Page 81 of Scandalous: Family Ties and Spies

“What about Amalie? I know she loves dancing.”

“I’d cripple my wife after one dance, something I have no wish to do.”

The splash of liquid hitting a snifter as Jamie poured their celebratory brandy sent another rush of satisfaction through him. Valeran accepted the snifter from his friend, and savored the warm notes of the liquor. They basked in their accomplishment in silence until Jamie poured himself another brandy.

“Married life suits you.”

“What?” Startled, Valeran studied Jamie’s gray figure, shaking his head in puzzlement.

“I don’t understand.”

“You’ve not stopped grinning since I walked in the door.”

“Ah,” Valeran murmured, but laughed softly. “I suppose it does.”

“Not to mention reneging on several appointments we’ve made prowling the East End. You look well rested.”

“Do you mean to tell me you’ve entered that hell hole without backup?“ Valeran snapped.

“No, Peter and Harry have proven adequate partners in your stead,” Jamie said somberly. “I’m not that reckless, unlike you. I don’t know what the fuck you were thinking to track this Prussian by yourself.”

“I can assure you, it was completely unintentional. All I wanted was for Ellerbie to pay for his role in the murder of my family,” Valeran said quietly.

The oldest of the Rockwood cousins, Jamie snorted with disbelief. From the moment Valeran had revealed Ellerbie’s connection to the Prussian, his friend had immediately deduced Valeran’s intent to act as the man’s judge and executioner.

“Don’t insult my intelligence by lying to me or yourself. You continued to stalk that Prussian bastard without me there to watch your back,” Jamie said fiercely.

“As I recall, the minute Billy told me Ellerbie’s contact was a member of the peerage, I informed you and C as to what I’d discovered.”

“And how many nights before that did you enter White Chapel and Spitalfields alone before reporting what you’d uncovered,” the younger man snarled with outrage. “And don’t tell me only once or twice.”

“Your family’s endured more than their fair share of grief in the past,” Valeran’s quiet reply made Jamie stiffen. “I brought you into the service, Jamie. I won’t apologize for doing whatever I can to ensure your safety and save your loved ones the pain of losing you.”

“Damn it, I’m not that cocky boy you saved from a severe beating the first time we met. I need a partner who trusts me to have his back, just like I trust you to have mine.” Jamie stood up to pace the carpet behind his chair for a moment before he turned to face Valeran. “You should have told me, Val. Not just because you're my partner, but because I’m your best friend. If you can’t trust me, who can you trust?”

The disappointment in his friend’s voice made Valeran flinch. He understood Jamie’s reaction. If his friend had been the one to enter the East End without telling him, Valeran would have been just as angry and disappointed.

“I understand why—”

“Do you? You’ve been a Rockwood from the beginning, but you pushed the limits of what the word reckless means in our family. It was a birdbrained move, and you know it. Did you even consider Amalie and what will happen to her if you end up dead?”

Valeran’s heart slammed into his chest at his friend’s accusation. He’d thought about his wife every time he’d ventured out alone, but he’d been arrogant in dismissing the danger Ellerbie and this new enemy posed. His expression must have revealed his thoughts as Jamie uttered a harsh oath.

“Christ almighty, Val. You need to seriously consider resigning from the service,” Jamie exclaimed with fury, and Valeran saw the gray length of his friend’s arm rise to shove a hand through his hair. “Amalie cares about you. Do you really think losing her husband wouldn’t prove devastating?”

“And I care about Amalie as well.”

“Have you told her?”

Jamie’s question made Valeran’s muscles knot and cramp until he grimaced from the pain. His friend threw himself down in his chair, clearly waiting for an answer.

“Told her what? That I’m a spy for the Crown? No,” Valeran prevaricated quietly.

“You know that’s not what I’m asking, you ass. Have you told Amalie you love her?” Jamie’s question caused Valeran’s body to tighten further, the nerve endings in his muscles increasing their pain signals to his brain.

“Amalie has become a close friend and trusted confidant, even more so than you, but I’m not in love with my wife. It will never be a part of our relationship.”

“Are you saying you have no feelings for my cousin at all?” Jamie’s voice had become as sharp as a steel blade.