Page 15 of Gone with the Rake

Lydia crouched before the bed, assuming a more comfortable position. She slowly stretched out her hand and gently crimped the chain between her fingers, her hand slightly grazing Art’s warm skin. Lydia swallowed, dragging the chain up once more, her heart beating so loudly, it was audible in the silent room.

She reached her hand under his neck and felt the ring. Now to carefully undo the clasp on the chain and—

Strong fingers circled Lydia’s wrist.

Lydia froze with her eyes wide. Her mouth opened in silent terror.

I am caught!

Twice in two days. What rotten luck.

Or perhaps Lydia wasn’t as good at this as she’d thought. As everybody thought.

Lydia prepared herself to face the wrath of the viscount. She wouldn’t allow herself to get captured, though. This wasn’t Hades’ Hell. She’d make a dash to the window and escape easily.

The seconds ticked away, but Art’s eyes remained closed. The hand that had been covering his face before now held Lydia’s wrist tightly, his fingers warm and oddly pleasant. Nothing else had changed.

Lydia sat still, not daring to move. Art resumed his sleep with what seemed like a light smile on his lips.

She must have imagined it.

In his sleep, he probably thought she was one of his numerous lovers. He didn’t even question a woman being in his bed, touching him in his sleep.

It was a good thing, she reasoned. Better than if that had woken him up.

Still, she didn’t dare move lest it wake him up fully.

She wasn’t in a hurry, not really.

Now that she knew where the ring was, it would take her under a minute to get it. What would it hurt to sit there for a while, her wrist cradled in his hand?

She was here to say goodbye, was she not? Lydia knew she was not going to get a proper farewell from him. She didn’t get it all those years ago, and she definitely wouldn’t get it now. But she could pretend.

With her free hand, she reached out and swept his hair away from his face. He smiled in his sleep, smoothing the harsh lines around his mouth. He looked so calm, innocent even.

Lydia’s heart squeezed, for she knew better.

I loved you so much and for so long. I loved you with everything I had. And I’ve waited for you for years.

And she had. She didn’t want to believe he had lied and abandoned her to her fate so easily. She wrote to him every chance she got and waited fervently for his reply.

She was certain that if he’d known of her predicament, he would find her. He would save her.

Only he never did.

A single tear rolled down her face, and Lydia forced out a smile.

Well, goodbye.

She slowly tugged her hand out of his without disturbing him. Her fingers caught the silver chain, and she eased it upward until the ring came into view. Fighting to steady her trembling hands, she found the clasp, released it, and slipped the ring free.

Just as the ring was about to hit her palm, declaring her mission a success, Art moved again, knocking her hand over.

The ring flew in a graceful arc before encountering the drapes and falling to the floor with a loud clunk.

Damn and blast!

The sound roused Art from sleep, but before he could sit up, Lydia plopped face down onto the floor and covered her head with her cape.