A Secret Surrender - Darcy Burke Page 0,60

it? Pushing the topic from her mind, as she’d done relentlessly since he’d asked, Selina quickened her pace. The dome of St. Paul’s came into view, which meant she was nearly to Ivy Lane.

Cutting through an alley, she made her way to the back entrance of the house they were using for the Home for Wayward Children and rapped on the back door. After several long moments, it finally opened to reveal Theresa. She glared at Selina, her eyes glassy. “Why are you ’ere?”

“You’re drunk,” Selina said, pushing past her to get inside. “Where’s Luther?”

“Upstairs. You’re lucky ’e’s still ’ere. Was about ta leave.”

“Be a dear and fetch him, please.” Selina forced a smile. “Remember who’s paying you to take a respite from your real occupation.”

Theresa wiped her hand over her nose, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Who says I’m takin’ a respite?”

Bloody hell. Selina glowered at her furiously. “You better not be servicing clients here.”

With a shrug, Theresa ambled toward the front of the house. Selina followed her, moving into the parlor as Theresa went up the stairs.

A few moments later, Luther came in. “Selina, love.” He grinned broadly as he came toward her, his nearly ebony eyes twinkling.

She smiled in return, releasing the tension Theresa had caused. “I hope you’re keeping a close eye on your ‘wife.’”

Luther waved his hand. “Bah, she’s harmless.”

“She’s drunk.”

“I let her have gin today. Only the second time since we came here.”

Selina doubted that. Theresa had seemed at least a bit muzzy when Selina had visited with Harry. “Well, don’t give her any more.” Selina took a deep breath and fixed him with a steady stare. “You have one more test to pass, I’m afraid.”

“Happy to do it for you,” he said, taking her hand. “Tell me.” He guided her to the settee and pulled her down to sit beside him.

Selina let go of his hand and angled herself toward him. He edged a bit closer, which she should have expected. He made no effort to disguise his interest in her, which he said hadn’t waned in eighteen years. She’d jokingly asked if that meant he’d remained celibate waiting for her. Blushing, he’d apologized because he hadn’t. She’d then assured him it wasn’t at all necessary, particularly since she’d married, giving him the lie she gave everyone. Except her brother, apparently. Perhaps she did trust Rafe a little.

Focusing on the purpose of her errand, Selina said, “On Friday afternoon, Madame Sybila will bring a group of society ladies to see the home. You and Theresa, if she’s sober, will need to show them the children and discuss your plans for expansion. I suspect one of them may suggest a subscription. We don’t want that, so divert the conversation as much as possible.”

He put his arm along the back of the settee so his hand was near her shoulder. “’Twill be no problem at all. I am pleased to do whatever I can to help you.”

“My hope is that the visit will garner enough donations to put an end to this scheme entirely. You should be back to your regular life within the week.” She studied him a moment. “What is your regular life, exactly?”

Luther moved closer, his lips parted in an expression of anticipation. “Why do you want to know? I’m doing well, Lina. Well enough to support a wife.” He winked at her.

Oh hell. She didn’t want to deal with this, not today. She never should have asked about his life. “Then you should take one. And consider leaving this life behind.”

He blinked, his long, dark lashes sweeping over his magnetic eyes. He’d always been handsome. All the girls Selina had known had fancied themselves in love with him. But he’d only ever paid special attention to Selina. She supposed she’d found him attractive, in the way an eleven-year-old girl would find a thirteen-year-old boy attractive. He made her laugh and brought her the occasional pastry he stole from a cart.

Now, however, he was as much a stranger to her as her brother. More so really, because she hadn’t spent much time thinking of him at all during the past eighteen years. Unlike her brother, whom she’d missed and hoped to find.

“Like you have left your past behind?” he teased softly.

For years, she’d told herself she’d done exactly that. But how was that really possible when she was still engaged in criminal acts? Disgust rose within her, and she swallowed a sense of panic. She stiffened her spine in an effort to regain