Nicole Jordan (48 page)

Venus gave a faint shudder, but then squared her shoulders, as if steeling herself to admit her guilt. “It was my task to seduce Nathaniel. To learn any secrets I could about the Guardians. We suspected he was one of you because he had traveled to Cyrene before on several occasions.” Venus paused. “I regret to say that I played on Nathaniel’s tender feelings for me.”

“And what secrets did you learn?” the baronet queried softly.

Raising her gaze, she met Sir Gawain’s with courage. “I persuaded him to tell me about Cyrene, about his work for the Foreign Office. He thought it was safe to share such confidences, since he had no idea Thomas was my brother. Then Thomas made the mistake of visiting my club twice in one week, and Nathaniel began to fear that we were lovers, that I was in league with Thomas and selling secrets to the French. The next time Nathaniel shared my bed, he demanded to know what I knew about Thomas and warned me to keep away from him.”

“He was attempting to protect you,” Thorne interjected.

“I believe so. He wouldn’t accuse me without proof. But then he followed Thomas to Sussex and discovered that my brother was hip-deep in treason. Two days after Nathaniel’s return to London, Thomas lured him to a rendezvous and murdered him.”

Her voice wavered. “His death was a tragedy, and I bear some of the blame. I should have known how Thomas would act when cornered.” She turned to look sadly at Diana. “I am so very sorry. Nathaniel had great affection for you and spoke fondly of you.”

Diana’s throat constricted at this reminder of her dear cousin, but before she could reply, Thorne broke in.

“You never suspected your brother would kill Nathaniel?”

“No,” Venus answered. “Thomas lied to me, pretending he only wanted to use Nathaniel to bring down Sir Gawain. I would have tried to stop him had I known.”

“But he recently ordered your footmen to kill me. And nearly got Diana killed in the process.”

Venus winced. “I know. I regret that terribly. But I had no sway over my brother by then. His hatred had blinded him to all rational thought.” She turned to the baronet. “I make no excuses, Sir Gawain. I sought your downfall. But in the end I couldn’t continue.”

“So what caused your change of heart?” the baronet asked gently.

“I realized that enough blood had been shed. And I couldn’t bear the thought of anyone else dying as Nathaniel Lunsford had.”

“You are aware that you committed treason, madam? Some would say you should hang.”

“No!” Diana exclaimed without thinking. She bit her lip when she saw the entire company eyeing her. “Forgive me, Sir Gawain, but I have come to know Venus over the past months. She is not evil, certainly nothing like her brother. I don’t believe she deserves to hang. I would even venture to say that under similar circumstances, you would have acted as she did. You would have sided with your brother against the very people who killed your parents. Please…don’t you think she has suffered enough?”

At her impassioned plea, Sir Gawain looked thoughtful. “The question is,” he asked Venus slowly, “can you be trusted in future?”

“I
can,
” she answered emphatically. “I swear it. If you give me the chance, I will prove it to you.”

“There are alternatives to hanging, of course. I could send you to live on a remote island, where you would remain under the Guardians’ watchful eye.”

“Or she could return to London,” Thorne volunteered, “and work in our behalf.”

Sir Gawain’s faint smile was dry. “You are suggesting that I recruit her to work for the Foreign Office?”

“Precisely. She already knows a great deal about us. And with her gaming club in the heart of London, she has significant opportunities to interact with our enemies. Even more to the point, I have rarely met a more clever adversary than Madam Venus. We would do well to have her on our side.”

“Mr. Yates, what is your opinion? Would we be foolish to take such a risk when Madam Venus played a part in Nathaniel’s murder and the attempts on Thorne’s life?”

John Yates answered with grave reluctance. “I believe the risk would be worthwhile. She did, after all, try to stop her brother this last time.”

Sir Gawain glanced at each of the other three men—all of whom offered brief comments of approval—before he returned his attention to Venus. “Could you stomach entering my employment, working for the same man you have despised for so long?”

Venus looked a little taken aback by the proposal, but after a moment, she replied quietly. “I no longer despise you as I once did, Sir Gawain.”

Thorne made one other point. “I would be willing to keep a close eye on her in London. If she strays, you can always deal with her then.”

