He was torn between the desire to strike her and kiss her again until she was incapable of speech. “I allowed the circus to stay on the ranch for your sake, and yours alone. You’ve repaid me by taking Athena’s part against her own brother, and against what is best for her. Holt is a convict, a murderer, and I will not allow him to remain where he has any chance of contacting my sister again.”
The change of subject steered the conversation back where he wanted it, but he could not concentrate. Caitlin’s eyes continued to laugh at him, though he could have sworn he saw hurt under the humor. Could a woman like Caitlin be hurt, truly hurt, by a man?
“I see,” she said at last. “Well, I cannot help you. I do not know where Morgan is, and I wouldn’t tell you if I did. I may want you, Niall Munroe, but not at any price.”
“Not even the price of wealth beyond your imagining?”
“I will not betray my friends for money—”
“I do not speak of betrayal.” He took a step toward her and stopped, unable to think of what to do with his hands. “I speak of… you and me, Caitlin. Of what we might have together.”
“Can I believe what I just heard?” She closed her eyes. “Are you offering me—”
“Everything.” He perched on the edge of the chair, fighting the absurd urge to go down on his knees. “Security, fine clothing, carriages, jewelry, all the things you have never had. A real home to live in, Caitlin, not a tent. No need to endanger your life ever again.”
“You wish me to leave the circus? To abandon all my friends, the life I have always known, to become your…” Slowly her mouth relaxed, and she met his gaze. “To become your mistress. That is what you are offering, isn’t it?”
Heat rose in his face. Damn her, the woman could make him feel like a little boy who had just been caught with his fingers in the pie. How could he let her have such power over him?
“Yes,” he said coldly. “That is exactly what I am offering. But the mistress of Niall Munroe would lack nothing, I assure you.” He looked toward the window, feeling a cold rush of air against his cheek even though the sash was closed. “I have never taken a mistress. I have never believed I wanted one, until now. I want you, Caitlin. I admit it. And I am willing to pay whatever you ask.”
The look on her face was so gentle that he could have wept. “There is only one problem, my friend. I’m used to freedom. I come and go and behave exactly as I wish, and no man tells me what I must or must not do. Your society would never allow that, not even in a great man’s mistress. And I don’t care to be owned. Not even by you.”
He stared at her blankly until he realized exactly what she had said.
She’d turned him down. Turned him down, whom very few ever refused without profound regret. She, who had nothing, who lived from day to day with no guarantee of the next night’s dinner, shunned by all decent folk, refused a life of ease and luxury. And him.
“I have seldom in my life asked anything twice,” he said. “I am accustomed to getting what I want. But I will offer once more. Come to Denver with me. Live in a fine house that you may call your own, where you may do whatever you please within its walls. I do not expect you to move in society or become like other women. I do not ask that you change yourself. I demand only that you and I enjoy each other as we wish, in all the freedom you desire.”
“But don’t you see? I would change myself if I did what you ask. The woman you want now would cease to exist, and you would grow to despise what you admire in me. As I would grow to despise you.” She sighed. “I’m sorry, Niall. There is only one reason that would compel me to accept, and that is if you give up this persecution of Morgan and Athena.” She held out her hand. “Let them live their own lives, Niall, and I will share yours.”