Chapter 6 chapter Five

Nick had expected that Lotte would not respond submissively to the fact that he had hunted her down for Lord Randyll; yet he was still taken aback by the ferocity and fury of her cornered defiance.Now, she had regained her composure, glaring at him with calculating eyes that he knew too well and was ready to fight to the death.And he thought she was too beautiful to describe. Even though Earl Wesker expressed his disapproval of Ruodi's request, he still frowned and agreed to let them be alone. "I'll be waiting in the next room," he said, as if expecting Nick to pounce on her like a ferocious animal as soon as the door closed. "If you need help, just call."

"Thank you, my lord." Ruddy said softly, her grateful smile to the count made Nick's jealousy boil. He already punched Wesker's noble face without any stimulation, especially the moment when he held Ruodi's hand to comfort her.Nick had never been possessive of anyone in his life, but he could hardly bear to see Lotte accept the touch of other men.Something had changed in him—he had lost control of the situation and wasn't sure how to undo it.The only thing he can be sure of is that Ruo Di has become a necessary existence... If he can't have her, he will never be able to escape the endless hunger and thirst, and will always be in a state of dissatisfaction and coldness.

Nick stood by the fireplace, seemingly relaxed, except for his hand on the mantelpiece clenched into a fist.He silently cursed Wesker for the unexpected turn the situation had taken.Nick had planned to reveal the truth to Lotte in a gentle way that would keep her from panicking.Now, with Wesker turning things upside down, Lottie's hostility is unavoidable. She turned to him, pale, her eyes red with tears.Her expression was calm, but she looked at him with disturbing concentration, as if trying to look into his heart.Her searching gaze made him feel strangely threatened. "Is it all acting?" she asked quietly.

Nick blinked in surprise.He who had endured countless hours of surveillance, interrogation and even torture was overwhelmed by this simple question. "I know some are," Ruddy said. "It's your job to gain my trust, but you've gone too far." She moved closer to him with hypnotic slowness. "Why did you say those things to me tonight?" God help him, he couldn't answer.To make matters worse, he couldn't take his eyes off her, and she seemed to see through his eyes into his soul. "Tell me the truth, Mr. Jane," she insisted. "I dare to ask you, and you should be able to answer. Are you really speaking from your heart?"

Nick felt a thin layer of sweat covering his face.He tried to keep her out of his heart, to deny her, but it was impossible. "Yes." After he finished speaking in a hoarse voice, he immediately shut his mouth tightly.Even if she turned into a devil, it was impossible for him to say more. For some reason, Lotte seemed relieved by his admission.Nick couldn't imagine why.He finally managed to tear away his gaze from her, and turned a blind eye to the dancing flames. "Now," he whispered. "Perhaps you can explain the third option." "I need someone to protect me from Lord Randyll," she said bluntly. "Not many people can handle him, but I believe you can."

The judgment was so matter-of-fact... There was nothing flattering in her tone.Yet Nick still felt a male pride in having her affirmation of his abilities. "Yes, I can." He said quietly. "In return for your protection and financial support, I am willing to be your mistress. For this agreement, I am willing to sign a legally binding contract. I think this is enough to prevent Sir Landau from approaching me, and I don't have to continue hide." his mistress.Nick hadn't expected her to be so downgraded.It seems that Ruodi's ultimate nature is a pragmatist. When he sees that the situation cannot be principled, he immediately changes course and seeks to benefit himself.

"You are willing to sleep with me in return for my protection and money." His statement seems to still need to make a clearer definition of the word mistress.He glanced at her cautiously. "You are willing to ignore the humiliation of others, live with me, and appear in public with me. Is that what you mean?" Her cheeks turned bright red, but her gaze at him did not waver. "yes." Desire rushed to every part of his body with the strongest force.The realization that he was about to have her, about to have the whole of himself that she was willing to give to her, made him almost ecstasy.His mistress...but that wasn't enough.He needs more of her, all of her.

