A Persistant Attraction (10 page)

In the ensuing silence, Amanda fought the urge to squirm in her seat. How could she explain without giving herself away? “Aunt Claire, I—” Her aunt held up her hand. “I don’t expect an explanation, unless of course I have grown more forgetful than I thought.”

Her aunt gave her a piercing stare, and Amanda shook her head to indicate that her aunt’s mind was perfectly sound.

“You have never given me reason to distrust you. You have, however, been behaving strangely lately.”

“I—”

Once again, her aunt stopped her from speaking with an outstretched arm. “Allow me to finish. Then I will hear your protests.” Amanda nodded.

“You are keeping to yourself more than usual when you are home, and you are voluntarily spending time with Mr. Stanton, a man you have previously professed to strongly dislike. I’m concerned about you, Amanda. If something is bothering you, I want you to share it with me.”

Amanda started to speak again but stopped. Aunt Claire smiled. “Go ahead. I’m finished.”

“I’m sorry I’ve worried you. I…” What could she possibly say to explain her behavior without giving away what was really going on? “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking toward my future.”

Her aunt’s eyes lit up. “Are you rethinking your position on marriage?”

“No.” Amanda answered quickly, but she wondered why she felt a twinge of sadness. She lusted for Rhys but she didn’t want to be saddled with him as a husband. “I am simply trying to think how I can live my life without becoming a burden to anyone.” Her aunt nodding, smiling. “You will find a way to do whatever you desire. I cannot imagine you being a burden to anyone.”

Amanda smiled and squeezed her aunt’s hand. “Thank you.”

“Now how does Mr. Stanton figure into this?”

“He doesn’t. I simply realized I’d been ever so harsh on him months ago and thought perhaps I could make up for my rudeness.”

Her aunt eyed her skeptically. “I see. Be careful, dear. He is a dangerous man.”

“He suspects you secretly like him.”

Aunt Claire smiled. “I do, just as I like Mark. However, I recognize the dangerous element in both of them.”

“I have no intention of being intimidated by a man as arrogant and insufferable as Mr. Stanton.”

Her aunt gave a knowing smile. “I’m sure you don’t, but it is not usually our intentions which get us into trouble.” Aunt Claire rose. “Thank you for taking the time to talk with me. I am happy to listen if there is anything else you decide to tell me. You are as dear to me as if you were my own daughter.”

“Thank you.” Amanda stood and hugged her aunt.

“And I trust there are no other mysterious articles of clothing you need to retrieve from my room.”

Amanda’s cheeks heated. “No, there are not.”

“Good.”

Amanda sagged against her door after seeing her aunt out. She would have to be extremely careful returning her father’s letters. Aunt Claire wouldn’t let her off so easily a second time.

*

Rhys paced in the side garden of Amanda’s aunt’s townhouse. He’d arrived at least a quarter hour early and let himself in the gate. He wanted to be certain there was no one about besides the guards he had posted.

He felt jittery as a young buck at his first ball. He had to do something about this need for Amanda. He lusted after her body, but far worse, he desired her approval as well. He’d considered trying to expunge this need by visiting one of the numerous women who’d recently given him open invitations to their beds. But the truth was, such an evening might be enjoyable but ultimately it would be disappointing. None of those women could compare to Amanda. Right now, she was all his traitorous body wanted.

Simply arguing with her was as stimulating as many nights he’d spent in bed with bored wives of the
ton
.

Why had he allowed himself to get into this position? He’d known his feelings for Amanda were dangerous from the day they’d met. He should have run the other way and never looked back.

As soon as he knew she was safe, he would leave town for several months. A visit to his estate in Cornwall was long overdue. Perhaps a few nights in the arms of a soft, accommodating country lass would ease the restlessness he’d been feeling since he came to London.

A squeak echoed across the garden. He looked up. A lithe form he knew to be Amanda appeared at the edge of the balcony. His heart dropped to his stomach when she swung one leg over and began to lower herself to the ground.

Amanda heard footsteps rushing toward her. All she could do was pray Rhys had arrived early. It was too late for her to hoist herself back over the balcony now. She was committed to the drop.

