“Why is he so desperate?”
“George’s aunt died a few months ago, and in her will she provided for him, but only if he marries. He needs the funds and is of the opinion that I am the only woman for him.”
“So he’s in love with you.”
She shook her head. “Hardly.”
“Then why is he so set on marrying you?”
Exhaling, Tess looked down at her lap. “I suppose since he was willing to brand me a thief and set the solicitor-general on me, I shouldn’t worry overmuch about protecting his reputation.”
“I know I wouldn’t. Still, as I said, I will not repeat what you share with me.”
Nodding, she came to a decision. “George wants to marry me so badly because he felt that I am the only woman with whom he might…be able to have relations and bear children.”
Bills leaned back and pursed his lips. “He has difficulty…performing? Is that it?”
Looking away, Tess shrugged. “Apparently so.”
“But why would he believe that even though he couldn’t perform with other women, he would be able to do so with you.”
Tess grimaced. “Because he had.”
“What?” the draperies bellowed, followed by a horrific tearing sound. The far curtains flew open and Heath strode out. “You slept with George Belington?” His hair was mussed, his clothing unkempt, and his face darkened with anger.
Tess jumped up from her seat. “What—?” She blinked. “Why are you—?” Her eyes narrowed. “Why, you lying, eavesdropping—”
“Lying? You’re the liar! You failed to mention your affaire with George Belington!!”
“It wasn’t an affaire! It was only once and when I realized what a mistake—”
Bills stepped toward Heath. “I think you’re missing the point, old chap—”
Stabbing his finger at Tess, Heath charged, “You said that you hadn’t been with a man in years!”
She gritted her teeth. “If you would allow me to explain—”
“Either you lied or you didn’t! Did you sleep with George Belington?”
Loaded silence engulfed the chamber, broken only by Heath’s heavy breathing. It had probably been quite suffocating hiding out in a drapery. Tess blinked hard, suddenly seeing Bills’s loud voice and his wayward eyes as what they’d been: a ruse to ensure that she didn’t discover Heath eavesdropping behind the hangings. I will not repeat what you tell me, Bills had said. He wouldn’t have to since Heath was listening the whole time!
Shaking her head, she was filled with disgust. She’d congratulated herself for working the loose boulder to extract information when all the while she was the one being worked upon. Some spy she was.
“Well,” Heath demanded. “Answer me!”
At his tone, she stiffened. Answer me? Like I’m some child to jump at your command? She glared at Heath a long moment, hating how handsome he was, how much her body wanted him, even now, after he’d wronged her so terribly.
“I’m a fool,” she muttered, then turned and strode from the room.
“Leave her,” she heard Bills say. “She needs some time to cool off. And so do you.”
Heath didn’t follow her.
Fine. He could have all of blasted eternity to cool off. She never wanted to see that scheming, lying knave again.
Chapter 21
Heath swallowed, anger and some unknown emotion racing through him like a scourge, burning him. He pushed aside the unsettling emotions and forced his intellect to the fore. Nothing was explained. Not her money, her secrecy, what happened with George Belington. She’d slept with the bugger! Jealousy speared his gut so piercingly that his vision blurred.
“No wonder George Belington’s so obsessed with her; he believes that she’s his cure.” Bills released Heath’s arm. “Still, to charge her with a crime goes beyond the pale.”
Forcing the green-eyed monster away, Heath bit out, “We don’t know the full story.”
Bills stepped over and refreshed his glass, then poured another for his friend. “She’s furious. You won’t get anything out of her at this point. Once she calms down, you can speak with her and get the facts.”
Heath gulped down his drink in one swig, then made a face. Too damned sweet. Not enough burn.
Bills shook his head, amazed. “When speaking of the investigation she truly seemed more concerned about her friends than herself. Astonishing faithfulness there.”
“But why doesn’t she worry more over herself?” Heath demanded, angry with her for a thousand things, one of them being that she wasn’t more careful. “Innocent or no, she should have been more blasted concerned.” Unless she had some kind of protection…
Recalling her camaraderie with Warden Pitts and how she’d admitted to sleeping with George Belington, Heath was overcome by the terrible notion that she had a benefactor somewhere, someone rich, someone powerful, someone that she relied upon to protect her. And what did she have to give him in return…The thought made him ill.
“Don’t go down that road, my friend,” Bills warned. “You looked into her business dealings, investigated her household, her servants, and even where she slept. There was no indication of a secret lover. No male visitors, no fancy gifts, no secret trips, no late night excursions. None of the trappings that indicate a male presence making demands on her life in that manner.”
Heath nodded, desperate to believe his friend. He reminded himself how she’d felt in his arms; there had been no manipulation when she’d been with him. No quid pro quo, no sense that this was currency for bartering favor. No, she’d been on fire, as if kindled from deep inside, and no woman, no matter how talented, could fake a response like that. She’d been hot, vibrant, and tight as hell. He swallowed as desire flashed through him, quick and demanding.
But he pushed it away, needing to think!
