“While my initial idea was a good one, unfortunately, your performance was a little too convincing for certain people.” She waved her hand about in the direction of his bed. “And what happened between us, while enjoyable, should not happen again.”
He folded his arms over his chest. “So just like that, you’re done with me.”
“Now, Mr. Dawes, we both knew it was a risk I was taking with my reputation
pretending you were my beau. Wilks has gone, Thwaite too. Letterford has set his sights on another. All the guests are departing today. From now on, I prefer a clear distinction between your performance here and the reality of our relationship.”
She waved their agreement in the air and committed it to the flames. “Good riddance. I’ll write another upon my return to London. One with better terms to see you rise through the ranks of the theatre.”
“I don’t need another agreement.”
“We both know your heart’s desire is to perform before an adoring audience in London,” she chided. She produced a wad of money from her reticule and held it out.
He looked at it with suspicion. “What’s that?”
“Your bonus for an outstanding performance here,” she told him. “You can count it if you like but I promise I’d never short-change anyone so talented.”
“Thank you, but no.” Jeremy turned away and started gathering up his possessions.
Fanny looked at her hand full of money, then at him. “What are you doing? Was it not enough?”
“I don’t deserve a single penny. I thought … I thought I had earned your respect, but it’s clear to see I don’t have any such thing if at the first argument between us has you throwing your money around.”
“I could pay you more if I must?”
“I don’t want more. I don’t want any.” He riffled through the closet but removed nothing before he shut the door. “I’ll leave all of this lot for your next stray, shall I? It shouldn’t be too hard to find a man of my build if you frequent the poorer parts of London. We’re all underfed and grateful for a rich lady’s charity.”
“My next? Sir, you go too far!”
“Too far with you. Everyone told me you’re fond of taking in strays. Perfumed imbeciles. Where are they now? Well-funded by your charity still. I’m nothing like those men.” He looked at her a long time, a look of hopelessness coming into his eyes she’d never seen there before. He brushed past her on the way to the door.
“Jeremy.” Fanny rushed after him. “Where do you think you are going?”
“What do you care?”
“I never said I didn’t care about you!”
He was suddenly towering over her. “You offered me that money because I shared your bed, admit it, not because of my performance in front of your friends and family.”
She grabbed hold of his arm. “Quiet. Someone in the hall might hear you.”
“What does it matter? I’ll be gone and forgotten in a moment anyway.”
She blanched. “Jeremy, calm down. Let’s talk about this.”
He perched a shabby wool cap on his head and pulled it low over his eyes. “It’s Mr. Dawes to you from now on, Lady Rivers. I’ve got my own code of honor, and the first item is to never fuck someone who wants to pay me for the privilege.”
“Jere—Mr. Dawes, please. There’s no need for you to be upset and leave in a huff. I am only living up to my promise to you.”
“A huff? Madam, I am deeply insulted.”
Fanny gaped. “What is so wrong with me doing the right thing by you? You need the money, don’t you?”
“Not as much as you must imagine.” Then, after taking one last look around, he snatched up a canvas sack and marched out the door without meeting her gaze again.
Chapter 14
Never again would Jeremy accept the patronage of a wealthy widow, unless she was a wizened old crone with no teeth. Just when he’d thought he had earned Fanny’s respect, he learned he’d never had it at all.