Page 69 of Give Him a Chance
Bernard hesitated.
It was unbelievable, but not for the reasons Lucy thought. After all, she had not fallen in love with a criminal, had she?
And now…now was the time to tell her.
“Lucy,” he said quietly.
Her mouth parted in horror. “Oh, I meant no offense by it!”
“I know you didn’t,” Bernard tried to reassure her with a wry smile. “Lucy—”
“Because there is no shame in your past, Bernard, and I can see that you have utterly reformed. I know Society would never think so because of the circumstances of your birth, but you are more a gentleman now than many of the men in my acquaintance!”
“NowthatI can well believe,” he said wryly. “Lucy—”
“And I don’t care if we can never marry. I have a dowry. It’s not large, but perhaps my father will take pity on me and allow me to control it as a spinster. Then I can do as I please…” She gasped. “I could marry whom I please! Though I wonder if my father will realize that’s my plan andnotloosen his purse strings.”
“Lucy, I am not a criminal.”
Lucy halted, lips parted mid-sentence, and stared in utter confusion.
There. I’ve done it. Bernard knew there would be hell to pay if Hovell ever found out, but how would he? Lucy was hardly likely to tell him, and Bernard had to reveal the truth to her now. It was such a part of him that he did not know if he could go on breathing if he did not tell her.
A slight furrow puckered at the edges of Lucy’s brow. “Not… Not a criminal.”
Bernard shook his head slowly with a smile. “No.”
“But… Come now, Bernard, there is nothing to be ashamed of, just because you would never commit a crime again now.”
He had not realized how difficult it would be to convince her. “Lucy, I’ve never committed a crime in my life.”
“But—Bernard, I met you when you were in the dock!” Lucy laughed, her brow still furrowed. “I know you do not see yourself as a criminal—”
“Lucy,” said Bernard quietly, knowing that once he said this, there was no taking it back. “Lucy, I… I’m a spy.”
