He pressed his cheek to her chest, listening to her heart. A pained sigh came from him though he didn’t loosen his hold. “You’ve guessed, haven’t you? I did wonder when you would. I told you not everything is at it seems. Including me. It’s true, I’m no duke.”
Helen looked away, across the blades of grass and into the roses.
“You’re clever, little gnat. Well, then I suppose it might make things easier.”
“You took Cerise’s pendant.”
“I did. Right off Lady Cabbage’s neck. Wasn’t hard at all.”
“You won’t even deny it?”
“Why?” Helen could feel him smiling against her chest. “What would be the point? Don’t get your feathers ruffled. I won’t do it again. At least, I don’t have reason to.”
“That is hardly—have you no shame about it?” She tugged on a lock of his hair. Helen had expected denial. Distraction, perhaps. But not such a blatant admission of guilt.
“Not really. I imagine she has dozens of gems and such. Probably doesn’t even know the pendant is missing.”
“Please return it.”
“Can’t.” He sighed and snuggled deeper against Helen.
“Why not?” she demanded.
“I’ve already sold it. I can’t get it back.”
Helen’s entire being deflated. She’d been foolish to assume he’d hang on to the pendant. Or that he’d repent his crime.
“That is unfortunate,” she bit out, hating that she could not save Kate. “Because, you see, in thinking Roxboro had taken the pendant as some sort of a lark, I confronted the duke. In his theater box. Next to his duchess.”
He went still. “He knows about me.”
“Indeed he does. As does the duchess. Who, I might add, is still upset about the sapphire bracelet you took from her.”
He rolled violently away from her. “Bloody hell. Why would you do such a thing, Helen?”
A string of vile curses left him, making her cringe. “I don’t imagine he’s pleased with me struttin’ about pretending to be him. Do youwantto see me swingin’ from a noose? I thought.” He glared at her. “That you and I—”
“I didn’t know there was a…you,” she interrupted. “This isn’t my fault. I thought Roxboro was merely going about stealing jewels for his own jaded amusement. I’m not the thief.”
“You promised him somethin’.” He wasn’t looking at her anymore, but up at the clouds. “Let me guess. You’re to take me to him. Lure me—” he jerked his gaze back to her. “Is Roxborohere now? Inside? Does Galway have his footmen ready to apprehend me? Used your quim to tempt me.”
“I didn’t even know you were in the garden, you idiot,” she hurled back at him. “And I would never tell Galway anything. The duke,” she said gently, “wants to speak to you. There was no mention of punishment or anything else. He’s curious why you look so much alike. Aren’t you?”
“Are you a bloody cabbage?”
“I’m not.” Helen swatted him. Twice, just so he knew how angry she was. “You’re the one going about pretending to be a duke to steal jewels.”Swat. “And seducing young ladies. Had he wanted you arrested, he would do so.”
“You’re the only one I’ve seduced. Might have kissed one or two, but that’s all. I don’t mix business with pleasure. Nor didIuse you.” The accusation was clear.
“I don’t care for what you imply.”
The streaks of silver in his eyes flashed at Helen like lightning heralding a storm. His hands had curled into fists. He might flee at any moment, and she still didn’t have a name. “Who are you?”
“No one of importance,” came his clipped reply. “No one you’d ever want to know.” His beautiful features shuttered, closing Helen off. “I needed to make some coin. To escape. And because I looked like the duke, I did.”
“Please,” Helen implored.
“Fletcher.”
