And not just make love to her. He wanted to support her, and he was sure, she would teach him what it meant to be wrapped in a cocoon of love.
He didn’t know how long he watched her sleep. He didn’t try to enter the room, he didn’t want to wake her. She looked beautiful lying there. Finally, he climbed down and returned to his own room. As he climbed into the bed, it seemed vast and empty and he had the intense desire to have her curled into his side as he slept. Tomorrow they’d talk. He’d start with the truth about who he was and tell her how he felt. He needed her by his side. He only prayed he hadn’t waited too long.
Chapter Nine
Rose woke early and dressed for breakfast. She entered the dining room to find it empty. If she were honest, she’d expected to see Will again this morning but he didn’t come. She knew there would be a hunt today, had he left already?
She wandered down the hall, trying to decide what she might do with her day. She’d come here to search for jewels and Will had taken that over for her. She realized that she trusted him to find them and returned them.
Stopping in the hall, she had to smile. She did trust him. Though her mind had taken some time, her heart had trusted him from the beginning. Was she in love with him?
That certainly would explain the connection between them.
A lightness filled her chest as she covered her hand with her mouth. Did she dare to tell him?
Just then voices, soft and low, filtered down the hall. She moved toward them, catching the deep tones of male voices from the open door of the library. One sounded remarkably like Will’s.
There was a fern just outside the doors and she hid behind it as she turned her ear toward their sound.
“The code is on the back of this piece of paper. Double back during the hunt, and enter through the back. Make sure none of the staff see you.” It was Will’s voice.
Rose’s stomach dropped and a sick dread filled her. She covered her mouth with her hand as tears sprang to her eyes. She nearly doubled over in the hall, her hand reaching out to the wall to brace herself. Her worst fears about Will had just been confirmed. He was a thief and a liar. And to think, she’d been about to give him her heart and soul.
“Once I have the goods, I’ll give you the finder’s fee.” Bridgeton replied. “Thanks for this.” Bridgeton added.
Footsteps approached the door and Rose realized she was about to be caught. The hall was too long to retreat down and the plant wouldn’t fully hide her. She started to crouch behind it when her knee knocked into the plant making a loud thud.
“What was that?” Bridgeton asked.
“I’ll check,” Will said. Rose stopped breathing as he appeared in the doorway. His eyes swept down the hall in the opposite direction and for a split second she thought he wouldn’t see her until his gaze swung in her direction.
She didn’t even see his reaction before he was in front of her, blocking her with his back.
“What was it?” Bridgeton asked.
“Nothing, of course. Likely a servant dropped something down the hall.” Will cleared his throat, his broad back completely shielding her from view. “Are you certain you want to do this? It’s risky, as I said last night.”
“You worry too much.” Bridgeton chuckled. “It’s likely why Highwater never gave you more responsibility.”
“Fair enough,” Will gave a deep growl. “All the same, good luck.”
Rose barely had time to contemplate how he could sound so calm, almost bored as she hid behind a plant just behind him when Bridgeton shook Will’s hand and was gone.
Before she’d even sighed with relief, Will spun around and hauled her against his body. “What in the bloody blue blazes were you doing?”
His touch was gentle but his face was dark with anger. “I…I…was just walking by.”
Then he dropped his chin into the crook of her neck and gathered her closer. “You could have been hurt.”
Rose blinked. Why wasn’t he more concerned about the fact that she’d overheard him planning a robbery? The knowledge was destroying her from the inside out. He was the one man who’d understood her need to find the jewels who seemed to delight in their exchanges rather than be threatened by them.
He sparked such strong need in her but now, she couldn’t possibly continue to pursue a relationship with him. “Thank you for keeping me safe,” she said through a shuddered breath. “I should go.”
He pulled his head back and looked down at her, his eyes narrowing. “You, my little troublemaker, are not going anywhere.”
That snapped her out of her grief and replaced it with anger. She pushed at his chest. “You are calling me the troublemaker?” she hissed. “I heard what you were planning.”
“You were eavesdropping,” his voice dropped low and deep.
She straightened, which barely brought the top of her head to his shoulder. Tipping her head back she gave him what she hoped was a fierce glare. “Don’t judge me. I am not the one committing—”
But his hand at her mouth stopped her. He pulled her back into the library, as she struggled to get away, and then pushed the door closed with his foot. “You are the smartest woman I know. Surely you can’t think I would plan an actual criminal act with the door ajar.”
That made her stop struggling. Because now that he mentioned it, he was far more intelligent than that.
“It’s a trap that His Grace helped me set. If you’d like to ask him, feel free. Bridgeton will be caught stealing from the safe and will be imprisoned and then your jewels returned.” His brow furrowed. “I know you’ve had some questions about my moral compass, I can’t blame you. But I did think you were one of the few people who thought me smart enough to form a better plan than plotting in front of an open door.”
