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‘I will give you a dowry.’
She shook her head, feeling lightness in her next words. ‘There is no need. My father’s wife has promised to see that we have what we need.’
The uplift of one brow was all the acknowledgement he gave her.
‘I’ve arranged for Broomer to travel with you back to Melos.’ Warrington’s voice was a husky murmur. ‘He’ll get you home, safely. Threaten Stephanos or do what is needed. I’ve told him every woman on the island is as lovely as you. He asked how soon he can leave. I’ve instructed him to gather his things.’
Melina looked forward, and saw not what she’d seen before, but the world through Warrington’s eyes. And knew she was not in it.
* * *
Warrington lay in his bedchamber, trying to force himself to sleep. The brown sacks he’d dressed her in didn’t work. Nothing would. His weakness hadn’t left him.
Nor was her presence easing his memories.
Something inside gnawed at him, reminding him of the time he’d thought he would have the dream of a loving family. He’d wanted the world he saw reflected when one looked at the portraits of a man, his wife and children, carefully arranged, and all around them tidy.
Clawing desire burned in him, and not just desire for her body, but for a world where feelings were pure.
Warrington pressed his face into the pillow, trying to smother the thoughts torturing him.
At least Melina seemed to care for the girl. She patted the child’s back when she held her and he didn’t think she even knew she did.
He’d stayed away from Melina and he could feel her presence in the house every moment he kept inside. And when he walked outside, he could hardly wait to return.
He could attend a few soirées, Drury Lane, and he’d surely be able to find a woman with some appeal. The way he felt, he doubted he could find one who didn’t have enough to tempt him into her bed. He could go to Almack’s and find someone he didn’t find attractive, and perhaps then he could believe himself safe to bring her into his home. A woman he might have no true passion for and who could not blind him with her body and beauty and dancing eyes.
But before he left, he wanted to—
But if he did what he wanted to do before he left he’d not need to leave the town house.
He rolled himself out of bed and wrapped on his dressing gown.
Warrington went to the door and knocked, then opened it.
‘Melina,’ he whispered.
She sat up on the bed and he could tell she wasn’t fully awake. Her face looked as puzzled as Jacob’s would have.
‘Come with me for a moment.’ He reached out, taking her hand.
When he pulled her to her feet, she brought the covers with her. He took them from her hand and pushed them loose so they slid to the floor.
He saw her open her eyes wide and shake her head, and she moved back.
‘Come with me,’ he whispered again. ‘I wish to talk to you without children or servants about.’
‘It would be as easy as closing a door.’
Her feet didn’t move when he took her elbow. He increased his grip.
‘You’re right,’ he grumbled, getting her to the hallway. ‘I’m awake now, though, and by coincidence so are you.’
He slipped a hand at her back, to guide her to the sitting room. Touching her was the wrong thing to do. He remembered how she felt when he embraced her, skin against skin. And he didn’t need any reminders since he couldn’t get the thoughts to recede from his mind for even a half-second. But he didn’t know if he could let her go again if he touched her.
She moved to the window. Not sitting. He wondered if she didn’t want to sit in his presence, afraid of getting too comfortable.
‘I would have thought you would lead me to your bedchamber.’ Her words were tart.
In the shadowy dimness, he could tell her hands were clasped together.
Apparently, growing up in Greece had robbed her of the awe she should feel from having the attention of an earl of some funds. And he was certain his mirror hadn’t lied. He was not an ogre. Hell, he was better looking than Dane and Dane had a scar on his face and women practically fainted at his feet. But this was Melina. So different than what he understood. He crossed his arms.
‘It is silent in here for someone being awoken because someone else had to urgently speak with them,’ she grumbled and he heard the rustling of her movements. ‘I’m sure the nursemaid thinks we often meet secretly in the night. She smiles in such a way when she tells me to have pleasant dreams.’