When arms wrapped around her legs, she shrieked. A hand clamped over her mouth and someone jerked her away from the wall.

“Hush. It’s me.”

Rhys’s voice. She stopped struggling. He removed his hand and let her slide down his body until she reached the ground.

“Why did you do that? You could have hurt us both.”

“My heart nearly stopped. Is that how you escaped before?”

“
Your
heart nearly stopped? I didn’t know who you were. For a second, I thought—”

“I’m sorry. I did not intend to frighten you, merely to keep you from breaking your neck.”

“I assure you, I am perfectly capable of jumping such a short distance.” He snorted. “I have a hack waiting just down the street. We can finish this discussion during our ride.”

He turned toward the garden gate, and she followed him, almost forgetting that she shouldn’t take his arm since she was pretending to be a boy.

As soon as they were settled in the hack, she told Rhys what she’d learned from her father’s letters, hoping the information would make him forget her methods of escaping the house. She explained that her father had become indebted to Lord Reddington and mentioned the possibility that he’d entered another such idiotic venture.

“I think his need for such a large sum of money warrants investigating. I’ll see that my contacts make some discreet inquiries into his financial affairs.” She started to question who these contacts were once more, but the hack came to a stop.

Rhys moved to sit beside her and took her hand. “Under no circumstances will you leave my side tonight. I want you within arm’s reach at all times.” She started to speak, but he put a finger over her mouth. “Keep your eyes down when we go in. Do not return any of the stares you may receive.”

She started to reply, but he all but pulled her from the vehicle. Before they went inside, he gave her an assessing glance from head to foot. She watched him, wanting to laugh at the consternation on his face as he shook his head and sighed. “Only a blind man would believe you were a boy. You are far too lovely for even the most effeminate lad.”

Amanda looked down at herself. She’d bound her breasts so tightly they ached. She couldn’t help the fact that the breeches were a bit snug. They were made to fit a boy of twelve or so. The shirt fit well to her eye. It hid her breasts completely. “I did my best.”

“It’s not going to work. Perhaps the other customers will think you are a courtesan with whom I like to play exotic games. At least it’s dark inside.” Amanda wasn’t sure she wanted to know what such games would entail. As they neared the door, she glanced toward the alley where she’d hidden two nights before and shivered. Rhys reached for her hand and squeezed it. “I doubt they will be hiding there again. But just in case, some of my men are following us. They will take care of anyone who is so foolish.”

Amanda pulled her hand free and faced him. “How do you know where I hid?”

“You told me. You said you hid in the alley and were attacked.”

“I said I hid, but I never said where.”

“Yes, you did. Come on. Let’s go inside.” He put his hand on her back and pushed her toward the entrance.

Had she told him? She didn’t think so. But how else would he know? Reluctantly, she followed him through the door.

The taproom was dark. She stumbled over something as she followed Rhys to a corner table. Considering the filth of her surroundings, she didn’t want to contemplate what might have gotten under her feet. For the most part, she kept her gaze down as Rhys had instructed, but she couldn’t resist the temptation to glance up occasionally. A few other women were there, obviously creatures of the night. They looked so dirty and malnourished, she didn’t know how they attracted customers. Of course most of the men appeared too drunk to know who they were talking to. Perhaps that was the answer.

Loud laughter echoed through the taproom which smelled of ale and sweat. She had no intention of admitting it, but she was thankful for Rhys’s presence. This was not a place she would want to enter on her own, no matter how well-armed she was.

Rhys found a table and ordered them each a pint of ale. He looked at her sharply when she took a sip of hers, but he’d ordered it for her. Did he really expect her not to taste it?

Her back was to the room, but she could feel eyes watching her. She started to turn around, but Rhys reached across the table to restrain her arm. “Don’t move. The last thing we need is you attracting more attention than you already have.”

“You think some of the men here have figured out I’m female?”

“Several of them appear quite interested in you whatever gender they’ve taken you for.”

Before he could say anything else, a man approached his table and nearly collapsed against it. He smelled like stale urine, and Amanda fought to keep from gagging.

“Is he yours?” he asked Rhys, jerking his thumb toward Amanda.

Rhys visibly tensed. “Yes.” The “s” came out like a hiss.

