Page 63 of Lady Tempts a Rogue

“I heard you tell him it was time for bed. That you sleep better with him beside you.” Stooping, he tried to see beneath the bed. Not an easy task with the bed skirt obstructing his view.

“What?” Her voice pitched high.

He speared her a don’t-you-dare-deny-it scowl.

“You think…?” Trinity giggled, those gorgeous blue eyes sparkling with mirth. “You believe…?”

She dissolved into another fit of giggles.

“I am heartily gratified that you think it is funny,” Devin all but growled.

How could he be simultaneously incensed and wounded to his soul?

Heartbreak was a very real thing, indeed.

“Oh, it is funny. Hilarious, in truth, and when you realize what an…an…” Forehead furrowed and lips pursed, Trinity appeared to search for an appropriate insult before her face lit up. “What an absolute assling you have been, you will grovel at my feet.”

“I think not.” Determined to find the bounder, Devin kneeled, placing one hand on the bed for balance.

A moment later, needles pierced his fingers.

“What the blazes?” He jerked his hand away and met the black eyes of a petite bundle of gray fur.

Grrr. The poodle puppy crouched, his wiggling bottom in the air. Grrr.

“He wants to play with you,” Trinity said softly.

Devin closed his eyes.

Lord, have mercy.

He had made a horrible situation worse.

Much, much worse.

And yes, he would be groveling.

Cracking an eye open, he took in the pudgy pup.

“He is who you were talking to?”

“I am not an adulterer, Devin.”

Proud and defiant, Trinity lifted her chin.

“Even if that is precisely the kind of woman your mother would’ve despised and precisely why you chose me.”

“Oh, God.” He sank onto his heels. “I have made an utter arse of myself again. Worse, I have hurt you, sweetheart. Again. Of course, you are not an adulterer. You are everything pure and decent. Remarkable and marvelous.”

She gathered the puppy into her arms, where he settled contentedly, his curious little button-eyed gaze riveted on Devin.

He stroked the puppy’s curly back. “What is his name?”

Instead of answering, Trinity asked coldly, “Why are you here? Why now? It has been over a fortnight. I have already begun looking into an annulment.”

“I know. Shillingford wrote to me.”

She snorted, hurt and betrayal marring her precious visage. “You did not want me, but you come trotting home the instant you think I do not want you? Is that it?”

“No. I came to apologize.” Devin touched her hand. “To beg your forgiveness. I was wrong, darling. So wrong. I know that now. I had to face some ugly truths about myself, and at the end of everything, only one thing mattered. You.”

Trinity’s eyes filled with tears before she averted her face and buried it in the puppy’s soft fur. “Fine, you have apologized. I forgive you. Now, please leave.”

“No, my heart. I cannot.” Devin pressed her hand to his cheeks, unashamed of the moisture also trailing from his eyes.

“I love you, Trinity. I shall do whatever it takes to make you believe me. To give us a future together.”