A smile formed on his face – gentle and warm – while strong emotion filled his gaze in a look so intense it stole her breath. It seemed like forever since he’d looked at her in that way.
“Am I to understand that you’ve an interest in bedsport, Mrs. Croft?”
She forced herself to hold his gaze. “It’s past time, wouldn’t you say?”
“Perhaps.” He was studying her, she realized then, like a cat might study a mouse, as though trying to figure out whether to toy with it a little or simply pounce. Leaning back, he set his paper aside, sipped his coffee, then stood. “Let’s discuss it later. When I’m not on my way to an important meeting.”
And there it was – the avoidance he hid beneath layers of seeming affection and consideration. She saw it now, even as he bent to press a kiss to her cheek, as he told her how lovely she looked and wished her a pleasant day. There was a distance between them, a line he’d no wish to cross.
It felt like a large crevice, and she’d no idea how to breach it.
“Why don’t you meet your friends for luncheon?” he suggested, his hands on her shoulders as he stood behind her, thumbs gently massaging. “Then you and I can visit the Hunterian later. How does that sound?”
As though the width of the crevice might be decreasing. “Wonderful.”
He kissed her again and departed, leaving her with a flicker of hope. Their last outing had taken place the day after their wedding, when they’d gone to the theatre. It would be nice to have another, a chance to focus on each other and reconnect.
Especially given the decision she’d made upon her marriage to turn her back on Harlowe and Kendrick. To instead protect her husband.
She doubted her former guardian or the chief constable knew she’d taken Adrian’s side in the end – that she would guard him against their plan to use her against him – a plan now putting the two men at odds.
Despite Harlowe reminding her on her wedding day that she had to locate Adrian’s files and discover the names of the people listed there, he’d since told her she was to pause in her mission.
Kendrick, however, insisted she stay the course. He wanted her to link Adrian’s name to blackmail threats made against high-ranking individuals, aid offered to criminals, smuggling operations, and whatever else could build a case against him. Preferably something that would help put Adrian away for good. Or see him hanged. It went without saying that she would do no such thing. The man she’d married had proven himself to be someone she greatly respected and admired.
She would never betray him.
The exhibition at the Hunterian was certainly different from anything else Samantha had ever seen. Strolling from display case to display case, she studied the various specimens, from insects to reptiles, to the giant skeleton of a man who stood at nearly eight feet in height, and a series of odd-looking animals kept in glass jars.
“These are beautiful, don’t you think?” Adrian asked when they paused to admire a collection of colorful butterflies, their wings pinned back to showcase their unique designs.
Samantha drew closer to his side. “I’d love to visit the exotic places they come from one day.”
“Duly noted.” He smiled at her. “It’s been a while since I last travelled. Perhaps we should study the globe when we return home and plan our ideal trip.”
Warmth settled within her breast, creating a surge of excitement. “I’d love that. Truly.” For them to escape, get away from this place that seemed to have him in its grasp and enjoy having nothing to do but savor each other’s company.
“I’m glad we did this,” Adrian said when they settled into their carriage later. He drew Samantha against him and dropped a tender kiss to her brow. “It makes me realize how much I’ve neglected you lately.”
“You’ve been busy with work,” she reminded him since she’d no wish for him to feel guilt over it.
“That’s no excuse.” He laced his fingers with hers, then raised her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “I promise I’ll try to do better.”
Turning, she gazed into his dark eyes, expecting to find the same longing she felt in her heart, but was met by a look of determination instead. Ignoring it for a second, she leaned toward him. They were husband and wife, after all, completely alone in their carriage and with at least fifteen minutes left of their ride.
Enough time for a bit of abandon.
Yet when she pressed her mouth to his, it was as though it was he who lacked the experience, barely moving his lips and making no effort to take things further.
She finally gave up and sat back in frustration. Whatever was going on was untenable. She had to address it. So she forced herself to ask the one question persistently preying upon her mind. “Have I done something to displease you, Adrian?”
“Of course not. Why would you ask such a thing?”
He made it sound as though all was as it should be and any suggestion to the contrary was utterly preposterous. It would not deter her from figuring him out. “Because you don’t seem to want me as much as you did before we married.”
There. She’d said it. With the sort of boldness most women would blush at.
A gruff sound was his first response. “Did we not just spend the afternoon together?”
