A Gentleman's Curse (Avenging Lords 4)

t was rude of her to listen, to eavesdrop. But one could not mistake the desperate longing in the woman’s voice.

“Selina still loves you.” Claudia swallowed past the lump in her throat. “That much is evident.”

As the hired help, what right had she to feel jealous?

What right had she to pester him for his opinion?

Hudson drew his attention away from the window though he looked equally lost in thought. “Selina thinks she loves me, but she’s mistaken.”

“How do you know?” Oh, she sounded so desperate for an answer, so desperate for confirmation this brazen woman meant nothing to him.

Hudson brushed his hand through his dark hair and sat forward. “May I ask you a question?”

“Of course. You may ask me anything. You know that.”

He inclined his head respectfully. “Love or reputation? Given a choice, which one would you choose?”

Which one? She did not need to ponder the question. Love. Love was the greatest gift of all. Reputation was a weak and flimsy label based on nothing more than other people’s opinions. Hypocrites who enforced rules and secretly broke them.

“Love,” she said earnestly. “I would choose love over anything.”

“Over money?”

Pangs of guilt and shame hit her in the chest. The question brought to mind her rash bargain with Mr Thorncroft. The impulsive decision stemmed from fear, fear of what might become of Emily should they have no option but to sell Falaura Glen. How would her sister cope in new surroundings? In that respect had Claudia’s actions not stemmed from love?

“I choose love,” she reiterated.

Hudson flopped back in the seat. “There you have it. If Selina loved me, she would have boarded the ship to India. I have no doubt you would have seized the opportunity.”

Claudia was beginning to believe she might do anything for this man. Such was the nature of this strange connection. Still, as much as she disliked Selina, she had to play devil’s advocate.

“Perhaps you’re letting your emotions cloud your judgement.”

His answer came in the form of a mocking snort.

“What if Selina’s only thoughts were of saving you?” she continued. “If she’d boarded that ship, you would have been the talk of the ton. What if she married your brother to divert attention away from you leaving?”

A heavy silence descended.

Hudson Lockhart narrowed his gaze as he studied her with an intensity that heated her blood. Whatever he saw caused his eyes to flare with awe and wonder, caused his mouth to curl at the corners in a sensual grin.

“Do you know something?” he eventually said, his attentive stare leaving her breathless.

“What?”

“You, my darling, are a sparkling gem amongst a pile of dull pebbles.”

Claudia gulped. Never had anyone paid her such a compliment.

“You, my darling, have such a pure and honest heart you would speak the truth even if it meant backing a potential rival.”

“Honesty is the foundation for any lasting relationship.” Her father had taught her that. Still, she’d not been honest about her reasons for wanting Mr Lockhart’s money. “And we’re in a private carriage. You don’t need to use the endearment for fear of making a faux pas.”

“No, I don’t.” The words slipped slowly from confident lips.

Silence descended once more.

This time the air sizzled with a vibrant energy that brought thoughts of his lustful kiss flooding back. To distract her mind, she glanced out of the window just as they stopped at the turnpike heading out of town.