The Virgin Who Ruined Lord Gray - Anna Bradley Page 0,70

might have been hurt tonight, he was overwhelmed by a staggering array of conflicting emotions, each more confusing than the last.

Anger, panic, fear, regret…

The first good look he got at her knees didn’t help. Her skin was as ragged as the cloth that had covered them. Tristan’s mouth went dry as he stared down at the bloody mess, his throat working helplessly. He should have taken it as a sign to be silent, because when he did find the words, they only made things worse.

“Why were you on Lord Everly’s roof again, Sophia?” Tristan’s voice was much harsher than he’d intended. “You had no business being up there. What did you think you were doing?”

“I thought—that is, I’d h-hoped…”

Tristan had never heard her stumble over her words before. Her little stammer went straight to his heart, but when he’d seen Sharpe go after her tonight, he’d been so damn afraid for her, and that fear made him lash out. “You hoped I’d see you there, and come after you? Why would you think that, when just this morning I told you I didn’t want to see you ever again?”

“I didn’t think you’d—”

“You didn’t think I’d be able to help myself? Well, you were right.” He laughed, but it was hard and bitter. “I saw you from my window and told myself it was best to just leave you alone, and let you return to No. 26 Maddox where you belong. What if I’d decided to do that, after all? What if I’d waited another ten minutes before going after you? You’d be dead by now!”

She said nothing, but her face drained of color.

“Look at you.” He jerked his chin toward her bloody knees, then snatched her hand up and dragged it toward him, his breath coming faster as he stared down at her ravaged palms. “You’re hurt, and this is nothing—nothing—to what it might have been.”

Sophia snatched her hand away. “It’s a few scrapes and bruises, Tristan. I’ve had worse. I’m a bit battered, yes, but I’m hardly at death’s door.”

“Damn you, don’t make light of it.” The words felt as if they’d been ripped from Tristan’s throat. “You might have ended this night at death’s door. It’s mere chance only you didn’t. Why did you come here tonight, Sophia? You’ve gotten what you wanted. Jeremy Ives is free. Your part in this business is finished.”

“Nothing is finished until Peter Sharpe and Henry Gerrard’s killer are made to pay for their crimes. What did you think, Tristan? That I’d skip blithely away once Jeremy was safe? Patrick Dunn, and Mr. Gerrard’s wife and son—do you think it doesn’t matter to me if they ever see justice?”

He…had thought so. Not just Sophia, but Lady Clifford, and Daniel Brixton. All of them. How could he have been so blind? She’d spoken to him of justice many times, told him over and over again she believed it should belong to everyone equally, but he hadn’t truly listened to her, and now he’d made a terrible mistake.

Sophia read the truth on his face, and her own face fell. “Oh. You did think so.”

“Sophia—”

She jumped to her feet so quickly she sent the tray crashing to the ground. “I-I think it’s best if I return home, after all. I won’t trouble you again, Lord Gray.”

“No. Wait.” Tristan shot to his feet and went after her, his heart in his throat. “I’m sorry. Can you…will you forgive me?”

She kept her face turned away from him, but Tristan could feel her trembling. God, he couldn’t let her leave, not like this. “Please, Sophia. I should never have said it, or even thought it. I know it’s not true. I want…will you let me take care of you?”

She hesitated for what felt like a lifetime to Tristan, but then finally, a silent nod.

He took her hand in his, careful not to touch her wounded palm, and led her back to the sofa. “Your hands and knees, and your head.” He brushed her hair back from her forehead, frowning as he traced the knot there. “Your mouth.” He brushed a fingertip over her lower lip, his chest squeezing at the drop of blood at the corner. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

He wasn’t just referring to having knocked her down, and Sophia seemed to understand this. Her green eyes darkened as they flickered over his face. “You followed me tonight. I needed you, and you were there.”

Needed him…

Tristan stared down at her, stunned, but he didn’t press her on how