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‘The situation became out of control for both of us.’ Her voice became clipped as if she was saying a prepared speech. ‘It must never happen again. After we find Sophie and Sebastian, then we shall only meet in public. I’m going on this journey to ensure the proper thing is done. Our friendship such as it was is over, Mr Montemorcy. There’s no trust between us.’
‘Whom don’t you trust, Henri?’
‘Please.’ She raised a gloved hand. ‘I’ve no wish for a vulgar scene.’
Silently Robert vowed that it wasn’t over. He would discover a way to break through her barriers once again. He would find a way back. He wasn’t going to lose her now. He reached out and caught her arm. This time, she remained still. ‘I can respect your decision. It doesn’t mean I agree with it.’
‘We quarrelled and that’s the end to it.’
‘Friends can quarrel and make up. They can forgive. To understand a friend…’
Her eyes widened and he knew that, despite everything, she was far from indifferent. ‘Are we even friends?’
Robert took a deep breath as her words cut deep into him. ‘I’d like to think so. We have certainly gone beyond mere acquaintances.’
‘You did not trust me before. You believed Hortense Armstrong rather than believing in me. Common gossip. And false letters. I told you that I didn’t send you a note this morning. You wanted to believe the worst of me and you did.’ She lowered her head so the brim of her bonnet shielded her face. ‘I deserved better.’
‘You did. An honest mistake,’ he admitted reluctantly. ‘Am I not allowed to make mistakes? Faulty logic. Please understand, Henri, I gave my word to James Ravel that I’d keep his daughter safe. It was his dying request. James saved my life as a young man. After my father’s tragic death, all the creditors were pressing for payment; he alone stood by me and believed in me. And I’ve failed him in the one thing he asked of me. Believing the worst in you made it easier than admitting my failings.’
Henri pulled away from his grasp, her bonnet trembling. ‘We need to leave, Mr Montemorcy, otherwise we will be forced to stop before we find them. I’ve no wish to sleep in an inn.’
* * *
Robert watched Henri’s chin slide downwards and then her head jerk upwards as she carefully held her body away from him. Sophie’s maid had long since given herself up to sleep. The faint light from the carriage lamps filled the carriage.
‘Are you too tired to continue, Henri?’ he asked softly. ‘Shall we stop?’
She sat bolt upright and hugged her beaded reticule tighter to her chest. ‘Who, me? I can sleep anywhere. I swear it.’
‘I will take that under consideration. For our next wager.’
He was rewarded with a tiny laugh. He hated the way the sound of her laugh made his heart leap. ‘Whatever it is, I’ll win. You deserve to lose.’
‘You always say that.’
‘Because it is the truth, Mr Montemorcy.’ She paused, fiddling with the catch of her reticule. Then she lifted her head and her eyes bore into him. ‘Why did you do it?’
‘Do what?’ He stared at her, a thousand different things coursing through his brain. Why had he kissed her? Why had he made love to her? Why had he not wanted to believe in her innocence? Why did he fear what he felt for her? He knew he wasn’t ready to give those sort of answers. He wasn’t ready to see the contempt in her eyes.
She folded her hands in her lap. ‘There was no reason to drive Sebastian towards Queer Street and bankruptcy. I had matters perfectly under control. I’ve known my cousin far longer than you. I know how he operates.’
His shoulders relaxed slightly. This was about Sebastian, rather than them. ‘Did you? Do you think that is the only reason it happened?’
‘Sophie Ravel has money and Sebastian was infatuated. But he was managing.’
‘On the contrary, he amassed his debts on his own. I merely bought some of his paper as insurance. Unlike your aunt, I am far from convinced that he will do the right thing without persuasion. James Ravel lost one fortune due to an aristocrat fleeing the country. He entrusted me to make sure his daughter didn’t lose a second one. I owe him that much. His daughter will not have to live like a pauper.’
‘And if Sophie doesn’t want to marry him? What will you do to his debts then? Will you explain to everyone that his credit is once again good now that he is no threat to you?’
‘The only good thing that will come of it is that some of the ordinary people, the tradesmen who extended him credit to buy his boots, or the tailor who keeps him in waistcoats, won’t suffer. Did you think about them or are they beneath your notice?’
