Page 73 of How To Tempt A Bodyguard

"How does a marquess's daughter become Madam Tansley?"

"After I was ruined, Father was going to force me into a marriage to a man I didn’t respect." She met his gaze. "I sought out Madam Tansley for help."

He was quiet, absorbing this. The wagon creaked along. A bird called somewhere in the distance.

"I've met him, you know," she said hesitantly. "The current Lord Carrick. In Society."

His hands tightened on the reins. "When?"

"Several times, over the years. Before his last divorce." She kept her voice steady. "We moved in similar circles."

"Did he court you?"

"No." She paused. "He propositioned me."

Matthew went very still. "What?"

"He wanted me as his mistress. I refused." She could still remember Carrick's smile. Charming on the surface, rotten underneath. "He's held a grudge ever since."

"He touched you?"

"No."

"But he wanted to." Matthew's voice had dropped to something low and dangerous. "My brother looked at you and wanted you for himself."

"Matthew."

"He was in the same room as you. Breathed the same air. Thought about…" His jaw clenched so hard she heard his teeth grind.

"Yes, and he hasn’t given up."

He fell silent. A vein in his temple jumped.

"How did he find out?" Matthew asked finally. "That you're Tansley?"

"I don't know." The question had haunted her for weeks. "I received a letter. No warning, no preamble. He just knew. My name, my identity, everything."

"A spy."

"Most likely. Someone I trusted." The betrayal still stung. "Someone who sold me to the highest bidder."

"What’s to happen when we get to Edinburgh?"

"I am to send the magistrate a message with the location. The evidence will speak for itself." She pulled her cloak tighter. "And then I'll hunt down the traitor."

Matthew nodded slowly. But he wasn't looking at the road anymore. He was staring at something she couldn't see, some distant point, some memory, some calculation playing out behind his eyes.

His hands had gone still on the reins. The horse plodded on without guidance, following the rutted track.

"He propositioned you." The words came out quiet. Too quiet. "Looked at you and decided he wanted you."

She dared not say anything more.

"My brother." A muscle in his jaw spasmed. "My brother saw you and thought he could have you."

"I refused him. It was years ago."

His silence shifted the air around them. There was something dangerous gathering, something barely contained.