A spasm crossed his face. She was fiercely glad of it, for the man generally betrayed nothing that he did not wish to.
“What of you, Sebastian?” she asked blandly. “Did you never marry?”
“No.”
“But you were not celibate, were you? Was Caterina di Ripoli yours?”
“No. Though I did seduce her mother. And left them all exposed.”
Though his expression did not change nor his voice waver, she sensed his guilt. He would do terrible things, but they still touched him.
“So you saved the child,” she said with deliberate detachment. “Did you love her mother, then?”
“No.” He didn’t even hesitate. Perhaps he had expected the question. “I never loved anyone but you.”
“Don’t give me that,” she snapped, her anger suddenly fierce. “I wasn’t born yesterday, and I certainly don’t need your damned platitudes.”
“Platitudes?” He stared at her blankly, and then a hiss of laughter escaped him. “Straight for the jugular. You could always deprive me of breath one way or another. Why did you let me go without you?”
She shrugged. “I suppose I didn’t want to go with you—enough.”
“Did you never wish you had? Come with me, I mean.”
“No. What would have been the point of that?” She set down her spoon and leaned back in her chair. “The soup was good.”
“Tasty,” he agreed, finishing his own.
“Did Caterina know what you were?”
“She knew I was with the British embassy.”
“But nothing that could damage you if it were made public?”
“Ah. You came as Silver and Grey’s secret weapon. I should have known.”
“The curiosity is my own.”
“Then the answer is no.”
“But I wouldn’t know if you were lying.”
“Yes, you would,” he said. “Because I never lied to you before.”
“You just don’t tell the whole truth.”
“Neither do you.”
Her lips twitched. “Touché.”
He smiled back and raised his glass to his lips. “I’m glad you came.”
So am I, God help me.
With the arrival of the steak pie and fresh green vegetables, their conversation left such difficult personal matters for comparisons of plants in other countries and Juliet’s attempts to grow flowers and herbs in pots in her tiny yard. There were a few funny tales shared, adiscussion of music and drama—which inspired a sudden longing in Juliet to attend the theatre again—and even a more detailed account of his encounter with Constance and Solomon in Venice.
“She made less of it,” Juliet said bleakly. “She always does.”
“She has married quite the fierce protector. And they both protect you.”
