Staring up at the ceiling, he pictured her face. Even after the teeth-rattling carriage ride with Fergus Royce at the reins, Grace had been the brightest, most vibrant woman in the tavern. No amount of hair dye or exhaustion could dim the light in her warm brown eyes.
The hope in her gaze intrigued him. Given the life she’d led, one would expect her to be a cynic. But even now, when so much was at stake and she was facing danger from all fronts, he’d seen no trace of bitterness. Rather, he’d detected a stubborn—and naive—faith in her future, a sense of optimism that she could find her way out of this quagmire.
Find out why the lass did what she did.
Gerard’s words nagged at him. By thunder, what did it matter? Grace could not change her past. Even if she were absolved of her crimes, he’d know the truth. He could neither deny nor ignore the fact she was a thief, a confidence artist who’d preyed on those who trusted her.
Blast it, why did he want to understand? Why did the question of what had driven Grace to a life of thievery gnaw at his insides?
He shouldn’t give a damn about her.
But he did.
It had been all he could do to focus on what his brother was saying when Grace was in the room. And when she’d left to retire to her quarters with her stiff-necked chaperone, he’d wished it were him at her side.
What he wouldn’t give to hold her as she slept and look into her eyes as they awoke.
If he’d had any sense, he would’ve refused this assignment. Simon’s arguments for his place in this mission were valid. But Harrison had been a damned fool to go along with this scheme.
If only he didn’t feel the need to watch over her. If he’d insisted that Simon assign another agent to protect Grace—could he live with himself if something went wrong?
With a groan, he yanked the covers over him. He needed to get some blasted sleep. The morning would come soon enough, and with it, the heart of his task would commence. He must carry out this mission.
And then, he’d turn away and return to his ordinary, well-ordered life—an existence that had no place for a criminal, no matter how lovely.
No matter how much he craved her by his side.
He would do his duty.
No matter the cost.
