To his surprise, she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him.He folded his arms around her, and for a moment, they just stood like that, in this embrace that was as intimate and meaningful as any time he’d made love to her or kissed her until they both forgot their own names.
At last she tugged away, her cheeks brightening with a blush.“Good evening, Callum.”
He smiled.“You know, if you’re going to greet me like that when I come here, I may leave just to have that welcome.”
She laughed, though he recognized the hollowness of the sound.How long had she been wearing a mask, protecting herself, protecting others from the horrible truth of what she’d endured?And now he would have to reveal yet another potential betrayal.
He hated it.So he touched her face and put it off a little longer.“Come, let me get you a drink.I assume we have some time before supper?”
“Yes,” she said.“Though I believe you are depriving me of my duties as hostess, Your Grace.”
She sat despite that statement and he smiled as he moved to the sideboard and poured them each a glass of madeira.“I like taking care of you.”
She took the glass.“I’m beginning to see that is true.It seems to give you great pleasure to do so.”
He sat beside her, resting an arm along the back of the settee as he memorized every line and angle of her face.“It does.”
“I have never known a man like you,” she whispered.
“Is that a compliment or a curse?”he asked softly.
She leaned in, resting a hand on his thigh as she brushed her lips to his.“A compliment of the highest regard, I promise you.”
There was nothing in the world he would rather do than follow up on that kiss.To take her upstairs and make love to her and forget that he had information that would hurt her all over again.
But he owed her the truth.He owed her protection, even if it caused pain.She’d lived too many lies for too long already.
So he drew in a long breath.“How are you after what happened this afternoon?”
She shrugged.“I’m as well as can be expected.You were all so kind, so accepting.I had never dreamed I would be believed and supported like that.So it helps.I am nervous about what Franklin will say when he receives your letter asking to speak to his servants.You have not already heard back from him, have you?”
He shifted.And there was the opening he needed.“Er, no.But that is because I did not write him the letter as expected.”
Her brow wrinkled.“Oh.I see.Was there a reason you didn’t?”
He nodded slowly, holding her gaze.“Yes.But before I give you more details, would you mind if I asked Higgins a few questions?With you in the room, of course.”
She appeared confused, but he was relieved when she nodded.“Certainly, if you think it would help.”She got up and rang the bell at the door.A moment later, the butler appeared and she motioned into the room.“His Grace has a few questions for you, Higgins.”
“Certainly, sir,” the servant said, turning his attention on Callum.“How may I assist?”
Callum drew a deep breath and removed the blackmail note from his pocket.He had refolded it and held it out to the butler.“This may not be a question you can answer, but do you recall when this letter arrived for Her Grace?It was while she was away.”
Higgins took the letter.He didn’t open the pages, but turned them, examining the address carefully, running his fingers over the pages.“I do not, Your Grace, I apologize.”His brow wrinkled.
“You look concerned by that,” Callum said.“Why is that?”
“Well, sir, I am usually the one to answer the door and receive all messages.Even on the rare occasion I’m not available, I’m always immediately informed by staff so that I may personally add correspondence to the tray.I manage that portion of the household quite closely.”
“And you recall every letter that arrives?”Valaria asked.
“I do try, Your Grace.”He stared at the letter again.“You said this was in the pile of correspondence from when you were away?”
She nodded.“Yes.Mixed in the with the rest when I opened them earlier today.”
Higgins shook his head.“Well, I did not receive it, Your Grace.So I’m not certain how it was added to the pile.”He frowned.“I will inquire with the staff.”
“Certainly you may do that,” Callum said.“And if you hear anything of note, please report it back.”