He deliberately walked to a functional bench with maroon leather upholstery, and sat down with his legs apart.His eyes scanned her whole body with a purely lustful assessment. "Before I agree to anything, I want you to demonstrate." She froze. "I think you've seen enough demonstrations." "Do you mean the episode in the forest tonight?" His voice was very soft, but his heart was beating violently in his chest. "What's that, Lotte. I want more than a few innocent kisses, and having a mistress can be an expensive arrangement—you've got to prove you're worth it."

She walked over slowly, her slender figure forming a black silhouette from the flames behind her.She knew perfectly well that he was playing some kind of game with her, but she didn't yet know what the stakes were. "What do you want from me?" she asked softly. What he got from Camry, no!More than what Camry gave him.He needs someone who belongs to him, cares about him, needs him in some way.He didn't know if it was possible...but he was willing to risk everything on Ruodi.She is his only chance. "Let me do it for you." Nick reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulled her half-sat and half down to his side, stretched out one hand to the back of her neck, and looked down for her pulse with the tip of his tongue.At the same time, she brought one of her hands to his crotch, covering his tight erection with her long fingers.She stood still, gasped, and suddenly collapsed on his chest as if she had lost all strength.He gently draws her hand towards his elongated firmness and its poised bulbous tip.

A hoarse voice escaped from his throat!He tugged at her blouse, grateful for whoever had graciously designed something so easy on a woman's body.Her exposed breasts looked so bright in the firelight, soft and pale pink at the tips.Ruodi turned her head to one side, her eyes closed tightly.Nick pulled her further into his lap, holding her in one hand!Let the soft butt nestle against his hard bulge. His gnarled fingers slid under the bare breasts, lifting the silky weight to meet his slowly lowering mouth.A shiver ran through her body as he parted his lips over the tender nipples and rubbed them until they tightened under his tongue.Ruodi half-raised her hands as if she wanted to push him away, but her fingers only grabbed the lapel of his coat, and she let out a whimper of joy.The sound made him even more excited, and he drew circles with his tongue around the hard nipples, making her writhe like a cat in his arms.

As he continued to suck and tease her breasts, he slid his hand under her skirt, finding the hem of the bare panties and the cotton garter that held the stockings together.Sensing the hand that was intruding under the skirt, Ruodi clamped her legs tightly, and a shy blush spread from her face and chest.He caressed her through the crumpled material, sliding his palms up her buttocks and belly and down to her soft curls. "No," she said, her eyes still closed. Nick kissed the pink curve of her throat, the delicate edge of her jaw.Her skin was so thin and smooth it was almost translucent.He wanted to kiss her from head to toe. "That's not what a mistress should say," he whispered. "Want to go back on your proposal, Rodi?" She shook her head, and as his palm pressed against her knoll, she was completely speechless. "Then spread your legs." She complied suddenly, her thighs parted and her head dropped back onto the arms that supported her.He caressed her through the thin fabric, gently rubbing the hot groove, and the fabric was gradually damp under his fingers.Her desperate refusal to make a sound, and her desperate effort to stay still only aroused his desire even more, her face turned bright red, her legs stiffened as he intimately teased her.Finally, she groaned and grabbed his wrist beseechingly. "Enough," she gasped. His cock throbbed violently beneath her. "Really?" he whispered, sliding his fingers into the slit of his drawers. "I think you want more." Her body twitched against his legs as he found the soft, tangled hair... plump, silky muscle, into her body's wet mouth.Kissing the curve of her throat, Nick teased the