Mysterious Seduction

XXXV. Wynne Hastings

Guilty.

That was the verdict.

Byron could not bring himself to feel anything as his carriage took him to his final destination.

He did this to himself.

He had let one woman outsmart him.

The carriage pulled to a stop, snapping him back to his senses.

He heard a commotion outside before the door opened and one of the Leaguers he knew well grinned at him.

"We apologize for the late rescue, my lord."

-Above and Below

*****

"Make it fast. I have no time to waste," Wynne said, voice cold and emotionless. He did not even spare her a glance.

Emma took a lungful of air. "Why did you let me believe you were responsible for Sam's accident? And why did you not tell me you saved my nieces?"

He froze for a second before he recovered and finally turned to face her. His eyes met hers from across the room.

He was the man she fell in love with. He might try to hide his true self, but Emma could see right through him. Difficult it might be, but she could see him even more clearly now.

Even the cold and empty look in his dark eyes could not push her away. Not this time. Not when she knew the truth.

He was no monster.

As Faye and Fiona would say, he was an angel.

But he would never admit that now or ever. He would not be Wynne Hastings if he ever did.

She ought to at least make him tell her who he believed he was—his own version of himself. Then perhaps they could both reach a compromise.

"Who are you, really, Wynne Hastings?" Emma choked. "For once, tell me the truth. Tell me who you truly are."

Wynne simply stared at her at first. "After everything that happened, Emma, did you really come here to ask me that?"

"Then allow me to rephrase," she said through her teeth. "Did you truly plan to use me?"

"Yes." His answer was without hesitation. "I was tasked to use you and Samuel."

She expected that. "For what purpose?"

"To know who the Leaguer amongst the Everard is," he said. "I first suspected it to be you, but I immediately changed my mind. You are wise beyond your years, but you are not one who would be a part of an organization who could control you."

Emma realized, as Wynne spoke, that he had found out who the Leaguer was. "The fire."

He nodded. "Yes." He turned and resumed with his work. "Are you satisfied now? You may go."

"You told them about Maggie?"

He did not reply. He simply stared at her.

"They found out on their own," she concluded. "Why did they hurt you?" she demanded, walking closer. "They would not have hurt you so bad if you did not do something they would not have approved of."

Wynne paused and straightened to full height. When he turned, his eyes looked squarely into hers. "Why would you ask questions you already know the answer to, Emma? You know now I saved your nieces from the fire. You know I saved Samuel."