Rose’s chest tightened, and a flood of yearning spread through her. She could kiss him—easily kiss him—right here in the park, with no one but Sarah to see. His cheeks too had flushed, and Rose understood that this was not part of the game. There was no one else here to see, to convince.
He wanted her. The comfortable flirting. The words of admiration. The passion of the dance. It had been real. The realization stunned Rose, and her breath stopped. He wantedher.
But he couldnotwant her.
She swallowed hard as her intelligence overrode her heart. She could never be his, and they both needed to understand that now. “I know exactly how wicked you can be, Lord Newbury,” she murmured. “With anyone else but me.”
She backed away, but he stopped her, suddenly gripping both her arms. “Rose, I know you wanted—”
Rose yanked free. “Please don’t do this. It does not matter what I want. We cannot do this. We are partners in this enterprise. Nothing more.”
“Why—”
“Because you need an heir!” The words burst from her, and Thomas took a long step backward, his eyes narrowed, the desire in them melting into something Rose could not, would not name. Her words quivered, but she was determined to get them out. “You are the heir to a great estate. I know the deal you have struck with your father. I know the consequences if you fail. What we may feel toward each other does not matter in the light of that.” She straightened her shoulders, fighting to regain her composure, and tapped her reticule. “Thank you, Lord Newbury. I appreciate you taking the time to put this information together.” She nodded her head, then turned toward Sarah.
“Why have you never taken action against Roger Bentley?”
Sarah gasped and covered her mouth with one hand. Rose stopped, closing her eyes slowly, her back to Thomas. “I do not believe that’s any of your concern, sir.” She fought to control her breathing—he had quite taken it away.How dare he—?
Rose heard his footsteps as he closed the distance between them, felt the heat of his body looming over her. That infuriating baritone sounded, low and firm, in her ear, his words sharp.
“Five years ago, he did everything he could to ruin your reputation, but Lady Rose Timmons was too well known, too clearly above reproach. So instead he destroyed your chances at marriage by spreading information among the men. Information that would make you untouchable to any nobleman needing an heir, although it meant you would be pummeled with offers to become a mistress. When your betrothal ended, he said he left you because you were barren.”
“Lying bastard!”
Rose’s eyes flew open and she and Thomas both stared at Sarah. Rose’s normally meek and soft-spoken lady’s maid looked enraged, her face red and her eyes filled with a pure glare of anger.
Thomas’s eyebrows arched. “I assumed she was yours,” he said to Rose. “Now I know she is.”
Rose couldn’t keep her affection for Sarah from her voice or her eyes. “Lord Newbury, may I present my lady’s maid, Miss Sarah Williams. She has been with me since I was fifteen. More trusted than my own mother.”
“And apparently more loyal.”
“Sarah, this is Lord Newbury.”
Sarah gave a quick curtsey, but her expression remained furious and determined. “Sir. It’s an honor. But what you said is a bald-faced lie.”
Thomas looked from Sarah to Rose. “How is it a lie?”
Rose could not look at him. “I would prefer not to discuss this with you or anyone. It’s improper and a matter that’s in the past—”
His gaze cut to Sarah, and the young maid straightened, her words clipped, her Irish accent more prominent than it had been in months. “He didn’t leave her, sir. She left him. Lady Rose discovered—”
“Sarah! Enough!”
“—That he was in debt, up to his bloomin’ eyeballs, the greedy git, close to ruin, and just wanted her money. He cared not one whit for her.” Sarah’s words tumbled out of her, picking up speed. “She called it off and he attacked her. That’s why there won’t be any babies, ’cause he hit her. He kicked her—” Sarah’s words broke off with a sob as her eyes cut down to Rose’s abdomen.
“Sarah! Stop!” Rose felt a consuming panic rising in her chest. “Please!”
“Dear God in heav—” Thomas’s voice choked.
Tears burned in her eyes as Rose turned.
All color had left his face, and Thomas staggered, using his cane to steady himself. His cheeks looked gray, his lips pale. He stared at her. “And he was never made to answer for this?”
Rose licked her lips. “Of course he was. Albert and my father stopped the attack, but they were too late.” She crossed her arms. “Albert called him out. They met here in the park.” Rose looked away, her eyes unseeing. “Apparently, they are both poor marksmen. Albert was grazed on the thigh, barely more than a cut. Bentley took a ball to the shoulder. Broke a bone, but he healed. And honor was answered, I suppose. He withdrew from Polite Society, which has left him beyond my reach.”
“Where is he now? I know he runs some warehouses.”
