Selina returned to looking out the window as they left Redhill behind. Rafe focused his white-hot rage into a cold determination for revenge.
After some time, Selina asked, “What if we could get him to confess?”
Rafe wasn’t sure that would be possible. “I don’t know him well enough to say. I suppose we could try.” Christ, how? If only they knew him better or knew someone who did, who could provoke him…
Anne.
She’d known him her entire life. He looked at her as another daughter, and in fact, might even care for her more than his own daughter. It was perhaps his only redeeming quality.
No, Rafe wouldn’t even give him that. In fact, when he thought of Mallory holding affection toward Anne, Rafe grew more furious.
“You’re thinking of something,” Selina said.
“Yes, but don’t ask me what. I don’t know if it will work.” He couldn’t reveal the truth to Anne and risk her telling her godfather. “We need to keep what we learned today to ourselves—and Harry.”
“And Beatrix. I don’t keep secrets from her.”
Rafe exhaled. “Fine. But she and Rockbourne must swear secrecy.”
Selina nodded. “They will. You’ll be the earl soon. Things will get even easier then.”
Perhaps. Rafe put no trust in such things. He trusted his sister and himself.
And he was going to do whatever necessary to make their uncle pay for his crimes. Even if he had to use Anne to do it.
Chapter 10
Two days felt like a lifetime, particularly when Anne had no idea how many more days it would be before she saw Rafe again. She wandered downstairs to the library and ran into Jane, who promptly frowned.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Anne asked.
Jane’s eyes narrowed. “Why do you look like that?”
“Like what?” Anne tried to sound light and even lifted her shoulder in the hope of conveying a careless attitude. She was fairly certain she’d failed spectacularly given the deepening concern in Jane’s brow.
“As if you’ve just received the most disappointing news. You haven’t, have you?”
What would that even be? Anne tried to think of the most disappointing thing. Not ever seeing Rafe again. And since she currently had no plans to do so, yes, she supposed it was the equivalent of the most disappointing news ever. God, she was a pathetic mess of unrequited love.
“I have not,” Anne said, debating whether to confide in Jane about what had happened between her and Rafe the other day.
The butler came into the library, interrupting anything Anne might have said. “Lady Colton, Mr. Mallory is here to see Miss Pemberton.”
“Please show him in,” Jane said.
After the butler departed, Jane looked toward Anne, her brows climbing. “He’s calling on you?”
Anne’s heart pounded, and her belly flipped. “I wasn’t expecting him to.”
“That explains your demeanor,” Jane said with a light smile. “I’ll leave you alone, but with the door open, and I’ll sit just outside. Not to eavesdrop, but to pretend there’s just a bit of propriety happening.” She winked at Anne just before Rafe stepped into the room.
Everything faded into the background around him. He looked spectacular, his golden hair combed into a perfect, rakish style, his dark gray costume with burgundy waistcoat fitting his physique impeccably. Anne’s throat went dry as she recalled their last encounter, when she’d been stripped nearly bare in his embrace. Her pulse raced as a thrilling heat swept through her.
He bowed his head. “Lady Colton. Miss Pemberton.”
“Lord—” Anne stopped herself. “Mr. Mallory.” He was not yet Lord Stone. Nevertheless, she’d wondered if he was an earl on the very day they’d met. Perhaps there was something intrinsically noble about him.
The butler left, and Jane stepped toward the door. “Good afternoon, Mr. Mallory. I presume you’d like to speak with my sister. I’ll be just outside.” She glanced toward Anne before departing the library.
Rafe walked toward her. “Your sister is very accommodating. What does she know?”
“She knows about our…friendship, how I feel about you.” She looked up at him, her body swaying, aching for his touch. “I did not tell her any specifics about the other day.” Warmth rose in her cheeks to match the heat in her core.
“I came to ask a favor, if I may.” He was being very reserved. Was that because the door was open? Or because he truly wasn’t going to continue their…whatever it was?
“Shall we sit?” She gestured to the settee to her left.
At his nod, she perched on the edge, angling herself toward him. He also sat somewhat sideways, facing her. Their knees nearly touched. They were so close, but the bare inch felt as though it were a canyon.
Anne couldn’t imagine what favor she could grant him. At least not one that matched his current behavior. “I gather this is not a favor of a…personal nature?”
His eyes flickered with heat. “No.” Some of the anticipation curling through Anne dissipated. “I would like to get to know my uncle.”
This surprised her, but she was pleased. “I think that’s wonderful.”
“It seems I should. I haven’t ever had family beyond my sister, and we’ve been apart for some time.” He looked away from her. “I will never get my father back, but it seems his brother might be the next best thing.” He said the last few words slowly, as if he were choosing his words with care.
Anne smiled, glad that he’d come to this decision and that he’d sought her out to help. “This is brilliant. You’d like my assistance?”
He nodded. “I’m not sure how, but he’s like a second father to you, isn’t he?”
“I suppose he is. In some ways, I like him better than my father, particularly after learning how my father treated Jane.” She shook her head, not wishing to revisit that just now. “Now that my father is gone—at least for now—my godfather has taken it upon himself to fulfill a parental role.” She chuckled. “Whether I want him to or not.”
“And do you want him to?”
While Anne wasn’t keen on reentering Society for the purposes of finding a husband—and that was clearly what her godfather wanted her to do—she couldn’t deny that it was nice to have him there. She’d always had parents, and now that she didn’t, it was strange. Perhaps even a bit…lonely. “I suppose I do. I appreciate that he cares about my welfare and my happiness. Especially after what happened with Gilbert. Except, he thinks I should marry immediately.” She twitched her shoulders. “Why do so many people think marriage is the answer to everything?”
“I surely don’t know,” he said drily. “I would never suggest such a thing.”
No, she imagined he wouldn’t, particularly given his experience. She pondered how to bring them together. It was a difficult, sensitive situation. First, she should gauge her godfather’s current sentiment. He’d been very upset after the dinner on Monday.
“You should spend time together,” she said. “Perhaps in a group at first, but then just the two of you.” An idea struck her. “Sandon, I mean, Lorcan is lovely. If you wouldn’t mind, I could also speak to him. I do believe he feels a slight relief that you’ve returned. He is far more in love with that Irish estate than fulfilling any duties here, which would be required after his father dies.” She shuddered. “How I detest thinking of such things.”