velvety volume. "Sweet little curly," he whispered in Roddy's ear. "What color are they? Gold like your hair, or something darker?" Shocked by the question, Ruodi looked at him with out-of-focus eyes. "It's okay," he said, parting the soft slit. "I'll know the answer soon." He found the tender protrusion hidden under the protective folds, and her body arched. "Oh...gosh—" "Shh..." He gnawed on her earlobe. "Do you want Wesker to hear?" "Don't do that again," she said tremblingly. But nothing could stop him now, and he caressed her with masterful skill, circling circles around the tender fire.Her hips lifted away from the stiffness of his erection, moving tautly toward his hand.The tip of his thumb flicked her swollen flower buds, and his middle finger slid in until it was completely submerged in the sweet and wet passage. Roddy's breathing began to come short, thighs gripping his hand as his fingers pumped in a smooth melody.He felt the muscles in her tighten as she breathed and writhed, instinctively trying to release herself from the extreme tension.Nick's head dropped to her breasts again, the nipples now rosy in constriction, and he blew on one of them before bringing it into his mouth.Fingers deep inside her, tongue against her throbbing nipples, he experienced an ecstasy he had never known before. Ruodi struggled helplessly in the aftertaste of the elusive climax, and a frustrated moan escaped from his mouth.Nick wrenched his fingers out of his sweet depths, resting his wet hand on her tight pussy, rubbing the comforting circle. "I'll take care of you," he whispered. "I promise." Ruodi groaned again, bowing to his hand in despair.He knew what she wanted and wanted to give it to her.His nostrils flared as he sniffed and felt the intoxicating aroma of feminine desire.Lust poured out, and when he thought of burying his face between her legs and sticking his tongue into her, he almost lost all self-control. Trembling, he forced himself to pull her skirt down over the sweet body he desired.Wesker was waiting nearby, and neither the current time nor the place allowed him to go any further.In the future he would have the opportunity to make love to Ruo Di whenever he wanted.Be patient, he told himself, taking a few deep breaths, forcing his body to calm down. Roddy crawled out of his arms and curled up at the other end of the bench.Her whole body was messy and cute because of joy, her cheeks were as fresh as morning dew, and they were so attractively red in the flickering firelight.She groped for the clothes on her upper body, covering her breasts. Their eyes meet, hers bright with shame, his with blatant calculations.Then Nick pulled out his trump card. "I do want you," he said. "But, I don't want you as a mistress. I want full, unalterable ownership—everything you'd give Randyll or Wesker." Getting what he meant, Rodi stared at him like he was crazy, and it took her a good half a minute to speak again. "You mean marriage? What's the difference between marrying you or Landau?" "The difference is that I once let you choose." "Why are you willing to handcuff me for the rest of your life?" Nick would never confess the real truth to her. "Because I need all the conveniences of a wife," he lied. "You fit my needs like any woman." She took an indignant breath. "Choose," Nick advised. "You can go on the run, or become somebody's wife—mine or Randyll's." Her probing gaze made the hair on the nape of his neck stand on end.Damn it, he hated her for looking at him like that.He couldn't blink or look away again, and she seemed to read his thoughts no matter how much he tried to hide them. "Your," she said stiffly. "I would like to be your wife." He let out a slow, imperceptible sigh, finally letting go. Ruodi struggled up from his lap and began to groom herself.She went to the mahogany sideboard and poured herself some brandy from the crystal decanter.She still feels dizzy and her legs look like jelly, which suggests alcohol is the last thing she needs right now.Besides, technically speaking, she was still Lord Wesker's servant, and as such, no one would dare to drink the master's spirits.However, that