Lady Lilias and the Devil in Plaid - Julie Johnstone Page 0,64
pleased for Owen’s sake. Yet, the passionate way in which he seemed to care hinted otherwise. He’d acted extremely possessive in the club, too, and granted, it could simply be an act, but if it was, he could have had a career at Drury Lane.
What if he did care?
Her step faltered at the possibility. What if he had been running from something in his past, something he had not told her, something he was afraid to tell her? Was it something to do with his brother? Or Helen? Or both of them? Her heart began to pound harder, and when he glanced over his shoulder at her, she forced herself to keep moving. He turned around and continued, and her pulse quickened even more as she followed him, this man whom she had long loved, whom she was unsure how to quit loving, who was lost to her.
This needed to be the last time she allowed herself to be alone with him, she realized with blinding, painful clarity. Every part of her wanted him to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless, and she was afraid if he ever did such a thing, she would not be able to resist. She would betray Owen, and she could not live with that.
With each step, a war raged inside her. Should she confront Nash and ask him bluntly how he felt about her, or should she keep her silence and never know? Her emotions roiled so greatly within her that she had to take deep breaths to calm herself. By the time they reached the exit door and Nash opened it, she decided she could not bear to discover he cared. It was better to think he had not. Her nostrils flared with her resolve, and she steeled herself to simply keep her silence and let all the questions raging in her remain unanswered.
Her gig would be along any moment, and then he would drive her home and that would be the end. She could do it. She could contain herself. But then he turned to her, moonlight struck his face, and her breath hitched at the concern that was etched there.
His hands gripped her upper arms before she knew what was occurring. “Vow to me now that you’ll not pursue Mr. Levine without me.” It was a demand and a desperate plea at once. “I don’t trust him, and I cannot abide thinking you might stride right into danger.”
Each of his emotion-filled words weakened her resolve not to ask him, like stones thrown against fragile glass, and her determination shattered. Her blood roared in her ears, and she swallowed. She was facing a life of heartache with or without the truth, so she’d take the truth.
“Why?” she asked. “Why do you care so much if I’m protected?”
When he simply stared at her, she wanted to scream. “What concern am I of yours?” she tried again. Still, he stood in silence, gripping her as if he was afraid she’d disappear if he let go. It was that grip, his holding her as if his life depended on it, that made her say what she did next.
“I’ll give you my vow not to pursue Mr. Levine alone if you tell me the truth about how you feel.” She did not add about me. She did not feel she had to. He would know. If he cared for her as she did for him, he would know exactly what she meant.
He released her as if merely touching her scalded him, and he shoved both hands through his hair. Then he took a long, shuddering breath and let it out slowly. The breeze suddenly picked up, and in the distance, the night watchman’s whistle shrieked.
“You were wearing green.” Nash’s voice fell low and intense. Her brow dipped into a furrow, and he offered an achingly gentle smile that made her warm despite the cool night air. “The day I met you,” he said by way of explanation. “You were wearing green.”
“You remember what I was wearing?” she asked, shocked.
“I remember every single thing about you. I remember details no self-respecting rogue should admit to recalling.” He looked down at her worn slippers and laughed. “You were barefoot. I knew right away you were different from any girl I’d ever met. Your hair was unbound and wild, much like now.” His gaze had come to her face, and it clung to her in an appreciative way that caused her toes to curl in her