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“Coward,” Cam muttered at his retreating back.
Euna sighed. “Really, Cam. All they want is a chance to find out what’s going on.”
“Why the Abercrombies’? Why not simply come here and do it?”
She didn’t say anything.
He nodded. “That’s what I thought. They don’t want to know the truth. They want to quash the rumors. The ton smells another Sinclair scandal, and Uncle Josh is hoping to head it off before it grows legs.”
“They love you, Cam. They’ve just forgotten how to show it. Uncle Josh’s business interests. His standing among his political friends. Aunt Sylvie’s work with her committees. They’re so caught up in appearances. In stepping a foot wrong. They’re afraid.”
Cam crossed to the sideboard. Plucked the
decanter from its place. Poured a whiskey, bringing it halfway to his lips before he paused, his gaze fixed on the amber liquid. Pure gold. And the very shade of Morgan’s eyes.
He slammed the glass to the table, where it shattered, spraying glass and whiskey over his breeks. “Tell them to join the queue.”
So he didn’t want her within ten leagues of his precious society?
Well, to hell with him.
Morgan stomped her way around her bedchamber where she’d fled upon hearing those gut-wrenching words thrown out like a live shell.
Ashamed of her. That’s what he was. Ashamed that Morgan Bligh would make a fool of herself and him in the company of his erudite, sophisticated London acquaintances.
The latch clicked, sending her spinning on her heel.
Cam stood, his eyes gliding over her with a decided lusty look. “I’ve managed to get rid of everyone. For the moment. And I’ve sent Amos with the instructions for Rastus.”
All he had to do was stand there, and a pathetic thrill zinged up her spine. Wicked ideas springing into her filthy mind. She quelled the swooping drop of her stomach. Reminded herself of Cam’s hypocrisy.
The quiet words—made more powerful by the very reluctance to speak them. The weaknesses he’d revealed. And the weaknesses he’d revealed in her. So convincing. Wrung from the heart.
And all lies.
He wanted her in his bed. That had been made perfectly, deliciously clear to her the last few nights. What he didn’t want—and that also had been made clear to her—was Morgan in his life.
She conveniently forgot the part where she’d wanted that as well.
He’d caused her to doubt herself. Wonder if she’d made the right decision. And then pulled the rug out from under her, leaving her for the second time in a year feeling like a complete fool.
She plastered a smile on her face. Hoped she didn’t look too manic. “A real London soiree? Sounds exciting.”
He cocked a frown in her direction. “You heard that, did you? As the Spanish Inquisition is exciting. I’m not going to give the bloodsuckers what they want. The only reason we’ve been asked is so they can sharpen their claws on us. Cut us to ribbons with their rapier smiles and false goodwill.”
“You think I can’t handle the pressure?” It took every ounce of acting ability not to crack something heavy over his head.
“I think I’d rather face ten such Dorans with matching swords before I’d set foot within the halls of Lady Abercrombie’s gossip abattoir.”
She knew as well as anyone the stifling atmosphere of being onstage for a roomful of people all waiting for a misstep to pounce upon. She’d lived with that kind of scrutiny her whole life. Even with hiding their lineage as her family had, there had always been hints of their gifts. The neighborhood’s subsequent curiosity mingled with fear had always been one more obstacle to her fitting in. Another excuse to snub that odd Bligh girl.
“I’ve sent Rastus word. He’ll let Doran know we’re alive. We need to be ready.” The firm, no-nonsense tone to his words told her it was useless to argue any longer. It would avail her nothing but a sore head from banging it against a wall.
“I still don’t know if this is the best way—” she began.
“Do you want to prolong this, Morgan?”
She wanted Doran killed, the sword returned, the mission a success. Of course she did. But a small guilty part of her knew that with that accomplishment, her time with Cam would be over. And also knew that once he was gone, he would not seek her out again.
