She spun.
Nicholas stepped in, closing the door behind him.He was in his shirtsleeves, waistcoat unbuttoned, cravat loosened as if she’d interrupted him working.Dark hair annoyingly perfect.Mouth she’d kissed breathless the night before looking as tempting as ever.
Every thought she’d rehearsed fled her head like frightened birds.
“Bea,” he said quietly.“You came.”
Her name in his voice did something low and dangerous to her.
“Lord Vanover,” she replied, because formality was a shield, and she needed one.
He took a few steps into the room, studying her.“I did wonder when I’d see you again…or if what happened last night would scare you off.”
She stiffened.“Last night happened.That is… It was quite—” She cut herself off before she could say things likegoodorwonderfulorlife-altering.
One corner of his mouth twitched.“Memorable?”
“Catastrophic,” she said.
He narrowed his eyes and frowned.“For whom?”
“For me,” she replied.“For my sanity.For my virtue.For—”For my ability to lie to you, she thought, and bit the words back.
He came closer.Not too close yet, but closer than was strictly necessary for civil conversation.
“And for me?”he asked softly.
She swallowed.“You seemed rather pleased with yourself last night.”
“I was,” he admitted.“I still am.But you didn’t come here to argue about my level of satisfaction.”His gaze sharpened.“Why did you come?”
She clenched her jaw.No doubt he was wondering if she was here to make love to him.He’d suggested as much last night.She needed to make it clear that her purpose was entirely different.
“We must talk,” she blurted.
His brows shot up.“Three of the most alarming words in the English language.”
“Yes, well,” she said.“We must.”
He inclined his head.“Very well.Talk.”
He stopped a pace or two away, hands loose at his sides, as if he were making a point of not reaching for her.It should have helped.It did not.
Bea drew a breath, willing her heart to stop thumping.“Nicholas, I haven’t been honest with you.”
His brows lifted.“If this is about B.Adroit, you needn’t?—”
“I must tell you.”She briefly closed her eyes.“This is important.”
His expression sobered.“Go on then.”
She opened her mouth.I am B.Adroit, she tried to say.
“I—”
He watched her, waiting.
The words lodged in her throat.
