An Affair So Right (Rebel Hearts #4)(58)

The coachman, John, was already waiting beside the door with the steps down. “St. James next.”

“Right you are, Miss Dalton.” The coachman glanced into the carriage. “My lord, if that suits.”

“No, it does not,” Quinn answered from within.

Theodora scowled. The servants would obey Quinn without question. “Move the carriage, John,” she ground out, still angry with what she’d just heard. “Take us anywhere that isn’t here immediately.”

She climbed into the carriage, and tossed her satchel onto the seat opposite the earl. She met Quinn’s eyes reluctantly across the carriage as the carriage rocked with the weight of the grooms reclaiming their perches.

They stared at each other a long moment in silence. How could Adele Blakely think she had any right to blackmail Quinn?

“Very well.” Quinn opened the hatch to the coachman. “St. James, John. At a slow pace, if you please,” Quinn called.

Theodora forced herself to calm her temper. “What are you doing here?” she asked softly.

“This is my carriage.” He tugged on his waistcoat as he sat up straighter. “Do you often forget that you are in my employ, Miss Dalton?”

He was stiff and cold, and not at all the man she’d come to care for. “Of course I don’t.”

Theodora longed to reach for him, but hesitated. Quinn had not come to her room last night, and to see him outside his former mistress’ home made her anxious for reasons she did not care to examine too closely. She’d had the most wretched sleep as a result of his absence from her bed and had woken up out of sorts. She’d missed him very much.

He crossed his legs, turning his body away from hers in the carriage and addressed his next remarks to the window. “I’m not sure that you do. I’m sure you will agree that I am a man who would expect his wishes complied with. All of them. I told you, in no uncertain terms, what I expected from you.”

“Well, I’ve dealt with Adele Blakely already.”

“I could care less about that woman. I’m talking about your foolish decision to come out without a proper chaperone.”

She gaped at him in surprise. “The maids had other duties, and my mother is too delicate for the discussion I’ve just endured.” She ground her teeth. “You’re well rid of that grasping shrew, I promise you.”

“Spouting opinions like that to any other employer would get you dismissed from your post immediately. I have been very lenient, but a line must be drawn. You will always have the company of a maid, or you will remain at home. And it is not your business what I do about my mistresses,” his brow rose high, “nor will you be involved in the negotiations should I take on a new one.”

A new one? He wouldn’t dare. She glared at him. “You may do as you like, as always, my lord. As will I.”

His jaw clenched. “Were you born stubborn or did you make yourself this way?”

Theodora shrugged, turning to look out the window herself. “I was born this way,” she said, allowing her words to drip with sarcasm. “I suppose you would have me different. Missish and quiet. Shall I defer to you as if I’m incapable of making any decisions for the position you hired me to fulfill?”

Quinn leaned forward, resting his arms on his strong thighs, but Theodora wouldn’t look at him. “Most men find managing tendencies a most undesirable quality in a female.”

Theodora sucked in a sharp breath, suddenly furious at him. After all they had shared, he suddenly didn’t like the way she thought or acted? She couldn’t speak for the anger coursing through her veins. Well, if he was done with her, she was most definitely done with him. She would speak to mother tonight and—

Quinn laughed suddenly. “Most men, but not all. If you truly wish to work in the position of a secretary to others, you might try to curb your managing tendencies a little in the future. I would have dismissed Sever and Kemp for going against my wishes as you have today.”

Theodora sat up a little straighter, but noted he’d said “would” rather than “will”. “My father never complained if it was to his benefit.”

“He was a very indulgent father then. What did your father’s employees make of you? Was Mr. Small jealous that you had such free rein in your father’s affairs?”

“I’ve no idea that he might have been.” She glanced toward Quinn, astonished that even in the midst of an argument he was smiling at her. “He was a good man. He was supportive and generous with his time when my fiancé died.”

He recoiled suddenly, looking at her with alarm. “Just how much time did he generously bestow upon you?”

“Oh, it wasn’t like that between us. Heavens no,” she qualified. “No.”

“And yet by your own admission, you see no harm in seeking comfort where you like.”

“Within reason. Small was only ever a friend. I would never seduce a servant in my home.”

Quinn glanced away. “As I have done.”

“That is not what I meant.”

His brows rose. “But that is what has happened between us. You share my bed but refuse to be my mistress. You act as if you’re my secretary, my servant, in effect, for all that you don’t act like any I’ve employed before. What we have done together in private is considered quite wrong in certain circles, you know.”