She raised her hands up to grasp his wrist. Tears stung at her eyes, though she tried to push them away. Because all along, he’d been acting for her benefit. He was trying to get her jewels back. It made so much more sense than him planning a foolish robbery. Slowly, she pulled his hand away from her mouth. “You’re right. I do think you’re far more intelligent than that.”
“Thank you for that.” He cupped her cheek with the hand that had been covering her mouth.
She took a breath. “I would normally have noticed your actions did not suit your character but I’m afraid my own emotions are clouding my judgment. I feel a certain amount of,” she stopped, searching for the word as her heart hammered in her chest, “affection for you and it keeps me from seeing everything clearly.”
His eyebrow raised, just one. “You feel some affection for me?” Then a slow grin pulled up the corners of his lips. “I feel a certain amount for you too. Which is why I have asked you to stay out of trouble. Not that you are listening to me.”
“This truly was an accident. I was just walking by when…” But her voice trailed off as his gaze darkened.
“Still, you made a promise,” his voice had grown deeper, more intimate. “And now you owe me a kiss.”
She caught her breath. Because he was so handsome and he understood her and what she wanted and needed. And because she loved him like she had never loved anyone else. “You’re right. It’s only fair that I pay what I agreed to. Best that we act in good faith from here on out.”
“Good faith?” There was an edge to his voice that she didn’t understand but she didn’t have time to ask as he spun her around and then pressed her back against the door. “Lift your skirt.”
She swallowed down a lump as her pulse beat wildly. “I thought my payment was a kiss?” But without meaning to, she began gathering her skirts in her hand, letting them shimmy up her legs.
“It is,” now there was a growl to his voice that she responded to in the most basic way. It was exciting and a pulse of need formed deep between her legs.
He lifted her skirt as well, skimming up her knee and then her thighs. Her breath came out in short gasps. “But what does that have to do with my—” She stopped when his fingers bru
shed her most intimate area. She moaned and her head fell back thudding against the door.
“You must try to be quiet my love,” he whispered close to her ear. “I will explain everything to you after but I want you to have options and, if we are caught, there will be none.”
What did he need to explain? She couldn’t think as his fingers began a rhythmic movement against her soft folds. He dipped down and before she could ask what he meant with his words, his head disappeared under the folds of her skirt.
His arm hooked under her knee and as he placed it on his shoulder, the soft press of his tongue touched her most intimate area.
A cry rent from her lips as she clutched at his head now completely covered by her layers of skirt and petticoat.
“Quiet,” he cautioned.
He repeated the movement and wonderful ache made her knees weak as she bit at her lip to keep from moaning. “I now…understand…the appeal…of a rake.” She managed to gasp between breaths.
He laughed and the vibration against her swollen flesh made her shudder with pleasure as she pressed closer. Never had she felt anything close to this. And as he moved faster, he inserted a finger deep inside her. “Will,” she murmured while she clung to his head, his shoulders. Her pleasure intensifying until she felt as though she might break apart.
But rather than ease back he increased the tempo and she ground against him looking for some sort of relief.
Just when she couldn’t stand another second, her insides convulsed and her pleasure broke in the most satisfying way. It was devastating and wonderful and it wiped her mind of every thought. She slowly floated down from that mind-numbing bliss.
Rose didn’t realize she’d been sinking to the floor, until Will pulled her skirts off his head and hooked his arms underneath her to carry her to a settee. Her head rested limply on his shoulder.
He kissed her forehead as he sat down with her in her lap. “I’m sorry to jump straight into this conversation, but I don’t know how much more time we have alone.”
Conversation? She blinked a few times to try and clear her head. “What is it?”
“I want,” he paused. “I want you to know the truth about me. All of it.”
That rid her mind of its haziness and she sat up in his lap. “The truth?”
“You deserve to know.” His face tightened. “You’ve been right about a great many things. I would never have allowed myself to be taken in by Highwater. It wasn’t an accident I was at the auction where your mother’s jewels were sold.
Cold fear washed over her as she tried to remain calm. “It wasn’t?”
“I am not a thief, Rose. Nor am I a destitute. I don’t have a gambling problem nor do I drink excessively. Well, occasionally, I suppose but that is beside the point.”
“What then?” She deliberately closed her mouth realizing it was parted in suspense.
He grimaced. “I am spy for the Prince Regent, or I was. I created that image of a degenerate earl to gain access to the more paltry side of high society. The auction where your jewels were sold, a set of rubies belonging to the Prinny himself were also for sale. I was there to track them and to make sure that the criminals responsible were brought to justice.”
Rose jumped from his lap. It wasn’t that she was angry or upset. Well she was a little of both. But it was as though she’d been struck by lightning as all the details clicked into place. How had she not realized sooner that he would have been working with the law not against it? “I am such a fool.”
“You’re not.” He stood too.
“It was all there. How could I not have seen it?” Her hands trembled as she clasped them together and she began pacing in front of him.
“No one saw it. Not even my parents when they were alive, not my closet friends, and some of them are quite intelligent. My mentor, the Earl of Coventry, didn’t know and he is one of the sharpest men I’ve ever known.”
