“I miss them, Valentine,” she blurted into his waistcoat. “It is hard enough to know they met their end in such a tragic way, crushed by the sudden rockfall, but to think someone may have robbed them of their happiness. It is too much to bear.”
That bastard, Cassiel, had no right to prey on the defenceless with his wicked tales. What the hell did he hope to gain?
“When we meet with Cassiel, we will determine the truth if I have to strangle the man to within an inch of his life.”
“If he is the … the intruder, I doubt he will agree to another meeting.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest.
“Of course he will.” Valentine stroked her hair as the wracking sobs subsided. “If Mr Cassiel is innocent, he will want our business. If he is guilty, the desperation of his actions tonight suggests he needs something more from you. The opportunity will be too tempting to resist.”
Ava looked up at him, tears still glistening in her eyes. “How would I have ever managed without you? I thought I was s
tronger than this but—”
“Hush, love.” He placed his finger on her lips. “You’re one of the strongest women I know.” In that respect, she reminded him of his mother. Honora’s tireless efforts to protect her family made her a force to be reckoned. “No doubt you would have found a way to deal with this, even if it meant shooting every blackguard who dared cross your path.”
“I would never pull the trigger. I could never take a person’s life.”
“What about a monkey’s life?”
A faint smile brightened her countenance. “I could not hurt an animal, either, but I would wrestle the creature to the ground if need be.”
It was his turn to laugh though the action aggravated the scratch on his cheek.
He wiped her tears away with his thumbs and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “You should eat something. Trauma can make a person ill, and you need to bolster your strength for what lies ahead.”
“But I’m not hungry.”
“Won’t you at least try?”
She stared at him as her sadness lifted. He wondered if it was his own desire he saw reflected back at him. But her breathing grew shallow, and she moistened her lips. He knew then that she wanted him.
“I do not want to think about Mr Cassiel tonight, Valentine. I do not want him to occupy my thoughts when I go to sleep.” She placed her hand on his chest. “Help me find a distraction.”
“A distraction?”
“Help me feel pleasure, not pain.”
A hard lump formed in his throat. Ava’s honesty proved highly arousing.
This was the moment to ask of her expectations. Did she want more than a wild ride in bed? Was she aware of the consequences, of the risks?
“You’re certain this is the course you wish to take?”
“I do not ask you to make promises.” She came up on her tiptoes and kissed him tenderly on the lips.
No? Well, she damn well should.
“I ask only that you follow your heart,” she added.
Valentine stared into her hazy brown eyes and realised he had been following his heart since the day she approached him in the field near Chalk Farm. Indeed, logic told him that it was wrong to take an innocent woman to bed—not at all the actions of a respected peer of the realm. And yet the thought of making love to this woman consumed him.
He wanted her.
For once in his life, consequences be damned.
Besides, he was a man known for embracing responsibility and would do what was required should unforeseen problems arise.
“And are you following your heart, Ava?” He was certain she cared something for him.