“Did you enjoy it?”
Her expression hardened.“It was a means to an end.”
“That doesn’t answer the question.”He drew a harsh breath, set his other hand on the armrest to block her escape.“What I want to know is how far you took it and whether or not you forgot yourself in the moment.”
Annoyance simmered in her blue eyes.It looked like she wanted to slap him.He almost smirked.So the genteel woman he’d gotten to know had a temper.This was something he understood and something he’d like to explore.
“We took it as far as we had to,” she gritted.“I undid his jacket, pulled his shirt free, and made sure my skirt was pushed up past my knees by the time we fell into the ballroom.But no, I did not forget myself in the moment.My focus was on the details and on making sure Marsdale didn’t back out.”
The thorny vines gripping him tightened.“Did it leave an impression?”
“Yes.”He pulled back as if struck.“To say it didn’t would be dishonest.Your friend needs help.He behaved like a wounded creature in need of comfort.I think there’s a weight bearing down on his chest.It might be good for him to share it with someone.”
Not at all what he’d been expecting.The tension within started to ease.“Anything else?”
Her crystal-clear eyes snared him.“He didn’t affect me.Only you have the power to do so.”
Adrian’s mouth was on hers in an instant, the kiss he gave her as hard and punishing as his desire to claim her.
He sank to the sofa and pulled her into his lap, her sighs and gasps sending him straight to the edge.His hand pushed under her skirts and curved over her knee before slipping higher.
“Adrian.”A breathless word - his name - so perfect when she spoke it.
His palm settled firmly against the curve of her hip.Breaking the kiss so he could observe her response, he splayed his fingers across her soft flesh.
Desire made her breath hitch, but she still sent the door a look of concern.
“I’ll go no further than this,” he promised.“I just had to make sure my touch left a mark more intimate than his.”
“I’ve told you before,” she murmured, “but I’ll say it again, just to be clear.I am yours.No other man will be able to claim me.”
He growled with immense satisfaction and brought his mouth back to hers.She’d made no mention of his proposition, and he’d not asked if she’d given it any more thought.Nor would he.Not when the world thought she’d soon be his wife.
Edward had been correct.The idea of her with his ring on her finger, bound to him in a way she never would be as his mistress, was unbelievably thrilling.
Not that he was in any rush to reveal his intentions.There would be time for that later, once the mess they were currently dealing with had been concluded.And if he’d had any second thoughts on the matter, they were quickly dashed by a knock at the door.
Adrian lifted Samantha and placed her on the sofa beside him before quickly moving to a nearby armchair.He gave her a nod and she told whoever was at the door to come in.
Her butler entered.“A letter for you, Miss Carmichael.”
She picked it from the silver tray he held toward her.The butler gave a stiff bow and departed, leaving the door wide open.
Samantha turned the letter between her hands.“The seal is generic.No crest or initial.”
Adrian picked up his cup and sipped his tea.“Open it.”
Part of the paper stuck to the wax and was peeled away in the process.Samantha unfolded the sheet of foolscap and scanned its contents.Her eyebrows rose.A satisfied smile captured her lips.
“My dearest Samantha,” she read.“The events of last night compel me to reassure you, not only of the impact our kiss has had upon me, but of my steadfast devotion to you.I long to explore it further and to offer whatever support you need, should Croft decide to break your engagement.
“Please meet me tonight at The Toothless Cat Inn, ten o’clock.Provide the innkeeper with your last name, and he’ll show you to a private room where we can discuss the details of our affair.Whatever your wishes, I’ll seek to accommodate them in full.
“Your servant…Marsdale”
An uncomfortable mixture of dread and excitement settled in Adrian’s stomach.He took the letter and re-read the words.The script was neat and precise, similar to both his and Edward’s, but with slight variations.“It appears our plan worked.”
All they had to do now was go to the rendezvous point and see who showed up.
