Page 44 of Four Promises to Love

“No.” Finn expelled a breath. “It is not you, all right?”

“But you are annoyed?”

He didn’t know why he was pressing her. His habit was to avoid conflict. He had enough warring within himself that he didn’t seek it out with others.

“I just…I just wish things had gone as planned.”

It took him a moment to comprehend. His tension eased somewhat as he understood the cause of her mood. He supposed it would be annoying to be constantly doubted. To be questioned and judged as a fraud. Then again, given the havey-cavey nature of her profession, surely she would have developed a thicker skin when it came to skepticism.

“If my brothers and Grantley offended you, I apologize on their behalf,” he said. “I can assure you that it was nothing personal. They are protective in general and of their wives in particular. They simply want to shield the ladies from disappointment and false hope.”

It wasn’t often that Finn felt ashamed. Yet there was something about Owen that prickled her conscience—that made her examine her behavior more closely than was comfortable. The fact that he stood between her and the hedge like some valiant warrior, protecting the latter from her thoughtless destruction, made her want to smile…and apologize.

She was out of humor. Since losing control of the situation, she had been acting like a spoilt brat, venting her temper on Owen. He’d done nothing to warrant her shabby treatment, and still he stood there, trying to explain the very reasonable reaction of his family—who she was using as a means to an end. She couldn’t feel guilty about choosing Iris over a bunch of strangers, but she did regret lying to Owen.

Whereas Jimmy had fled at the first sign of her ill temper, Owen regarded her with concern. Blooming hell, he cared about what she was feeling, even if he didn’t fully trust her (and really, why should he?). No male of her acquaintance had ever been this kind and generous. Yet there he was, this absurdly handsome lord, with his sunlit hair falling into his eyes because he’d forgotten his hat, awaiting her response with patience and grace she did not deserve.

“Why are you so blooming decent?” she said in exasperation.

He frowned. “I’m not.”

“You are.” She sighed. “I was in a bad temper, and I should not have taken it out on you.”

“Apology accepted.” His unaffected nature was so blasted winning. “If you will accept mine on behalf of my brothers.”

“There is no need to apologize. Dealing with skepticism is part of my job.”

“That sounds tiresome.”

You don’t know the half of it.

She tilted her head. “I thought you didn’t believe in spiritualism?”

“My mind is not entirely closed to the notion,” he hedged. “I have experienced enough of life to expect the unexpected. More importantly, I believe that you believe that you are here for a reason.”

That reason is to steal a priceless parure from under your kin’s noses.

Guilt twisted her insides. Never had doing the right thing felt so wrong.

“In truth, I am rather relieved that my family was the cause of your displeasure and not me,” he went on.

“You did not displease me. Quite the opposite,” she said. “I do not regret the other night.”

When she reached for his hand, he closed his fingers tightly around hers.

“I am glad. I should like to see you again, Finn.”

You cannot allow this to go on. It is too big of a risk, and for what? Mere pleasure⁠—

“Another night together.” He read her so easily. “That is all I am asking for.”

His sincere request overwhelmed her defenses.

“One night. And we must be discreet⁠—”

“Always.” His sensual smile quickened her pulse, but he released her hand with a squeeze. “On that note, we had better continue the tour to avoid suspicion.”

She jerked her gaze toward the manor. Sure enough, the curtains of the drawing room gave a telltale twitch as if someone had been watching them.