Sir Gawain’s blue eyes shimmered with humor. “It seems you have a number of advocates, Madam Venus. And I confess, I do feel somewhat responsible for the difficult course your life took. I suspect perhaps we can come to some mutually beneficial arrangement. You will be my guest here until I make my decision.” The baronet rose then. “If you will accompany Yates, he will have someone escort you to your chamber…and find some appropriate clothing for you, as well.”

“Thank you, Sir Gawain,” Venus said humbly. There was vast relief in her tone, and when she met Diana’s gaze, her green eyes were filled with gratitude. In response, Diana squeezed her hand, offering silent encouragement.

The other gentlemen stood when Venus and Diana did, and they watched as the madam was ushered from the room by Yates.

Thorne waited until the door had shut before eyeing Sir Gawain. “You have already made your decision, haven’t you, sir?”

“Yes.” The baronet gave a faint smile. “I am persuaded she deserves the chance to redeem herself in service to the Guardians. But I intend to proceed with caution.”

He looked at Alex Ryder. “Mr. Ryder, I wish you to escort Madam Venus to London, where you will keep a close watch on her. More important, you will find several commissions for her to perform.”

“With the intent of testing her resolve?” Ryder asked.

“Precisely. I trust you will be able to resist the lovely madam’s formidable charms?”

Ryder laughed softly. “I will endeavor to restrain myself.”

Sir Gawain’s attention then shifted to the tallest gentleman. “Mr. Deverill, if I recall, you have personal business that takes you to London soon?”

“Yes. I thought to sail next week.”

“Will you do me the kindness of transporting the lovely madam in your ship?”

“Of course, Sir Gawain.”

“Excellent. When you return to Cyrene, we can discuss your next duties. Mr. Deverill,” Sir Gawain explained to Diana, “has spent the past year in foreign waters, ridding the seas of pirates. But we are eager for him to rejoin us.”

Thus addressed, Diana took the opportunity to express her gratitude. “Sir Gawain, please allow me to thank you for showing Venus such leniency.”

“I assure you, the obligation is all mine, Miss Sheridan. You have done us an immense service. Now, I pray you will forgive me. There are several other important matters requiring my attention. And I am certain you and Lord Thorne have your own matters to discuss.”

With a gentle smile, he bowed deeply over her hand, then turned away.

Just as Sir Gawain left the study, however, John Yates returned.

Ryder flashed the younger man an amused grin. “I hear you are now leg-shackled to Miss Sheridan’s cousin. My condolences.”

Yates returned a sheepish smile. “Condolences are not in order in this case. I consider myself extremely fortunate. I thought my suit had utterly failed, but then Miss Lunsford decided she couldn’t live without me.”

“I wish you happy,” Deverill said, his tone somewhat dubious.

“So, Thorne,” Ryder interjected wickedly, “when is your wedding to be?”

Thorne’s gaze locked with Diana’s, the look in his eyes enigmatic. “That is for Miss Sheridan to decide.”

He was leaving it to her to break the news that their betrothal was over, Diana realized, feeling a sudden depression at the reminder. But now was not the time to announce their broken engagement.

Yates seemed to agree, for he bowed to her before addressing his friends. “If you will excuse me, I need to return to the ship and fetch my bride. If I know Amy, she will be wild with impatience, wanting to learn how events unfolded.”

“Yes,” Ryder added, “I must also take my leave and return to interrogating our prisoners. It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Sheridan. You must be a very special lady to have snared”—he clapped Thorne on the back—“this reckless makebate. I trust you will keep him in line.”

“It is certainly a pleasure, Miss Sheridan,” Deverill seconded. “If I can help in any way, you need only ask.”

“And I, as well, señorita,” Verra added.

Diana managed a faint smile of appreciation, but when she turned toward the door, Thorne held up a hand to forestall her. “Wait here for me, will you, love? I need to confer with these three a moment.”

Before she could reply, he had followed his colleagues from the study.

Left with little choice, Diana sank down on the settee to await him. It was only a few moments before she suddenly felt a great weariness settle over her.

The worry and uncertainty of the past days, the terror of seeing Thorne nearly die, had left her emotions in shreds, her spirits enervated. But it was the thought of what was to come that filled her with a terrible despondency. Simply put, she faced a bleak, empty future without Thorne.

