The Indebted Earl by Erica Vetsch (best new books to read .TXT) 📗

give their apology to the floor in a defiant tone. A person who truly regrets their actions looks the person they have offended in the face and asks for forgiveness. I don’t believe you feel sorry.”

“I don’t.” She shrugged. “I’m mad at you.”

Sophie remained silent, but her brow bunched and she bit her lower lip.

“I could claim the same. You were ordered to stay in your quarters this evening.” He continued to pace.

“You wouldn’t listen to me. I told you my owl was missing, and you didn’t even care enough to go look.” At this, her chin came up and she dared him with her glare to deny it. “I went down there this afternoon, and he was gone, and the boat shed was full of crates. When I saw the lights going toward the cliff tonight, and Miles sneaking out of the house, I followed him to tell him to get that stuff out of the shed and leave my owl’s home alone.”

Before he could respond, she hopped up. “I thought we were your crew. You said a captain is always loyal to his crew, and he would never leave a crew member behind. But you are. You can’t wait to get away from us.” This time the arms crossed.

He stopped pacing, considering her. To his horror, two fat tears formed on her lashes and spilled down over her freckles. She swiped at them, as if disgusted to be caught crying.

Charles closed his eyes, feeling the pain and confusion radiating off her. He opened his eyes, rounded his chair, and sat down. “Thea, come here.”

She reluctantly crossed the rug, her feet dragging with every step.

Gently he lifted her and set her on his thigh. At first she was rigid as a mast, but then she drew a deep breath and sagged against his chest.

“Why do you want to leave us? Is it because you don’t like us? I’m sorry I’m so bad. If I try really hard to be good, will you stay?”

His eyes locked with Sophie’s, and her hand went to her lips. Thea’s plea hit him in the chest like a harpoon. He rubbed a small circle between her narrow shoulder blades.

What should he say? He had a feeling this was a crucial moment in their relationship, but he was at a loss. He’d never dealt with young girls before the Pembroke sisters landed in his life, and on a good day with them he was barely treading water.

Sophie threw him a lifeline. “Dorothea Pembroke, you silly goose. Where do you get your ideas? The captain not only likes you, I suspect, if you ask him, he will say he loves you and only wants what is best for you.” She sought confirmation from Charles without words, inclining her head toward Thea.

He cleared his throat. “Of course. You, Penny, Betsy. You’re mine now, and I look after what’s mine. If I didn’t care about you, I wouldn’t have become your guardian. I wouldn’t care how you acted or what you did or what happened to you.” He tightened his arm around her. He would have to say it. Nothing else would calm her fears. “Thea, I love you.”

Other than possibly his mother when he was a small boy, he’d never said those words to anyone. It was at once terrifying and freeing.

“And Penny and Betsy too?” she asked, her voice muffled against his collar.

“And Penny and Betsy too.” He shifted, and she raised her head. Cupping her cheek in his palm, he used his thumb to swipe at her tears. “I don’t want you to worry about your future. You will always have a home at Gateshead. I’m sorry I didn’t listen better to your concerns about your owl. If I had, none of this would have happened. Now, I want you to go to bed. We’ll talk more in the morning.”

She scooted off his lap, took two steps toward the door, then turned back to fling her arms around his neck. “I’m sorry I disobeyed and went to the pier when I shouldn’t have.” She kissed him on the cheek and slipped out of his hug. Just as she reached the door, she looked back over her shoulder. “You said you loved me and Penny and Betsy. Do you love Sophie?”

Heat blossomed in Charles’s chest and made its way up his neck. “Good night, Thea.”

And then he was alone with his wife.

Charles looked as bleak as a winter pond. He’d been magnificent with Thea, giving her the assurances she needed.

Sophie wished he would do the same with her. Open his arms, take her on his lap, and assure her of his love.

She was being foolish, but she couldn’t help it.

“I’m sure Thea will understand someday.” She blushed. “I mean about why you want to go back to sea.” Time she was going to bed. She was too scattered and raw from all that had happened, and if she didn’t leave, she might make a fool of herself and beg him to stay.

She didn’t hear him come up behind her as she made her way to the door, and she jumped when he took her hand.

“Come with me.”

With purposeful strides, he led her into the hall and up the staircase. Where was he taking her? All sorts of thoughts crashed in her head. The nursery was upstairs. Perhaps he had something else to say to Thea and the girls? Her bedchamber was upstairs, so perhaps he was merely leading her to her door to say good night?

His bedchamber was upstairs too. Her heart bumped wildly at that thought, but she dismissed it.

They turned left at the head of the stairs, so he wasn’t taking her to the nursery.

And they went right past her bedchamber door.

And his.

With a quick twist, he turned the knob and gently pulled her into the room he had made his study.

Deflated, she waited in silence while he lit the lamps.

“Come.” He beckoned her into the alcove where he liked to watch