set of blocks. He’d once searched the windows to find which room was occupied by Edwin Tranville.
Louisa said, “I had better part with you here, Claude. Before we are seen together.”
For all the money in his pocket, she was still taboo. No matter how many stables he managed, in English society—nay, wherever he traveled—Claude would be considered little more than a stable worker. She would always be a lady.
Still, he did not wish to free her from his arms. She felt too good. Releasing her would be like waking from a beautiful dream.
The dream could not end here. He must see her again, learn about her life since they’d parted. Why had she remained at Rappard Hall? Why had she not married?
He slid off the horse and helped her down, holding her firmly by the waist. When her feet touched the ground, he did not release her.
“Meet me here tomorrow,” he implored, his hands glorying in the intimate contact. “I will bring the horses. Dress for riding and we can gallop over the hills again.”
She returned his gaze, intense with emotion. “I will come,” she breathed. “At noon?”
“At noon.” He was already aroused at the prospect.
Her gaze softened, and she reached up to touch his cheek, a touch so gentle he was surprised it radiated throughout his body.
Before he could wish her farewell, she turned and hurried down the hill.
Claude watched her until she was a small speck rushing towards the country house that had been the scene of their last moments together.
The violence and drama of that night rushed back, shaming him all over again. How much did she know of the darkness that had consumed him at that time? Of what sort of person he’d been? She’d shown no hint.
Louisa was all that was good, the ideal he despaired of striving for in himself. Before he deserved her companionship again, he must tell her the truth about himself.
About how he’d used her to plan a murder.
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