Thief of Hearts by Ruby Moone

Author:Ruby Moone [Moone, Ruby]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781634866866
Published: 2018-07-07T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Spencer came hurrying through the door to the servants’ hall closely followed by Mrs. Crawford.

“I’m so sorry. He wouldn’t leave. I sent Bentley to get a note to you but I’m presuming he didn’t make it?”

David shook his head. “It’s of no worry. I will deal with him.” He sounded unspeakably weary, as though the fury which had burned through him had exhausted him completely. Jeremy watched as David dealt with Spencer and Mrs. Crawford and assured them that all was well. They departed, leaving him alone with David in the hallway.

Jeremy swallowed. “Does he mean it?”

David couldn’t look at him. A muscle ticked madly along his jaw and his nostrils flared. He scrubbed his face with one hand. “I wouldn’t be surprised.”

“They are going to force you to do something by threatening to have me hung?”

“That’s about the top and bottom of it.”

“I’m sorry.”

David stared at him as though he has bats in his attic. “What on earth have you to be sorry for? I dragged you into this mess and now…” He threw his hands in the air.

“I’m sorry you are in this position. That’s all.”

David closed his eyes and appeared to be holding onto his composure with every last shred of willpower he possessed. “I didn’t mean it,” he said after a moment, looking at the floor and rubbing his neck with one hand.

“Mean what?”

“About you…” He gestured vaguely with one hand. “Just being a footman.”

“I know.” Jeremy licked his lips. “What are you going to do?”

“See him tomorrow and find out what he expects from me.” David was pacing now. Running his hands through his hair.

“Will it be stealing?”

“If I’m lucky.”

“And if you are not?”

David twitched a shoulder in a faint shrug.

Jeremy’s stomach turned. All because of him. “Perhaps I should leave so he has no hold over you.”

David met his gaze. “He would find another way to make me bend to his will. This is not your fault. It is mine. The fight between me and Charnley is a longstanding one. I should never have dragged you into my life. I should have found you a good position and let you go days ago. Instead, I kept you here and now I have exposed you to all that is vile and filthy in mine.” He was getting angry again. “I have dragged you down to the levels that I inhabit. I made the fatal mistake of believing my own lies. I’m not a gentleman, I’m not even a good person.”

Jeremy wanted to dispute that, but let it go. “You called him brother?”

David dipped his head momentarily, then looked up. “Because he is my brother. Half-brother.”

“The one you spoke of?”

“The same.”

“So, your father was Viscount Charnley.” It wasn’t a question. David really was from aristocratic stock. Jeremy couldn’t imagine how that might feel. “So, he now knows you prefer men, so he will be able to make you do anything that he wants?”

David smiled weakly and cautiously pulled Jeremy into his arms. Jeremy went willingly.

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