Moving swiftly, she walked to the stairs at the front of the house.It didn’t take long to reach them or to make her way to the first-floor landing.Once there, she strode to the end of the hallway, past her bedchamber door, and straight to the service stairs.
A second to pause and listen, followed by a hasty decent.She opened the door at the end of the stairs, and exited into the hallway where Marsdale waited, directly behind the ballroom.A wooden screen had been placed there to block the view of the service entrance.
“We don’t have much time,” she whispered, closing the distance between them and sending a swift glance over her shoulder.“Harlowe doesn’t believe you’d pursue me and risk falling out with Croft.He suspects I’m up to something.”
Marsdale arched a brow.“He’s not wrong.His reasoning is also cause for concern.If he doubts I’d seduce you, chances are the killer will too.”
“I know.”It was an angle she’d stupidly failed to consider, but not an impossible one to deal with.Provided she was willing to stake everything, including her freedom, on catching the bastard who slit women’s throats for the pleasure of watching them bleed.“It’s a risk we’ll have to take.”
She couldn’t tell him what she had in mind.He’d walk away this second if he had an inkling.
Marsdale glanced at the screen.Doubt creased his brow.He was starting to question his resolve.It was evident in his posture, which was slacker now than when she’d arrived.
They didn’t have time for this.Not with the chance of Harlowe insisting the servants notify him if they saw her.She had to act fast.
Her hand caught Marsdale’s.“Croft is depending on you to see this through.If it goes wrong, then so be it.But if it goes right, his sister will be avenged.As will the rest of the victims.”
Marsdale’s jaw hardened.His gaze found hers with unforgiving resolve.Less than a second to breathe was all he gave her before he’d pinned her against the wall.He leaned in, anger and pain colliding in an expression filled with unspeakable loss.
“Damn Croft and damn you.”The fury with which he spoke stilled the beats of her heart.It slashed at her with commanding force as his mouth found hers, his hands gripping her waist to hold her steady.
It was a kiss that would mark her forever, much in the way her first encounter with death had done.Nothing about it compared with what she and Adrian had recently shared.That had been a passionate declaration intended to cut through the clutter, expose their longings, and forge a stronger connection.
While leaving them both wanting more.
By contrast, this was a deep dive into an unexplored well of emotion, a purging of the soul and a desperate search for peace.
There was little doubt in Samantha’s mind she’d be glad when it ended.
And yet, she could not forget her own part in it.
So she set her mind to unbuttoning Marsdale’s jacket.
He pulled back, his breaths coming hard as he dropped his gaze to her fingers.“What are you doing?”
“Ensuring my absolute ruination.”She tugged his shirt free, then pulled up the left side of her skirt, exposing the thigh where no blade would be found.
Marsdale stared at her.The swift shake of his head warned he was having a crisis of conscience.She grabbed his hand and forced it against her pliable flesh, holding it there even as he attempted to pull it away.
“Think of the woman you wish you were with in this moment.”Curling her fingers into his lapel, she caught the fabric and drew him closer.“Kissher.”
His mouth was on her again, trailing down the length of her neck, the words he murmured begging forgiveness.
Samantha threw her head back, made sure her hold on him was secure, then shifted position and leaned against the screen.The wood creaked and groaned beneath her weight.Somebody gasped and Samantha slid her gaze sideways to where a maid stood, her hand at her throat and her eyes impossibly wide.
“Now,” Samantha hissed, hoping Marsdale would hear and prepare for the impact that followed as she used her strength to pull him with her.The force of the movement threw the wood screen completely off balance.She heard it snap as she slammed down onto the floor, crashing into the brightly lit ballroom and sending it into a frenzy.
A woman shrieked.Other guests gasped.The music came to an instant halt.Samantha blinked and focused on Marsdale.The earl, who’d landed beside her, his legs tangled with hers, had never looked more stunned.
A silent pause followed and then…
Heels clicking on marble approached.A pair of men’s shoes came into view.
“Get up.”Harlowe seethed.
Marsdale managed to push himself upright.He offered Samantha his hand and she took it, allowed him to help her stand.Ignoring Harlowe for a brief moment, she made a show of putting herself back in order – smoothing her skirts and tucking stray strands of hair back in place.
“My apologies,” Marsdale said, his voice carrying loudly in the still room.“My intention was not to disrupt the festivities.”
