Page 88

She took it cautiously and downed the entire glass.

Ian took the glass from her fingers, a jolt of energy spreading through his entire body as their skin touched. She felt it, too. He knew by the startled look in her eyes, by the shivers that ran across her body.

“Would you like more water?”

She licked her lips, gathering the drops, and nodded. “That water is very tasty.”

Ian chuckled as he poured her another glass and handed it to her. “Welcome to the Highlands.”

And just like that, he was ready to move back home for her. Well, not home exactly, he would never live in this house even if someone paid him. But he would buy a piece of land, get a few sheep, and live a quiet, peaceful life, looking after Laney as she ran through the hills and climbed trees. The seaside air might aid Helen’s recovery as well.

One smile and grateful word from Helen and he was ready to uproot his life. But the perfect image was shattered as easily as it was created. Because Helen asked, “Why did you tell your sister that we are married?”

Ian choked on air. Somehow, he didn’t expect her to ask him that this soon. He knew she would, and he should have prepared himself better for this question. But he was too preoccupied with dreaming of a simple, uncomplicated life.

“What was I supposed to tell her? That I brought my mistress to my father’s house?” He smiled to soften the blow of his harsh words. There was no other way to say it. Or if there was, he didn’t have enough time to think of it.

“You could have said that we met along the way, and I was sick so you took it upon your kind heart to accompany me to safety.” She handed him the half-empty glass, and he settled it on the bedside table.

“And settle you into the servants’ quarters?” That thought was unimaginable. “Because that’s where my father would have situated you.”

“I wouldn’t have minded servants’ accommodations.” She fiddled with the sleeves of her nightgown, stretching them over her knuckles, hiding her hands but not from him, more out of habit.

“Well, I would have,” Ian said stonily. He took her hands in his to still her fidgeting and she finally raised her vulnerable gaze to his. “Helen, you’re not just a travel companion. I hope you know that you mean a lot to me.”

“Do I?”

The question almost undid him. The idea that she truly doubted his feelings toward her made his insides tighten unpleasantly. But of course, she didn’t know. How would she?

Ian ran his thumb over the back of her hand, the pad of his thumb grazing her still scaly skin. He wished he could soothe the angry spots as much as he wished he could soothe her worries.

“Do you remember that night at the Payne ball when we danced on the balcony? The moment our hands touched, I knew I never wanted to stop touching you. That was the moment I realized I wanted you for myself. Forever.”

Her eyes fell closed, and her breath caught, but she shook her head. “How do I know it’s not a lie? How do I ever believe you after what you’ve done?”

Ian raked his fingers through his hair in agitation. “How can I prove to you that I am sincere?”

She looked away for a moment, her brows furrowed. When she looked back, her eyes were filled with resolve. “Tell me the truth. Who are you? And why were you spying on Jarvis?”

Jarvis. Ian gritted his teeth. He quite disliked that she called her cousin-in-law by his first name. It implied a certain kind of intimacy. And even though he knew that it was a familial intimacy, he didn’t want her to address any of the male species by their Christian name ever, except for him. Then he let out a breath and answered simply, “I’m a spy.”

“I gathered that much,” the saucy woman replied. “For whom?”

“The King.”

“The King? You work for the King?” She cried as a quick grimace passed her features as though a sharp pain assailed her body. But she quickly restored her composure.

Ian looked around the room uncomfortably. Confiding in Helen was the easiest thing in the world. But he worried there could be eyes on them here, even if he’d ensured that the place was secure the moment he’d arrived. “Yes. Just don’t shout about it, please. I don’t want the entire household to hear about this.”

“Does your family not know?”

Ian snorted. “Nobody knows, Helen. Just you and the people I work with.”

“And Jarvis.” She shrugged. “Although he told me you work for some brotherhood… of fists?”

“The Brotherhood of the Crimson Fist? He told you that?”

She nodded.