distinction has become blurred after these surprising revelations tonight.She was in a trance when she found out that she had received marriage proposals from two men from all over the world in one night. And what Janick had just done to her—no, she mustn't think about that now, her body still throbbing with shameful pleasure.She poured out a large glass and gulped it down with a bitter face. Nick walked over and took her half-filled glass. "You'll be dead drunk in no time." "What does that matter?" she asked hoarsely, watching him down the rest of the brandy. "Probably not." Her footsteps staggered, he put down the empty cup in his hand and supported her waist, a self-deprecating smile appeared on the corner of his lips. "It's still weird to know that a lady has to get herself drunk after accepting my marriage proposal." There was a commanding knock on the door, and Lord Wesker entered the room.His sharp gaze was on the two people who were standing close, and a thick eyebrow arched upward suspiciously. Nick's hands tightened around Lotte's waist when she tried to step away. "You should be the first to congratulate us." He maliciously imitated the tone of the gentleman's announcement. "To my great honor, Miss He has agreed to marry me." Lord Wesker narrowed his eyes and looked at Ruodi. "This is the third option?" "As it turned out—" she said, trembling slightly. "yes." Lotte knew that the Earl couldn't understand why she would rather make a deal with the devil.She returns his gaze, silently begging him not to ask for an explanation, since she cannot explain why.She was tired of hiding, worrying and fearing, and Janik offered refuge.He's unprincipled, ruthless, and sophisticated -- just the right guy to protect her from Randyll. But these are not all the reasons why she is willing to marry him reluctantly. The decisive factor is that she realizes that Janick has some feelings for her.No matter how hard he tried to hide it, he couldn't hide it.And despite all her sanity saying no, she still wanted him; or at least the man he pretended to be... the one who had watched her so intensely by the wishing well, who had not only kissed her in the forest but also Softly whisper the one who needs her. The count frowned displeasedly, stepped forward and held out his hand to her. "I want to speak to you, Ruddy." Long habit made her nod obediently. "Okay, my lord." When Nick still didn't let her go, she shot a challenging look. "I'm not married to you yet," she whispered hoarsely. "let me go." His hand slid away.Ruddy walked towards the count, who gently held her elbow and led her to the corner of the room.His respectful touch is so different from Janick's arrogant and exclusive posture. Lord Wesker looked down at her, a lock of black hair sliding down his broad forehead. "Rhodi," he said calmly. "You don't know enough about the man you've chosen to make such a big decision. Don't be fooled by the fact that Janick is a Bow Street detective, you obviously imagine him to be a man of honor who has done a lot of heroism. Only someone who can hold that job. In fact, it’s the opposite with Janick, who’s always been a controversial figure.” "What kind of controversy?" Ruodi asked, looking at the black figure at the other end of the room.Janick drank another glass of brandy, pretending to be examining a row of books.The dark curve of his lips made it clear that he knew exactly what Wesker was telling her. "Jenick has only been a detective for two or three years. Before that, he was a crime boss turned thieves catcher, running a notorious thieves ring, repeatedly arrested for fraud, theft, bribery and fabricated evidence. Arrested. I can vouch for his connection to every form of crime in England, and despite his apparent cleansing, many believe he is still having illicit dealings with former lower class associates. He is a man who cannot be trusted Man, Ruodi." She tried not to show any reaction to the information, but was actually extremely shocked in private.Looking over Wesker's broad shoulders, she saw the menacing figure of the Bow Street detective leaning against the darkest corner of the study.He seemed more at