Bash sat silently across the carriage looking out the window. Isabella didn’t even care that he ignored her, it felt so good to have him here.
She hated the lonely rides home. “Thank you for escorting me.”
“You’re welcome,” he answered automatically, his voice even and monotonous as though he were lo
st in thought.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Our visitor this evening. Your donor.” Bash leaned forward. “Don’t spend a single coin until we know who he is and what he wants.”
“All right,” she said, feeling the weight of it in her pocket. “If you think it’s best.”
“I do.” He leaned forward then. “If you need funds just ask. I’ll take care of—”
“Bash,” she answered softly. “We don’t.” She slid to the edge of the seat so that their knees touched. “You’ve outfitted us, provided dowries, gotten us invitations. Did I tell you Emily has a suitor? Already. We don’t need anything else. You’ve already done too much.” She was tempted to ask more about his motives. Why had he been so generous? But right now, she didn’t want to risk his answer. She just wanted to be near him. Tonight had unsettled her and having him here…
“And you’ve earned a fortune already. I don’t want to see you indebted to anyone else. Do you understand me? I don’t trust any man not to put a price on his gift.”
She nodded. “I understand. I won’t spend any of it.”
“Tuck it away for yourself while we figure out your plans—”
“But he said it was for my sisters too. How do you think he knows I have sisters if he isn’t my father’s partner?”
“He’s been following you.”
That made alarm ring through her. Was she in danger? Were her sisters? “Bash?” she whispered, fear tightening her voice. “Can I sit with you?”
In answer, he slid off his seat and onto hers. He slipped his arm about her shoulders and pulled her close. “I’m not going to let anyone hurt you,” he said as he rubbed his cheek on the top of her head.
She didn’t answer, just snuggled nearer. Because she knew he wouldn’t. Her eyes fluttered closed. He was warm and strong, and she sighed as she melted into him.
Silence fell again but this time, it didn’t bother her. In fact, it was comforting and as her eyes closed, she found herself drifting in that place between being awake and asleep.
She snaked her arms about his waist and held him close, wanting to stay here all night. Wanting to stay forever.
Her eyes blinked open and she tipped her head back to look up at his face.
The lines were softer in the dark as he held her close. Her breath caught in her chest because emotion had filled her heart.
She loved him.
How could she not?
He protected her, made her body heat with desire. He…he was a duke while she was just a merchant’s daughter. Not even near good enough to be his mistress.
That made her sigh again. It didn’t change the way she felt, of course. Her heart beat wildly in her chest to realize she’d fallen in love. But those feelings could never be acknowledged out loud. They’d go unanswered.
“Why are you sighing like that?”
What else could she do? In that moment, she lied. A rarity that sat on her tongue, tasting like acid. “I hate the idea of going back to the club.”
“You’re not.”
“But...” She crinkled her brow. “My sisters are not yet engaged.” She agreed with him, of course. Especially after tonight, she never wanted to go back. “And besides. How will we figure out who that man was if I don’t return?”
Bash grimaced down at her. “I’ll figure it out. Let me worry about that.”