He’d known Tess for years; why was he having so much trouble getting a sense of her? Maybe because she’d changed so much. She wasn’t that sweet, teasing girl who’d stolen pastries from the kitchens for him when he’d been sent off to bed without dinner. She wasn’t that biddable chit any longer. She was a grown woman, strong, demure, yet passionate, making his body thunder with longing.
Sipping from his drink, Bills sniffed. “I don’t care what happened with George Belington; she doesn’t seem the kind to trade her favors to any man.”
“You’re right. She’s not that type of woman.” Heath stared longingly at the empty doorway, wondering if he’d made a mistake in not going after her.
“I confess, I didn’t realize it before, but she’s really quite genuine underneath that reserved exterior.”
“Tess is not one for false pretenses.” As he knew full well. Stepping over to the window, Heath looked out, hoping for a look at her carriage. Blast, it was a side alley view!
“And once she cares for someone, he obviously becomes a priority for her,” Bills added.
Heath nodded. She’d always been loyal, but never had she shown her faithfulness so much as when she’d worried that her friends might be under investigation. Between her friends, her society, her book business, Tess had a very full life. One into which he didn’t seem to fit.
An uncomfortable sense of insignificance overcame him. Whereas she’d crashed into his life turning everything askew and becoming central, she had no trouble simply walking out that door.
His stomach dipped with disappointment. She didn’t need him. And he was finding it hard to get through a day without her!
Upset and frustrated, Heath ran his hand through his hair. “She has too many damned secrets.”
“But does that paint her a thief? Does that make her a liar? Or is Belington the liar?”
Pushing aside his hurt, Heath considered all he had learned. Could his unbidden passion for Tess and his jealousy have been clouding his judgment?
Bills went on, “And I don’t care what she says about Belington, the man has to have a screw loose to think that he can corner her into marriage with an
arrest warrant. I would posit that every claim he’s made is suspect.”
Jealousy pierced his chest; she’d been with George Belington! But he could finally see what he’d been blind to: He’d wronged Tess. Heath covered his eyes. “I should have asked her about the thefts straight away.”
“Dagwood—”
“I shouldn’t have listened to him. A true friend would have worked to clear her name, not hound her like a criminal.” He looked up. “Devil take it, I’ve been a fool!”
A faint smile shadowed Bills’s lips. “Don’t tell me, tell her.”
Hope ignited in Heath. “It would have taken time for her carriage to be brought around. I can still catch her.” Setting down his glass, Heath sprinted toward the door.
Heath loped down the long carpeted staircase, two stairs at a time. The marigold and purple uniformed butler looked up and then quickly opened the door just as Heath darted through.
Tess’s carriage was just rolling away from the curb.
“Tess, wait!” he cried, sprinting forward.
Not that he’d expected it, but the coach didn’t stop.
Heath raced after it, jumped up, and thrust his arm through the open window. He hung on to the moving coach, his boots scrambling for purchase on the thin lip of the carriage door.
“Stop, Tess!” He bore himself up and stuck his head through the carriage window. “I must speak to you!”
With her eyes narrow and angry and her lips pinched tight, she reached beneath the seat, picked up an umbrella, and smashed it on his head.
“Ow! Stop it!”
“Go away!” She smacked him again, harder this time.
“Not until you listen to me!”
“My lady!” the driver cried as the carriage jerked to a halt, tossing Tess against the cushion.
Heath used the moment to unlatch the door and swing inside the cabin, slamming the exit behind him.
Tess raised the umbrella but Heath wrenched it out of her hands and thrust it through the door handles, locking them inside the small cabin.
“Lady Golding!” the driver called as he scurried from his post.
Heath slammed the window closed and dropped the shades. “I’m not leaving until you hear me out!”
The door handle shuddered. “Madame!”
Crossing her arms Tess glared at the wall, but at least she wasn’t trying to do him violence anymore.
Heath held up his hands. “I’m sorry about upstairs, but I had to find out the truth and I wasn’t allowed to ask you.”
“A poor excuse,” she scoffed.
“You’re right, I should have just asked you about it, no matter what my superior ordered.”
“Ma’am!” The door quaked and banging rang out.
Heath ran his hand through his hair, praying she’d understand. “You must believe me that I didn’t know the investigation was about you when I accepted the task!”
“Oh, must I?” She unwound her arms, hands fisted in her lap.
A carrot-topped head appeared in the opposite window. “Ma’am!”
Reaching across the small cabin, Heath closed the other shade. “I swear I didn’t! But once I knew that you were a suspect, if you were innocent—”
“I am innocent!”
“I didn’t know that at the time.”
“You should have presumed it!”
“You’re right. I should have known that you wouldn’t steal anything. But I was prepared to see justice done—”
The banging ceased.
“Smash the window!” someone ordered.
“Tess, let’s discuss this like civilized human beings!” Heath pleaded.
“How can we when you’re a snake?”
“One! Two!”
Tess cried, “I’m all right, Carter! There’s no need to break the window!”
“Are you certain, ma’am?” a male voice bellowed.
Looking at Heath, she directed, “Release the latch. They won’t be satisfied until they see me whole. Some people are loyal that way.”
Ignoring the well-deserved dig, Heath removed the umbrella, and the door swung open. A carrot-topped man peered inside, his freckled face flushed red and contorted with anger. “Are you all right, ma’am?”
