“And yet, you’re giving it up in a few weeks,” he said, arching a brow in question. “Is that because you think Lord Singleton wouldn’t approve?” Reese didn’t know the marquess, but he already wanted to strangle him.

“Partly,” Sophie said, pulling her knees to her chest. “It’s complicated. And I don’t think it would be right to keep secrets from my … future husband.”

“But you don’t feel like you can confide in him.” Reese paused. “Just like you don’t feel like you can confide in me.”

“It’s not like that. I want to tell you, and I trust you. I’ve no doubt you’d understand. But our members made a pact not to reveal the nature of our business, and I need to adhere to the rules—rules that I set forth.” Her forehead wrinkled and her eyes pleaded for understanding.

“You’re quite fond of rules,” he teased. “I wonder why that is.”

“I can tell you why,” she said softly—and he knew she was thinking about the no-touching rule. “It’s because rules keep people from doing things that seem like a good idea at the time but are actually quite counterproductive at best, dangerous at worst. Rules keep people from listening solely to their hearts when they should listen to reason and good sense. Sometimes rules are the only defense against scandal and impropriety—and utterly devastating heartache.”

“That’s true,” Reese admitted. “But when you find a person who understands and supports you unreservedly, trust takes over. Then, maybe, the rules aren’t necessary anymore.”

Sophie blew out a long breath and stood. Her frothy white nightgown swished around her lithe legs like foam on ocean waves. “I trust you, Reese. I wouldn’t be here with you if I didn’t. But trust is a two-way proposition. You have secrets too.”

“What do you want to know?” he asked simply, hoping she couldn’t tell that inside, he was shaking like a rabbit.

She walked toward the bed, turned, and leaned her back against one of the tall posters. “I want to know everything about you. What are the things that make you happy? What are the things that keep you awake at night?”

“There’s a long list of things that keep me up at night.” A hundred haunting images flashed through his mind, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. “Are you sure you want to know what they are?”

She nodded soberly. “Why don’t you take off your boots and join me on the bed? I’ll turn down the lamp; I always find it easier to talk about difficult things in the dark.”