Feeling the sting of threatening tears, Diana dragged a hand furiously over her eyes. Now that she knew he was safe, she should begin thinking about her next steps, begin making plans to return to London. But the future yawned like a dark, wide chasm before her, and she didn’t know if she could bear it.

When Thorne returned a moment later, Diana straightened and set her jaw, trying to swallow the ache in her throat. She didn’t want him to see her cry.

To her dismay, he sat beside her on the settee and took her hand in his, sending an unexpected jolt of warmth surging through her. Perhaps he meant to comfort her, but her entire body stiffened at the contact, for his mere touch was pure agony.

“I mean to get you settled,” Thorne began, “but we have a few issues to discuss first. Chiefly the matter of where you will stay tonight. Amy will go home with her new husband, of course, and it would be highly improper for you to live alone with me at my villa. I don’t intend to offer the gossips any more fodder for scandal.”

The knot in Diana’s stomach coiled more tightly. Was Thorne saying good-bye to her? Telling her it was time for them to part?

No,
her heart cried silently.
I can’t.

Leaving him would be like cutting out her heart.

Taking a deep breath, Diana raised her gaze to his. “I don’t care anything about the scandal, Thorne. I want to stay with you.”

She felt him go still, felt his searching eyes examining her face.

“As your lover, not your wife,” she added in a small voice. “I know you want nothing to do with marriage. And even though you were nobly prepared to sacrifice your freedom out of honor, I can’t allow that. But I am willing to stay with you as your mistress.”

The sudden silence in the room was palpable. Diana could hear her heart thudding as she waited for his answer.

Thorne’s gaze narrowed on her. “There is only one problem,” he said mildly. “I could never be content with only an affair.”

Feeling a sob well up in her chest, Diana averted her face while she strove for control. She was willing to plead with him, to beg if need be, but she couldn’t manage to speak just now without succumbing to tears, and weeping helplessly would only give Thorne a disgust of her.

His fingers tightened around her hand. “Look at me, Diana.”

He waited, but she gave a sharp shake of her head, unable to comply.

“I think,” he said finally, “I gave you a mistaken impression of my feelings about matrimony. I’m not averse to marriage. I have only been waiting for the right woman. One who could prove my match. You’re my match in every way, sweeting. I’ve known it for some time—since the night we nearly died together in that coach.” He paused, his voice dropping to a low murmur. “Until you, I never found a woman I wanted for my wife, one who would face danger at my side. But it took me a while to admit to myself how much I love you.”

Not certain she had heard him correctly, Diana turned to stare at him. “You…love me?”

“More than I ever thought possible.” His mouth curling in a wry smile, he glanced down at their entwined fingers. “It shocked the devil out of me, to tell the truth. I never expected to fall madly in love with anyone, the way I fell madly for you.” He brought her hand to his chest, directly over his heart. “I’ve never felt this yearning ache inside. I’ve never felt anything so profound.”

Speechless, Diana stared at Thorne with amazement and disbelief and a wild, burgeoning joy. She had never let herself imagine such a possibility.

“I must be dreaming,” she whispered, feeling tears spill from her eyes. “I never dared hope you could come to love me.”

Muttering a low curse, Thorne captured her face in his hands, brushing the wetness away with his thumbs. “You aren’t dreaming, sweetheart. My love for you is very, very real. Diana…”

He hesitated, his gaze searching her face earnestly. “I only hope to God I can prove myself worthy of you. You were hurt by your first love, but I swear, I will never do the same to you, if you’ll only give me the chance. If you can trust your heart to me, I vow on my life, I will never betray you.”

Diana felt her own heart wrench at his intensity. The vulnerable look in his eyes, the plea she saw there, told her more than words how utterly sincere his confession was.

Recognizing the fervent feelings that shimmered in the hazel depths, she made a sound that was part sob, part laughter. She wanted Thorne desperately, but the yearning ache inside her, the fierce need that suffused her entire being, was far, far more than desire.

“You already have my heart, Thorne,” she whispered. “You have for a long time. It was only when I thought you might die that I realized how badly I’ve lied to myself. I tried futilely not to love you, but it was impossible.”