She moaned softly. “Why would you doubt it?”
Laura was lost as his hands on her brought her to climax. Nathaniel held her tight against him andgroaned.
As their breathing slowed, she turned within his arms to look into his face. His dark eyelashes masked his expression. Would the wall come down between them again?
Dora’s voice sounded on the staircase. Laura jumped off his lap. “I want to know what’s been happening while I’ve been away. Everything!”
Nathaniel rose too. He smoothed back his hair and straightened his clothes. “I will tell you. But later, sweetheart. Order the maid to pack your things. I’ll wait downstairs.”
As Nathaniel closed the door behind him, Laura touched her burning face and marveled at his audacity, as she hurried to retrieve her bloomers. He was such an exciting, unpredictable man. She peered into the mirror at her flushed face. Her headache had gone. He had not said he loved her, but he had missed her. And when he looked at her as if nothing in the world could satisfy him but her, she knew she must do as Dora’s Tarot had suggested and be patient.
When she came downstairs, Howard sprang up from a chair by the door. “Laura! I was concerned. Are you all right?”
Aware that Nathaniel must be talking to Dora, Laura took Howard’s outstretched hand in her gloved one. “I am, and I apologize for such dramatics, Howard. Thank you for assisting me.”
Howard searched her face. “You are happy in your new life?”
“What business is it of yours whether my wife is happy or not?” Nathaniel stood at the sitting room door, eyes narrowed. “Release her hand.” He took a stepforward.
Nathaniel looked like a dangerous animal ready to spring. Alarmed, Laura pulled her hand from Howard’s.
“I beg your pardon, my lord,” Howard said stiffly. “But Lady Lanyon and I have been good friends for some years.”
“I will answer the question,” Laura said in a calm tone. “I am very happy, Howard, and I apologize for alarming you.”
The look of fury on her husband’s face was unreasonable. She would have been angry had she not understood what caused his irrational jealousy. How many years would it take before he could trust her completely?
Howard took his hat and coat from the maid. He nodded to Laura and ignored Nathaniel. “I trust that is so.”
“It was good to see you again, Howard,” Laura said. “Congratulations on your new appointment.”
“Thank you, Laura. Good day to you both.”
After the door closed behind Howard, Laura placed a hand on Nathaniel’s chest. His heart pounded beneath her palm. “You must learn to trust me. If you don’t, our life together will suffer.”
He raised her chin to look deep into her eyes. “Then don’t throw suitors like Howard Farmer in my way.”
“I didn’t plan to. I told you, Aunt Dora invited him.”
“Very well, let that be the end of it.” He nodded, but his seeming indifference didn’t foolher.
“As mine and Howard’s paths are unlikely to cross again, it will be.”
Laura waved from the carriage window at Dora, who saw them off after promising to visit them soon. On the way to Wimbledon, Laura turned to him, unable to suppress the impatience in her voice. “Now tell me what has happened while I’ve been away.”
“We had a violent storm. Raged for days. Cut the phone lines, so I didn’t get your telegram for some days. It was necessary to rescue the crew of a ship that foundered on the rocks. A three-masted vessel—”
“I’ve seen that ship,” Laura interrupted. “It sailed around the point on the day I rode to the cove. Theo Mallory was there.”
Nathaniel stared at her. “You didn’t tell me you met Mallory on that day.”
Laura had purposely not told him, knowing he would gaze at her in the way he did now. “I thought Hugh would have told you. He had followed me.” She raised her eyebrows. “On your orders, I believe?”
Nathaniel’s mouth firmed. “Tell me exactly what happened.”
Laura described how Mallory had emerged from behind a rockyoutcrop.
“Did he make advances to you?”
