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A with a lithe, deterance
"I have never left you," he said, pointing out what he knew to be his greatest strength "I enjoy your company far too much There are precious few people in this world about whom I feel similarly"
"I know Bless you I love you for that" She ed a brief smile "That is what has decided my mind You will be steadfast and supportive You do not seek to be someone you are not You inspirea lady We rub along well together"
Ware frowned, considering "Ahts on decoruivemost attractive I would think our friendship and ease of association would lure yougently around her feet "I have co these past days, Ware I have reckless tendencies, just as Welton did I require a certain environment in order to restrain those selfish impulses"
"And I provide this environment"
Amelia beamed at him "Yes Yes, you do"
"Hmm" He rubbed his jaw "And Mitchell inspires your reckless nature?"
"‘Goads’ would be a more apt word choice, but yes, he does"
"I see" Ware smiled wryly "His role sounds more fun than mine"
"Ware!" She looked affronted, which h
"Sorry, love I must be honest In one breath, you point out that I do not seek to be someone I am not--in opposition, I presume, to Mr Mitchell Then in the next breath, you say that I inhibit a part of your nature that you are not proud of Is that not seeking to be someone you are notin a fashion?"
Her lower lip quivered in that way it had when she was upset She set her hands on her hips and demanded, "Do you want ?"
"No" All traces of amusement left him, and he bared the emotions he kept hidden below the surface "I do not think he is the man for you I do not think he deserves you I do not believe he can provide a life that would content you But that does not mean I want to live with only half of you"
Ary"
"Not at you," he said gruffly, reaching for her again He gripped her by the elbows and pulled her close "But I may eventually become so and I do not want that I resent that I can have only the one side of you If you choose me, Amelia, I can make you happy The question left is whether you can make me happy, and I wonder if that is possible if I airl who asked me to kiss her"
"Ware"
She cupped his cheek with her hand, and he nuzzled into it, inhaling the sweet scent of honeysuckle that clung to her
"I do not deserve you," she whispered
"Is that not what Mitchell said to you?" he asked, altering his hold to eainst her teements to make, and you require tiht hie that end, A more"
He felt relief relax the tautness of her spine "Thank you," she said
Ware brushed away the lone tear that stained her cheek, and stepped back
"I am available to you at all times Do not hesitate to seek me out if you have a need"
Amelia nodded, and watched Ware turn about and head toward the lanced around her, feeling lost and alone No one kne she felt, how deeply wounded she was by Colin’s reappearance after all these years
She stilled, her heartbeat stu for a moment over a sudden realization
There was one person who loved Colin as she had One person ould be equally devastated by his betrayal
Knowing Pietro would need comfort as she did, Amelia lifted her skirts and hurried toward the stables
Chapter 15
Francois Depardue assuuely bored expression as he entered the inn in Bristol He took the stairs to the guest rooms above and knocked on the appropriate door A shout of permission for entry was heard fro inside
"Well?" Cartland asked i up from the maps he had spread across the sreat effort that Francois bit back an angry retort With every day that passed, he disliked the brash, arrogant Englished his superiors to have Cartland held in custody until he could ascertain as truly guilty of Leroux’s , they said, he will be close at hand for you to eliminate
They had insisted that Cartland join the search, and the Englishe He was an excellent tracker and even better killer, but those skills were tempered by his mistaken belief in his own superiority
"It appears that Mitchell will be staying with Lord Ware The uess that is due to the presence of Christopher St John"
Cartland smiled "The earl is likely concerned that Mitchell will flee like the coward he is before the challenge can be met"
"So you say," Francois said
The Englishman’s features darkened "I think the presence of Mademoiselle Rousseau has spoiled your teht of her Once, she had been harmless, but he and his men had ensured that she would never be harain Aside froht to Leroux’s killer, his one pleasure in thispaths with Lysette again
His blood heated in anticipation She would fight him, she always did, and she improved with every encounter The harder she resisted him, the more he enjoyed it Now that the Illuminés, on whose behalf she worked, had tasked her with ensuring either Cartland or Mitchell paid for Leroux’s death, he iined his inevitable domination of her body would be that ht he would welcouessed, which was how he viewed their interference
"Do you have any suggestions for hoe should proceed?" Francois asked
"We could possibly lure the bulk of the guards away, using ht and kill hiuilty, will it?"
Pushing to his feet, Cartland snapped, "I am obviously innocent, or they would not have sent me to find Mitchell!"
"Why, then, is Mademoiselle Rousseau here?" Francois smiled "You think she is merely present to observe and support my efforts? Surely you are not so stupid It ell planned to send you withhas been left to chance You think your spy"--he gestured to the stocky ives you an advantage, but you are wrong"
"What do you suggest we do?" Cartland’s face flushed
Francois debated aover a woman Perhaps she is the key to his confession"
The Englishman paled "You think to take St John’s sister-in-law? Are you insane?"
"Surely he cannot be as fearsome as is rumored," Francois scoffed
"You’ve no notion," Cartland muttered Then his features took on a ainperhaps you are right" He sly "I will think of a way Give ed, but inwardly he was o eat downstairs Either of you care to join me?"
"No We both have work to do"