Page 24 of The Rogue’s Offer

When he’d instructed Sabine not to mention their financial arrangement to Ophelia, his friend had been far from happy about his request. He’d argued with the dressmaker for several minutes until she was convinced he had no ulterior motives for keeping the truth from Ophelia. He’d simply assumed Ophelia’s clothing allowance didn’t allow her to be extravagant. Now he wasn’t so sure she even had a clothing allowance.

“Exactly how much is your stipend, Ophelia?” This time his question caused her entire body to straighten into a rigid position as she eyed him haughtily.

“I believe it’s considered quite rude to ask such an indelicate question.”

“Rude or not, I expect an answer.” The image of the worn furniture in her parlor and her father’s gambling made him determined to have the truth from her. She appeared ready to defy him, and he leaned forward slightly in what he knew was an intimidating manner. His eyes narrowed when she didn’t answer him.

“How? Much?”

“Two hundred pounds.”

“Two…monthly, I presume,” he murmured knowing he was wrong, but he could hardly believe even Havenstock, for all his boorish ways, would want anyone to think he’d not left his wife well-cared for. His gaze met Ophelia’s and she flinched before looking away.

“I receive two-hundred pounds annually.”

“Sweet Jesus,” he bit out quietly.

“I don’t want your pity.” Her words were sharp as she turned her head to meet his gaze once more. “I can manage quite well on what George provided me with.”

“I don’t pity you,” he said quietly. “But I don’t understand why you were desperate enough to offer yourself in exchange for a piece of property when your stepson could have settled your father’s debt.”

“I told you, I wanted my home back.”

“That’s not an answer. Why offer yourself in exchange for Marymont, if all you needed to do was ask Havenstock’s son for the necessary funds?”

“I refuse to ask Edgar for any money.”

Although she didn’t say it, Mathias was certain she was regretting the agreement she’d made with him this morning. As much as he wanted to know more about her situation, he also knew it was the wrong time to pursue the topic further. She clearly didn’t want to discuss Havenstock’s son, and pushing her for more information could easily make her break their agreement.

Thatwas the last thing he wanted to happen. He was enjoying her company far more than he realized. He liked the sound of her voice, and how she often put him in this place without restraining her amusement.

The realization set off fire alarms in the back of his head, but he shoved them aside. There was no harm in befriending her. He’d become great friends with Louisa over the years, it would no different with him and Ophelia. A voice in the back of his head snorted with laughter at the comparison of his friendship for Louisa Rockwood and the sensations Ophelia aroused in him. The mocking voice in the back of his head whispered words he refused to listen to. Instead, he attempted to end the discord between them.

“I have no wish to argue with you, so let us dispense with our disagreement of opinion.”

“Agreed,” she said with the same crisp tone he would expect of a schoolmarm. “If you would, please take me home. I’ve lost my appetite for dinner.”

Regret lashed into him at the thought of ending their evening at cross purposes. The idea of parting with her on such a sour note made him grimace. He’d done little this evening to keep things light-hearted between them, which had been his intention from the moment she’d agreed to become his student in the art of seducing a man. But for a second time in the space of minutes, he knew better than to try and persuade her otherwise. With an abrupt nod, he tapped the ceiling of the carriage and quietly gave orders to return to Ophelia’s home.

In a few short minutes, the carriage had rolled to a stop and Jacobs was opening the door for them. Mathias quickly exited the vehicle then turned to offer his hand to Ophelia. Without saying a word, she allowed him to escort her up the steps to the front door of her townhouse. As she pulled her key from her drawstring purse and inserted it into the lock, Mathias reached out to cover her hand.

“I regret upsetting you with my questions about Havenstock, but I did so out of concern for your well-being.”

“I am quite capable of managing my well-being without assistance from you or anyone else, Mr. Gilchrist.” The formal way she addressed him was irritating, but he refrained from commenting.

“Nonetheless, I’m sorry for causing you any distress.” At his quiet reply, she met his gaze and her expression softened.

“Thank you for your concern, Mathias, but I truly am capable of looking out for myself.”

“A trait you’ve emphasized quite well over the last few minutes,” he said with a smile. “I stand suitably chastised.”

“Suitably?” she mocked him with a soft laugh. “I find it difficult to believe you’ve ever thought you’ve done something worthy of a reprimand.”

“Being reprimanded by you, my sweet Ophelia, is as pleasurable as it is painful.” Mathias caught her hand and raised it to his lips to kiss her hand. “Say you’ll ride with me in the morning.”

“I’m not—”

“Of course, I could leave you to deal with Merrick, as I’m relatively certain he’ll call on you at the first moment possible.”