Page 80 of Redemption

Rhea opened her mouth to reassure him when the image of Ruckley flashed through her head. The memory of Ruckley standing in the salon earlier today threatening Percy made her stomach lurch. How could she admit she loved him knowing they could never be together? The hopelessness of the situation made her release a soft cry, and she burrowed her body into his, one cheek pressed against the soft wool of his jacket. She wanted the world to fall away and simply stay in his arms forever.

It was a pointless wish. Ruckley had to be dealt with, and if Percy knew the truth, he’d insist on dealing with Ruckley himself, but that would be a terrible mistake. She knew exactly what Ruckley would do if she didn’t present herself at the tavern tonight. Fanny would be sacrificed because of her. She could never allow that to happen. If anything, Percy’s words of love only strengthened her resolve to deal with Ruckley on her own terms.

She’d made her deal with the devil, and all that mattered was keeping Percy safe. Clinging to him, she shuddered as Percy’s embrace tightened around her. He pressed his mouth against the top of her head in a tender gesture.

I know you’re afraid, sweetheart, but I know you have the strength and courage to overcome your fear. Don’t let fear keep you—us from having the happiness we both deserve.”

The conviction in his voice made her heart ache painfully. If only things had been different. Rhea lifted her head to look at him. She studied him closely, memorizing his face in the event the worst happened tonight. If Ruckley killed her, she wanted the last thing she saw to be Percy’s strong, patrician features. The instant a tear slid down her cheek, Percy muttered something beneath his breath and wiped the salty drop off her skin. The futility of it all made her draw in a deep breath.

“Why are you crying, my darling?”

“I don’t know,” she lied forcing a watery smile to her lips. His mouth curved slightly.

“I’ll assume it’s because you’re happy.”

With a nod, Rhea pulled his head down and kissed him gently. The strength of him was as comforting as it was enticing. His mouth moved against hers as he deepened their kiss. Visceral and powerful, an abrupt escalation of need tightened her body with wild sensations until it created a pleasurable ache throughout her. Percy’s mouth left hers to blaze a trail of white-hot heat across her cheek and down the side of her throat. Passion pulsed its way through her and increased the fiery sensations taking control of her. She spiked her fingers through his hair, and nipped at his ear with her lips.

“Make love to me, Percy. Make love to me right here—right now. I need you.” At her request, Percy stiffened and jerked his head up to stare down at her.

“Christ Jesus,” he rasped. “I’m beginning to think you truly are more reckless than any Rockwood. It’s madness. If someone were to come—”

The sound of the front door opening made Rhea’s heart sink. Her aunt had returned. If Percy were to say he’d proposed, Aunt Beatrice would insist on Rhea telling him everything. A groan escaped him followed by a low chuckle.

“Your aunt has impeccable timing, especially since you’ve not answered my proposal.”

“Tomorrow,” she whispered. “It’s all so new. I don’t want to share our happiness with anyone just yet.”

It was a lie. There would be no announcement, and certainly not any happiness. The knowledge sliced into her painfully like a blade. Percy eyed her with puzzlement for a brief second then with a nod, he smiled and kissed her quickly.

“Why do I think I’m going to have a difficult time saying no to you for the rest of our lives?”

The wry comment made her smile slightly while her heart split in two. As if sensing something was wrong, he frowned. Fearing he might question her again about her answer to his proposal, Rhea tugged his head down to kiss him. He murmured something against her lips before he quickly set her away from him as Beatrice Fremont’s footsteps announced her approach. Relief rushed through Rhea as she turned to greet her aunt. The older woman smiled with pleasure as she entered the salon.

“Mr. Rockwood, what an unexpected but delightful surprise.”

“Mrs. Fremont,” Percy said with a bow in the woman’s direction as Rhea crossed the floor to kiss the woman’s cheek.

The moment her aunt met her gaze, Rhea’s body tensed with fear. There was a look in the older woman’s eyes that said Beatrice was debating whether or not to mention Ruckley. The thought of putting Percy in harm’s way frightened her more than the thought of what she intended to do tonight. With a forced smile, she touched her aunt’s arm.

“Percy came to invite me to a small party Viscount and Viscountess Compton are hosting this evening.” Not waiting for her aunt to reply, Rhea turned to Percy. “I’ll be ready at a quarter before nine.”

Percy smiled at her and as he moved to stand in front of her, he carried her hand to his mouth. His lips lingered, and the look in his eyes made her want to cling to him once more. The thought she might never see him again filled her with an anguish that tore at every fiber of her being. Impulsively, she kissed his cheek, and he arched his eyebrows at her in a perplexed look. He paused for a brief moment as if to say something then released her hand, bowed in her aunt’s direction and was gone. At the sound of the front door closing, Rhea went limp with relief.

“You didn’t tell him,” Beatrice Fremont said with a sigh.

“No there was little point,” Rhea shook her head in resignation. “I’m doing what’s necessary to protect him and others. I know Ruckley better than anyone else. If I give him what he wants, he’ll honor his word, something I find ironic in someone so vile.”

“But—”

“Please, Aunt Beatrice, don’t argue with me on this. I know what I’m doing.”

Beatrice nodded slowly with obvious displeasure, but didn’t argue any further.

“It will be all right, Aunt Beatrice. I promise.”

Rhea gave her aunt a hug then left the salon to make her way upstairs to change. It would be all right. She was certain of it. Everything would be different tomorrow. Everyone she loved would be far beyond Ruckley’s reach because the man would be dead. She would see to it that Ruckley could never again hurt anyone she loved. It was all that mattered to her. It would be her redemption.

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