“Shame,” the man said. He started to turn away then looked back at Rhys. “I don’t suppose you’d consider sharing. I’d be willing to offer you plenty.” He pulled some coins from his pocket and flashed them at Rhys.

“No deal.”

The stranger started to say something else, but Rhys gripped his arm tightly. “We’d appreciate if you’d leave us alone.”

“You can’t blame a man for trying,” he said and stumbled away.

Amanda couldn’t understand why someone would offer money for her. Did he really need a servant that badly? Surely there were plenty of lads around who’d be willing to work for a few coins?

Rhys pushed his chair away from the table. “We’re leaving now.”

“You got rid of him. Surely he won’t bother us again.” Rhys reached for her arm, but she jerked away. “I’m not leaving.” He expelled a long breath. “There is a man here I recognize. If he were to see me, we could have trouble.”

Reluctantly she stood to follow him. She didn’t want to leave without learning anything about her attacker, but she could see that Rhys was deadly serious.

When they were mere feet away from their waiting hack, a man stepped in front of them, seeming to appear from nowhere. Amanda barely had time to scream before his fist flew out and caught Rhys in the stomach. Her protector stumbled and fell to the ground.

Rhys absorbed the punch and collapsed, hoping his attacker thought he had gained the upper hand. The men Rhys had brought with him would soon join the fight, and he didn’t want his assailant to notice their approach.

He listened intently, ready to spring if the man went after Amanda. But the dolt continued to concentrate on him instead of the easier target.

A swift kick in the ribs left Rhys breathless but not seriously hurt. Amanda screamed. He fought the urge to give away the secret that he was conscious and ready to defend her. Then one of his men grabbed the attacker from behind.

Rhys jumped to his feet and landed a punch in the man’s face just as another man came out of the bar and joined the fight on the wrong side. For a second, Rhys managed to angle himself so he could see Amanda. He motioned for her to run in the direction of the waiting hack, but she didn’t budge.

He prayed she’d come to her senses, but he had to focus on the fight which had grown to five on three, not in his favor.

Relief washed over Amanda when Rhys rose from the ground. For a few sickening moments, she’d thought she would be left alone to defend herself.

As she crouched by the fence that ran along the street in front of the tavern, waiting for a chance to be of assistance, she tried to figure out why none of the men had attacked her. The first assailant had a perfect chance after he’d knocked Rhys down, but he hadn’t even looked at her.

Rhys was the target. Were they trying to get to her by hurting him? Did the man who’d written her think they were lovers or was there something else afoot?

She watched as Rhys easily dispatched the man who’d initially attacked him. Then, spinning impossibly fast, he kicked the man behind him hard enough to knock him to the ground. His movements were graceful, like a dancer.

Why was that so familiar? The answer hit her like a punch. Rhys knew she’d hidden in the alley, because he’d been here. He was the man who’d saved her. She’d been kissing Rhys all along.

Anger coursed through her. How dare he deceive her like that? He’d kissed her that night without any reservation and she’d let him repeat it every night since. What a naïve idiot she’d been.

He could find his way out of this mess well enough. She started to walk to the hack when one of the attackers pulled out a knife. The man rushed forward, aiming at Rhys’s back.

“Nooooooo,” she screamed, startling the man and making him falter. “Rhys!” Rhys turned toward her and saw the man in time to block the arc of his knife arm.

Amanda held her breath while they grappled, her anger forgotten.

The two men fought so closely she couldn’t tell what was happening. It looked as though the assailant had made contact on his second attempt to stab Rhys, but Rhys showed no sign of being injured. He kept fighting as hard as ever.

She contemplated using the pistol she’d stuffed in the pocket of her cloak, but she feared she’d hit Rhys by mistake.

Finally, Rhys landed a kick that knocked the man down. The assailant’s head made a sickening crunch as it hit the stones. He didn’t move again.

“Do we leave them?” The question came from one of Rhys’s allies.

Rhys nodded. “Get out of here. I’ll contact you tomorrow.” He grabbed Amanda’s arm. “Carriage. Now.” His breathing was ragged, and he wove unsteadily. Had he been hurt after all?