Wild Star (Star Quartet 3)

“Ah, Saint forced me into it. Convinced me that I should start paving my own private Christian road to heaven. What could I do but agree?”

“Oh.”

He leaned down and wound a lock of hair around his finger. He heard her breathing quicken and felt a jolt of lust so powerful he pulled back abruptly, yanking her hair. She yelped. “I’m sorry,” he said, and turned away from her.

His desire for her was evident, and he didn’t want her to believe that he’d saved her just so he could have her in his bed. Why had he saved her? Brent shook his head, and said over his shoulder, “Anytime you would like to talk about all this mess, I’m willing to listen. In fact, Byrony, I demand to know just what I’ve gotten myself into.”

He turned then, but her eyes were lowered, staring at her clasped hands in her lap. “You’ve gotten yourself into nothing,” she said finally. “I will leave just as I had originally planned. You will not be involved.”

“Damn you, I am involved. Don’t you prattle at me as if I’m some stranger off the street who just happened to pull you out of the window of your house.”

“I’m sorry.”

“And don’t give me that ridiculous whipped-dog routine. Just tell me the truth, Byrony. That’s all I ask. That night I dragged you in out of the rain—what were you doing? What had happened to you?”

“It doesn’t concern you, Brent. Please. I’m very tired. I plan to leave tomorrow.”

He stared at her, feeling utterly infuriated and utterly helpless. “I fully intend to beat you when you’re well,” he said, then turned on his heel and walked from the room.

SIXTEEN

Maggie brought her dinner that evening. She arched a brow at Byrony, saying, “Whatever did you say to Brent? He’s in a snit again.”

“He wants to know things,” Byrony said. Her chin went up at Maggie’s chuckle. “They’re really none of his business.”

“Well, I won’t ask any questions. Would you like to get out of that bed to eat your dinner? I imagine you’re feeling quite bored by now.”

“That would be wonderful,” Byrony said, and slipped out of bed. “Saint said as far as he could tell I was just fine now.”

“Here, put on Brent’s dressing gown. It’s just a bit chilly in here. After dinner, would you like a bath?”

“Indeed I would.” Byrony pulled Brent’s dressing gown around her. It was as if part of him were next to her. His scent was in the velvet, and for a moment she inhaled deeply, closing her eyes.

Maggie watched her closely, a small smile tilting up the corners of her mouth. This affliction, as Brent acidly referred to Byrony Butler, appeared to be shared. Her smile disappeared. The girl was going to be badly hurt. Whatever women were in Brent’s past, they’d made him wary and untrusting. But he had saved her, twice. He must feel something for her.

“What do you mean, he’s in a snit again?” Byrony asked as she chewed on a bit of roast chicken.

“Did I say that? Oh dear, I should learn to keep my mouth closed.”

Byrony gazed at her expectantly.

“Oh well, after you left here the first time, he was like the proverbial bear with a thorn in his paw. You appear to have the ability to disturb him excessively.”

“Yes, but it isn’t my fault, truly, Maggie. He thinks I’m an awful person. No, it’s true, he really believes that. He’s done nothing but insult me since I saw him again.”

“Again?”

“I saw him first in San Diego. We didn’t exactly meet, but we did speak for a little while. I thought he was a very nice man.” She sighed. “So much has happened since then.”

Brent paused in the sitting room just beyond the open bedroom door. He shouldn’t be eavesdropping, but he was. He straightened, walked into the bedroom. “Ladies,” he said. “Maggie, you have some customers. I’ll stay with Mrs. Butler for a while.”

Maggie rose and shook out her deep wine velvet skirts. “Never keep a customer waiting,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Byrony, I’ll send Caesar over with some hot water for your bath. Brent, try to maintain a veneer of civility, all right?”

“Thank you, Maggie,” Byrony called after her. “She’s a very nice person,” she continued to Brent. “She’s been so kind to me.”

“But surely you disapprove of her business?” He had to keep his distance from her, so he moved quickly to lean his shoulder against the mantelpiece.

She continued eating her dinner. “I suppose,” she said at last, “that men are very different from women. Actually, I’d never really thought about things like that before.”