She blinked at him before laughing. “Simon, listen to yourself. You sound like some barbarian from the dark ages who will take whatever he wants and damn the consequences.”
He supposed that was exactly how he sounded to her. But he didn’t care. He would not risk her being hurt again. “I meant what I said, Mia. If you leave, I shall bring you back here.”
“As your mistress, I suppose?”
She had to mention that. Images of her writhing under him came instantly to his mind. He pushed those lascivious thoughts away. “No, there is no need for you to become my mistress.”
Dammit! Did he really just say those words? There was every reason for her to become his mistress. Just the thought of her in his bed every night made him hard with desire. He had to leave this situation before he did act like a barbarian, throw her over his shoulder, and lock her in his bedchamber.
“We will speak no more of this,” he commanded. “Until Davies is caught you will remain here. Once we have him, then we will revisit your living accommodations. In the meantime, you can act as my steward. Good day.”
After watching Simon storm off in a completely uncharacteristic manner, Mia walked back to the house and wrote to Selina. With Tia gone, Selina was the only one who could help her.
Almost two hours later, Selina finally arrived. With the tea poured, her friend stared at Mia. “What is wrong, Mia? Your note sounded urgent.”
Mia stared down at the amber liquid in her cup. “I need your help with something but you must promise me that you won’t tell a soul.”
Selina sipped her tea and then placed the cup on the table next to her. “Mia, that will depend on the favor. I cannot risk my position as duchess now.”
“I understand. It is truly a small favor. I need you to go to Mr. Rathbourne.”
“The pawnbroker?”
“Yes.” Mia fished out the small emerald and held it out to Selina. “Ask him if he will buy this. Try to haggle for a higher amount because he will always try to give you less than it’s worth.” She had learned that with the first piece of gold she’d sold to him.
Selina’s green eyes widened. “Mia, did you steal this from the earl?” she whispered.
“Of course not.” Well, not exactly. It wasn’t stealing if he didn’t know the emerald was there in the first place... was it?
“Where did you get this?”
“I found it.”
Selina shook her head. “Where? You know as well as I, if you found it on his land it belongs to him.”
Mia closed her eyes and nodded. “Selina, I am doing this for him.”
“What do you mean?”
Simon would never want anyone to know about his finances. “I can’t tell you. Please just trust me. Any money you get from selling that gem will go to the earl.”
“What aren’t you telling me, Mia?”
“Please,” she begged. “Just do this for me.”
“Not until you tell me the truth,” Selina replied, crossing her arms over her chest.
She was going to have to tell her some of the truth. “Very well. A year ago, I was helping Mrs. Perkins with her potato crop. I found a very old gold hilt. I sold it and gave the money to the tenants who needed it the most. Then I found a few other pieces of gold and did the same. By selling this emerald and giving him the money, I can repay what I took from him.”
“Indeed. So you are stealing more from him to repay what you already took from him.”
Of course, Selina was right. But Mia had no other choice. “Will you do it?”
“Yes.” Selina took another sip of her tea. “Now, why are you still staying here? Have you become his lover?”
Mia frowned slightly. Was she now his lover after what they did in the study? She thought it did, but he hadn’t wanted her as his mistress. So what did that make her? “I don’t believe so,” she said aloud before realizing her mistake.
“You don’t believe so? You either are or you are not.” Selina eyed her carefully. “Which is it?”