate lips, turning her expression sour. “I bet that bit of information had you dancing with delight.”
“Actually, no.” He shrugged. “I will admit I am looking forward to seeing my uncle in prison, but…” He hesitated in telling her the truth.
“But what?”
“But I shall miss you when you leave.”
She lowered her head to her knees in contemplative silence, with her arms wrapped around her legs. Patiently, he waited for her response, wondering if she would verbally lash out at him again.
“Stop saying things you don’t mean,” she whispered.
He moved to the bed and sat beside her. “I do mean it, Maxey.” He stroked her shoulder. “I will miss you terribly.”
She sucked in a ragged breath before raising her head. The tears swimming in her eyes stabbed at his heart like a knife.
“Nash, I will miss you too. We have been through so much together.”
“I will never forget those times.”
Her slender throat contracted in a swallow before she nodded. “I shall not forget them either.”
He slid a lock of her hair between his fingers, but his eyes stayed on hers. “I would still like to keep in touch. Perhaps we could write to each other.”
She shrugged. “Perhaps.”
“Or maybe Carolyn will allow me to finally meet my niece and nephew.”
“Yes, I’m certain Lady Wentworth will let you visit.”
“And I shall inform my sister-in-law that I kidnapped you.”
She snorted a laugh and rolled her eyes. “Oh, so now you are admitting to that.”
“Yes, it was all my fault. But what was I to do when you mesmerized me so much? Even your investigative skills captured my interest.”
She gave a weak chuckle. “Thank you. However, we both know I was never a good investigator. I’m a better governess.”
He grinned and caressed her chin. “I think you can be extraordinary in whatever you decide to do. Maxey, you are an amazing woman.”
“Please don’t lie. My actions during this voyage have proven otherwise.”
“Oh, my sweet Maxey. I see more than you think I do. You are indeed an accomplished woman.”
Satisfied with gazing into her eyes, he remained beside her, but the ache in his chest kept urging him to say more, to confess his love. He wouldn’t. Maybe he would send her a letter in a few weeks and tell her his feelings, but now was not the time.
Reluctantly, he dropped his hand and moved off the bed. “I better get some rest tonight. Tomorrow will be a busy day for both of us.”
Her mouth trembled when she nodded.
“Good night, my sweet Maxey,” he said as he lay on his makeshift cot.
When she didn’t respond, he turned on his side, away from her. The bed creaked as she moved, and the lamplight turned very low. In the stillness, her muffled sobs floated in through the air.
He ached terribly for causing her pain, but he remained on the floor. Going to her now would only cause more damage, because he would certainly take her in his arms and comfort her with tender kisses, which he was certain would turn into more.
And in the end, he would still send her home.
Chapter Fifteen