Tess smiled reassuringly. “I am fine, Carter. Thank you for being so diligent.”
A brown-haired, sallow-skinned man pressed forward. “Are ye quite certain, ma’am?”
“Yes, Paulson, I am.” She held open her hands. “As you can see, I am quite unharmed. But I thank you for your concern for my safety.”
“Your safety is my only concern!” the fellow named Paulson cried.
Tess looked to Heath. “I believe you have something to say to my men.”
Heath inclined his head. “I apologize for frightening you. I had no intention of harming your mistress, and please accept my word that I never will.”
Paulson shook his fist at Heath. “Ye shouldn’t’ve done that!”
Heath nodded. “You’re right. My behavior was completely wrong and I apologize.”
Smiling overly sweetly, Tess motioned to Heath. “As you can see, my good men, Mr. Bartlett appreciates how horribly and totally he is in the wrong. He was a fool to have acted so thoughtlessly and with such utter disregard for basic human respect.”
“Playing it up a bit, aren’t you?” Heath muttered.
Her gaze was sharp blue crystal. “Am I?”
Inclining his head, he grimaced. “I suppose not.” Heath raised his voice for the benefit of the men. “I apologize.” His gaze met Tess’s, and he hoped that she could see how truly repentant he was. “I am so very, very sorry.”
Carter glared at Heath as if not quite satisfied, and although the men seemed relieved that their mistress was well, they quite obviously still did not trust him.
“Are ye certain ye don’t want me to toss him out on his nervy bottom, ma’am?” Paulson asked, clearly still itching to do so.
Pursing her lips, Tess stared at Heath a long moment, those crystal blue eyes considering. “I suppose not today, Paulson.”
Heath bowed, pressing his hand over his heart. “I swear to you good men that not only will I never harm your mistress, but from this moment forth, I will do my utmost to protect Lady Golding in any way that I can.”
Paulson glared. “I’ll hold ye to that promise.”
“Please do.”
Carter looked to Tess. “We’re in the middle of the street, ma’am…”
“Then I suppose we must move.”
Paulson jerked his thumb toward Heath. “Will ’e be coming with us?”
Silence fell, and Heath tried not to hold his breath. With one word these men would be on him like an army of ants.
Biting her lip as if unsure, Tess nodded. “For the moment, at least.”
Relief washed over Heath. “Thank you.”
“Where to, ma’am?”
“Home, Carter.”
Carter’s head disappeared, and after some scuffling of feet the carriage began to move once more.
Chapter 22
Tess stared out the window of the moving coach, palpably aware of the tall, attractive man sitting across from her. Heath Bartlett was far too appealing for his own good. Mayhap that was why she was finding it so hard to be angry with him.
Oh, slamming him over the head with the umbrella had been pure instinct; the man brought out the fiercest feelings in her. Whenever he was around she wanted either to do him violence or to make passionate love to him. For a lady who had been without real male intimacy for so long, it was maddeningly delicious. Tess had to withhold a quiver just thinking about it. But she kept her face impassive, allowing him to stew for a few moments longer.
Yes, she’d been angry about being duped, but when she’d had a moment to consider the matter, she’d had to admire Heath for taking advantage of a ripe situation. Obviously he and Bills had suspected a trap, and had turned the tables on her quite admirably. She’d always appreciated a sharp mind, and Heath
had a fine one, in even finer packaging.
He sat across from her now, raking his fingers through his dark ribbons of hair, obviously not knowing how to make things right. In actuality, things weren’t so terribly wrong. She hadn’t exposed anything about her business or her work for the Foreign Office, and now she knew everything she needed to about the investigation.
Tess sighed, still overwhelmed by the relief that it was so inconsequential. Yes, she understood that dealing with an Officer of the Crown was serious business, but compared to the dangers of spying, the legal system seemed straightforward.
“Can you…would you mind telling me what happened with George Belington?” Heath finally broke the silence.
After a long moment, Tess nodded.
Heath ran his hand through his hair, not meeting her eye. “When did…it happen?”
She raised a brow. “The big ‘it’ or all of it?”
Shifting in the seat, he nodded. “All, if you please.”
“About nine months after my husband’s inopportune death, I ran into George at a bookshop. He was nice. And, I confess, it was a relief to speak with someone who didn’t seem obsessed with the whole scandal business.”
His nod was almost imperceptible. “Go on.”
“I began running into him quite frequently. Then, after a few more encounters, he called on me. He began to stop by for tea. Then he asked me for my assistance in selling his library collection. He never asked me about my dead husband or Lord Berber or about finances or even about what I was going to do with my mess of a life. It was nice having someone to talk to about the trivial things.”
“I understand.”
She looked up. “Do you? Do you have any idea what it’s like to find out that the man you thought you knew better than all others was a lying, cheating scoundrel who didn’t have enough good sense in his thick head to take care of himself?”
“I may not know exactly what you experienced, no. But I do understand being disappointed in someone you love. I know how one person’s transgressions taint his whole family. I understand that disappointment…that terrible sense of betrayal.”
Sari Robins Page 18
