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“Why is that?”
“The less people that know about us, the better.”
Madalene pursed her lips together as she found the strength to ask her next question. “Was anything that you told me the truth?”
“Most of it.”
She shook her head. “I can’t imagine that to be true.”
“A good lie always has some elements of truth to it,” he shared. “I just left out the parts that would incriminate me as an agent.”
“I feel as if I don’t even know the real you,” Madalene said as she turned away.
Madalene stopped when Lord Hawthorne placed a hand on her sleeve and replied, “You know the real me. I have been here the whole time.”
“But you have another life I know nothing about.”
“That is true,” he said, “but you should know that I am no longer an agent.”
Her lips parted in surprise. “You aren’t?”
“This was my last case,” he informed her as his hand dropped to his side. “My days will now be filled attending Parliament and managing my properties and investments.”
“That doesn’t sound very exciting.”
Huffing, Lord Hawthorne replied, “No, it does not.”
“Whatever will you do to alleviate your boredom?”
He gazed intently into her eyes. “About that,” he started in a solemn voice, “we do have a problem.”
“Which is?”
“How can I be certain that you won’t tell anyone about my being an agent?” he asked with an uplifted brow.
“You shall have to take me at my word.”
Pressing his lips together, he replied, “I’m afraid that is not good enough.”
“It’s not?”
“No, it is not.” He took a step closer to her, forcing her to tilt her head to look up at him. “I propose a union between us.”
“So I won’t reveal your secret?” she asked hesitantly.
“Among other things.”
Dropping her gaze to the lapels of his jacket, she felt disappointed by his offer. She didn’t want a marriage of convenience to Lord Hawthorne. The thought of marrying him when he didn’t return her affections caused her heart to ache.
“I’m afraid I must decline your offer,” she murmured as she reluctantly stepped back.
The surprise was evident on his face as he asked, “Why?”
“I am not interested in a marriage of convenience.”
He stared at her blankly. “Is that what you think I am offering?”
“Isn’t it?”
