by Aliyah Burke
He frowned. “I did. I told her we would be married and I would inform her father when he returned. She would not want for anything and that we would be a good match.”
Bastard could not hide his laughter this time. Colin tipped his head back and roared with laughter. Each moment Tryst grew more irritated.
“You…you…oh my God, Tryst.”
“Waiting, Colin. What the hell is so funny?”
His friend wiped tears of mirth from his eyes and did his best to sober. Those green eyes he had still overflowed with laughter but at least he managed to keep it contained.
“You did not ask her, Tryst. You told. Not only that but you did not mention love. You said ‘a good match’ was your reason.”
He thought about that. “Did you mention love to Najja?”
A slight grin lifted the corners of his lips as Colin sighed with his memory. “I told her she was what I desired but yes, she knew I loved her. I tell her many times a day now.”
“I know how Jo feels about me. I cannot understand why she would not jump at the opportunity to marry me. She has stared at me like a lovesick puppy for years. Now I give the chance and she turns me down.”
“Arrogant much? Damn, Tryst. Jo is not one of your whores. She is a proud woman whose father is a viscount. Do you remember what she said one of the first times you met her, about wishing to be labeled a widow so she could travel the world without a man?”
Trystan moved to a chair and sat down, resting his forearms on his thighs. “I cannot let another marry her, Colin.”
“Why not?” The chair opposite him soon held Colin.
Because she was his. Because he had taken her virginity. Because he was—despite his determination to ignore the fact—in love with her.
“She is mine.”
“That will not work with her. Why?”
He blew out a breath. “I am employed by the Crown, I should not marry her.”
“Then let her go.”
“No!” Never.
Colin leaned forward. “Why? Answer the question, Tryst. What are you hiding from?”
Love. “I want her for myself, Colin. I want to lock her up away from everyone else. I am sick of people wanting to kill her. I want her safe, I want her protected. I want…”
Colin held up a hand. “You want her. This will be so much easier for you both if you admit your love to her, Trystan. I am saying this as your friend who fell in love and did not want to say anything either. You need to decide what is more important to you. If Jo is the answer, you will do the right thing. However, trust me on this, if you cannot or are not willing to put her first, then leave her alone and let her move on. Either be with her fully or not at all.”
“You mean stop working for the Crown?”
“No. I mean love her as she deserves to be loved. No mistresses that you take her to their house,” a furious glare, “nothing like that. She deserves the best and I want her to have it.”
“I did not sleep with Arabella while we were there.”
Colin snorted. “You really think that matters? You took her to your mistress’ house. That had to be one of the stupidest moves.”
“I have things stored there.”
“And what? You could not stash her while you went there and retrieved what you needed. You had to rub it in her face this woman was one you took to bed?”
Well hell, when he put it that way, it did not seem like a smart thing he had done. “I was not thinking.”
“We agree on that. Look, Tryst, I am not the best one when it comes to relationships. I barely saw women before Najja came into my life. I had a hard time trying to figure out what to talk to her about, do with her, anything to try and coax a smile from her lips. But Jo helped me. Maybe Najja could help you.”
“Maybe when we get back from taking Vittoria to her parents. If it is all the same to you, I really have no wish for her to take my family jewels because she thinks I am going to hurt Jo.”
Colin grinned. “She told me what she did. You hurt Jo and that will be the least of your fears.”
He had that feeling himself.
“We should get going.” On his feet, he walked to the door with Colin at his side.
Goodbyes were brief. Colin shook his hand and said, “Think about what I said, Tryst.”
Not much later, all three of them were safe and dry in the coach as it rumbled off down the road. He expected Jo to ask him what Colin had meant but she seemed to be content enough not to say anything to him, confining her conversation to Vittoria.
However, when the child had fallen asleep, her head in Jo’s lap, he leaned toward Jo. Her gaze met his in the fading light of day, which streamed through the windows of the carriage. Still not the hellcat he knew who was full of fire and vigor.
She blinked once. “What?”
“Marry me.”
Not even a glimmer of hope. “No.”
With a quick glance at the girl ensuring she still slept, he shifted on the seat and tried again. “I know I said it wrong, Jo. I have never proposed marriage before.”
“Of course not, you are more than fine with your mistresses.”
Was he merely being hopeful or did he hear jealousy in her tone? “Do you need me to apologize for taking you to Arabella’s?”
“I never asked for your apology, Lord Wilkes.”
“Damn it!” he growled. “Call me Trystan.”
