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Authors: Silvia Violet
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do with the fact that I don’t trust you.”
When she stopped speaking, she realized he was staring at her as if she’d sprouted a new head. She felt color rise to her cheeks. Why had she exploded like that? Only Rhys could make her lose control of her temper so easily.
“I’m sorry you feel that way. I don’t suppose I’ve given you reason to think otherwise, at least not lately. But you never know when you might meet a man who
changes your mind about marriage. I insist that we take the necessary precautions to keep our association quiet.”
He looked sadder and more solemn than she’d ever seen him. She couldn’t fathom his reaction. Anger she expected. And stubbornness. It stood to reason he’d want to do everything his way. She’d had to fight him when she’d insisted on helping in Mark’s rescue. Why would this be any different? But why would he be sad? She’d agreed to his terms. For the second time that week, her perception of him shifted.
Impulsively, she reached for his hand. “We’ll talk, and then you’ll escort me home?” He gave a thin smile. “Yes.”
When they were seated in his study, Rhys continued his lecture on protection and safety. Eventually, she grew too tired of his fussing to tolerate any more. “We’re not going to agree on this topic. Why don’t we discuss what needs to be done and argue later about who needs to do it?”
“Fine, but don’t think this discussion is over. I intend to do what you asked, and I can’t do that if you are constantly putting yourself in danger.”
“I’m not—”
“I thought you wanted to end this conversation.” She let out a slow breath and forced herself to unclench her fists. “I do.”
“Good. Have you received any notes other than those you’ve shown me?
“No. I thought I’d get one today, but I did not.”
“Is there anyone you or another member of your family might have angered enough that they would want to kill you?”
“No, unless my father has done something I’m unaware of. That’s always possible.” Rhys scowled. “Do you communicate with him at all?”
“Aunt Claire does, but I haven’t seen him or written to him since I left home.”
“You are unwilling to involve your aunt?”
“She’s been ill. I can’t risk her having a relapse.”
“Perhaps she is stronger than you think.”
Anger rose in Amanda’s chest. “You weren’t there when she was really sick. You didn’t see how weak she was. I thought we would lose her.” Hot tears threatened to spill from her eyes.
Rhys moved closer and took her hand in his. “I’m sorry.” The memory of her aunt’s illness flooded Amanda with emotion. All the fears she’d tried to ignore came racing to her mind. She had a horrible urge to ask Rhys to hold her.
Accepting his help was one thing, but needing him to comfort her was quite another. It scared her almost as much as the threats from her attacker.
She pulled her hand back and scooted away. “Talking to Aunt Claire is out of the question. We will have to find this man another way.”
“Would you consider examining your aunt’s recent correspondence?” Amanda hated to invade her aunt’s privacy, but at least she wouldn’t be putting her health in danger. She nodded.
“Good. I will contact some friends of mine who can discreetly inquire into your father’s recent business.”
Amanda frowned. “Who are these friends?”
“No one you know or would want to know. But they owe me plenty of favors and they do not gossip.”
Amanda did not like his cryptic answer, but she let it go for the moment. “What if he’s not linked to my father?”
“Then we’ll have to follow the other leads we have. I’ll go to the Black Eagle tonight and see if I can pick up any news about criminals working in the area.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“No, you won’t.”
“I might hear a name I recognize, especially if my father is involved.”
“The Black Eagle is no place for a woman. Didn’t
When she stopped speaking, she realized he was staring at her as if she’d sprouted a new head. She felt color rise to her cheeks. Why had she exploded like that? Only Rhys could make her lose control of her temper so easily.
“I’m sorry you feel that way. I don’t suppose I’ve given you reason to think otherwise, at least not lately. But you never know when you might meet a man who
changes your mind about marriage. I insist that we take the necessary precautions to keep our association quiet.”
He looked sadder and more solemn than she’d ever seen him. She couldn’t fathom his reaction. Anger she expected. And stubbornness. It stood to reason he’d want to do everything his way. She’d had to fight him when she’d insisted on helping in Mark’s rescue. Why would this be any different? But why would he be sad? She’d agreed to his terms. For the second time that week, her perception of him shifted.
Impulsively, she reached for his hand. “We’ll talk, and then you’ll escort me home?” He gave a thin smile. “Yes.”
When they were seated in his study, Rhys continued his lecture on protection and safety. Eventually, she grew too tired of his fussing to tolerate any more. “We’re not going to agree on this topic. Why don’t we discuss what needs to be done and argue later about who needs to do it?”
“Fine, but don’t think this discussion is over. I intend to do what you asked, and I can’t do that if you are constantly putting yourself in danger.”
“I’m not—”
“I thought you wanted to end this conversation.” She let out a slow breath and forced herself to unclench her fists. “I do.”
“Good. Have you received any notes other than those you’ve shown me?
“No. I thought I’d get one today, but I did not.”
“Is there anyone you or another member of your family might have angered enough that they would want to kill you?”
“No, unless my father has done something I’m unaware of. That’s always possible.” Rhys scowled. “Do you communicate with him at all?”
“Aunt Claire does, but I haven’t seen him or written to him since I left home.”
“You are unwilling to involve your aunt?”
“She’s been ill. I can’t risk her having a relapse.”
“Perhaps she is stronger than you think.”
Anger rose in Amanda’s chest. “You weren’t there when she was really sick. You didn’t see how weak she was. I thought we would lose her.” Hot tears threatened to spill from her eyes.
Rhys moved closer and took her hand in his. “I’m sorry.” The memory of her aunt’s illness flooded Amanda with emotion. All the fears she’d tried to ignore came racing to her mind. She had a horrible urge to ask Rhys to hold her.
Accepting his help was one thing, but needing him to comfort her was quite another. It scared her almost as much as the threats from her attacker.
She pulled her hand back and scooted away. “Talking to Aunt Claire is out of the question. We will have to find this man another way.”
“Would you consider examining your aunt’s recent correspondence?” Amanda hated to invade her aunt’s privacy, but at least she wouldn’t be putting her health in danger. She nodded.
“Good. I will contact some friends of mine who can discreetly inquire into your father’s recent business.”
Amanda frowned. “Who are these friends?”
“No one you know or would want to know. But they owe me plenty of favors and they do not gossip.”
Amanda did not like his cryptic answer, but she let it go for the moment. “What if he’s not linked to my father?”
“Then we’ll have to follow the other leads we have. I’ll go to the Black Eagle tonight and see if I can pick up any news about criminals working in the area.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“No, you won’t.”
“I might hear a name I recognize, especially if my father is involved.”
“The Black Eagle is no place for a woman. Didn’t
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