“But,” he said quickly, before she could answer his question, “I want you to remember something.”
“What?”
“I want you to remember this.” He pulled her face toward him and captured her mouth. She inhaled sharply, but seconds later, she sighed and melted against him. He took her in his arms and kissed her meaningfully – not the urgent way they’d kissed in the pantry, but now, he wanted this kiss to make her feel something else. He wanted her to feel the yearning emotions that were shooting through him, and he prayed she would feel the same way.
Her arms slid around his shoulders, and he pulled her against him. Tilting his head, he deepened the kiss, and it thrilled him when she responded eagerly. Her hands moved to his hair, and he sighed from the tenderness of her caress. But then she cupped his face and broke the kiss. He couldn’t catch his breath as he stared into her lovely eyes.
“Adrian?”
“Yes, love?”
“I... don’t have any feelings for your brother. I never did.”
Groaning with happiness, he gathered her in his arms again, turning the kiss wild. He heard Collin’s voice coming from the corridor, asking the butler where Adrian was. He grumbled and pulled away, quickly standing and moving to the window. Taking deep breaths, he tried to compose himself. In the reflection of the window, he saw Lyndsey also composing herself as she smoothed out the wrinkles on her dress and then patted her hair in place.
Collin’s heavy footsteps entered the room. “William, I—” He hitched a breath. “Miss Benson, I didn’t know you were here.”
Adrian turned just as his brother sat next to the flustered woman on the settee. Trying not to grin, Adrian bit the inside of his cheek.
“How is your sister?” Collin asked.
“Her fever is still quite high, I’m afraid. But your physician promises to keep a close eye on her.”
“And he will. He’s the best doctor around.”
She gave Collin a small smile. “I do appreciate your kindness, and Lord William’s, of course.”
“Think nothing of it.”
Collin patted her hand and Adrian noticed she subtly pulled away. Her attention moved to him, and he wanted to shout with victory.
“Lord William was telling me about the accidents that have been happening to the two of you lately.” She looked back at Collin. “And he mentioned that you saw someone outside earlier today just as my sister and I arrived. I hope you’re not too uncomfortable sharing that with me.”
Collin’s face hardened as he threw Adrian a glare. “My brother should learn when to keep his mouth shut.”
“Oh, no, my lord.” She touched Collin arm until he looked at her, and then she withdrew. “I’m eager to help you figure out what’s been happening to you around the manor.”
Shrugging, Collin leaned back in the settee. “I fear it’s worse than I suspected... as if someone is trying to make us go insane with worry.”
“Why would you think that?” she wondered.
Collin exchanged glances with Adrian. “Because nothing makes sense.”
“What doesn’t make sense?” she asked.
Collin shifted in his seat, clearly uncomfortable with the topic. Adrian knew it was because his brother didn’t want people to know what was happening for fear that they’d get injured as well.
“Miss Benson,” Adrian said, moving to the chair next to her, “we believe someone is purposely trying to harm us.”
“Someone here in the manor?” Lyndsey’s eyebrows lifted.
“We believe so. After all, yesterday before our dinner social when the pot fell from the banister, only someone in the house could have done that.”
“Or a servant was paid to help the true villain.”
Adrian sucked in a quick breath and exchanged surprised glances with his brother. When Adrian returned his attention to Lyndsey, he smiled. “I suppose that is a possibility.”
“Tell me,” she continued, “have there been any threatening notes to either of you?”
