Page 53 of An Outlaw’s Desire

She must know what was going on. “If you did not leave the sword and cloak in here—”

“I have a very good idea who did.”

“For what purpose?”

Even as she spoke, an idea settled in her mind: to link Pitt to the weapons. To condemn him.

His gaze swept the room again. He raked his fingers through his hair, as though he struggled to control a tempest within him.

Her heart ached to see him in such turmoil. Whatever secrets he’d been keeping, they had caught up to him here and now. He obviously wanted to fight to prove his innocence, but she sensed helplessness in him too, as though the iron trap could abruptly close, and he’d not be able to stop it.

“Damnation,” he rasped.

“Pitt—”

He shoved his fingers through his hair. “I cannot…. Damnation!”

“Please. Tell me what is going on.”

His lips flattened.

“The truth. All of it.” She halted barely one pace away from him. “Please.”

“Now is not a good—”

“Now.”

“’Tis dangerous.”

The agony in his voice brought tears to her eyes. She yearned to slide her arms around him, to comfort him, but instead, hugged herself. “I am already involved in whatever’s going on.”

He shook his head. “’Tis not too late for you.”

“I helped you escape the dungeon.”

“I will say I coerced you.”

“You did not force me to hit Harlow. ’Twas my decision. Mine alone.”

A muscle jumped in Pitt’s cheek. “I doubt very much you will suffer consequences for what you did.”

“Why—?”

“The widower fancies you.”

“You…know that?”

Pitt snorted. “Impossible not to notice. Also, what seasoned knight wants to admit he was rendered unconscious by a lady? With a book, of all things?”

A smile tugged at her mouth.

“More likely, he will say he cannot remember what happened. One way or another, he’ll probably end up negotiating for your hand in marriage.”

A startled laugh broke from her. “I do not want to wed him.”

“You might not have a choice.”

The piercing heat of Pitt’s stare burned into her and deepened her heartache. As foolish as it might be, she wanted only him—regardless of what he’d done or the peril he hadn’t yet fully explained. “I have faith,” she said, “that all will work out well.”