The Formidable Earl (Diamonds in the Rough #6) - Sophie Barnes Page 0,32

forget that no one would have known I was there had it not been for you.”

All he could think to say was, “I’m so sorry.”

She tilted her head. A crooked smile touched her lips. “I can imagine a fate far worse than being ruined, you know.”

A shiver raked Simon’s spine. He didn’t want to know what she’d seen or experienced, and yet he had to ask, “Like what?”

Hesitation froze her features for a couple of seconds before she said, “Suffice it to say Guthrie had to rescue me from a terrible fate last year. Had it not been for him, I would have been locked away and kept as some awful man’s plaything.” She held his gaze, forcing him to see the horror she’d once endured reflected in her eyes.

Simon’s every muscle strained with the need to do justice on her behalf. His heart beat heavily, fanning to life a rage unlike any he’d ever known before. Jaw clenched so tightly he feared his teeth might crumble, he fought for calm by reminding himself she was safe now.

Instinctively, he reached for her hand. “I’m sorry you’ve had to suffer. I trust Guthrie made sure the people responsible paid for what they did?”

“He killed some of them.”

An unexpected rush of satisfaction spread its way through Simon’s veins. “Good.”

Her eyes widened just enough to convey her surprise. His response surprised him as well. He wouldn’t have thought he’d be pleased to hear of such violence under any circumstances, but when it came to Miss Strong, he wanted those who’d hurt her to suffer.

“The rest were arrested and are presently serving their sentences at Newgate.”

A pity Guthrie hadn’t slit their throats too. “I see.”

As if sensing his disappointment, Miss Strong told him gently, “Guthrie’s future wife, Regina, was also taken, so believe me when I tell you that he unleashed as much fury as he was able.”

Simon nodded and withdrew his hand from hers. He wished he’d have a moment alone with the men who still lived. Perhaps one day he’d pay them a visit in prison. His stomach tightened with the prospect of plunging his fists into each of their faces. But for now, he still had a willful young woman to deal with.

“One would think all the terrible experiences you’ve had might have taught you to be more careful – not to venture out on your own at night.” He was doing his best not to sound angry, but there was still an unavoidable gruffness to his voice.

“I didn’t go out for no reason,” she said, neatly countering his reprimand by suggesting essential motivation. “And since I don’t respond well to orders or doing nothing while someone else takes charge of my life, I chose to seek out the one man who might know who sent the forged letters.”

It was bloody difficult not to be drawn in by her revelation or to feel like she’d just trumped him. Simon tensed with expectation. “Which man?”

“The captain of the ship that carried the letters with it, of course.”

“Of course,” he murmured. “And were you successful in your search?”

“Well…”

“Did you find him?” he gritted with rising annoyance.

“No, but—”

“So you risked your safety for no reason.” Honestly, he ought to drag her upstairs right now, tie her to the bed, and leave her there for the foreseeable future.

An unbidden surge of desire swept through him. The mere thought…

He shifted in his seat and hoped to God she wouldn’t notice the effect his wayward thoughts were having. Clearing his throat to make sure her full attention remained on his face, he told her, “I offered to help you because I feel indebted to your father, and while I am still happy to give you whatever assistance you may require in your quest for justice, I must insist on some rules.”

When she opened her mouth to speak, her eyes narrowed with the promise of protest, he bluntly informed her, “This is my house. Your presence here will be noted, your association with me the subject of gossip, and while you might not give a fig about any of that, I do. More important is the responsibility I have toward you for the duration of your stay, which means there will be no more solitary excursions on your part, no acting as though you’re working alone, no disregard for my concerns, no lack of respect for the hospitality I am willing to give you. Is that clear?”

Simon almost wished she would lash out at him for his suggestion.