Page 13 of Redemption

“Why don’t you say your goodbyes here. I can take you through my brother’s study to the front hall. It will save you from the noise and heat of the ballroom.” At his offer, relief swept across Rhea’s pale features, and she nodded.

“Thank you.”

When Rhea and her aunt had kissed each other’s cheek in farewell, Foxworth bid Rhea good night as well. The man’s remark as to a horse he was loaning her made Percy tuck the odd fact away in his brain. A few short moments later, he guided Rhea through Sebastian’s study and into the main entryway. Here the music was still loud, but not as clamorous as in the ballroom. Percy ordered Rhea’s carriage brought to the front of the house then turned to face her. Wan and forlorn-looking, she sank down onto one of the Queen Anne chairs situated against the entryway’s wall. Frowning, he moved to her side.

“Are you feeling faint again?”

“I’m fine,” she said with just a hint of annoyance. “I don’t faint.”

“Perhaps,” he acknowledged with a bob of his head. “But you came close to doing so earlier.”

Rhea’s only response was a sniff of exasperation. The wait for her carriage was a short one. When the footman informed them her vehicle was ready, Percy escorted Rhea out the front door to the vehicle. As he opened the carriage door, her hand lightly touched his arm.

“Is it really your intention to find Ruckley?” There was a small note of panic running beneath the quietly spoken question.

“Can you blame me?” Percy said with suppressed anger at Ruckley’s callous, cowardly act. “The man shot me in the back. That’s not something I’m willing to walk away from.”

“I understand your desire for justice, but you’ll not find it. Not where Ruckley is concerned.” There was a conviction in her voice that infuriated him. He wasn’t about to let Ruckley escape responsibility for any of his crimes, and he found it damned frustrating that Rhea was unwilling to bring the man to justice.

“I don’t understand why you’re so hell-bent on protecting a man who clearly forced you to do things against your will.”

“I am not protecting Ruckley.” Her sharp reply held the sting of a whip cracking through the air between them. “I’m trying to save lives.”

“Elaborate.” His demand made her features become devoid of emotion.

“I don’t deny the terrible crime Ruckley inflicted on you, but you were one of the lucky ones. He’s done far worse than you could possibly imagine to others,” she said fiercely as a look of horror flickered in her gaze. “There are lives at stake. Lives that are precious to me, and I’ll not help you if it means jeopardizing their safety.”

With a sharp gesture Rhea silently asked for his assistance to enter the carriage. The moment her hand slid into his, an intense need to keep her with him crashed through him. There was a possessiveness to the sensation that startled him. He’d experienced the desire to keep Nellie safe from harm, but that emotion paled in comparison to what he felt where Rhea was concerned. It was primal and territorial at the basest of levels. The knowledge made him uneasy.

Percy caught a glimpse of a decidedly feminine ankle and calf as Rhea entered the carriage. A knot formed in his throat until he was forced to roll his head slightly to alleviate the pressure his collar was applying to it. Every inch of him was taut with tension, and he suddenly realized his fingers were wrapped tightly around the side of the carriage door. Vaguely, he noted his knuckles were white before he met Rhea’s violet gaze.

Her icy expression had softened to one of resignation. As they stared at each other, color rose in her cheeks. Once more the need to pull her from the carriage and keep her with him barreled through him like a wild bull. Rhea leaned forward slightly to touch his hand that still gripped the vehicle’s door frame.

“Finding Ruckley isn’t the problem, Percy. It’s what will happen when you do,” she said softly. There was a look of concern on her face that said she wasn’t simply worried about others. She was apprehensive for his safety as well. “Ruckley is not to be underestimated. He won’t hesitate to shoot you a second time, and this time he will kill you.”

“Your concern for my safety is appreciated, but unwarranted,” he said as he heard the fear in her voice. It pleased him that she was worried about him.

Percy released his grip on the carriage door to capture her hand in his. With his gaze locked with hers, Percy carried her hand to his mouth. He caressed her fingertips with his lips before he slowly turned her hand over. As his thumb brushed over her skin then pressed down to feel her pulse, Rhea inhaled a sharp breath.

The sound stirred the devil in him as he proceeded to kiss the inside of her wrist. A tremor reverberated out of her and into his hand. He looked up at her to see an expression on her face that said she’d enjoyed the caress. The moment her gaze locked with his, she tugged against his grasp, and he released her with great reluctance.

“I shall remind you of your concern for my welfare the next time we meet.” Percy stepped back and closed the door of the carriage.

“There willnot be a next time, Mr. Rockwood,” she snapped.

“Oh, you can count on it, Miss Bennett,” he said mockingly before he ordered the driver to move along. The carriage rocked forward, and he saw a look of dismay on Rhea’s face as the vehicle disappeared into the dark. Rhea Bennett would be seeing a great deal more of him than she realized. The cheerful thought made him grin as he returned to the house. He was looking forward to paying a call at Green Hill House tomorrow.