ease in the shadows, his cat-like eyes, a man not even thirty years old who had such a colorful career at once?Crime boss, thief catcher... who the hell is he? "Miss He... Ruodi..." The earl's quiet whisper called her attention. "You must again consider my proposal. I am sure the arrangement will be to our mutual advantage. I assure you that I will be a gracious and kind husband, and you will have nothing wanting—" "My lord," she interrupted him earnestly. "I hope you don't mistake my refusal for anything other than my high respect for you. You are the noblest person I know, so I can't let you fall into a loveless marriage. You It is certainly undeniable that I would not be your first choice when you were looking for a wife. If I had accepted your proposal so unfairly, one day we would all regret it. Mr. Jane and I are a better match for each other, both Don't think of this as a real marriage, but more like a business transaction..." She forced herself to finish with her cheeks burning. "Exchange each other's services." Wesker's face was stern. "Ruodi, I don't think you are so cynical or callous that you can endure such an arrangement." "Unfortunately, my lord, I have really become so numb. Because of Lord Randyll, I never had the hopes and dreams that other women have, and I never expected marriage to be a pleasant thing." "But you still deserve better," he insisted. She smiled grimly. "You think so? I'm not so sure." Ruddy fled from him, strode to the center of the study and stared expectantly at Nick, making herself firm. "When are we leaving?" Nick emerges from the corner and sees the twinkle in his eye as Lotte learns that he half expected her to change her mind after talking to Wesker.Now, after she reaffirmed her choice, she could no longer turn back. "Now." He said softly. She opened her mouth to protest, Janick's intention to deny her the opportunity to say goodbye to anyone in the mansion, not even old Mrs. Wesker.On the other hand, it's actually easier to disappear without explaining to anyone. "Isn't nighttime travel rather dangerous?" she asked, and answered herself quickly, "Never mind. If we run into a highwayman, he may not be as dangerous as you." Nick grinned suddenly. "Perhaps you are right." His brief entertainment was wiped out by Lord Wesker's neat notice. "If I can't change Miss He's mind, I can at least ask for the legality of the ceremony and evidence that she will be well-fed." Ruddy?Only then did she realize that she had thought about so much, but she hadn't even thought about how she and Janick would live.Jesus, how much does a Bow Street detective make?His salary is undoubtedly the smallest source of income, but income from private missions should be enough to get him off reasonably well.She didn't ask for much - a room or two in a safe part of London was enough. "I don't need to tell you if I can support my wife," Nick said. "All you need to know is that she won't starve and have a roof over her head." The journey to London took about twelve hours, which meant that if they traveled all night they would arrive shortly after noon the next day.Nick's vehicle was well-equipped, and Ruodi sat leaning against the dark brown suede cushion on the carriage after getting into the vehicle.Nick moved as soon as they set off to extinguish the lights inside the carriage. "Do you want to sleep?" he asked. "It's a long time until morning." Ruddy shook her head. She might be tired, but she was too excited to relax. Nick shrugged and kept the lights burning.He put one leg on the cushion, with a slightly bitter face.Obviously, it must be very uncomfortable for a man of his stature to squeeze into what is considered a small space. "Is this yours?" Ruodi asked. "Or was it rented for a show?" Knowing she meant the carriage, he smiled mockingly at her. "this is mine." "I didn't think anyone in a professional profession could afford a car like this." The detective played casually with the fringe on the small curtain beside him. "My job requires a lot of travel and I'd rather be comfortable." "Do you use a pseudonym when you investigate?" He shook his head. "Most of the time you don't need