Page 98 of Outrageous

“I have to admit I was surprised, as well.”

Godric’s eyes narrowed and his lips curved into an odd smile.

“Why are you looking at me that way?”

His eyebrows jumped and he smirked in a way that made her legs weak. “What way is that?”

Eva gave an exaggerated sigh. “I’m not in the mood.”

“I was just imagining you, holding your own against her, even when she had a gun on you.” He grinned. “You really are quite something, aren’t you? You didn’t need me and poor Andrew to come rescue you at all.”

Eva scowled and tried to ignore the warm rush of pleasure she felt at the admiring look in his eyes. “I can’t believe you brought Andrew along with that wretched gun of his.”

“He did his best. But I am going to make him put that gun back to its original state.”

“I don’t want my father to know about any of this,” Eva bit out.

He blinked. “What?”

“You know what he will do if he hears about Flynn and what happened.”

“Yes, he will use his political clout to have them hunted down like the deserter scum they are. And I shall help right along with him.”

“Oh? In spite of the fact you just gave me your word?”

“Eva—”

“Aside from giving me your word, what do you think Flynn and his gang will say when they are brought to book and some of them decide to tell their stories? Will you let all this”—she waved a hand to encompass everything—“become fodder for newspapermen?”

Eva could see she’d struck the mark.

Godric nodded his head, his expression reluctant. “You have a point. All right,” he said with a heavy sigh, “this shall stay between us.”

“You need to tell Andrew that.”

He nodded absently, his mind on something else. “You’d better get cleaned up.” He hesitated, his jaw flexing. “Your father asked to speak to me. What is Byer doing here?” She could tell by the slight flush over his cheekbones that he’d not wanted to ask the question.

“He came in Gabriel’s stead,” Eva said.

“Is that it? Or was there some agreement between you?”

Eva’s eyes widened. “Agreement?”

He gave her a look of annoyance. “Yes, agreement—Eva—of a romantic nature.”

“With Tommy?”

“He wants to marry you,” he pressed on, his jaw tight, his expression dogged.

“He’s like a brother to me, Godric.”

He snorted. “I hope Byer doesn’t look at his sisters the way he was looking at you.”

“Tommy doesn’t have any sisters,” she said rather stupidly, too stunned at the implications of his words to come up with anything better.

Godric snorted and then turned away to gather his few things before opening the door to Andrew’s room. “I shall see you down in the parlor.” He shut the door to her chambers and Eva collapsed into the nearest chair.

Tommy in love with her?