Page 169 of A Perilous Passion

“We made not a sound,” she assured him. “Justin has eluded capture all the way down from Scotland, so he knows what he’s doing. He could have protected me, if there’d been any trouble.”

Rafe gave a derisive snort. “A callow youth who doesn’t even carry a sword?”

“A weapon would have attracted too much attention. Farm laborers don’t carry swords.”

He gave her a little shake. “Why won’t you listen to me? I have your own interests at heart, believe me.”

“Do you, indeed? Tell me, how do you know what my best interests are? I should have thought I was the better judge.”

Expecting a sharp put-down, she was surprised at the vulnerability in his voice when he asked, “Charlotte, is there something you really ought to tell me?”

“About Justin? No.”

“Not about Justin. About you. About who you really are.”

She felt as if she’d been struck by a thunderbolt.

Rafe couldn’t possibly know about her past.

Could he?

She and Mama had been so careful.

Her mind worked frantically. Should she brazen it out?

Or should she trust him, and risk everything?

But her secret wasn’t just hers to spill. It was Mama’s, as well, and—indirectly—Aunt Flora’s. If she trusted him and revealed their past, and Rafe reacted badly, they might all be ruined.

“Are you going to tell me?” he demanded harshly. “Or must I spell it out for you?”

“Go on, then,” she prevaricated, desperately trying to keep the tremor from her voice.

His fingers clenched and unclenched on her shoulders. “I have it on good authority that your surname’s not Allston. You were born Charlotte Cutler, daughter of Abraham Cutler. Do you deny this?”

Deny thy father, and deny thy name…

She said nothing, but her heart sank like lead into her stomach. He knew who she was, and the power to break her world apart was in his hands. She felt hollow—all emotions, all feelings suspended.

“Your father was the mastermind behind an extensive network of smugglers. He made his money through storing and dispersing contraband goods.”

God help her. How had Rafe found out?

She forced herself to speak. “Yes, but in the end, Papa vowed to reform. He promised us he’d make up for his wrongs.”

She expected to be thrust away after this confession, but Rafe still held on to her. What was he planning to do with her? She dared not think about it.

“What brought about his miraculous change of heart?” Rafe asked. She heard only censure in his voice. She’d hoped for understanding.

“Mama found out.”

“Are you telling me she didn’t already know?”

“How should she? He never conducted his business from home, and Mama was above going into common alehouses.”

“Did you know?”

Her eyes welled up. The memories were still raw. She prayed the darkness would hide her tears.