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He leaned forward, feeling a little dirty for even suggesting this, taking advantage of her vulnerability. But he had to think of the bigger picture.
And if we’re on the same side, there’s no reason why—
He cut that thought off before it could fully form.
“What if I were to give you a letter and you were to pass it on to your contacts?”
She looked up, blinking uncomprehendingly. “What do you mean by that?”
“A decoy so to speak. A red herring.”
She stared at him for a long time. “You want me to turn?” she said at last, her voice very small.
“I won’t force you. It has to be your choice. Either way, you know that you are welcome to stay here.”
She swallowed audibly. “And this letter…you would want me to take it to…?”
Tension he hadn’t known he was carrying dropped off him and his shoulders relaxed. “Whoever you were meant to take my papers to originally.”
She took a deep breath. “There is a smuggler and a boat. I was meant to take the letters and travel with him across the Channel. From there I was to make my way to the garrison.”
Bertram leaned back, shaking his head. “I cannot let you do that. It would be too dangerous if they discovered your duplicity. Youmuststay on English soil if I am to keep you safe.”
Her eyes widened at his words. She seemed surprised. “I am used to looking after myself, Your Grace.”
“Yes, well, now you have me.”
Her eyebrows quirked. “Do I?”
Bertram sighed, leaning forward to gaze earnestly into her eyes. “I know what you saw in that apple orchard but Lady Perrin and I have no association. She surprised me with that kiss—it was not my wish to touch her at all.”
A slow flush suffused her cheeks causing them to glow rather becomingly. Her lashes swept downward, hiding her eyes. “Tis none of my business,” she mumbled.
“Isn’t it?” He waited for her to meet the challenge in his eyes. “I think we both know that’s not true.”
She continued to stare at him unblinking as if unable to believe his words. “Well then, what is the truth?” Her voice was plaintive and confused and he could hold himself back no longer. He stood up from his seat and hurried around the table, capturing her hand in both of his and squeezing it.
“The truth is that I have been falling for you from the first time you walked through my doors. I have run from it and denied it and tried to twist it into something else. None of it has worked. So I am brandishing the white flag of surrender. I want you, Letty.”
Everything she was feeling was apparent in her gray eyes, the disbelief, the hope, the reluctance to take him at his word, he saw it all. He straightened up and let her hand go. She looked disappointed at that, if he was not mistaken. “But these are just words. Sometimes they can be meaningless. Actions on the other hand, are unmistakable.”
She tensed, watching him warily. “What actions?”
“Let me help extract you from this situation. I can see that your heart is no longer in it. Let me help you find your mother. Stay with me, Letty.”
She continued to stare into his eyes before getting slowly to her feet. “I am no damsel in distress. I do not need to be rescued.” She smiled. It was just a twitch of her lips but heartening to see nevertheless.
That’s my plucky girl.
“Oh, I know you have no need of rescue. I would nevertheless be honored if you would allow me to assist you in this matter.”
Her smile this time was a little more genuine. “Well…if you insist…”
“I do.”
“All right then.” Her smile had widened to a grin and it did his heart good to see her happy once again.
He clapped his hands together, to stop himself from reaching out to touch her. “Well then, first things first. I shall write the letter. You go about your day in case anyone here is watching you. Later tonight, you will break in here and take it with you.”