to." "I was wondering why you didn't pick a better fake identity," she said. "One that is not easy to be exposed, Lord Wesker seems to have found that Viscount Xin does not exist without any effort." A strange look flashed across his face, a mix of amused and disturbed, as if he was calculating how much he was going to tell her.Finally, he pursed his lips and sighed softly. "Wesker is wrong. Viscount Xin exists, and there is at least one legal heir who can inherit that title." Ruodi eyed him suspiciously. "Who is he? If you're telling the truth, why doesn't he claim his title and assets back?" "Not everyone wants to be an aristocrat." "Of course they would! Besides, there's no choice. He's either noble or not. He can't deny his birthright any more than he can change the color of his eyes." "Of course he can." He frowned and answered displeased. "You don't have to be angry," Ruddy said. "And you haven't told me who this mysterious viscount is and where he is, so I have to believe that you made it up." Nick shifted, shifting uncomfortably, looking cautiously away from her. "it's me." "What? I'd be so stupid as to believe you're a long-lost nobleman? You, a crime lord and thief catcher, are a mysterious Viscount?" Ruddy shook her head decisively. "I do not believe." "It's up to you to believe it or not," Nick said quietly. "Especially it has nothing to do with the future, because I will never claim the title back." Ruodi stared at his stern profile in astonishment, it seemed that he was quite sure of what he said.But is it possible?If there was any truth to what he claimed, how could a son of a nobleman have become like this?Life in the beginning was not like that of the aristocracy, and it became... what he is now. She couldn't help but continued to ask: "Are you really Sir John Xin? It is said that there is no male heir, the son of Viscount Xin who died more than 20 years ago? Do you have any evidence? Who can testify to this?" "My sister, Sophie, and her husband, Sir Conrose." "The sheriff-in-chief? The former sheriff of Bow Street was your sister's husband?" Nick nodded in answer.Lotte was completely in the dark, and it seemed she had no choice but to believe him, since the veracity of the story could be verified immediately.But it was too unreal, too absurd for her to comprehend. "I was about seven or eight when my parents died," Nick began, in a gruff voice. "Except for me, no other male relatives can legally inherit the title or land. Because my father is heavily in debt, I can't inherit much, and the territory is also deserted, so no one is coveting. My sister and I are in the village I wandered here for a while, until she was finally picked up by a distant relative. But I became a troublesome little watch; our relatives, of course, were understandably reluctant to let me live with her. So I fled to London, Turned into a highwayman and ended up in jail for committing a crime. When another boy died in jail, I used his name to get an early release." "Then, the one who died must be the real Janick." Ruodi said. "yes." "And you used his identity and convinced everyone that John Xin was dead?" A rebellious light entered his eyes. "Nick doesn't need the name anymore anyway." "But you must have thought about changing your real name back...reclaiming your rightful status in society..." "I've got the place I deserve in society. Janick has become my name, and I intend to let Sir Sin rest forever." He smiled sarcastically. "I'm sorry for causing you to lose the opportunity to become a noble lady, but everyone will know you as Mrs. Jane, and no one will know the truth except my sister and brother-in-law, do you understand?" Ruodi frowned and nodded in confusion. "I don't care about the title, otherwise I would have married Lord Randyll long ago." "So you don't mind being a commoner's wife?" Nick looked at her intently. "A man of modest income." "I've always lived frugally, I've got good blood in my family, but I've also mentioned that we're hard-pressed." Nick studied the toes of his shoes as he polished them. "According to what I saw about the He family, Lord Randyll is actually a stingy patron." Ruddy