He gestured toward the door to the right but made no attempt to open it.“Please don’t go in there.That room belonged to Evie, and I…I’ve not yet mustered the courage to enter it since she died.”
Unsure of how to respond without saying something inane, Samantha rose up onto her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to Adrian’s cheek.“I won’t overstep.I promise.”
The sadness that welled in his eyes was enough to shatter her heart.A silent nod was his only response as he led her away from the haunting memories, past a private drawing room, and toward the door on the opposite side of the hallway.
He opened it and ushered her into a space warmly lit by three strategically placed oil lamps.It was familiar yet different from when she’d studied it from a distance, the intimate atmosphere filled with promise.
Adrian was also fully clothed this time, the terrible scars on his back concealed beneath layers of fabric.Bile rose in her throat at the memory of it, at the horror he had endured.Anger started to work its way through her body, straining her muscles until she feared it would soon reach her face.
It took more effort than usual to bank the emotions.She managed to do so with pure force of will while watching the fire that burned in the grate.
A four-poster bed dressed in rich damask silks dominated the room.At the foot of the bed was a space, separating it from the two velvet-clad armchairs located before the fire.A dresser stood to the right of the doorway but there was no wardrobe.Instead, Adrian pointed out an adjoining door that led to another room where their clothes could be stored.
“I’ll make more space for you tomorrow.And we can have a vanity table brought in if you like.”
Samantha turned.“You’re sure you want me in here, interfering with your private space?”
He gave her a hesitant look.“Would you rather have separate rooms?”
“No.This is marvelous.I just don’t want to impose.”
“You couldn’t possibly.”He dipped his head and kissed her, the tenderness in the sweet caress so achingly perfect she wanted to hold onto it forever.But then it ended and he led her forward.
Samantha glanced at the bed once more and drew a shuddering breath.As if sensing her unease, Adrian turned her toward him and told her gently, “Whatever you think might happen between us tonight, please set it from your mind.You are still wounded and I’m not a beast.We have time – a lifetime worth.Our wedding night can happen later.For now, we’ll simply enjoy each other’s company.As you pointed out, it’s a good opportunity for us to get to know each other better.Tell me, are you also an early riser or do you like to sleep in?”
It was the first question of many.One that led to countless others.
For the next three hours they talked, sharing information about themselves, their interests, and life experiences.Sitting in front of the fire, an open bottle of port on the table between them, Samantha savored the comfort she found in Adrian’s company.
Their conversation flowed with a natural ease.It was filled with moments of humor as well as more serious reflection.What counted most was the growing kinship she felt with him, like an unbreakable thread forming between them.It extended beyond the close friendship she’d known with him until now, laying open a series of wonderful possibilities, including what promised to be an incredibly strong marriage.
44
The afternoon sunlight spilled through the windows of Adrian’s study, warming his face as he looked out at the garden where Samantha strolled.A smile pulled at his lips when she glanced toward him with happiness in her eyes and waved.He raised his hand to return the gesture.
Two days had passed since their wedding, and they had been the best damn days of his life.For the first time since he could recall, he was content.It was as though Samantha had filled a gap he hadn’t realized was there.
And to think they’d not even consummated their marriage yet.He’d have thought that would make him go slightly mad.To his astonishment, he didn’t experience any need to rush ahead in that area though.Instead, he enjoyed speaking with her, learning her thoughts about various issues, figuring out who she was as a person.
The result was a deep satisfaction that seeped through his body and left him with a wonderful feeling of rightness.For the first time since Evie’s death, he looked forward to what tomorrow would bring, to moving ahead with his future.He no longer had to do it alone.Samantha would be there with him, every step of the way.
He took a deep breath and allowed himself to accept the joy that settled within the deepest recess of his heart.Tonight they would go to the theatre, and tomorrow they’d head off to Deerhaven Manor.
He looked forward to showing her where he’d spent the earliest years of his childhood.
A knock at the door preceded Murry’s arrival.Adrian abandoned his view for a moment and glanced at him, a sliver of apprehension forming between his shoulder blades when he saw how grave his servant looked.“Yes?”
Murry stepped forward, as solemn as a pallbearer at a funeral.“Forgive the intrusion, but there’s been a development that I’m forced to address with you at once.”
Adrian turned to him more fully.“What’s happened?”
“The matter pertains to your wife.It turns out she’s not what she appears to be.”The pained look in his eyes was nothing compared to the ice that was forming in Adrian’s stomach.“She has secrets I failed to uncover until this morning, when I was out running an errand and happened to see her step into an alley.”
“So?”
“She glanced over her shoulder first, as though to make sure she was not being watched or pursued.Standing across the street and some distance away, with a parked carriage between us, she failed to spot me.A scruffy looking errand-boy emerged from the alley less than a minute later, followed by your wife, who checked her surroundings once more before stepping back onto the pavement and walking away.”
“It’s probably nothing,” Adrian said even as his heart trembled.He refused to believe what Murry suggested.Samantha was loveliness incarnate.The idea of her posing a threat was absurd.
