Page 86 of Love and the Shameless Lady

“No, probably not.”

“I don’t believe he was insane, either.”

“Perhaps not in the strict sense of the word, although anyone who worshipped Robespierre has to be a little unbalanced. But no, I assume he was just a thief, and a bit of a fool. Philippe de Bellechasse . . .” He sighed. “I have known him for a long time, and I find it hard to believe that he would send a threatening letter or contemplate carrying out such a threat.”

“But he just killed his servant.”

“As I would have done, if Philippe had not wished to take care of it himself. Antoine was determined to kill you even after the book had been published, when your death wouldn’t have served any useful purpose but revenge. Therefore he had to die.” He paused, wishing he need not explain further, but that would be unfair to Daisy. “Philippe had other motives as well.”

“Because he is a thief, too,” she muttered.

“Yes, I think so. He certainly has some explaining to do.”

“Explaining? That’s all? Why didn’t you accuse him? Why are you letting him go free?”

“Think of the scandal, love. Besides that, I’m sure he would convince everyone that all the thefts were the work of his servant. He would successfully paint himself as another victim.”

“But what about the goods that were stolen?”

“I imagine he disposes of them quickly.” Julian kissed her hand. “Thank you for trusting me.”

She turned to him with what was probably a glare, but even in the moonlight it was too dark to tell. “If you must know, I had already decided to trust you.”

For a long moment, silence reigned, but for the breeze in the trees and distant shouts from the stables. At last, he mastered his surprise. “Truly?” Good God, his voice had cracked. How could she not believe he loved her?

“Yes, truly, after tossing and turning for hours.” Her voice was gruff, too. “You have now taxed that trust to the limit.”

“Surely not. After fulfilling all my hopes, you wouldn’t change your mind.”

She sighed. “No, I won’t change my mind.”

There, Daisy told herself. She had made a commitment. She couldn’t back down now.

Julian pulled her into his arms and held her close. “Darling Daisy, I love you so much.” It was pure ecstasy—or should have been. She laid her head on his shoulder, savoring his warmth, but she dared not give in to happiness. It made no sense for him to love her. Clearly, he was deluded, but that wouldn’t last for long.

“That’s why I’m so afraid,” she said. “You will change your mind, and you won’t love me anymore.”

“Impossible. We’ll cross the Rubicon together.”

“I’m not sure I like that metaphor,” she said. “It’s a point of no return for me, but not for you. I won’t hold you to our betrothal. You have nothing to fear.”

“Except your fear. Except being unable to help you overcome it.”

“I wish, oh, I wish I could just pretend I’m not afraid. Pretend that all is well, that it doesn’t hurt—”

“Ah, so he did hurt you, the dastard.”

“Not intentionally, at least I don’t think so, except maybe at the very end, when he was so angry.”

“He was angry at the end? Usually that’s when a fellow is utterly spent and blissful.”

Which meant she really was boring. What had she done wrong? If only she were better informed about lovemaking. Should she talk to Melinda?

No, for it might get back to Miles, and she couldn’t bear that. Everyone thought she already knew what went on. Which she did, but . . . maybe not really?

Maybe she’d been a fool to accept everything Reggie had said as gospel truth. Maybe she should remind herself of what Melinda had said earlier, about pleasure between a husband and wife who loved one another. But she found it very hard to believe.

“I won’t do anything that hurts you,” he said.