He’d had his share of women, but never one like his sister-in-law. Having been at sea most of his life, there had been little time to build a lasting relationship. His entire sexual experience consisted of whores and widows, women with willing bodies who never expected anything but a few coins in return.
Kate was the kind of woman who still believed in love. She wouldn’t give herself cheaply. She’d expect sweet words and gentle wooing. And when she discovered how he’d schemed and lied to get into her bed, she’d hate him.
It shouldn’t bother him so. Better Kate’s animosity than the lives of his crew. With a sigh, he tossed away the pillow and slipped out of bed.
He dressed, pausing only once to grimace at himself in the mirror. Sutcliffe’s mirror. Sutcliffe’s home. Bloody hell, it burned to know he had nothing of his own. Not even the clothes on his back.
Stepping out into the hall, he halted when he saw Daniel waiting for him. The younger man was dressed impeccably, but his fine clothing couldn’t obscure the tired lines beneath his pale blue eyes. Daniel looked like hell. If Talon didn’t know better, he’d think his brother actually cared about what had happened with Kathryn.
Cursing beneath his breath, Talon squared his shoulders and turned in the opposite direction. He wanted nothing to do with this.
“Talon. Wait.”
He stiffened, but didn’t turn around. Damn it all, what did he want?
Daniel caught him in a few steps. “I think we should talk about what happened last night.”
Talon paused and raised one brow. “There’s nothing I want to discuss with you. If you want to talk to someone, talk to your wife.”
Daniel flushed and dropped his gaze. “I never meant for Kathryn to see that. You must believe me.”
“Must I?” Talon gave his brother a challenging stare, knowing there was something else behind this conversation. Daniel didn’t give a damn what Talon thought of him, and they both knew it.
Daniel shook his head and took an involuntary step back. “Christ. You look just like him.”
The jab cut deeply as Daniel had no doubt known it would. “Go to hell.”
To his surprise, Daniel laughed. “He’s got us both spinning, doesn’t he? Bloody old ass.” Then he sobered. “I only sought you out to ask if you’d had any luck at seducing Kathryn.”
His words caught Talon off guard. “You know then? You know why I’m here?” Despite his intense dislike for his brother, he felt a surge of guilt and pity.
“Of course, I know. Do you think he could resist the opportunity to rub my nose in it?” Daniel sighed and gave a careless shrug. “I just wanted you to know it’s all right with me. In fact, I’d like you to get the job done as soon as possible.”
Talon could only stare at his brother in stunned disbelief. “Good God, man. Don’t you have any pride?”
A quick stab of pain lit Daniel’s blue eyes, but it disappeared so quickly Talon wondered if he’d imagined it. “No,” he said, turning away. “I suppose I don’t.”
