He stopped pacing, his eyes narrowing as he took in her expression—barley contained anger. He braced himself for what was to come, the muscles in his jaw tightening. What was she doing here? What was so important that it could not wait until this afternoon? And why the devil did she look so beautiful when her eyes were burning with fury?
"Lord Blackwood," she said, her voice steady but laced with accusation. "I demand an explanation for this." She thrust the letter at him, the parchment crackling with the force of her grip.
He took it, his eyes scanning the contents as an icy knot of anger formed in his stomach. The letter suggested a connection between himself and Selina’s late husband, the Earl of Hollyfield’s death. It was penned by Lord Gregory Berner, the very man who had raced Lord Hollyfield that fateful day.
"Selina, I—" he began, his voice faltering slightly under the weight of her gaze.
"I will ask you once more. Did you have a hand in my husband's death?" she demanded, her voice unwavering. "Tell me the truth."
"Of course not!" James protested, his eyes softwith sincerity. "You must believe me, Selina. I would never be involved in such a thing."
"Then explain this!" she insisted, jabbing a finger at the damning letter. "It links you to Nile and the circumstances surrounding his race. Lord Berner wrote you were near the phaetons before the race began and that you and Nile had an argument just before the race. He claims that you told Nile he would be sorry."
"Selina," James implored, desperation creeping into his voice, "I had no hand in your husband’s accident. I would never betray you or your family in such a manner. The argument was no argument at all. Nile had been bragging about his new horse and saying it could not be beat. I told him he would be sorry because I knew his opponent’s horse well and the speed it brought." He paused, his gaze searching hers for understanding. "It was innocent banter. The sort we often exchanged. Please, trust me."
She hesitated, her expression wavering as she studied him intently. The taut lines of her brow easing as her lips slightly parted.
"I wish trust came so easy," she said, her voice softening. "I shall endeavor to trust you, for now. But know this, Lord Blackwood: Should I find even the slightest hint of deception, I will not hesitate toexpose you for what you truly are. I will avenge my husband’s death if it is the last thing I do."
James's fingers tightened around the parchment, crumpling it slightly as he fought to control the rising anger within him. He raised his gaze to meet hers, the hazel depths of her irises shimmering with a mixture of anger and resolve.
"Selina, whoever was responsible for Nile's death," he said earnestly, his words laden with sincerity. "They are messing with my life as well. I vow that I too shall have revenge."
"Do you?" she said, her gaze narrowing. “Or is it simply that you, Lord Blackwood, do not wish to have the truth uncovered? You are a man known for his vices? A man of leisure who would have a great deal to lose if he were found guilty of such a crime."
As she spoke, her voice grew more forceful, each syllable like a hammer blow against his defenses. James took a deep breath, his mind racing to find the right words—something, anything—to convince her of his innocence.
"Selina, please," he pleaded, his voice thick with emotion. "You know me, or at least you once did. Can you not see the truth in my eyes? I would do nothing to harm you or your family. You must believe me if we are to discover the true villain."
Her resolve wavered, and she hesitated, her gaze searching his face. What she found was a flicker of vulnerability and uncertainty, a glimpse into the heart of a man who had always seemed so impenetrable.
"James," she said, doubt creeping into her voice like the tendrils of fog that clung to the windows of the study. "If you did not have any involvement in Nile's death, then help me find out who did. Prove to me that your words are true. I vow I wish to believe you, but it is hard with so many clues leading right back to you."
"That is the very thing I am trying to do," he said without irritation, relief surging through him as the weight of her suspicions lifted ever so slightly from his shoulders. "We will uncover the truth together and bring whoever is responsible for this heinous act to justice. You have my word as a gentleman."
"Very well," she said, her eyes never leaving his. “I just want this to be over. I need peace. For myself and Nile.”
As she spoke, the morning light shone across her face, casting her features into sharp relief and revealing the turmoil within her. In that moment, James knew he could not—would not—betray her.
He swiftly closed the distance between them, amixture of desperation to comfort her and the desire to hold her in his arms overwhelming him.
"Selina," he breathed, pulling her into his arms. “I will help you find peace. I vow it.”
She looked up at him, her gaze warm and lips parted ever so slightly.
Unable to stop himself, he pressed his lips against hers.
Her breath hitched in her throat, and for a heartbeat, she hesitated, caught in the whirlwind of passion that threatened to consume them both.
Their bodies were pressed together, the heat of the fire surrounding them as they kissed. But amidst the passion and desire, doubt crept into his mind. Could they really discover what had happened to Hollyfield? Could they clear his name? Would she ever truly trust him? “Please, trust me,” he murmured against her lips.
She pulled back, her eyes clouded with uncertainty as they searched his face. Selina swallowed hard, taking a step back. "I will trust you, James. But only so far. And there will be no more kissing, do you understand?"
"Agreed," he said, the intensity of his gaze never wavering. He released her from his embrace, and shetook another step back, adding distance between them.
"Let us start by examining this letter more closely," she suggested, as she unfolded the damning parchment. James nodded, his own thoughts racing as he tried to piece together the puzzle that lay before them.
Together, they scrutinized every word, every nuance, searching for hidden meanings or clues that might lead them closer to the truth. As they worked side by side, the tentative truce they had formed solidified their shared goal of uncovering the truth, drawing them closer together.
