She’d known this all along, had seen it in the way he’d mourned his sister. It was one of the reasons she’d married him, but it had been easy for her to forget it while they’d been at odds.
“I’ll need a decent sized property,” Adrian added, “along with a few good people to run it. Find those for me, Murdoch, and the children will be relocated.”
“Could we not just place them in one of the orphanages that already exists?” Murdoch asked. He’d slumped a little, a look of exhaustion slackening his features.
Adrian glanced at Samantha. “What do you think of Murdoch’s suggestion?”
Her skin tightened around her body as memories of the awful life she’d endured before Harlowe’s interference rose from the past to greet her. Even though she’d taken measures to make sure St. Christopher’s Home for Foundling Children had been improved since her time there, she dared not recommend it as an option.
“I wouldn’t wish such a place on anyone.”
“There you have it.” Adrian stood. “I’m afraid I really must be going. A prior engagement beckons. I’ll see you later, Samantha?”
“As soon as I’m able.”
Adrian nodded. “Good day, Murdoch.”
Murdoch stared after him with startled bemusement, then turned to Samantha. “I, um…suppose I’d best get on with it then.”
“The property ought to be properly furnished and clean,” Samantha told him. “I believe my husband forgot to mention that part.”
“Right.” Murdoch pushed himself to his feet. “Forgive me for intruding upon your breakfast, Mrs. Croft. It shan’t happen again.”
She smiled at him. “Good luck with your search.”
He sent her a slightly defeated nod and departed, leaving her to finish her breakfast in peace. She ate a few slices of toast with various toppings, downed the remainder of her tea, and prepared to head out.
Some thirty minutes later Melody welcomed her into Lady Heathbrooke’s parlor and gave her a warm, sisterly, hug.
“It’s wonderful to see you again. And looking so well, I might add.” Melody pulled back enough to look at Samantha, a teasing grin dimpling her cheeks. “I was worried for a while when you disappeared from all social functions, but I see now that my concerns were unfounded. Married life clearly agrees with you, Mrs. Croft.”
“It’s better than I expected,” Samantha told her. She saw no point in addressing the problems she and Adrian had faced. Not when they’d since been resolved.
A maid entered with a tray full of tea things. She set it on the table that stood in the middle of a seating arrangement and departed.
“You don’t feel the least bit conflicted?” Melody asked when they’d taken their seats. She proceeded to pour them each a cup. “I mean, you’re spending a lotmore time with Croft now. It must be hard for you to remain emotionally indifferent. Especially when considering the intimacy of your new relationship – the bond that must surely lead to. I mean… I know nothing of bedsport, but I’m inclined to believe it would be rather smashing with someone like him.” She raised her cup and blew hot steam from the top. “Might make it hard to remember the way you’re supposed to feel about him?”
“Not really.” Samantha kept her expression carefully neutral. “Reminding myself of the things my husband is believed to have done makes it easy for me to stay focused.”
It was vital that she remember Melody’s capabilities and where her loyalties lay. While the older woman might seem harmless, assigned as nothing more than Lady Heathbrooke’s companion for the pure purpose of intercepting gossip, she’d still been trained by Harlowe. One slip, and Samantha risked her reporting back to him with news that Samantha was compromised.
“I must confess, I’m impressed. Not sure I’d be able to do so, which is probably why I’m playing companion to an elderly woman instead of hunting for proof of Croft’s crimes.”
“As I’ve told you before, you mustn’t disregard the important work you are doing. It matters and has proved extremely useful on multiple occasions. As for my situation, I’ll admit it has become slightly easier of late, what with Harlowe instructing me to leave Croftin peace until further notice.” Samantha sipped her tea and relished the heat it produced behind her ribs. “It has decreased my risk of discovery and allowed me to nurture the idea of wedded bliss. Honestly, I have him eating out of the palm of my hand. It’s rather fascinating to watch.”
“You don’t wish it could be real? That you weren’t forced to constantly lie and deceive?”
A quick shrug of her shoulder to show that this wasn’t something she’d thought of. “It’s what I’ve been trained to do. You too, though I’m starting to senseyoumay have regrets. Do you feel guilty about using Lady Heathbrooke for your own personal gain?”
“It’s never been personal gain.” A dry response spoken with no hint of pleasure. “I’m merely doing my job.”
“As am I. Which brings me to my second reason for calling on you.” Time to change the subject.
“The first being?”
“To see how you’re faring, of course.” Samantha smiled, her gaze meeting Melody’s with directness. “I feel terrible when I think of how long it has been since we talked. Worse by the fact that this isn’t merely a social call. I’d hate to give the impression that I only think of you when I need something when the truth is I think of you daily.”
The corner of Melody’s mouth lifted. “I think of you too. And you’re not the only one guilty of being distant. I could have called on you just as easily.”
