The tepid response gave her pause. Perhaps she should have gone on the attack, prodded him into an argument so he could finally unleash on her, and she could retaliate, and they’d both have a small taste of satisfaction.
Eventually, she capitulated to following his lead and took up her own fork and knife while she ruminated over how she was going to persuade him to take her offer.
The miraculous properties of the fish were over-embellished. Ian still ate with fervor. And if he was going to devour the entire thing, Diana would too.
He didn’t utter a word or offer her a glance until he’d finished and finally lifted his head. In a low voice, he rasped, “You have the necklace?”
She didn’t tell him she was wearing it beneath her high-collared blouse, but she conceded a nod.
He folded his hands across his lap. “I decline your offer.”
“I’m prepared to pay more.”
“And I’d still decline.”
“You’ve never been foolish about money before. There must be someprice—”
“The emeralds cannot be bought or sold!” he snapped.
“No, they can only be won,” she finished calmly.
As he sat back in his seat, his eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Is this some game for you?”
“I assure you this is anything but trivial to me.”
He made a low nonverbal protest from the back of his throat, and she saw the cold detachment creep into his expression again.
She couldn’t stand it. “I can never give you back the emeralds. If I could, I would because I know what they mean to you. But they are now part of something much bigger than you and me.”
“They’ve always been a part of something bigger, but that something is nefarious and treacherous. You don’t know what you’re playing at, but youwillgive them up if you want to protect the women aboard your ship.”
“Tell me about this dangerous game.”
“Tell me about the women.”
“If it were up to me, I would. Hell.” She drew a breath. “In another life, you might have wanted to be part of it. But I can’t. It would put every life on theEver Hartat risk.”
He studied her. “You’re afraid.”
She raised her chin, refusing to confirm his accusation, unable to deny that she was most afraid for him.
“Someone else has entangled you with the necklace to force your hand in this,” he said. “Who’s controlling you?”
When she didn’t respond, he banged his fist on the table. “Answer me honestly, one bloody time. Who can intimidate you enough that they would take awayyourchoices? Is it Virgil?”
He leaned across the table and glowered at her in a way he’d never done before. Something lurked beneath the anger in his gaze. It seemed almost like possessiveness.
And it was tinged with desire.
Diana was used to men wanting her. Their pursuit was acquisitive. She was one more thing they’d accumulate, like estates or thoroughbreds, or stakes in a trading scheme.
But Ian Holt was angry that someone had the audacity to manipulate her. And he looked prepared to act disproportionately to spare her from it.
“If lives are at stake, including yours and mine, I have a right to know,” he pressed. “So help me, Diana, name the man.”
“Stop accusing me of some devious attachment. You’re behaving like I’m under someone’s thrall.” She was offended that he thought some paramour would have such power over her. “The only man who’s compelling my actions is you!”
She stood, threw down some coins in payment for the dinner, and made a rather dramatic exit from the tavern.
