Page 55 of An Outlaw’s Desire

Nay! “Because of the danger?” she managed to ask.

“Especially because of the danger.”

“How can I decide to let you go? I do not have all I need to make that decision.”

“Blythe!”

“I need to fully understand the danger.”

“Do you? When telling you will further jeopardize a life?”

Jeopardize a life? Oh. God.

He cursed, as though appalled by what he’d revealed. His hand in her hair trembled.

“Please, Pitt,” she whispered.

He growled like a wounded animal.

“Whose life is in jeopardy?”

Pitt glowered. His thumb brushed against her nape, the movement surprisingly controlled and gentle. Then, he released a harsh breath.

She waited, not daring to speak, hoping the emotional barriers around him would finally yield.

“The one in peril…is my son.”

Pitt’s throat tightened until he could scarcely breathe. He dared not think what could be happening, or might have already happened, to his boy. But, now that Blythe knew of Fenton’s predicament, Pitt would tell her what he knew of Sherborne’s schemes—even if it cost them precious moments to escape.

If Pitt died this night, what he knew mustn’t die with him.

“Your son,” Blythe said, her tone tinged with horror. “How old is he?”

“Five. If I fail to carry out Sherborne’s orders—”

“Sherborne?” She inhaled sharply. “Lord Edric Sherborne?”

“The same.”

“Back in August, he almost forced Rosetta to marry him. He is a murderer. A wanted man. He escaped from gaol—”

“I was there, on guard duty. I tried but failed to stop him.” Her gaze begged him to provide more details, but right now, Pitt must tell her what was most important. “A few months ago, Sherborne contacted me to meet him.”

“His lordship knew how to get hold of you?”

“He still has great influence in these lands.”

“He is one of the powerful men you mentioned.”

“Aye.” Pitt loosened his hold on her hair. The silken strands glided against his skin as he lowered his arm to his side.

“What did Sherborne want from you?”

Guilt and shame gripped Pitt. Yet, ’twas a tremendous relief to be able to share the truth with her. “Sherborne ordered me to besiege this castle. I wanted to refuse, but he threatened to kill my son.”

She gasped. “That is how you ended up in my chamber?”

Pitt nodded. “When I saw you at the stone circle…I could not be certain if you were the Blythe I’d known years ago or not. I sensed a connection between us, though. I had to know who you were.”