The Offer (Baron 2)

As calm as a vicar, he said, “So you fled to the portrait gallery to escape from Trevor?”

“Yes,” she said, then gulped. She didn’t say another word, just concentrated on getting a hold on herself.

“Who are you, Sabrina? And who is Trevor?”

She wanted to tell him everything, she truly wanted to, but she couldn’t. So long as Trevor and Elizabeth stood together at Monmouth Abbey, she could never return, nor had she any wish to. She could well imagine Phillip’s reaction were she to pour the whole sordid story into his ears. He would take her back and undoubtedly force a confrontation with Trevor. God only knew what her grandfather would do, what would happen to him. No, she couldn’t allow it. She had made her plans and as soon as she gained her strength back, she would leave Yorkshire and go to her aunt Barresford. She never wanted to return to Monmouth Abbey for as long as Trevor and Elizabeth were there. And that would be always. She thought of her grandfather, of him not knowing if she was alive or dead, not understanding. She felt tears sting her eyes and shook her head. Crying wouldn’t help and it would just make Phillip question her more. She forced herself to pull away from him.

“I told you that my name’s Sabrina Eversleigh. Trevor is someone who is of no concern to you.”

“That may be true, but I know he’s a bastard and that he hurt you. I do wish you’d just tell me the truth, but if you still wish to keep it all inside you, well, then, I still have some time on my hands. A little mystery always amuses me. Yes, I have both patience and time on my side.”

He eased her back onto her pillow. She immediately reared up again, balancing herself on her elbows. “My money. What did you do with my money?”

“I suppose you mean the three pounds and some odd shillings I found in your bodice?”

“You know very well that’s what I mean. Where is it?”

He’d meant to embarrass her. Not well done of him, but he wasn’t feeling all that much charity with her at the moment. He rose from her bed. “Obviously there isn’t a gaming hall hereabouts where I could dissipate your fortune. Your three pounds are quite safe, I assure you. Since you are awake, I must insist that you eat some more of my soup. You don’t wish to go home looking like an orphan from the workhouse.”

She felt hated, useless tears burn her eyes. She said, as if by rote, “My home is in London. And it is to London that I must go when I’m well again.”

“I suppose you’ll tell me that you were out for a nice winter’s stroll and got lost in your Eppingham Forest.”

She shrugged. It infuriated him. “I was here visiting acquaintances of my family. I live with my aunt in London. Please, Phillip, you must help me return to her.”

“Who are these acquaintances you were visiting?”

She just looked at him, that stubborn chin of hers up.

“What’s your aunt’s name?”

Her chin went higher, but he saw that it was costing her. She looked fixedly at a point just above his left shoulder. “She’s married to a London merchant and lives in the city. Her name would mean nothing to you.”

“Ah, I understand now. You are an orphan.”

She was taken aback and he saw that she was. Actually she’d never thought of herself as an orphan, even though both of her parents were dead. She remembered her mother’s face when she’d received word that her husband had been killed in the battle of Ciudad Rodrigo. Her mother had died shortly thereafter. Yes, she was an orphan. She nodded and was silent.

“God, but you’re stubborn. How can you expect me to get you back to your aunt, if you will not tell me who she is?”

“I’ve told you that I was on my way to get the London stage that stops in Borhamwood. That was where I was going when my horse went lame. I didn’t realize that it would snow; well, I did, but I thought it would hold off longer.”

The viscount rose, giving her a look of acute dislike. “Enough, Sabrina. If

you continue with these unbelievable tales when you’re better, I just might be tempted to beat you.”

“A man’s threat,” she said, eyeing him with contempt. “None of you think anything of threatening someone smaller than you are.”

He just grinned at her. “Spare me your indignation. You know very well that you pulled those words out of a hat. Except, of course, for this Trevor fellow, who, when I discover his identity, I will kill with no hesitation at all. Now, calm yourself down, my lady. I’m going to fetch your soup now.”

“Don’t you dare call me that.”

A very strong reaction, one that gave him the truth. And she knew she’d spilled it. Her face was frozen. He said easily, “Even though you’re not wearing a signet ring, it doesn’t matter. I’m not altogether ignorant of the ways of ladies of quality. And despite your spurts of impertinence, that’s exactly what you are.”

She shook her head back and forth on the pillow and fell into a spasm of coughing. Phillip leaned over and clasped her against him, gently rubbing her back until the hoarse coughs subsided.

“I feel so wretched.”

He felt her warm breath against his shoulder. “I know.” He pressed her gently back down and covered her. “No more inquisition for now.”