took a quick breath. "Have you been to my house?" He looked into her wide eyes. "Yes, I met and asked your parents and they knew I was looking for you." "Oh." Ruodi said dejectedly.Her parents would of course be cooperative, they knew Lord Randyll wanted her back, and they always bowed to his wishes.The news shouldn't have come as a surprise to her, but she still felt betrayed.Had they spent a second thinking about her instead of Randyll?Her throat constricted and she seemed unable to swallow normally. "They answered every question in detail," Nick continued. "I read the dolls you played with, the story books you liked... I even know the size of your shoes." The target was extremely vulnerable, and Ruodi wrapped her arms around herself. "It's a strange feeling. You actually met my family during the two years I was away. Are my siblings okay? Where's Yili?" "The sixteen-year-old sister? Looks quiet, pretty, and in good health." "Sixteen years old." Ruodi murmured.She was disturbed by the news that her siblings had aged as well as she did. They had both changed during their separation.Her head suddenly began to ache, and she rubbed her forehead. "When my parents talked about me, they seemed to have..." "how?" "Do they hate me?" she asked directly. "I often think about..." "No, they don't hate you." His voice became strangely gentle. "They only care about their own good. Of course, they sincerely believe that it is best for you that you marry Randle." "They never understood what he was like." "They don't want to know, and self-deception can get them more benefits." Even if Ruo Di had the same thought thousands of times, she still wanted to scold him. "They need Randyll's money," she said darkly. "They develop some expensive habits." "That's why your father lost the family fortune—to make ends meet?" "I don't think their wealth was much, but my parents spent whatever penny they had. I remember when we were kids we had the best of everything, and when the money ran out, we starved right away until Lord Randolph Grandpa intervene." She continued to rub her forehead, her fingers wandered to her painful temples. "It is said that I benefited greatly from his interest in me. Because of Randyll, I was able to attend the most exclusive girls' school in London, and he paid for my board, clothes, and even hired a maid to serve me. At first I even Thank you for putting so much effort into making me his wife." "But things got more complicated," Nick whispered. She nods. "I'm like a pet on a chain. Randy decides what I can read, what I eat...he instructs the school teachers that I take cold showers because he believes it's better than hot ones. Good for health. Whenever he thinks I should lose weight, I have to eat only soup and fruit. I have to write to him every day, describing how I am doing in the subjects he wants me to study. There are rules in everything... My thoughts had to be perfectly organized and elegantly expressed before I could speak, and I couldn't comment on anything. If I couldn't sit still, my hands were tied to the armrests of my seat. If I got a tan, I couldn't speak. Locked indoors." She let out a strained sigh. "Lord Randyll wants me to be a different person entirely. I can't imagine what it's like to be his wife, live with him, or what will happen to him when he finally finds out that I don't live up to the standards of perfection he has set ” Lost in the dark memories, Ruodi twisted her fingers, oblivious to what she revealed. "I'm so afraid of going home for the holidays, he's always waiting for me there. He won't let me see my younger siblings, before that I have to go with him..." She paused suddenly, aware that she had almost revealed the secret that had roiled her parents for years when she tried to tell them.They made it clear that her family and her survival depended on her silence.Ruodi swallowed back the forbidden words that came to her lips, and closed her eyes. "You've got to go with him, and then..." Nick urged her on. She shook her head. "It doesn't matter now." "Tell me," his voice was soft. "I assure you, nothing you have to say will surprise me." Ruddy gazed at him