Page 46 of The Marquess of Secrets

Pain sliced through his heart, and he didn’t like the sensation.

“However, entering into an affair with me is not the way you wish to ‘pay me back.’”

Her eyes widened. “Affair?”

“Have I insulted you? I do apologize. There is nothing I wish for more than having you in my bed. In my arms. But I would never insist on it, nor would I take it as payment. I would want you to come to me of your own accord. Because you want me. Desire me. No other reason.”

Her expression remained a combination of shock and trepidation.

Hang it, he should have kept his desires to himself.

She’d just left a poisonous abusive relationship. Lydia needed time to heal not only physically but mentally and emotionally.

God, he was a selfish bastard.

What possessed him to speak so? Reveal his true feelings?

Hell, he was well versed in hiding his emotions in most situations. Lydia broke apart all the barriers—the ones he’d spent years building.

“Forget I said that. Any of it. I cannot believe I even suggested an affair. Chalk it up to the inane utterings of an arrogant, entitled peer. Again, I offer my deepest apologies.” Harrison stood. “I must take my leave. I’ve numerous appointments this afternoon. I’ll return for dinner at seven. Will you join me?”

“Yes.”

Lydia answered in a firm voice, no trembling or fluttering that he could see or hear.

Embarrassed, he gave her a stiff bow and exited the room before he made a further fool of himself. As he rushed outside, he laid a hand against his cheek. The skin burned red-hot. Anger for showing his vulnerable side, and damn it all, he did have one. Harrison caught a hansom cab and instructed the driver to take him to The Red Lion pub.

Waiting for him in the corner booth was Sam and William Robins. Harrison slid across the seat, a pint of bitter already sitting on the table for him. He needed the libation after that awkward conversation with Lydia.

During the short journey, he arranged his features into detached indifference. In other words, the bored look of a peer.

“The pies are ordered,” Sam said. “William has brought me up to date. Quite the tale.”

“Yes, quite.”

Harrison was still annoyed by his conversation with Lydia and answered Sam a little too sharply. His friend, who knew him well, wisely let it pass.

“Well? The remainder of your report, Mr. Robins?”

The man’s battered notebook sat on the table before him. “Regarding Lydia Chesterton: her reputation at St. Thomas is stellar. In fact, I discovered that she was being discussed for a promotion as an operating theater nurse. Before they could formally offer the position, she disappeared. As far as I could glean, she was a private person. No one knew of her personal life. I investigated her previous address, and she lived there with her widower schoolmaster father until his death. Everything that she relayed to you is the truth.”

Harrison was silently relieved. He wouldn’t have proposed an affair with a woman he didn’t trust, but it was gratifying to learn his judgment of her character was not misplaced.

“Thank you, Mr. Robins, for your due diligence. Keep your surveillance on Huntsford.” Harrison took a long draw on his pint.

“Don’t thank me yet, my lord. I regret to inform you the surveillance may have been comprised. I admonish myself for using a new employee. The young man believes that he was followed, but he cannot be sure. You may want to remain cautious. I can place a man on you to see that you are not being followed. No extra charge, of course.”

Harrison’s blood boiled at a dangerous heat. Damn it all, this man was supposed to be one of the best.

Sliding his gaze to Sam, his annoyance grew. He’d hired this man at his friend’s recommendation. Sam gave him a sheepish, apologetic look.

“You’re annoyed, my lord, and I don’t blame you. I assure you that my work is usually not this slipshod.” Mr. Robins looked contrite.

“Followed where, exactly?”

“Again, my man is not certain.”

Harrison pushed the pint away from him. He didn’t like the sounds of this. Not at all. He glanced about the boisterous pub. There were clusters of men sitting at tables and standing at the bar. Any one of them could be Huntsford or someone he hired.