“Anything I can do to help?”
“Just make sure Lady Heathbrooke suspects me and Croft of being involved.”One seed was all it would take for the rumor to spread, lending fuel to the fire once everyone saw them together.
“I can do that, but are you sure?”
Samantha’s attention shifted toward the front of the room, to the new guests arriving and to the man flicking his dark gaze in her direction.“Trust me.Public opinion will make a world of difference.”
She gave her friend a firm look before making her way to Adrian, whose strong presence dominated the ballroom.Tall and smartly attired in evening black, he stood beside Marsdale, surrounded by whispers and scowls from those who’d noticed his entrance.If it bothered him, it didn’t show in the slightest since his attention was placed on her as she made her approach.
Try as she might, she couldn’t ignore the effect it was having.Being Adrian Croft’s sole focus proved more intense than balancing along the edge of a building.Her cheeks burned by the time she reached him.More so when he looked directly into her eyes, his smoldering gaze reminding her of the heated kisses they’d shared.
She swallowed, extended her hand for him to catch, and dipped into a low curtsey – a sign of allegiance and surrender to everyone present.If Melody did her part, no one would doubt Adrian’s claim to her.
“Miss Carmichael.”The velvety softness with which he whispered her name fanned out across her skin.Raising his voice, he added, “You’re absolutely stunning.”
“I completely agree,” said Marsdale, his compliment carrying with enough strength to be heard by those who lingered nearby.
Clever.
Allowing a timid smile, she affected a look intended to show that he too had the power to flatter her ego.“You’re much too kind, my lord.”
Adrian sent him a stern look and drew Samantha close to his side, away from Marsdale.A part of the act, or something more real?She wasn’t quite sure.
His palm settled firmly against the base of her spine in a scandalous show of possessiveness few men would dare exhibit in public.He seemed not to care.“Let’s take a turn of the room, shall we?”
Guided by his touch, she allowed him to steer her past the inquisitive looks from the guests standing closest.Pretending indifference wasn’t an option.No amount of training could have prepared her for the spark of awareness his touch instilled or the hot little shivers that shot through her limbs.
It was like an assault on her nerves and she hadn’t the skill or the will to fight it.
Linking his arm with hers, he dipped his head.“I have a confession to make, Samantha.”
“And what’s that?”She’d never sounded so raspy before.
“You’re making me go slightly mad.”
A powerful revelation from someone who always appeared in control.Provided it was the truth.
Not that it had any bearing on how she would answer.“Perhaps I should make a confession too.”
“Please do.”
She took a deep breath, made sure to lock her gaze with his when she spoke her next words.“I’ve missed you.”
A world of meaning in those few words.They’d seen each other frequently during the last few days, but one shared moment stood out above all the rest.
His eyes sharpened, revealing the instant he understood.The walls seemed to tilt in toward them, making the ballroom too small to contain the fire that burned between them.An almost desperate expression strained his features.
He leaned in, his breath hard and heavy against her face.“I want to kiss you.”
She glanced toward the end of the room, her gaze catching Mr.Nigel Lawrence’s for a brief second.His eyebrows dipped even as he sent her a nod.She dismissed him, her attention back on Adrian.“As much as I’d like that, you can’t.Not if I am to fit the killer’s profile.”
The look he gave her was fierce.Pained, even.He steered her sideways, circumventing a group of women who blocked their path, not stopping until they’d reached the wall.Releasing her arm, he faced her.“You’re right.”His palm found her cheek – improper but proof of the intimacy they wished to evoke – before falling away.A disingenuous smile followed.“We’ll dance the waltz and I’ll take my leave so the rest of this blasted charade can play out as planned.”
She hesitated, not liking the cool aloofness with which he addressed her.“Adrian.”
“It’s fine.”Not a warmly spoken assurance but rather the bite of steel.
Uncertainty crept through her veins.If he failed to play his part to perfection then what was the point?Her hand caught his wrist, pulling him farther away from the rest of the guests.“You know it will just be an act.I have no interest in Marsdale.”
