“That duty has to be his safety. Colin and Markham owed a lot of money. I suspect Markham is still lurking, hoping to gain custody. My father structured a payment via my marital contract, one that will pass to my son’s guardian. Markham could be trying to harm you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“How do things go missing? How does a two-hundred-year-old chandelier suddenly fall? I suspect he’s getting in the house, causing mischief.”
“The chandelier was old. Things break.”
“Perhaps, but Markham’s still in the village. My father’s payment is four thousand pounds. It’s to be paid next month when Lionel turns four months. Quite the incentive.”
“Well, that will buy a new chandelier.”
“Repington, you’re at risk. If you are incapacitated, Markham becomes my son’s guardian. He gets the money and who knows what will happen to Lionel or myself.”
He leaned closer, tugging me to his chest. “Whether I believe you or not, you should know I’d never let anything happen to you or that baby.”
“But the chandelier still fell. You should put Lionel and me on a boat to Demerara. Then everyone’s safe.”
“No. No one’s leaving Hamlin. You’ll not run from battle, soldier.”
I smiled inside. In spite of all my deceptions, the duke believed me. “Then I must find proof of Markham’s duplicity to prove that you and Lionel are in danger.”
“No, LaCroy—Jordan—woman. That man is dangerous. He’s already hurt you.”
Those eyes of Repington penetrated my chest and spotted my softening spine. I was weak for the duke, but wasn’t he like Colin, who wanted me to obey orders, to live and do as he said? How long before he tired of my spirit . . . or my bed?
I wouldn’t be compliant.
I hadn’t risked all to surrender to fleeting feelings. Love didn’t last.
Backing away, I decided to be a picture of a woman who cared for nothing. I trailed my pinkie on his nose. “I’m not going to follow that order, Commander. As long as you take care and protect Lionel, I can do what needs to be done. Markham thinks I’m locked away in Bedlam, so I’m safe. I can work discreetly on determining his guilt.”
“His guilt? What are you thinking he’s done?”
I wasn’t ready to say that Markham was more responsible for Colin’s death than my letter. “I’m not sure, but I will find out.”
“Patience, you will defy a direct order?”
Glancing at this man, with honor glimmering in his eyes, I nodded. “My son and you are in danger. Markham is our enemy. Colin didn’t turn to me, not when he needed help. And I could’ve saved him. He didn’t think I’d pick up his sword and fight for him. I’ll defend his memory to Lionel by proving Markham’s guilt.”
The duke frowned, sort of like my baby before a burp. “It’s too risky, and none of this brings Colin back.”
“It will change what I tell Lionel. I can do this, unless you intend to toss me out.”
“If I did, you’d sneak back in dressed as a man. I told you I liked you better this way, even better in soft muslin.” He pressed his lips together for a second, then cleared his throat. “I still have to verify things, but I don’t toss out women. They usually leave me.”
I turned, but he reached out and clasped my hand, spinning me to him.
“Repington, I’m ready to withdraw.”
He was silent, staring, but lightly holding me in place. I could slip his grasp if I wanted.
I didn’t want to.
“You’ve explained a great deal except why you kissed me. Why, Patience LaCroy—or Patience Jordan, or whoever you are?”
With my fingertips, I combed a lock of his hair that had dropped onto his furrowed brow. The motion made him blonder, more godlike. Definitely one of those archangel types in regal burgundy.
“Why a kiss, Patience? Do you have feelings for me? Why risk anything for me?”
