The Imposter by Celeste Bradley

Author:Celeste Bradley
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-two

Pulling on his wrinkled clothing, Dalton tried not to listen to Clara bathing with the cold water in the basin. Her gasps of chilled surprise were very nearly erotic.

When she finally allowed him to turn around, he found her wrapped demurely in the stolen cloak.

“What are you wearing under that?” Her nightgown had been put to its final use as her washcloth.

“None of your business,” she said primly.

“Well, don’t catch a chill in that damp cloak. And don’t let James get so much as a peek of you under that when he arrives. He should be here with your things soon.”

“Dalton…”

Her tone was serious. He gave her his full attention. “Yes?”

Her chin went up. “I don’t want to go.”

Damn. He’d thought it had been too easy. “You must Going into hiding until I uncover the culprit is the only way to keep you safe.”

“I don’t want to flee. It will only mean they win, don’t you see? The men like your marquess and my father’s earl—if the people who see them for what they are hide away, then who will speak out? Who will save the innocent and the gullible?”

She was so valiant and so naive. “Who will save you when Kurt comes after you again? How can I both protect you and solve this?”

“I can help you. I’m very good at what I do, Dalton. In the months that I’ve been doing it, I’ve never once been caught.”

“It only takes once,” he said grimly. How was he to turn her from this? “Clara, you will leave with James this evening if I have to tie you in a sack and strap you on top of the carriage.”

She gazed at him evenly. “You would force me?”

It was an unfair card for her to play and she knew it, for he could see the darkening of shame in her eyes. Damn, she was stubborn.

“If you won’t flee to safety, then.—” He couldn’t bear it. He spoke before thinking. “I can think of another way for you to secure your future.”

“What is that?”

“Wed me.”

She could not help a disbelieving laugh. “I could not.”

He was affronted. “Why not? As Lady Etheridge you would be nigh untouchable.” He warmed to the idea even as he spoke. “It is the perfect solution. You could live far from town. I have several estates for you to choose from. That way you would pose no distraction to my work. I would care for you beautifully. You would have everything. You would have such wealth you would never need to draw again—”

She flinched. “No, not everything. I would not have you. Nor my self-respect.”

“As my wife, you would have everyone’s respect! I offer you my name and my fortune.”

“How can you think I would accept? You offer me desert and sand, and call it paradise.”

“You think my offer bears no worth?”

“Your offer is an affront. I don’t want your pretty exile, Dalton.” She sighed, obviously reaching for restraint. “Your sense of responsibility is commendable, but I will not sell my future for your peace of mind.

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