Because once I saw the truth on your face I couldn’t stand the lie anymore. Because I believed we could save each other.
He stared down at her, into the dark eyes that haunted his dreams, and he wanted to howl in despair, because it was too late for that answer now. “Help you? I don’t know what you mean. Whatever I might have done, it wasn’t to help you.”
“You made me tell you the truth, and I thought you did it because—”
“Because I care for you?” He forced a mocking laugh. “Yes, you would think that, wouldn’t you? I hate to shatter your illusions, my lady, but I did it for myself, not for you. It’s easier for me to achieve my ends if you trust me.”
Her eyes were huge in her pallid face. “I—I don’t believe you.”
“Of course you do. I can see in your face that you do.”
“But…this afternoon. I heard your voice. I saw your face. You did it for me, and now you want to take it back because you think—”
“Why would I do anything for you, Lady Hadley? Because I still love you? Your arrogance stuns me. I’m betrothed to someone else—a lady of character. Someone who deserves my attentions.”
“You’re betrothed?” She reached behind her as if to grasp something to steady herself, but her hand found only emptiness. “But you kissed me, touched me, made me promise never to hide from you, never to pretend.”
Oh God, he couldn’t look at her, at her beautiful, wounded face.
He strode forward and wrapped his hands around her shoulders. “I promised Cam and Ellie I’d get you out of London, and I mean to keep that promise, but I’ve grown weary of chasing a spoiled marchioness all over the city. I did it tofinish this. You’re simply a problem Cam dumped in my lap—nothing more.”
She looked dazed for a moment, but then her face went so stark with misery his chest tightened like a clenched fist. Without thinking he drew her closer, but in the next moment her face shifted, went blank, as if she’d pulled down a shutter over an open window. “I see. I think… I think you’d better release me now, Captain.”
He looked down at his hands. His knuckles had gone white from his grip on her. Only this afternoon he’d told her he’d never wanted to hurt her, and now…
A wave of shame washed over him, but before he could release her she touched her fingertips to the back of his hands. Hers were ice cold, but he snatched his own hands away from her as if she’d burned him. Anger, hysterics—he could bear anything but her gentle touch.
But she wasn’t hysterical. She was unnaturally composed. “Perhaps you’d be good enough to deliver me back to Lord Devon? I’d like to go home. I’m certain he’ll be willing to take me.”
“No.” His entire body went rigid. “Not Devon.”
No reaction. Not even a flicker in the dark eyes. “Lady Tallant, then.”
“No. I’ll take you in Cam’s carriage with me.”
He waited for her to protest, but she only gave him a brief, polite nod. “Very well.” She turned without another word and started down the path toward the house.
Devon was waiting for them on the terrace. As soon as he saw Charlotte round the tall hedge he leapt down the stairs and hurried toward her. “Lady Hadley, are you—”
“I’m quite well, I thank you, my lord. Captain West has kindly offered to escort me home. Good night.” She gave Devon a vacant smile, then walked past him and disappeared through the open French doors.
Julian started to follow her, but Devon stepped in front of him. “Jesus. What the hell did you do to her, West?”
Odd. Hadn’t Cam asked him that very same question this morning?
Julian fought off the urge to cover his face with his hands. “I don’t… It doesn’t concern you, but for the sake of getting you out of my way, let’s just say Lady Hadley finds the truth distressing.”
Devon gave a short laugh. “Which truth is that? Hers, or yours?”
“That’s a liar’s question. There’s only one truth.”
“One truth, and a thousand different ways to turn it into a lie. I wonder, West. Which lie did you tell yourself tonight? Did you convince yourself she betrayed you?”
“I suppose there’s another reason I found her clasped in your arms?”
“There is. But it’s none of your bloody business, and in any case I’d hate to deprive you of all that moral outrage.”
“Ever Lady Hadley’s champion, aren’t you, Devon? But you needn’t worry about her any longer. She leaves London tomorrow, and I doubt she’ll be back anytime soon.”
