Page 19 of The Duke of Pain

“He insisted I call him that; he is paying.”

“I saw it in his eyes. He masks it well. But I saw it, nonetheless, if only briefly. I also witnessed his reaction after watching you with the judge. You have certainly caught his attention. The man was in high color, and I will bet if I checked under his cloak, hard as oak.”

“James!”

“His reputation is that of a self-indulgent, cold, automaton who ruts from one end of the city to another, with no emotional attachments to anyone. Out for his own pleasure, hang everyone else. Is that the impression he gave you?” James asked, studying her closely.

“I don’t believe he is cruel at heart, so the ruthless aspect doesn’t fit. At least in what I observed, who is to know? As for cold—he certainly projects a frosty demeanor. But I believe that the damage you speak of is the cause. He revealed things to me I will not repeat. And I divulged some to him.”

James’s eyes widened. “The intimacy has begun. After tonight, cut it clean. For both your sakes, do not continue down this road. You do not want to add to the damage. Protect your heart. Watford is not for you.”

Olivia bristled. “Not for me? Perhaps sharing trauma with someone can begin the healing.”

“You shared some of it with me, and still, you hide behind your Mistress Birch persona, meting out punishment to strange men. Did unburdening to me assist in any way? Begin the healing?”

Olivia sadly shook her head. “No, perhaps it depends on the person. I didn’t tell you everything.”

“Will you tell the duke?” James took another sip of tea, his gaze firm on hers.

“I don’t know,” she replied softly. “I’m in unchartered waters here.”

“All the more reason to cut it clean. There can be nothing between you. You know this. Watford is a duke, beyond your reach.” James stood, giving her a look of compassion. “Take it from me; peers always choose power, duty, and society over anything as trivial as feelings.”

He left her alone. Maybe she should end this before they were hurt. Olivia took a shuddering breath, and her heart contracted in pain.

Oh, damn it all.

Feelings.

They were surfacing, and she could not allow it.

* * *

Gideon’s nerves had been sparking since he left Olivia the night before. The anticipation at seeing her again, the yearning to be in her company. The need to hold and kiss her. All of this was beyond his experience, beyond all reasoning. As much as he tried to tuck away those rampant emotions that were let loose last night, he couldn’t quite achieve it. It was if Olivia had opened his soul and examined it. Letting in light for the first time.

An absurd observation, but he had no other way to explain the riot taking place within him. He could ignore it and never see Olivia again, but that caused such stark pain to slice through him, he felt physically ill.

Such intense desire was not wise.

It was also extremely dangerous.

With a turn of the door handle, she entered the room, taking his breath away once again. Tonight, she wore a burgundy corset and stockings but no thigh-high boots or riding crop.

Olivia lifted her head and gave him a look bordering on pity.

Oh no. Not that. Anything but pity.

“Your Grace,” she murmured silkily, causing his cock to stir.

“Olivia.”

She padded toward him in her stocking feet and moved behind him, taking his coat from his shoulders. The slight brush of her fingers sent his blood to near the boiling point. Then, with the quiet litheness of a cat, she stood before him and began to slip the buttons through his waistcoat.

“I thought tonight, we would forego the agreement to an extent,” she said, her voice low and husky.

“In what way?”

Olivia’s fingers stilled. “After what you told me, I will not—not—”