“Doesn’t make it any easier to accept.”
“Listen to me,” she insisted.“I am yours.I have been since the moment you kissed me.But this, what we’re doing here tonight, must take priority.”
He paused in mid-stride, his gaze searching hers until she feared he might see every action she’d taken against him.A satisfied nod suggested he’d only found the truth in her most recent statement.“I’ll try to remember that after the fact, so I don’t end up killing my friend for something I asked him to do.”
Despite the annoyance rippling off him, it took but a second for him to leash and conceal it behind a façade of charm that gave nothing away.
For the next two hours, he proved himself the doting suitor – a gentleman who exuded pride at gaining her notice, who praised her to anyone willing to listen, and who hung on her every word.
It was unsettling, this ability of his to play the love-sick pup with a level of skill that nearly convinced her of something she knew wasn’t true.So much so she was almost relieved by the time he bid her goodnight and departed, the dreamy look in his eyes making more than a few other ladies sigh with envy.
Incredible.
No sooner was he gone from view than Marsdale stepped up beside her.Leaning in, he spoke so softly only she could hear.“Pretend I’ve just said something vastly amusing.”
Her lips twitched at the unexpected request and she laughed with genuine humor.She turned to him, allowed her gaze to catch his.“Lord Marsdale.How positively delightful to find you still here.”
A smirk added a hint of mischief, easing the grave expression he so often wore.“I’ve been wanting to dance with you for the better part of the evening.”
“You should have said.”
“I’m doing so now.”He winked, his playfulness affording him with a boyish appearance that made him look five years younger.A reminder that this man had once known what it was like to have fun – to be happy – before his ability to do so was cruelly snatched away.
She pursed her lips and glanced at the dance floor.“We’ll have to wait for the next set.”
“Or the one after that.”He extended his arm.“In the meantime, I’d love nothing more than to chat with you in a quiet corner.”
They took the long route to the adjacent room where settees and armchairs stood scattered about, whispering and chuckling, making every guest they passed privy to their flirtation.Shocked expressions suggested severe disapproval from most.Mr.Lawrence looked especially critical.As did Birchwood.The viscount even went so far as to warn them of Croft’s disapproval.
Samantha’s response was clear.“He doesn’t own me.”She promptly waved Birchwood off with a laugh and clung harder to Marsdale’s arm.
What followed was made to appear like an intimate conversation between two people who longed to be alone behind closed doors.Although they mostly spoke of Adrian, they made sure to add the occasional touch, to lean in a bit too close, and to send each other needy looks.
“Shall we take this show back to the ballroom?”Marsdale asked when their conversation eventually started to drag.
Samantha sent him a sly look.“By all means, my lord.Please lead the way.”
They reached the edge of the dance floor soon after and paused to wait for the current dance to end.Dipping his head, Marsdale whispered, “Pretend I’ve told you something shocking.Maybe gasp a little and fan yourself with your hand.”
She did exactly as he suggested, even going so far as to add a chuckle and making a pretense of telling him off.Several guests shook their heads.Another censorious look came from Wrengate, who watched her as though he’d enjoy biting her head off.
For one fleeting second she worried he might know that she’d been Wycliffe’s masked companion, but then she recalled their clash at Reed’s and allowed herself to relax.Of course the duke would resent her for that.
Someone tapped her shoulder, prompting Samantha to turn and find Harlowe there, his brow furrowed and his eyes full of censure.“A word?”
“I’m afraid it will have to wait,” Samantha informed him.“The Earl of Marsdale and I are about to dance.”
Harlowe glowered.She’d made a deliberate use of Marsdale’s title so it would be more difficult for him to interfere.He narrowed his gaze on the earl before shifting it back to her.“Afterward then.”
“Of course.”
“What will you tell him?”Marsdale asked as soon as they’d positioned themselves in preparation for a quadrille.
It was a question she’d pondered at great length as soon as she, Adrian, and Marsdale had all agreed to move ahead with the plan.Harlowe was certain to wonder at her behavior.Explaining it wouldn’t be easy unless she told him what she was up to.
A conversation she’d rather not have for a number of reasons, the most important one being discretion.The fewer people who knew what they meant to accomplish, the lower the risk of mucking things up.
Beyond that, there was the issue of trust.If Harlowe wanted Adrian gone so badly he’d whore her out just to get the deed done, then what might he do if he figured out Adrian’s ultimate goal?Lurk in the shadows and wait for him to unleash his wrath?Tell Kendrick so he could attempt to set up a trap?
