No.She’d not risk it.
“I’ll think of something,” she promised Marsdale, despite having already done so.
The dance started and he caught her hand, his gaze holding hers as they spun in a circle.If looks could undress, he’d certainly mastered the skill.A ploy, she realized, to draw the kind of attention they sought.
Beyond the dance floor, a few older matrons started to whisper behind their fans.Evidence that their attempt at creating a stir seemed to be working, though she would have to do better.For while the earl might be dashing and rather good looking, he didn’t affect her in the slightest.
So she let her thoughts wander to someone who did, to the burning desire in Adrian’s eyes and the basic possessiveness binding her to him with increased force whenever they met.
The earl caught her hand and her pulse fluttered.His fingers curved round her waist and illusion took over, her breath quickening as she pretended his touch belonged to another.
“I could whisk you away right now,” Marsdale murmured, his voice so raw she wondered if he thought of someone else too.“Help you avoid the chat with Harlowe.”
Tempting.But would it work?Or would Harlowe just track her down and prevent her from seeing this through?
She shook her head.“Make your way to our agreed upon spot in about half an hour.I’ll meet you there as soon as I can.”
The music faded.He brought her hand to his lips and pressed a much-too-long kiss to her knuckles.Samantha withdrew slowly, allowing everyone standing nearby to get a good look at the scene playing out.
She turned, and was met by Harlowe’s thunderous glare.He caught her upper arm with punishing strength and forced her into a hasty step that brought her straight to his study.The door clicked shut behind them.
37
“Iwant to know what you’re playing at.”Arms crossed, Harlowe stood before her as he’d done so often before – an authoritarian figure demanding effort, results, and compliance.
She planted one hand on her hip and sent him a glare of her own, not caring how annoyed she might look when the truth was she wanted to gut him.“You’ve always taught me to use every weapon at my disposal.And you told me when I began this mission to use my best judgement.That’s what I’m doing.”
He stared at her.“Explain.”
She ought to insist on the same.He’d lied to her from the very beginning, crafting a pretty illusion of fatherly love, pretending she was more than a discarded mongrel whose only value had been her potential.
“Marsdale may be Croft’s longtime friend, but he’s also a staunch supporter of law and order.He could prove a valuable asset if I can convince him Croft is in danger.There’s a chance he might offer up valuable information in order to help.”
“In other words, you want to play the pair against each other.”
“There’s no telling what I’ll be able to find once I gain access to Croft’s home.Making Marsdale my ally will help.”
“He certainly seemed quite smitten by you.”Harlowe tapped his nails against the edge of his glass.The ringing sound jarred her nerves.“I’m surprised he’d risk Croft’s wrath by daring to look your way, never mind engage in an open flirtation.Word will likely reach Croft’s ears.Are you sure this isn’t a test?”
“It’s not.”
“How do you know?”
There was no easy answer to this, none she could think of at that very moment.So she held herself completely still and spoke with as much conviction as she could muster.“I just do.”
He held her gaze for what seemed an eternity before giving a slow shake of his head.“Not good enough.You’ll not risk what you’ve already gained.Forget Marsdale and focus on Croft.”
“Bu—”
“That’s an order, Samantha.”
It took every ounce of her training to fight her instinctual defiance, to stop from cursing him to damnation or flinging her blasted glass at his head.She nodded without even blinking and turned for the door.
“And since Croft has already taken his leave,” Harlowe added before she could slip from his grasp, “there’s no need for you to return to the ballroom.Get some rest.Lord knows you’ll need it for what lies ahead.”
The assignation she was supposed to have with Croft tomorrow.She’d not even mentioned it to him, had made no commitment regarding his offer, and would surely pay for it dearly if Harlowe found out she had other priorities.
She took a sharp breath, ignored the tension boiling within, and slipped from the room.Her only advantage right now was Harlowe’s misplaced belief in her total compliance.