She gave a negligent shrug. “Trystan. This is a foolish discussion. I will not marry you.”
Anger pooled in his gut. He hated being told no, especially when it came to what he wanted. And he wanted Jo. Was he going to stomp his feet like a spoiled child and pout? No. Would he give her up without a fight? Hell no.
“So you say,” he murmured, leaning back and stretching out his legs so they touched hers.
When she moved so did he, ensuring the connection remained between them both at all times. He gave her a small smile at the exasperated look on her face.
“You are obnoxious,” she ground out.
He shrugged without remorse. “According to some I am an asshole. I am that and more. Especially when it comes to what I want.”
“So to hell with what others desire, all that matters is Trystan Wilkes and his wants?”
He refused to expose his grin at her response. She was showing her passion and he wanted to keep it on her; the subdued Jo was not the one who got him going. It was not the real her and he had seen enough of the one who acted as if she said anything but what was expected, her dog would be beaten to death.
“Pretty much.”
“I feel for your mistresses in that case.”
Damn it all, back to them. “What mistresses?” He waved off his own question. “They know what they are getting into when we start seeing one another.”
“You use them and throw them away at your leisure. Do you ever consider some of them may actually develop feelings for you?”
He blinked. No, he had not. It was a business arrangement. He bought them lovely little trinkets, some not so little or trinkets. Hell, he had gotten a house for one. But when he tired of them, yes he broke it off.
“Apparently you do not. You are playing with feelings and some day one will not take it so well.”
“I pay them well when we separate.” Why did he feel the need to defend himself and the mistresses he had had over the years.
She shook her head in disgust. “It is shameful. Just because you have an itch in your pants does not mean you should treat women like that.”
“I thought you did not like Arabella.”
“I do not know her well enough.” She shifted on the seat. “However, that does not negate the fact you treat people like you can dispose of them when and how you wish. For someone who claims to have worked with those who do not have it easy in life, you sure do use women as if they were less than equal.”
“These women love having a man buy them things.”
“So you are saying every woman should be a whore fo
r the man who can afford to buy her nice things?”
He scrubbed his hand over his face. This was not going how he wanted it. “That is not what I said, but yes, why should a man not buy her nice things in payment.”
Disappointment flashed in her gaze before the fire was extinguished. “I see. Thank you for clearing up your position on that.”
Wait. What? “My position?”
“On what marriage to you would be. You essentially wish for me to be your whore…excuse me, mistress so you can buy me things and have sex whenever you wish it.”
He opened his mouth only to snap it shut when she waved a hand at him.
“Do not bother. I have heard enough.” She leaned her head back and shut her eyes, effectively closing him out.
Trystan prayed for control and to not reach over to her, shake her, and have her attention back on him. How the hell did she come up with things like this? Why the hell could he not have fallen for a quiet little mouse of a woman who would never challenge him or make him want to rip all his hair out in exasperation? Oh, right. Because only Jo created such a powerful reaction within him.
The rest of the trip, Jo only spoke to him when absolutely necessary. He tried to bring it up again but she just leveled a bored look at him and walked off or engaged Vittoria in conversation.
At her townhome, he paced in her father’s study. It was night and the house was silent. Vittoria’s parents would be here in two more days. He had spent the afternoon with Duchess Haversham while Jo and Vittoria played in her music room. Now everyone in the place slept, except himself.
Slamming back the rest of the whisky in his glass, he left and went upstairs. He paused outside Jo’s door. Before he could talk himself out of it, he walked on to his room and fell frustrated into bed.
Chapter Fourteen
Spent the day tending garden. It has been so long since I have had my fingers digging through the rich soil. It was a lovely day. Mama takes great pride in the flowers and with the gardener sick, I wanted to help out as best I could. I love being outside; it makes me happy.
~From the private journal of Josephine Adrys
Jo stood back while Vittoria was embraced by her parents. She ignored the tears in her eyes at the reunion. Silvano De Rege stepped away from his women and made his way over to her. Tears lingered in his eyes and she loved that he was not too much of a man to keep his emotions hidden from his daughter or complete strangers.
Pausing before her, he reached out a hand and drew her close, engulfing her in his arms. “Thank you,” he muttered in accented English. “Thank you for finding my most precious item and returning her to me.”
Returning his hug, she pulled back and met his tortured expression. This was a man who loved his child so much, not knowing where she was or if she was alive had to have been hell for him.
