A flicker of movement in his peripheral vision caught his attention. He shifted his gaze to the right and watched Mr. Croft enter his box with his wife. It was a while since he’d seen them together. Rumors had already started making the rounds. Some thought Croft had gone along with the wedding purely because his wife had forced his hand by making a public announcement of their engagement.
Butheknew better. Adrian Croft was not the sort of man who could be coerced so easily. Which meant he’d wanted to wed her. Most likely because he cared for her deeply.
Anyone who doubted as much need only observe them now as they took their seats, pressing themselves close together and dipping their heads in intimate conversation. It bordered on inappropriate, and was sure to make the headlines tomorrow.
The lights were turned down and his own attention shifted toward the front of the theatre. He had one final thought about Mr. Croft before the musicians walked onto the stage. It looked like marriage was good for him. Hopefully, his wife would help him move past the death of his sister.
An unfortunate loss, he mused, as everyone started clapping – a cacophony of noise to drown out all else. However necessary Evelyn Croft’s death had been, his part in it would weigh on his conscience forever.
11
It was strange how quickly a situation could change. Tucked against her husband’s side, Samantha departed the theatre, her spirits high. Today’s events had shaped a new beginning for them. It was as if they’d not been at odds at all, considering the ease with which they’d fallen back into the tightly knit partnership they’d enjoyed in the weeks leading up to their marriage.
The concert had been a marvelous experience, the music’s beauty a perfect complement to the strong feelings contained in her heart.
They descended the steps to the pavement together and proceeded toward the street where their carriage was parked, a short distance from all the congested theatre traffic. Adrian gripped her hand, his tall, broad-shouldered frame dwarfing her as they crossed the road.
Not far to go now.
“Did you enjoy it?” he asked, slowing his pace when she skipped a few steps to keep up.
“Very much so.”
He made a throaty sound in response and said nothing more, which was perfectly fine. She no longer felt that uncomfortable tension between them demanding they fill the silence with chatter. There was comfort now, and she reveled in it.
They passed someone coming the opposite way, prepared to turn the corner, when a group of people rounded it, their haste nearly causing them all to collide. Reacting quickly, Adrian pulled Samantha behind him, out of harm’s way.
A few, “beg your pardons,” followed before they realized who they’d almost run into.
“Croft.” A bitter sound spoken with harshness.
“Stanton,” Adrian replied, his manner curt as he greeted the viscount.
Samantha assessed the hard glare in Lord Stanton’s eyes, then turned her attention on those who were with him. Three younger men, one whom she’d met before and therefore recognized as his son, Owen.
Since the two other gentlemen flanking Stanton also bore some resemblance to him, she supposed they must be his sons as well, though they looked a bit younger than Owen.
Stanton sneered at him. “Get out of my way, you rotten bastard.”
Adrian didn’t budge.
“You heard him,” one of the younger sons said. “Before I kill you like you killed my brother.”
The movement that followed was swift, but not swift enough to catch Samantha off guard. She reached for one of her lethal hairpins, the tip connecting with the imbecile’s throat at the same time as he set the edge of his blade against Adrian’s.
“What are you doing, Randolph?” Owen stared at his brother, aghast.
Randolph angled his head against the added pressure Samantha exuded. “We all know he murdered Clive.”
“Your brother took his own life,” Adrian hissed.
“Liar,” the third brother spat.
“Stand down,” Stanton ordered, “before you do something that can’t be undone.”
“He would never have taken his own life,” Randolph said, eyes burning with rage.
“The alternative would have been a public hanging,” Samantha said, her senses on high alert.