carefully, knowing it was true.Janick has seen and heard everything, and nothing can make him react with disgust. "Go on," he whispered. Then Roddy found herself saying things no one ever wanted to hear. "Every time I go home, I have to go into the isolation room with Randall, tell him about my behavior at school, answer his questions about schoolwork and friends, and..." She looked into Nick's unpredictable face, Finding his lack of response made it easier for her to go on. "He made me sit on his lap while we were talking. He touched my breasts and put his hands up my skirts. I hate it so much...but I can't stop him and my parents..." she said shrugged helplessly. "I tried to tell them, but they wouldn't listen to me. It went on for years. My mother slapped me once and said I belonged to Lord Randyll, and he was going to marry me anyway. She said I had to To please him, he can do whatever he wants. The safety of the family depends on whether he is happy or not." Her voice was full of shame, and she added a few more words. "Anyway, I ran away, even if in doing so I left them to the wolf." Nick spoke cautiously, as if she were not a twenty-year-old woman, but an innocent child nonetheless. "Did he do anything further than touch, Lotte?" She stared at him blankly. His dark-haired head tilted slightly to one side, and his voice remained soft as he insisted on speaking. "Did he orgasm you or him when you sat on his lap?" Her face burned when she realized what he meant... some girls always smirked wickedly and described this mysterious moment of ecstasy, a physical pleasure she never had with Randolph . "I don't think so." "Trust me, if you've experienced it you'll know." His tone was sarcasm. Roddy thought of the way Nick had touched her in the firelight, and the sensations it caused coiled around her chest, her waist, her stomach, the sweet ache, the irresolvable frustration that was so excruciating.Is that the orgasm?Or is there more she hasn't experienced yet?She wanted to ask, but she was afraid he would laugh at her for being so ignorant. The steady rhythm of the carriage made her relax, and she yawned with her mouth pressed down. "It's time for you to rest," Nick said quietly. Ruodi shook her head, unwilling to fall asleep under his watch.Although so many things have happened between the two of them, it's ridiculous that she is still afraid of this little intimacy.She tried to find new topics for conversation. "Why did you become a Bow Street detective? I don't believe this is a career you would have chosen." Laughter rumbled in his throat. "I would rather have the other option. Three years ago I made an agreement with my brother-in-law, Sir Conrose! He was sheriff-general of Bow Street at the time. Evidence that would make me 'dance on the wind.' He forced me to step over from the other side of the law." “在『风中跳舞』？那是什么意思？”若笛被这陌生的语汇给弄迷糊了。 “绞刑，在绳子的尾端摆荡。相信我，我在下层社会时所做的一些事的确应该受到审讯。”他停顿下来观察他的话造成的影响，尼克对她明显的不自在微微地笑起来。“为了避免将妻舅推上死刑架，并为他和苏菲带来不安，”他接着说。“若石爵士提议隐瞒对我不利的毁灭性证据，只要我出卖我在下层社会的合作伙伴，成为一名警探。” "How long?" “无限期。我当然答应他，我不必对从前的伙伴有任何忠诚，因为事到临头他们也会一样对我。还有，我非常不想被吊死。” 若笛蹙眉。“为什么若石爵士想要你成为警探？” “我相信他错误地认为，几年的公共服务会使我痛改前非。”尼克突然咧嘴而笑。“然而并没有。” “在你背叛他们之后，你又在同样的地方追捕犯人，这不会非常危险吗？” “是有不少人想要割下我的头，盛在银盘上。”他毫不在乎地大胆承认。“事实上，你可能也不用忍受我太久。所有认识我的人都断言我会早早步上死亡之路。” “我的运气从来没有那么好过，”她讥讽地说。“但可以期待。” 若笛说完这话，立即感到羞愧。堕落到如此龌龊的地步实在不像她。“我很抱歉。”她马上说。“我不该那样说话。” “没关系，”他似乎早已泰然处之。“我曾被人家以更薄弱的理由说过更难听许多的话。” “那我可以相信。”她的回答使他大笑。 “我要熄灯了，”他说。“我必须在能休息的时候休息，而且明天保证会很忙碌。” 接下来的沉寂舒适得让人惊讶。为她无法预及的人生方向感到茫然，精力已然耗尽的若笛窝进车子的角落里。她以为睡眠不会那么容易，毕竟有这么多的思绪在她心头喧闹。然而，深沉的睡意很快地袭了上来，她陷进座位的软垫里。她一再欠动、不安地扭着，想找一个舒服的姿势。最后她感到自己被人拉起，像个孩子似的被抱住，而梦境是如此使人安慰，她只能对隐伏在梦中的快乐屈服。有东西轻柔地刷过她的额头，固定头发的几根发针被轻轻地取下。她吸进一种美妙的幽香，毛织品与刮胡皂的清爽气息藏在干净的男性精华里。 她发现自己躺在尼克的臂弯里，舒适地蜷伏在他腿上，她无力地微微扭动。“怎么……怎么了……” “睡吧，”他耳语。“我不会伤害你。”他修长的手指拂过她散落的发丝。 对此情况的抗议与她仅剩的思考能力争战，它指出她已精疲力竭，此时他做什么已不再重要。然而，她仍固执地奋力挣开他的怀抱，推开他身躯带来诱人的温暖。他轻易地放开她，双眼在阴影里幽暗地闪烁。 “我不是你的敌人，若笛。” “那你是我的朋友吗？”她以另一个问题回避。“到目前为止，你的表现并不像。” “我没有强迫你做不愿意的事。” “如果你没有找到我，我还会快乐地住在巨石围——” “你在那里并不快乐。我敢打赌碰上蓝道之后你的生命没有一天是快乐的。” 噢，她多么想反驳！但这种谎言毫无意义，事实摆在眼前。 “你会发现当我的妻子生活会好过得多，”尼克接着说下去。“你不用当任何人的仆从，在合理的范围内你可以随心所欲。还有，你将不用再害怕蓝道。” “我只需付出的代价是跟你睡觉。”她低声咕哝。 他微笑，集所有醇厚如最高级之天鹅绒的自负，说出他的回答：“你可能会发现那是你在婚姻中最喜爱的部分。”