The Daring Miss Darcy (Lost Ladies of London #4)(63)

“You must have invited her inside. You must have given her some indication that her efforts would be rewarded.”

Ross glanced up at the night sky and thrust his hands through his hair. “God, the woman needs no encouragement, and she happened to force her way into my house. Take a look at the broken door if you don’t believe me.”

Surprisingly, she did believe him. In her heart, she knew he would never lie to her. And yet her faith in him only served to accentuate the depths of her own deceit.

“It doesn’t matter now,” she said with a resigned sigh as she took a step back. “It was foolish of me to come.”

“What possessed you to walk the streets alone at this time of night? This is not a smugglers’ haven. Mrs Erstwhile would have a fit of apoplexy if she knew.”

“Mr Erstwhile brought me here in a hackney cab, but I asked that he leave me just outside the square.”

Mr Erstwhile had caught her sneaking downstairs. She couldn’t lie to him and had revealed her plan to visit Ross. He was not her father and could not forbid it, but having his respect and approval meant the world to her.

“Are you telling me he permitted you to come to a gentleman’s home in the middle of the night?”

Mr Erstwhile was an advocate of true love. He was a man who rose above petty judgements, a man disillusioned with Society’s rigid rules. She’d told him she loved Ross with all her heart and that was a justifiable reason for her to come.

“For a wise man, he can be extremely naive,” Ross added.

He could say what he liked about anyone else, but she would not stand for him belittling Mr Erstwhile.

“I think you’ll find he is exactly the opposite. Everything he says and does is based on experience and sound judgement. His motives are free from jealousy and spite, unlike your father.”

The last few words fell from her lips without thought.

“Unlike my father?” Ross blinked in surprise. “What do you mean?”

Estelle bit back a curse. She had come to tell him everything, purely because she wanted tomorrow to be a new day, a fresh start. Now she was not so sure.

“Just that some men act in their own best interests regardless of the cost.”

“And you think my father one of those men?” His frown conveyed suspicion.

She turned away from him. “I must go. The cab will be waiting.” The hackney had taken Mr Erstwhile back to Whitecombe Street. The gentleman assumed Ross would convey her home. “One lady has kept you from your bed. I should hate to do the same.”

“Then why come?” Ross grabbed her arm to prevent her hasty retreat. “Did leaving Prescott Hall have something to do with my father?”

Estelle tried to tug her arm free, but without warning, Ross grabbed her around the waist and hauled her over his shoulder.

“What on earth are you doing? Put me down.”

“Forgive my masterful approach, but you will come inside, and we will have it out.”

She knew what he meant by the comment, but still, images of them writhing naked in his bed flashed into her mind.

“Then put me down and let me walk.”

“No.” A large hand settled on her buttocks as he held her in place. He strode through the door leading from the mews to the garden. “For eight long, painful years you have left me in the dark. But it stops here, tonight.” He marched through the broken door, fragments of glass crunching beneath his feet. “You will tell me exactly why you ran, why you left me and permitted me to believe you were dead.”

She tried to wriggle free, but one strong arm held her there.

“I think I have been more than patient, Estelle.”

His boots clipped on the marble floor as he stormed through the hall. Estelle expected him to turn into the drawing room, but he headed for the stairs.

The butler appeared, his clothes a touch less than perfect. “Is everything all right, my lord. I heard raised voices.”

“Go to bed, Marley. Everything is in hand.”

“Y-yes. Good night, my lord.”

Ross mounted the stairs with ease, marched into his chamber and locked the door. Four long strides and he was at the bed. He threw her down onto the mattress and stood above her.

“Now,” he began, drawing his shirt over his head. “You will answer my questions. I think after all that has occurred you owe me your cooperation.”

Estelle nodded. She might have formed a reply, but her hungry eyes feasted on the muscular planes of his chest. The rippling muscles in his abdomen made her mouth water. As did the enticing line of dark hair drawing her eyes to a point below the waistband of his breeches.

“Let us get a few quick questions out of the way first. I’m told that is the best way to discover the truth.” He threw his shirt onto the chair behind him. “Did you ever love me?” He reached for her leg, unlaced her boot, tugged it off and let it fall to the floor.

“Yes,” she breathed. “I loved you with all my heart. I swear to you that is the truth.”

Ross removed the other boot. “Did you leave Prescott Hall under duress?”

She hesitated. “Yes.”

From the sudden rise and fall of his chest, his breath came quickly now.

“Did you want to marry me?” He took hold of her foot, his hands venturing up under her dress to undo the ribbon on her stocking.