Page 77 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke

“Yes.”

Jane lowered her voice slightly. “You think it will happen again?”

“I think caution is warranted.”

“That is not what I asked.”

Hector looked at her properly then. Fully. For once there was no distraction or crowd between them. “I think,” he said, more carefully, “that we have drawn the sort of attention we cannot afford.”

Jane felt her stomach tighten. “From Strachan?” she whispered, careful not to have anyone hear the name of the criminal.

“From people who might be connected to him.”

That name again. Always circling them now like a shadow that refused to settle. Jane folded her arms. “So what, you intend to stop working together?”

“I intend to limit our exposure. I am trying to keep you alive, my lady.”

The words hit home.

Hector’s expression shifted slightly, as if he regretted the edge in his voice but not the truth behind it.

Jane’s voice lowered. “I didn’t ask you to do that.”

“I know,” Hector said. “But I am doing it anyway.”

Something unspoken passed between them then, too sharp to name, too close to ignore. He stepped closer. So close that Jane could feel the heat emanating off of him, but not close enough that he was touching her. Jane’s breath hitched, and she made a small moaning sound that made Hector’s eyes darken with desire.

His jaw tightened slightly. “We shall proceed when I have more certainty.”

Jane turned back to him. “And… until then?”

“Distance.”

Silence fell between them again. Around them, the world continued: laughter, horses, applause from someone in the distance. None of it reached them.

Hector finally spoke again. “I want you to know… This is not personal, my lady.”

Jane let out a short, humorless breath. “Itfeelspersonal.”

His gaze flickered just for a second, desire flooding his eyes. Then it was gone again. “I will send word,” he said, “when it is safe to continue.”

Jane searched his expression for something else. Anything else. But he had already stepped back into control.

“I see,” she said finally.

Hector gave a slight nod, then after a pause that felt longer than it should have, he turned slightly as if to leave.

Jane spoke before she could stop herself. “Your Grace.”

He stopped. “Yes?”

Her throat tightened briefly. “Be careful.”

He inclined his head. “Always, my lady.”

And then he was gone.

Jane stood still for a moment longer than necessary, watching the space where he had been until the crowd swallowed it entirely. Only then did she realize Lavinia had returned, observing her carefully from a few steps away.