To Tempt the Devil by C. J. Archer

Author:C. J. Archer [Archer, C. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9781612187150
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Published: 2012-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“Blake,” Lizzy said upon entering his study. “A word, if you please.”

“Of course,” he said, unlocking a casket on the desk. When she didn’t respond, he glanced up. “What is it, Lizzy?”

“You don’t seem too concerned that Rafe and I are forced to spend time alone with each other.”

“Are you worried he’ll betray his brother’s trust and…” He cleared his throat and the skin above his ruff reddened.

“No! Not that. But…do you know the story behind his departure from London years ago? You can’t possibly or you wouldn’t be so relieved that he is with me now.”

Blake replaced the casket lid and came around the desk to hold both her hands. “I know what happened. As much as anyone does, that is.”

“And you’re not afraid?”

He smiled. “I’m not afraid. You were a child then and probably weren’t made aware of all the facts. Perhaps if you were, you’d feel safer around him.”

“The fact is, he almost killed his own stepfather.”

“True, but he never hurt anyone else, including James or any of the witnesses to his crime.”

“What about the fights he was rumored to have started at the alehouses before that day?”

“I thought we were dealing with facts, not rumor. Listen, Lizzy, Rafe Fletcher is a capable man and that’s what you need now—someone who can take care of you. Besides, if James didn’t trust him, he would hardly have asked Rafe to take care of you in his absence.”

It was a point that had bothered her for some time, and still didn’t quite make sense. Of all people, James knew what his brother had done, knew about his tendency to violence. Being capable had nothing to do with the equation. Rafe was capable of a lot of things, killing being one of them.

Blake returned to the desk and filled up a pouch with coins from the casket, then walked with Lizzy back to the kitchen. She was still deep in thought when they rejoined Rafe and the cook. He smiled at her. She didn’t smile back.

“Your left breast is higher than your right,” Blake said to Rafe. He held out the pouch. “For supplies or bribes. Cook, make up a parcel.” The cook, still chuckling into her chins, disappeared into the adjoining storeroom. Blake jiggled the pouch again.

Rafe shook his head. “I can provide—”

“Thank you,” Lizzy said, taking the pouch. She arched a defiant eyebrow at Rafe. “We’ll pay you back when this is over.” She bobbed down and kissed Annie on the top of her head. “Say hello to your mama for me, little one.”

Blake clasped Lizzy’s shoulders and kissed her cheek. His lips came away smudged with the black charcoal she’d used to define the creases around her mouth.

“G’bye, Uncle.” Annie reached up with both arms, her pale little face watching Rafe intently. “I’m not your uncle,” he said, squatting in front of her.

Her big blue eyes swept across to Lizzy then back to Rafe. Did she think them married? “G’bye, Aunt?”

Blake and the cook erupted into laughter. Lizzy grinned behind her hand.

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