“She is an amazing child. I really did nothing, it was Duchess Haversham and Viscount Wilkes who brought her back to you.”
“Nonsense. If my Vittoria said you saved her then you saved her.” He took her hand in his and squeezed. “What can I give you?”
Jo shook her head. “Nothing. All that is important is she has been returned to you. I do not need, or want anything for this. Just remember she went through hell and never stop telling her how much she is loved.”
Silvano said something to his wife who moved to his side, Vittoria’s hand securely in her own. Carmela hugged her as well and whispered something in her ear Jo did not understand, but got the gist of.
“Are you sure you do not wish to stay a night before heading back?” Trystan asked.
Jo looked at him as he moved up beside her, grateful for his strength and silent support. This was harder than she had expected it to be.
“No, but thank you, Lord Wilkes. For everything. Please thank the Duchess as well.”
“We will make sure she knows. As Jo said, we are just pleased we were able to help you reunite with your daughter.”
Vittoria left her father’s side and approached. Jo bent down so they were face to face. Brushing some hair away from Vittoria’s face, she gave the girl an encouraging smile. “You did great, Vittoria. Your parents will take great care of you.”
The girl reached out and hugged her. “Thank you,” she murmured. “Thank you for not leaving me in that cell.”
Curling her arms around her in return, Jo nodded. Words were hard to come by at that particular moment for her. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she finally found her words. “I never would have left you there. Let me know how you are doing, okay?”
“And you let me know when you are marrying Trystan.”
Vittoria kissed her cheek and moved to hug Tryst before rejoining her parents. Jo thought about Vittoria’s words as she stood with that very man as they watched the trio make their way down to the gangway. All three turned and waved before actually boarding the ship and vanishing from sight.
She did not even argue when Trystan put his arm around her and led her back to the waiting carriage. Nor did she fight him when he sat beside her instead of across from her. Yes, the curtains were down but she was uncaring all the way around. Her heart hurt both from the loss and from the joy that Vittoria had actually found her way back to her family who clearly loved her.
Resting her head on his shoulder, she allowed the tears to fall as they headed back to her house. He did not try to talk her out of it and she was grateful. Wiping her eyes, she exited and walked slowly up to the open front door and on to her room.
She stayed in there until her stomach growled and she made her way down for the evening meal. She had not changed for dinner and, as she sat down, Tryst walked in. He, on the other hand, had changed for dinner. She swallowed hard as she took in the dashing figure he cut in his all black attire.
He sat to her left and thanked the servers. “How are you doing?”
She took two spoonfuls of her soup before answering him. “I am fine. I guess I did not think I would be so sorry to see her go. I am very happy she is with her family though.”
“I know you are. And you need to allow yourself some time to grieve. You and Vittoria endured a horrific experience together. You missing her is as natural as us breathing.”
She shrugged and put the spoon down. Her appetite not hungry for food. It leaned more to the man she could see eating on her left. His hair was still damp as if recently washed, and fell free around his shoulders and face. Occasionally it blocked the view of his scar.
“You are not hungry?”
“Just lost in thought,” she admitted. Forcing herself to pick up the utensil, she began to eat a bit more.
“It happens.”
It sure did. She focused on the meal and answering his questions with something more than one word. The meal dragged on and she bolted the moment it had finished, unable to be in his presence any longer. She did not know what was wrong with her, but all she could think about was stripping those fitting clothes from his strong body and taking her time in exploring him.
She hid in the library until he came and found her.
“Jo.”
Clutching the book she currently read tight, she looked up at him. “Yes?”
“You have a visitor.”
She frowned. “Who?”
“Come see for yourself.” He retreated.
It took her a few moments to realize he had not even done anything about the marriage question again. Marking her page in the book, she swung her feet to the floor from the chair she sat in and padded to the door. She could see Trystan waiting for her right outside.
Proceeding as if her heart was not about to punch free of her chest just by being near to him, she walked past him as if he had no effect on her at all. He said nothing, just fell into step behind her.
Clara stood by the receiving door, hands clasped loosely before her. A worried expression on her full features.
“Clara.” She hurried to her friend’s side, reaching for her.
“I am sorry I was not there for you tod
ay when Vittoria left.”
She waved aside the apology and reached for one of her hands. “I know you would have been there.” She paused and tilted her head to the side. “What happened?” Clara glanced between her and the man who loomed beside her. “Leave us, Trystan.”
He did without argument and while she felt him leave, she never took her gaze from her friend.