What You Propose (Anything for Love 2)

"I understand." He pursed his lips and nodded. "For Dane to offer his protection, he must have felt the comte deserved his dreadful fate."

"Victor shot and killed a man right in front of us. It should have been me." She stared off into the distance, shook her head and muttered, "Poor Morgan. Victor would have killed us all in his desperation to flee with Miss Beaufort."

With every new snippet of information, Marcus was slowly starting to piece the story together.

"Miss Beaufort? The lady Lord Danesfield seeks?" Perhaps being in such a state of weakness, Miss Sinclair would change her mind and tell him where Dane's lady was hiding. "No wonder Dane is desperate to find her."

Miss Sinclair narrowed her gaze and shrugged. "Miss Beaufort is not in any danger. Lord Danesfield knows Victor is dead."

"Yes, but you mentioned an accomplice. You cannot blame Dane for fearing this person would seek revenge. You believed it to be so yourself. He must be worried for Miss Beaufort's safety."

Miss Sinclair seemed to ponder his words. "If there is an accomplice, he is not in England and he knows nothing of Miss Beaufort. I'm certain she is safe at the cottage."

"The cottage?"

Oh, this was going to be easier than he thought. Hopefully, he would not need to disclose information regarding Dudley's request. And that would sit easier on his conscience.

"Did I say cottage?" She cast him an arrogant grin. "How foolish of me."

The woman was shrewd. He preferred seeing a smile touching the corners of her mouth. Even though her face looked red and blotchy, her eyes appeared less sorrowful.

"So, Lord Danesfield told you nothing of Dampierre or his accomplice?" she continued.

Marcus shook his head. "Dane said nothing." But his friend would feel the sharp edge of his tongue for failing to explain the facts.

"And your nightly excursions have nothing to do with me?"

"No. Nothing." He was deliberately vague. The fewer people who knew of his assignment, the better. The men they were watching would not think twice about silencing a woman in the most brutal fashion.

"And you expect me to believe you?" she scoffed.

Marcus straightened. "I don't expect anything. But after what you've just told me, under no circumstances are you to leave the monastery without my knowledge." It was wise to be cautious until Dane confirmed whether the comte's accomplice posed any real threat. "I want to know where you are at all times. Is that clear?"

He knew his tone sounded severe, but he was angry at Dane for his lapse of judgement. He was angry at Miss Sinclair for not informing him sooner. He was angry at himself for not being able to tell her she could trust him.

"I do not mean to frighten you," he added when he noticed her bottom lip tremble. "But in the years I've worked with Dane, I've discovered one can never be too careful."

"I have lived in a permanent state of fear for years, Mr. Danbury," she replied squaring her shoulders and lifting her chin in a bid to regain her composure. "One more week will not be such a hardship."

One week? Knowing Dane's need for thoroughness and the severity of her situation, he planned to leave her in France for a month or two.

"And you will keep me informed of your movements?"

"I will," she reassured.

"At all times?"

"I will not leave the monastery without your permission."

There was no hint of sarcasm or resentment in her tone. She sounded grateful, appeared to be more relaxed in his company. Perhaps confessing her sins had helped her to lower her defences. Perhaps the intimate way he'd held her had forced him to lower his defences, too.

"Do you have any plans tomorrow?" he asked as he would need to organise his day around hers for the foreseeable future. "Will you be going to the fair? I hear there are to be jugglers and fire-eaters, music and dancing."

"Perhaps it may be best if I stay here."

He nodded. "Then I shall also stay behind. The sight of Tristan twirling around the maypole is enough to rouse nausea in a man with the strongest constitution."

She laughed. "Gentlemen don't twirl around the maypole. Although with his poise and elegance, I am certain he would put all the maidens to shame. But I would not want you to miss the fair on my account."