Page 27 of Redemption

“I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve that. You could have handed me over to the magistrate the other night, and you didn’t,” she said softly. “As you said, neither of us had any idea Edgar would be at the orphanage.”

“And perhaps I’ve been too hasty in dismissing your warning about Ruckley,” he said quietly. “Tell me why Edgar would be at the orphanage to begin with. He’s clearly old enough to be on his own.

“Edgar is working to fill Ruckley’s rank-and-file.”

“Explain,” he bit out with concern.

“Edgar finds vulnerable children, gains their trust, and makes them believe life with Ruckley will be better than the life they currently lead.” Rhea’s gaze was cast downward to where her fingers picked at the silk of her dress. “But the minute Edgar tells Ruckley he saw me at White Willow House the man will do what he can to find out where I am. He’s capable of anything when it comes to getting what he wants.”

The air of hopelessness about her caused a knot of anger to form in his abdomen. Rhea was a fighter. She’d proven that to him in a relatively short time. But the defeat reflected in her demeanor troubled him. How could he make her understand she was no longer alone when it came to the threat Ruckley posed?

“Rhea, I promise I’ll protect you.”

“Don’t.” Rhea jerked her head up. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

“My word is of great value to me. I do not give it lightly.”

“Perhaps, but I think you’re apt to find you’ve miscalculated the situation badly.”

“A challenge,” he said with a small smile. “As my sister and I have said, my family has more than a passing acquaintance with accepting challenges. We excel at beating the odds.”

Rhea stared at him in the silence for a moment then shook her head and turned away from him once more. The desire to reassure her surged through him. Percy leaned forward and caught her hand in his again.

“Rhea, trust me.” At his words, she shuddered. The vibration of her trembling passed its way into his hands, and he fought the urge to gather her into his arms. An unreadable expression on her face, she looked at him.

“Why?” she asked in a voice devoid of emotion. “Why should I trust you?”

It was a valid question, and he wasn’t sure how to answer her. What reason could he possibly offer her as to why she could trust him? None.

“You have absolutely no reason to do so,” he said with quiet patience. “Simply call it a leap of faith.”

As her gaze met his, he silently urged her to believe he only had her best interests at heart. Something flickered in her violet gaze, and he suddenly realized how important it was to him that she believe he was sincere in his desire to help her—to have her trust him. In the back of his head bells clanged a wild warning cry. He quickly silenced the alarm. His interest in Rhea was to help her and to right an injustice, nothing more. Instinctively he knew it was a lie, but he wasn’t willing to examine his true motives. At this moment the only thing that mattered was seeing Ruckley destroyed and Rhea safe.