Royal Watch (Royal Watch #1) - Stacey Marie Brown Page 0,46
jumped up, the words popping off my tongue before my mind even knew what was happening. Fear of being left alone spiked through my blood, spiked through my hatred of him. “Stay with me.”
Lennox didn’t move, his hand on the door, his back to me, his shoulders rigid. Silence rang like a bell, tumbling embarrassment down on me like rain.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean…” What did I mean? The realization of what I had asked hit me. From a guy I loathed, who despised me. How desperate I must’ve sounded. “Forget it.”
He didn’t respond but straightened his spine, cracking the door open to step out.
“Don’t tell Theo what happened.” The fear of anyone finding out, especially Theo, bolted the plea from my chest.
“What?” He twisted his head around to stare at me, the denial of my request filling his expression, opening his mouth.
“Please.” I pressed my hand to my collarbone, my toes curling in the plush rug. “I don’t want anyone to know.” I knew speaking up against Lord William would be suicide here. In a place that already wanted me out, this would give them a reason. They’d take his side against mine, saying I was in search of attention. Someone who couldn’t handle an old man’s flirty ways wouldn’t be able to handle being a future queen. “Promise me.”
“No.”
“You know what will happen if it gets out. I will be the one to fall on the sword.” I swallowed, my body still rattling with shock. “Plus, nothing happened. Let’s just leave it at that.”
“Nothing happened?” he bit out, his eyes flashing with fury. “He tried to assault you, Spencer.”
The sound of my name from his lips reverberated in my chest, bouncing around, forcing me to suck in.
“But he didn’t.” I ran my fingers through my hair, tugging on it as if I was trying to break the sensation he rattled through my bones. “You stopped it. So really, there is nothing to dispute against.”
“Are you fucking kidding me? You will let him get away with this?”
I leveled my gaze at him through my lashes, challenging him. Men didn’t get it. We were ruined if we spoke up and trashed if we didn’t. Everyone already knew he was like this but did nothing because of his stature and money. It almost felt like Lord William was a test. What I made of that encounter would determine my place here.
“It’s not your say.” My voice was clipped. “Thank you again, Lennox.” The dismissal was painted through my sentiment.
His regard leveled on mine, cutting through my skin. His mouth pressed together, his head bobbing.
“Good night, my lady,” he said stiffly, throwing open the door and shutting it behind him.
My lids shut at the sound of the door clicking, my body slumping back on the bed, a strange emptiness hollowing out my chest.
Not wanting to think about the events, all the things that could have happened, even the things William said about my family, I headed for the shower where I could wash this entire night off my skin, letting the smell and feel of that man slither down the drain.
Scrubbing my skin raw, the hot water eased my body and mind, making me crave sleep. I wrapped myself in the fluffy robe placed in my bathroom, set on crawling in bed and forgetting this whole night.
Padding toward my bed, a knock tapped on my door, hitching my heart back up into my throat. Instantly it dropped back, remembering Lennox said he would get my shoes. Nervousness at having to face him after the way I practically begged him to stay warmed my cheeks and bubbled my stomach. My response stemmed from fear, pure and simple. I just didn’t want to be alone. I hoped he didn’t think it was anything more than that.
“Thank you for getting…” I opened the door, my sentence falling away.
He leaned against the frame, his green eyes hungry and slow as they moved over me. Cheeks red and his eyes blurry from alcohol, he wavered as he stood, his tongue sliding over his lip.
“Blimey,” he growled, stepping into the room. He gripped my hips, yanking me to him. “If I’d known you’d only be wearing this, I would have come a lot sooner.”
“Theo.” My hands went to his arms, stumbling back as he progressed forward with the grace of a drugged bull. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see you.” He leaned down, kissing me, the smell of whiskey on his breath. “I missed you.”