She remained still, giving him time to think. Silently, she prayed for strength—but most of all, she prayed he’d forgive her. She wanted him to understand and not blame her.
He walked to his desk and poured another full glass of brandy. Without saying a word, he tipped the drink to his lips and gulped it down quickly, grimacing after he’d swallowed. He walked to the hearth, leaned his bent arm against the stone, and stared into the smoldering fire. The wood popping as it broke apart was the only sound in the room.
She waited for what seemed like an eternity for him to say something. Anything. And the longer the silence stretched, the more her heart died. She should leave and return to her room, but she didn’t dare make a sound. Giving Trevor time to think was the best thing to do right now, even if it meant sitting very still and biting her tongue.
What could he possibly be thinking right now? Not moving, he stared into the fire as if all of his answers were buried somewhere in the ashes and would magically swirl up from the grate and make themselves known.
Although obviously upset, Trevor was still so very handsome. She could stare at him forever but knew she’d never be allowed that chance of touching heaven. Or of having a love so pure, so unconditional, that nothing would ever worry her again… where peace filled her always.
Louisa’s eyes drooped and she blinked hard to keep exhaustion from overtaking her to where she couldn’t keep them open. Just as she thought all hope was lost of staying awake, Trevor turned and looked at her. She snapped to attention, ready for the final verdict.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Athief.Andan accomplished one, at that.
Fog filled Trevor’s mind, and try as he might, he couldn’t completely unscramble his confusion. He’d gotten to know the loving, kind, and wonderful woman inside. Being a thief shouldn’t matter.
Yet it did.
How did she get to that low point in her life? By now, he was convinced her parents were of noble birth. So how could she have turned out with such a vice?
Trevor convinced himself he need not worry. Louisa was living a better life now. She would never return to her past—even when she finally regained her memory. She would want to stay with him and care for his twins.
Expelling his breath, he pushed his fingers through his hair. She sat straight on his sofa and stared at him with wide, frightened eyes.
“Forgive me for being caught up in my thoughts and ignoring you,” he said.
Slowly, she shook her head. “No need to apologize. I understand why you are so quiet. With the declaration I made of being a thief, I expected you to come to some conclusion about tossing me out and ending my employment.”
“Louisa, I cannot possibly blame you for being a thief. I’m quite certain you were forced into this kind of life.”
A rush of air escaped her mouth and her shoulders sagged.
“What brought you to this circumstance is most confusing,” he continued, “and until your memory fully returns, we shall never know why a woman of such quality—as yourself—was brought to a horrid lowly point in your life.”
Tears swam in her eyes, but through the sheen, he detected gratitude. “Louisa, we will work past this stumbling block which has been thrown in our path, and we will come out the victors.”
“Indeed, we shall,” she said with a choked voice.
“Am I correct to assume you have not stolen from me?”
“You are correct. I have never stolen from you.”
“I doubt you ever will.”
“Rest assured, Your Grace, I would never do such a thing. Why would I bite the hand that feeds me?”
He strolled to the sofa, took her cold hands in his, and helped her stand. A tear slipped down her cheek, and he brushed it with his thumb. “This, I know, my dear. Although you were a thief, you are not any longer. Instead, you are a nursemaid for my children who adore and love you. I can’t ask for more.”
Nodding, her bottom lip trembled and she smiled. “I shall do my best to make you proud, Your Grace.”
He leaned in closer and whispered, “Louisa, please say my name.”
“Trevor,” she sighed and closed her eyes.
She looked so lovely with a happy expression and tears streaking down her cheeks, and full lips just waiting to be kissed long and hard. How he wanted to do that and nothing else for the rest of his life. Seeing the happiness radiating from her face made his heart heavy with an emotion he was not ready to analyze.
“Thank you,” she said again softly, looking at him. “Thank you for believing in me.”
