Brynn hung her head. Perhaps she had been wrong to withhold the news of her pregnancy from Lucian; she had robbed him of the joy of finding out from her, of sharing in her great discovery. And yet… “I didn’t dare tell you.”
“Why not, damn you?”
She lifted a pleading gaze to him. “Because I was afraid for your life! Once you discovered that I’d conceived, I knew you would never let me go. But I couldn’t stay with you any longer without falling in love with you. Without bringing the curse down on your head.”
Lucian stared at his beautiful wife, trying to read the truth in her emerald eyes. Had she really wanted to protect him from that damned curse, or was she merely trying to save her own skin?
His mouth twisted sardonically. “Well, I doubt you would have kept the secret much longer now that your complicity has been revealed.”
She bit her quivering lip. “What do you mean?”
“Surely you’re aware of the advantage in divulging your condition? Breeding is the rare circumstance that can keep a female traitor from the hangman’s noose. Indeed, perhaps that’s why you seemed eager to conceive my child-as surety against having to pay so severely for your crime.”
Her chin came up, while her eyes flashed. “That is a despicable insinuation. I wouldn’t want to conceive a child just to escape punishment, even if I were guilty. I am not a traitor, Lucian, whether you believe me or not. And I don’t want you to die. Even if I didn’t love you, I would still want you safe. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. To keep you safe.”
Lucian remained grimly silent. He desperately wanted to believe her profession of love, but he couldn’t allow himself. He had played the fool with Brynn once too often.
As if understanding his struggle, she rose and went to him, stopping a mere foot away. He could feel her warmth, her devastating allure, even dressed as she was in male clothing.
Determinedly Lucian clenched his hands at his sides as he fought for control. He wanted to shake Brynn, to dredge the truth from her. He wanted to strip away the deception between them, the dark secrets, the lies. He wanted to pull her into his arms…
Damn her to hell. She stood looking up at him in the dim lamplight, her eyes shimmering pools of green. She seemed utterly sincere. Was she guilty of treason, or was she only trying to protect her brother?
“I cannot prove my innocence, Lucian,” she said softly. “But I swear on our child’s life, I am telling you the truth.”
A surge of anger shot through him at her callous oath. Brynn was manipulating his sympathies, using his greatest vulnerability against him. It would serve her right if he arrested her and turned her over to the British government-
Silently Lucian cursed himself. He couldn’t send Brynn to prison, even if she was a traitor. God knew, he didn’t want anything or anyone to hurt her. She was his wife. The woman he loved. Even now his desire for her burned hotter than ever. It was a hungering ache that never left him.
Guilty or not, he couldn’t act against her. Even if it meant having to sacrifice his own honor, he couldn’t allow her to suffer the punishment for treason.
Lucian squeezed his eyes shut, blocking out the sight of her exquisite face. He would risk anything to protect the beautiful deceiver who owned his heart.
Still… he had to consider his duty. He had to prevent her further betrayal. And he had to keep her safe. He could think of one possible way…
Hardening his heart, Lucian made himself meet her gaze. “You’ve caused enough damage, Brynn, but I don’t mean to give you any further opportunity. As soon as I deal with your brother, I plan to take you to Wales.”
“Wales?”
“To the Wycliff castle there, where you’ll remain until my child is born. It will serve to separate you from your brother. Meanwhile, you may consider yourself under house arrest.”
“Arrest?” Her eyes widened with alarm.
“Yes. This house is surrounded, Brynn. If you attempt to leave, you’ll be arrested. Your brother, as well. You won’t succeed in your conspiracy.”
“Lucian, please-”
“I’ve heard enough.”
He started to turn away, but Brynn grasped his arm, detaining him. “What do you intend to do?”
“Prevent your brother from delivering the gold to our country’s enemies.”
A look of fear crossed her face. “You can’t involve yourself, Lucian.”
“Can’t I?”
“You’ll be killed. Please, I beg you…”
Lucian gritted his teeth. She wasn’t as concerned for his life as for her brother’s, he well knew. He could understand why Brynn wanted to protect Sir Grayson-because she was fiercely loyal to her family-but it galled him just the same that she would choose a traitor over him. But no amount of pleading would keep him from apprehending her brother.
Brynn evidently sensed his determination, for she took a deep, shaky breath. “Very well, then. I will take you to Grayson.”
Lucian gave her a sharp glance. Her tears were under control now, and her expression was emotionless, without a show of any feeling whatsoever. “What are you saying?”
“You don’t know where to look for him. I can show you.”
“I don’t need your help. I told you, if he attempts to leave, he’ll be arrested. He won’t get far.”
“He won’t be seen leaving the house, Lucian. You may search all you want, but you won’t find him.”
Lucian hesitated, wondering if this was yet another of Brynn’s silken lies.
“I will lead you to him. And the gold. I believe I know where he’s hidden it.”
His eyes narrowed. “Tell me.”
“No.” Brynn shook her head. “I won’t let you go alone, Lucian.”
He took a menacing step toward her, but she held her ground. “I am going with you.”
“Do you think me a complete gull? You expect me to follow you blindly into a trap you’ve plotted with your brother?”
A look of pain crossed her face. “I haven’t plotted any trap.”
“You aren’t going anywhere, Brynn. You are still my wife, and carrying my child. Traitor or not, I don’t want you endangered.”
“I don’t want you endangered, either. In any case, my brother would never harm me.”
“But his cohorts would. He’s right about the smuggling ring being vicious. They won’t think twice about wrapping that fiery hair of yours around your throat and strangling you with it.”
“I know. Why do you think I wanted a pistol?”
When that gave him pause, she pressed her argument. “What do you think I was planning, Lucian? I intended to stop Grayson myself, so you wouldn’t have to. I know you don’t believe me, but it’s true.”
Irate that she would continue her brash falsehoods, Lucian raised both hands to cup them around her throat in a velvet grip.
She gazed back at him mutely, anguish in her eyes.
With another savage oath, Lucian let his hands fall away. “Wait here,” he demanded.
“Lucian…”
Rejecting her plea out of hand, he left Brynn in the study, shutting and locking the door behind him. Striding swiftly along the corridor to the front entrance, he let himself out and descended into the darkness.
Philip Barton appeared out of the night. “My lord?”
“What have you seen of Sir Grayson? Has he made an appearance this evening?”
“No, he hasn’t left the house.”
At least not by any of the conventional portals, Lucian concluded. He could order the house searched, but he suspected Brynn was being truthful for once; Sir Grayson wouldn’t be found. There had to be a hidden passage within the house, Lucian realized. He might find it eventually, but his efforts could prove too late.
Philip seemed able to read his mind. “I have men patrolling the beach, as you ordered.”
“They still could slip past with the gold,” Lucian said grimly.
“What do you wish me to do?”
What indeed? Lucian wondered. If Brynn was telling the truth, she could lead him to her brother and the gold.