Chapter 38

38

H aving concluded his unexpected meeting with Harlowe, Adrian had to make a conscious effort to keep from bursting into the Clearview House parlor and giving Samantha a good shake. Instead, he entered the room as though all was as it should be.

At least she'd had the sense to warn him of what was to come.

Be aware. Harlowe thinks we're engaged. I'm sorry.

He would have liked some additional details - some hint as to what had occurred. Not quite ready to take a seat on the sofa beside her, he stayed near the window overlooking the driveway. "Tell me everything."

She sent the door a pointed look, and he instantly shut it, not caring if anyone thought it a lapse in social conduct. He arched an eyebrow, a silent command for her to proceed.

"Very well." Back straight, she clasped her hands in her lap, ignoring the tea tray for now as she laid out the details of what had transpired. "Harlowe got in the way. I had to explain myself to him which forced me to improvise on the spot."

"So you concocted the fake engagement."

"That was later. But the idea did arise from something Harlowe said during that conversation. He questioned the effect my flirtation would have upon you."

"It must have been quite the show for him to take issue and pull you aside." He feigned a casual stance, but every muscle was strained to the point of snapping.

"We did as agreed."

A nerve began ticking at the edge of his eye. He ignored it. "Why would Harlowe care about my reaction to you and Marsdale?"

"Most likely because he, like most others, has no wish to earn your disfavor."

"I still don't see why you chose to announce our engagement."

"Because without it, you'd just be another man looking to get beneath a loose woman's skirts. But as my fiancé, you'd be thrown over, embarrassed, with no easy way out. Making you exactly the sort of man the killer would sympathize with and me the sort of woman he'd want to murder."

He dug his nails into the palms of his hands until pain distracted him from the image of her lifeless body covered in blood. It would not come to that. He'd make damn sure to take whatever precautions were needed to keep her safe.

"And the kiss?" There was no avoiding the bitterness in his voice. "Tell me about it."

She dropped her gaze, refused to look at him, choosing instead to reach for the teapot and fill their cups.

Her silence was worse than any words she might have spoken. Breathing became a chore. Something dark and ugly caught him in its thorny grasp.

One second he was by the window, the next, he was leaning in, spine curving as he clasped her jaw and forced her gaze to meet his.

"Did you enjoy it?"

Her expression hardened. "It was a means to an end."

"That doesn't answer the question." He drew a harsh breath, set his other hand on the armrest to block her escape. "What I want to know is how far you took it and whether or not you forgot yourself in the moment."

Annoyance simmered in her blue eyes. It looked like she wanted to slap him. He almost smirked. So the genteel woman he'd gotten to know had a temper. This was something he understood and something he'd like to explore.

"We took it as far as we had to," she gritted. "I undid his jacket, pulled his shirt free, and made sure my skirt was pushed up past my knees by the time we fell into the ballroom. But no, I did not forget myself in the moment. My focus was on the details and on making sure Marsdale didn't back out."

The thorny vines gripping him tightened. "Did it leave an impression?"

"Yes." He pulled back as if struck. "To say it didn't would be dishonest. Your friend needs help. He behaved like a wounded creature in need of comfort. I think there's a weight bearing down on his chest. It might be good for him to share it with someone."

Not at all what he'd been expecting. The tension within started to ease. "Anything else?"

Her crystal-clear eyes snared him. "He didn't affect me. Only you have the power to do so."

Adrian's mouth was on hers in an instant, the kiss he gave her as hard and punishing as his desire to claim her.

He sank to the sofa and pulled her into his lap, her sighs and gasps sending him straight to the edge. His hand pushed under her skirts and curved over her knee before slipping higher.

"Adrian." A breathless word - his name - so perfect when she spoke it.

His palm settled firmly against the curve of her hip. Breaking the kiss so he could observe her response, he splayed his fingers across her soft flesh.

Desire made her breath hitch, but she still sent the door a look of concern.

"I'll go no further than this," he promised. "I just had to make sure my touch left a mark more intimate than his."

"I've told you before," she murmured, "but I'll say it again, just to be clear. I am yours. No other man will be able to claim me."

He growled with immense satisfaction and brought his mouth back to hers. She'd made no mention of his proposition, and he'd not asked if she'd given it any more thought. Nor would he. Not when the world thought she'd soon be his wife.

Edward had been correct. The idea of her with his ring on her finger, bound to him in a way she never would be as his mistress, was unbelievably thrilling.

Not that he was in any rush to reveal his intentions. There would be time for that later, once the mess they were currently dealing with had been concluded. And if he'd had any second thoughts on the matter, they were quickly dashed by a knock at the door.

Adrian lifted Samantha and placed her on the sofa beside him before quickly moving to a nearby armchair. He gave her a nod and she told whoever was at the door to come in.

Her butler entered. "A letter for you, Miss Carmichael."

She picked it from the silver tray he held toward her. The butler gave a stiff bow and departed, leaving the door wide open.

Samantha turned the letter between her hands. "The seal is generic. No crest or initial."

Adrian picked up his cup and sipped his tea. "Open it."

Part of the paper stuck to the wax and was peeled away in the process. Samantha unfolded the sheet of foolscap and scanned its contents. Her eyebrows rose. A satisfied smile captured her lips.

"My dearest Samantha," she read. "The events of last night compel me to reassure you, not only of the impact our kiss has had upon me, but of my steadfast devotion to you. I long to explore it further and to offer whatever support you need, should Croft decide to break your engagement.

"Please meet me tonight at The Toothless Cat Inn, ten o'clock. Provide the innkeeper with your last name, and he'll show you to a private room where we can discuss the details of our affair. Whatever your wishes, I'll seek to accommodate them in full.

"Your servant…Marsdale"

An uncomfortable mixture of dread and excitement settled in Adrian's stomach. He took the letter and re-read the words. The script was neat and precise, similar to both his and Edward's, but with slight variations. "It appears our plan worked."

All they had to do now was go to the rendezvous point and see who showed up.