“He seeks power and I stand in his path.”
She frowned at the vague words, knowing it would be impossible to demand more information than he was willing to give.
“Do you believe that he would harm you?”
The pale features hardened until he appeared like a perilous warrior of old.
“Yes,” he acknowledged in clipped tones. “I have warned you that he is dangerous.”
“And yet you followed him last evening?”
Surprisingly he grimaced at her chiding. Simone wondered what occurred after they had left her house. Obviously something that had managed to leave a sour taste in Gideon’s mouth.
“We have unfinished business between us.”
She heaved a frustrated sigh. “Which means that you do not intend to tell me what this business is.”
He swiftly glanced over her tight countenance before turning his attention to the road.
“There is still too little trust between us, my dear. It seems that for now we will both harbor our secrets.”
She set back against the seat with a decided flounce. “Impossible man.”
Rather than taunting her for her obvious ill humor, Gideon tightened his hands on the reins, his profile carved in granite.
“Tristan is a danger to you as well, Simone.”
There was no mistaking the dark warning in his voice, and Simone shivered. After last evening she could no longer deny that Mr. Soltern was indeed determined to seek her out. Even going so far as to force his way into her home. She could still feel the repulsive gaze as it had lingered with open hunger upon her necklace.
Instinctively her hand rose to clutch the gold trinket that lay warmly against her skin.
“For my amulet?” she demanded.
Gideon stilled before giving a nod of his head. “Among other things.”
She shivered, feeling as if she were stumbling in the dark. She was no stranger to fear. Still, in the past she at least had known her enemies and why they hated her. Now she was simply being thrust into danger with no understanding of why or when it might strike.
Very frustrating for a woman who had sacrificed everything to live a life of peace.
“None of this makes sense,” she muttered.
He shrugged. “It is best that you avoid him altogether.”
She offered him a jaundiced frown. “That is rather difficult considering that London society is quite small. We are bound to be tripping over one another constantly. And like you, he possesses the belief he is welcome to thrust his way into my home whenever it pleases him.”
He gave a slow nod at her accusation. “So I have noted. I shall have to take means to prevent his unexpected calls.”
“You believe you can?” she demanded.
“With some help.”
The arrogance was back in his voice and her frown deepened. Really, he seemed to believe himself omnipotent.
“And your own unexpected calls?” she asked in overly sweet tones.
His features abruptly softened with mild amusement. “Those will continue, of course.”
“Of course.”