But tonight he was late again to bed. For a fortnight now he’d been lingering of nights in the smoking room with Lucien and Delacorte, when business didn’t keep him out late.
And Delilah was beginning to realize that itwas because he was, in fact, avoiding her specifically.
And her heart squeezed like an icy fist.
Delilah was already in her night rail, her hair brushed one hundred times and plaited, before the doorknob turned and he quietly entered the room.
He shook himself out of his coat.
He hadn’t yet bothered to look at her.
When he sat down to remove his boots and still hadn’t said anything or looked at her, her heart lurched portentously.
She’d had enough.
“So. We married for better or for worse, Tristan. I believe that’s what the vicar said when we were wed.” She said it conversationally.
He went still. He’d already gotten his shirt off.
He turned slowly to her, shirt in hand. “And?”
And?
Oh God.
That tone.
Just like that—Foosh. The flame of her temper leaped up like a bonfire.
Oh, she was ready to throw her hairbrush at her gorgeous, beloved husband.
“Andthe trouble is, I married a man who spoke in complete sentences and respectful tones and who actually enjoyed speaking with me. Not one who communicates in monosyllables and grunts.‘And.’What ruddy nonsense is ‘and’?”
With satisfaction, she saw his whole body tense and his eyes go narrow and flinty.
Good,beangry, Tristan,she thought. She wasready for an argument. They clearly needed to have one.
“All right, Delilah,” he said evenly, slowly. “Speaking of words unspoken. Here are a few you never said to me: ‘I believe you, Tristan.’”
She went still, confused.
“Bolt said it. About St. Leger. But you never did, Delilah.”
She was stunned. “Isthatwhat is bothering you?”
She immediately realized her terrible mistake in emphasis. She’d trivialized it.
“Tristan—”
“My entire career was made upon identifying, tracking, and putting a stop to smugglers terrorizing towns across England, because smuggling is both treason and criminal. I was so bloody good at it thekingagreed to make an appearance here. He skillfully managed a smuggling organization that stretched along the coast of England for nearly two years. My word on that should be good enough for you.”
“And my word about who should stay here at The Grand Palace on the Thames should be good enough foryou.”
“And yet there you were, cozily having tea with a former criminal out of a sentiment for your old friend. So tell me again why I should blindly trust your judgment.”
Delilah nearly soared up out of her body with fury. “That’swhat you think of my judgment? Tristan... what if for some reason you weren’tmeantto catch him? Do you think people cannever change? You yourself said he did no terrorizing. When you were a little boy, would you steal to eat or starve? Two different roads were offered to the two of you. He’s been working on behalf of the crown for a few years now. Does that count for nothing? Are people not allowed redemption?”
He stared at her.