She covered her mouth with her hands, shock rippling through her again. “Your parents didn’t know?”
“No one knew.” He stood too, taking a step toward her. His hands moved slowly out as though she were a frightened animal he hoped to calm. “Only you saw behind my mask. Rose, after this latest case, Prinny decided I should retire, I was going to fight to remain but more and more—” He stopped as the knob on the door rattled.
“Oh,” she said, her hands coming to grip her cheeks. She was alone with a man. She had no idea what she might look like but she could only assume that it was dreadfully disheveled.
“On the settee,” he hissed.
“What?” She didn’t have time to say anything further as reached for her, swung her around and set her on the settee.
“Lie down,” his voice was somehow both a whisper and yet still commanding. Her immediate thought was that if she were lying down it would only implicate them the more but he, she had to admit, had for more experience than she, and in a matter such as this, Rose trusted him.
She trusted him. To tell her the truth, and to get her mother’s jewels. She trusted him to make her feel alive again, more alive than she had in years. And she realized, more than anything, she wanted to trust him with her heart.
The door opened and Will issued a final command, “Close your eyes.”
She snapped them shut. His hand touched her forehead and her cheeks as male voices, filled the room and then went silent.
“Bloody hell, Addington,” Lord Perrault asked. “Is everything all right?”
“Fine, I think.” Will rumbled with concern. “She’s coming to, now.”
“What happened?” Another voice rumbled. Rose thought it was His Grace, but she couldn’t be certain.
“She became overset and fainted. Would one of you retrieve her father while the other chaperones us? We wouldn’t want this damaging the lady’s reputation.”
“Of course,” Perrault cleared his throat. “I just saw him in the breakfast room. I’ll be right back. Should I also get some smelling salts?”
“Just her father,” Will answered in clipped tones.
Silence filled the room as soon as he was gone. Rose found it extremely difficult to keep still, wanting to know who was in the room and what was happening. “Does she know?”
“Yes, I just told her.” Will’s hand stayed on her head. He flipped it over to stroke the back of his fingers along her cheek.
“Did your revelation cause her to faint?”
She was nearly certain that it was the Duke of Landon’s voice.
“No. Rose, you can sit up.” She did as he bid and opened her eyes swinging them first to Will. His look was soft, somehow, tender. Then she looked to the duke.
He crossed his arms about his chest, narrowing his gaze at them. “My courtship with Tricia was not the most proper but, honestly, the two of you are skirting disaster here.”
Will stood, blocking her from the other man’s view. “When you tell the woman you wish to marry about your former life as a spy, it requires a certain amount of privacy.”
Shock rippled through her as she looked up at the back of his head. “Marriage?”
But neither man heard her as Landon returned, “Fine, but the library in the morning is not a very private place. You, of all people, should have a better sense for these things.”
“I appreciate your help, but I do not need your advice.” Will growled back.
She stood, touching Will’s back. She didn’t want to hear them now, she had her own questions. He turned his head back to her and she asked again, “Marriage?”
“Marriage?” Another voice asked from the door.
She recognized this voice all too well. Her father’s clipped tone sent a frisson of fear along her spine. He had reached the library rather quickly. Her hand fluttered to her hair, and to her disappointment, she realized that several strands had come out of her coif. “I…I…” she stuttered, having no idea what to say. She was speechless, which happened far more often than she cared to admit with Will.
“I propo
sed. But Rose has yet to accept.” Will straightened his shoulders.
“Was anyone in attendance when you made this proposal?” Her father asked as he entered every word clipped.
It had been a long time since she’d heard her father like this.
“I was,” Landon chimed in. Apparently he was going to protect her, despite his irritation.
“Rose,” her father rumbled. She was still largely hidden behind Will and she would rather prefer to stay there. She wasn’t afraid of her father by any means but it was embarrassing to step out in front of them all looking this way.
Will turned to her, tucked her hair back, then threaded her hand into the crook of his arm. She didn’t dare look at anyone as they turned. “I rather shocked her and she has yet to answer. I wish to give her all the time she needs to think it over to make her decision.”
“Good of you.” Her father’s voice dropped even lower. She stole a quick glance and his face was pinched, his brow set low. “Don’t you worry about your own reputation?”
“Not at all.” Will and she moved toward her father until they stood in front of him.
“Rose.” Her father gave his own thigh a tap, the sound cutting through the tension in the room. “We’re leaving.”
Rose unthreaded her arm from Will’s so her father might escort her out of the room. But she had the oddest feeling that she didn’t want to let Will go. Not ever.
Chapter Ten
After Rose walked away, it took every ounce of Will’s self-control not to chase her and pull her back to his side.
Rose belonged with him.
That wasn’t the way in which he had meant to propose. A problem he needed to correct in short order.
Perrault walked back into the room. “Lady Roselyn is gone? Is she all right?”
“She’ll be fine.” Landon didn’t smile but his eyes danced as he said, “She was shocked by the thought of marrying this one.”
My Earl's Entrapment (Wicked Lords of London Book 3) Page 8