A Daring Passion

His brows lifted. “Not many women would view being kidnapped by a lunatic and bound to the bed so lightly.”

“There were moments when I was frightened,” she confessed. “But in truth Seurat is such a pathetic creature it is difficult to feel anything but pity when in his company.”

“He may be pathetic, but he is also dangerous and extremely cunning.”

“Yes, I know. I have not forgotten what he has done to Jean-Pierre.” She wrapped her arms about her waist, her stomach giving a sudden twist of unease. It had been a simple matter to consider asking Carlos for his assistance when she was in the privacy of her room. Now that he was standing before her, Raine discovered her nerves tightening. He was not the sort of man who could be led about by a charming smile and flutter of her lashes. If she confessed her plans and he decided they were outlandish he would not hesitate to put a swift, brutal end to them. She sucked in a deep breath and gave an unconscious tilt of her chin. “That is why I asked you to join me.”

He gave a short, mirthless laugh as he turned to stroll toward the fireplace. “I did not dare to hope it was for the mere pleasure of my company.”

Raine frowned as she studied his harsh profile. “You must know that I always enjoy your company. I consider you a very dear friend.”

He seemed to flinch as he briefly closed his eyes. “Meu Deus, why do you not stab me with a dagger and be done with it?”

Truly alarmed, Raine crossed the room to lay a hand on his arm. “Carlos? Did I say something wrong?”

There was a long, tense silence before he gave a sharp shake of his head and squared his shoulders. Whatever emotion had been gripping him was hidden behind a tight smile.

“Why did you wish to see me?”

Sensing his muscles flex beneath her lingering touch, Raine dropped her hand and regarded him with a wary expression.

“I…need your assistance.”

“You know I am ever at your service.” The dark features slowly eased as he sensed her apprehension. “Raine?”

“First I must have your word that you will say nothing to Philippe about what I am to tell you.”

Carlos leaned against the mantel. “That is a difficult promise to give, Raine. Philippe has been my friend since I was a mere child. I would not deceive him lightly.”

“Of course you would not and I appreciate your loyalty,” she said sincerely. “I would not ask this of you if I did not believe it was in Philippe’s best interest.”

A sardonic smile touched his lips. “Philippe may not agree with your notion of what is in his best interest. In fact, I am fairly certain he would not, considering you came to plead your case with me rather than him.”

“He is simply unable to be reasonable when it comes to Seurat.”

“Do you blame him?”

Raine twisted her hands together as she turned and walked toward the window. Over the past two days she had pondered her rash promise to Seurat on a hundred occasions. She well knew that her susceptible heart could be easily manipulated. Especially if she thought that some poor soul was being abused by a man of privilege. It offended everything she held dear. But while she had told herself Seurat might very well be playing her for a fool, she could not convince herself that he had been lying. His wounds were all too real.

“I do not blame Philippe, but I do blame his father,” she said as she turned back to meet Carlos’s steady gaze. “Louis Gautier is responsible for this entire mess.”

“I presume that Seurat managed to sway your sympathy with his well-rehearsed tale of how he was wronged?”

Her chin lifted at the hint of derision in his tone. “I think that having ruffians hired to murder you is a bit more than being merely wronged.”

The dark eyes narrowed. “Is that what he claimed?”

“It is, and I believe him.”

His lips abruptly twitched, his large body moving with startling grace as he crossed to lightly brush his finger down the line of her jaw.

“There is no need to poke out your chin at me, anjo. I am well enough acquainted with Louis Gautier to believe him capable of murder if it would further his dreams of glory.”

“Then you will help me?”

“That still depends upon what you want of me.”

“I have…” Words failed her beneath his intense gaze. Bloody hell. He was going to believe she had lost her mind. And she could not blame him.