He ignored it all and guided her away from the yard and the others. They were all so engrossed in the game of bowls that no one seemed to notice their hasty escape. He hoped it would stay that way as he all but dragged her across the grass toward the orangery.
Selina’s heart throbbed as Huntington hauled her into the orangery. His fingers trailed along her elbow as he released her, then he leaned back against the door. It was an almost casual posture, but the tension that lined his face told her differently.
“What do youthinkyou know?” he asked, his voice rough.
She ignored the question for a moment. Partly to regain some of her authority, and partly because if she spoke right now he’d hear the husky break in her voice and her desire would be too obvious. He could turn the tables.
And as fun as that might be, it wasn’t the plan.
She looked around the room as she gathered herself. It was a small conservatory, glass-encased and filled with flowers, small trees and even a small pond in the center with water lilies floating on its surface. The glass had streaked over time, fogged from the steamy heat on the room. No one on the outside would have a completely clear view until they were all but pressed against the windows.
Which made this a private place, indeed.
“Answer me,” he said, an order that sent another thrill through her body.
She pivoted and faced him. He was watching her intently, his gaze focused on her face, but when she took a step toward him, those eyes skittered lower, looking over her from head to toe. He wanted her, that was clear. He was fighting the want. He was just on the edge of control of it.
Which meant he could be pushed back or pulled forward until he fell.
“I don’tthinkI know anything,” she said softly. “I know I know. And I want to help you.”
His brow wrinkled and her smile widened. Oh, he hadn’t been expecting that. He was trying to formulate some response. Trying to find some way to grapple back on top.
He cleared his throat. “If I were doing what you think I’m doing,” he began, a weak denial if ever there were one. “Why would you want to help?”
“The thrill,” she lied, clasping her hands together to better affect a bored little miss who knew little of the world. “I’ve read all about the Faceless Fox in the papers and I know it would be so exciting to have a part in catching him.”
His brow lowered further and he speared her with a questioning stare. She might have laid it on a bit too thick there. He didn’t seem certain of her. She ducked her head so he wouldn’t read her too closely.
“I can’t let you do that,” he said, his voice rougher in the quiet of the orangery.
She smiled as she looked at him once more. “So Iwasright! What I overheard is true!”
He shook his head slowly, but she could see the twitch of a smile on his lips. Those extremely nice lips. “What you eavesdropped on, you mean,” he said, giving her a stern glance.
Her stomach fluttered, but she ignored it as she lifted a hand to her chest and pretended to be affronted. “Eavesdropped? Whatever do you mean, Mr. Huntington?”
Now she knew she’d gone too far. He chuckled, low and dangerous. “Come now, you needn’t play with me. I saw you. I saw your shadow at the window when I was talking to your brother in his study yesterday afternoon. And then I saw you darting away from me into the adjoining parlor later.”
She blinked. She’d known he suspected someone was at the window, but she hadn’t realized he’d caught her slipping into the parlor later. Now she blushed and it wasn’t a game.
His gaze flitted over her face once more. She saw desire in him again and it called to her own. At some point, she could see there would be an explosive end to that. She was looking forward to it.
He cleared his throat. “You are too clever to deny what you already know, so I won’t sport with your intelligence. Yes, I’m an investigator, Miss Oliver. Yes, I’m looking into a certain jewel thief who has made quite the name for himself, and with good reason. I haven’t encountered so talented a criminal in a long time.”
She almost preened at the compliment, but managed to keep herself in check.
“But as I said a moment ago,” he continued. “I can’t let you help me.”
She pursed her lips.Let her. Yes, that was the way of the world. Men had the power. Or so they thought. Only she refused to let that stand. She refused to live her life that way.
“And why can’t youletme?” she asked, just barely keeping the disdain from her voice.
“You spoke to me of the thrill of the situation. That comes from danger, Selina.” The color left his cheeks. “Forgive me, Miss Oliver.”
She smiled at the slip. Oh yes, she was already getting under this man’s skin and hardly even trying. So maybe it was time to try. “I don’t mind if you call me Selina,” she said softly. “Derrick.”
His cheek actually twitched, but he took a step away. The way he shifted his weight, clenched his hands in and out of fists at his sides, it all revealed him. Revealed control that was so tightly coiled in him at present. Great God, what fun it would be to just…snap it. What would happen then? What kind of man would Derrick Huntington be if he just…lost his grip on control?
