But before she had the chance to suggest it, Kenneth delicately withdrew his fingers. She felt a twinge of disappointment, especially when he sighed and reached for his handkerchief.
As he did so, however, he twisted his face to one side and bent to brush a kiss across her cheek. “I love ye,” came his whisper.
I love ye.
How often had she dreamed of him saying those words? But he was a rake, and she was smart enough—and well-read enough—to know vows spoken in the heat of love-making didn’t count.Still, she was sated and relaxed, and his words sent a gentle sigh through her.
Barbara smiled contentedly against his skin. “You have not even climaxed, you silly man.”
He froze. “What?”
Goodness, he was beginning to sound as he had earlier in the day when she’d told him of her ingenious plan to set a trap. Pushing herself upright, Barbara grinned down at him. “You do not need to be spouting vows of love until afteryouobtain orgasm. Is that not a rake’s rule?”
To her surprise Kenneth’s expression went hard, and he wrapped his hands around her waist to lift her from his lap. “I didnae say the words because I’m sexually sated, Barbara.”
Desperate to hold onto some lightness, Barbara teased, “Clearly.”
“I’m telling ye I love ye.” With abrupt movements, Kenneth jammed his handkerchief back in his pocket and straightened his clothing. “I thought I’ve been in love afore, but I only just figured out how wrong I’ve been. That wasnaelove,wasnae what I feel for ye.” The deep breath he took was long, shuddering. “I’ve never told another woman I love her.”
Belatedly, it dawned on Barbara that this moment was really quite serious and special, and she’d made a hash of it.
Oh dear.
She’d convinced herself to go along with Kenneth’s seduction because she wanted the experience, wanted to understand pleasure. She’d understood—at least, thought she’d understood—that he knew that was all this was. She’d forced herself to forget she was falling in love with the man, and instead focused on the temporary liaison she thought he wanted.
But to hear him declare his love? Was it possible he felt for her the way she felt for him?
In the darkness, it was difficult to see his expression, but she couldfeelhis anger. So she cleared her throat. “You…you are…certain?”
“That I never told another woman I loved her?” he bit out. “I would damned well remember that!”
“Oh. Well.” She swallowed. “Um. Right. Thank you?” Her voice was little more than a squeak.
Perhaps you should confessyourfeelings for him. He might become less agitated.
Sure enough, Kenneth pushed himself to his feet and began to pace. Pacing was never good. “Barbara, I didnae expect ye to say the words back to me, but I needed to tell ye that afore I tell ye this.”
His tone was so serious that, even though Barbara couldn’t see him clearly, she suddenly knew this wasn’t going to be pleasant. The languid joy which had filled the room along with her bliss was gone—fading away in the cold of whatever this was. Straightening on the chaise, she gripped her fingers together in her lap, desperately trying to keep her heart from thumping so loudly.
“Tell me what?”
She heard his deep breath, then: “There’s nae criminals coming to yer library tonight, Barbara. The counterfeit ring has not targeted ye. Ye have no’ been the victim of a planned misfortune, like the other collectors.”
No, that didn’t make any sense. “But my canopic jars?—”
“Are lovely, but no’ in danger.”
She was already shaking her head. “TheRake Reviewsaid?—”
“It’s all true. What the Belle wrote—love, it’s all true.”
No, no,no, no…
Her pulse thundering in desperation, Barbara thrust herself to her feet. “Do not be foolish, Kenneth. Did you evenreadthe ridiculous claims of that scandal sheet? Why, it was outrageous.”Her voice was getting higher pitched as panic mounted and she stepped toward him, reaching for him, frantic for him to agree. “I would not be surprised to learn the entire scandal sheet was invented and written by an old man in Seven Dials!”
But Kenneth didn’t agree. Didn’t even take her in his arms to comfort her. “I didnae have to read it to ken what it said. I was there.”
Because it’s true.
