“Only Clive Newton knows that,” Adrian said, his voice tight. “Thanks to you, however, everyone now believes I was involved.”
“Why do you suppose I have something to do with that?” Nigel asked in a tone that made Samantha wonder if they’d been wrong to suspect him.
“The fact that you were the only one besides me and my wife who was present when I said I’d caught him.”
“There was also the physician who patched up your wife. It could have been him.”
“Unlikely.” Adrian crossed his arms.
Nigel smiled as though this was all a bit of good fun. “You’re right, of course. I may have mentioned your heroics that evening to a few people, for which you ought to be grateful. After all, it’s now common knowledge that you succeeded where Bow Street failed – that London is safe thanks to your efforts.”
“You’re wrong, Lawrence.” Adrian stepped toward him ever so slightly, but it was enough to make Lawrence flinch. “Newton got away from me. I had him in my grasp but he escaped. There’s no telling what happened after that. Your guess as to how he ended up hanging from that church tower is as good as mine, though I would assume the confession found on him suggests he thought it a better way out than to suffer a public execution. Which is what he’d have faced once I sent Bow Street on his trail.”
“If you say so.” Nigel glanced to one side, his expressionunchanging for a brief second before he hastily told them, “My brother has just arrived. If you’ll excuse me.”
Samantha blinked, her gaze tracking Nigel as he crossed the room, barely catching a glimpse of Benjamin Lawrence, who sat in a high-backed chair, before the crowd closed around him.
“It’s good to see him making an effort to get back out into the world,” Birchwood said. “Considering all he has suffered this year, from the fall that deprived him the use of his legs to the death of his fiancée, it would have been understandable if he chose to hide at home. The fact that he’s here is proof of his strength and resilience. I ought to go greet him.”
Neither Samantha nor Adrian argued that point. Remaining near the periphery, they watched Birchwood and several other guests join the group of well-wishers.
Samantha glanced at Adrian. “That comment Birchwood made got me thinking.”
“About the possibility that Lady Eleanor wasn’t as eager to marry her fiancé as everyone thought?”
“Precisely.” She pursed her lips. “And if she managed to be so convincing of her affection for him, it makes me wonder what else she might have been able to hide.”
“There’s no doubt in my mind she was up to something,” Adrian said. “Something that gained the attention of the wrong person. I’m also not buying this innocent lamb story those who knew her keeppeddling. They either didn’t know her as well as they thought, or they’re lying to protect her reputation.”
“I’ve not yet suspected anyone of dishonesty, so I suppose they truly thought Lady Eleanor was beyond reproach.”
“Hmm…” Adrian turned, his eyes lighting with pleasure. “Edward!”
Samantha spotted his good friend as soon as Adrian spoke his name. She was glad to find him in attendance, not just for Adrian’s sake, but for his own. Even if he wasn’t yet ready to rejoin the marriage mart.
“Mrs. Croft,” Marsdale said, offering her a short bow. “You’re as dazzling as always.”
“Thank you, my lord.” Samantha smiled at him with genuine pleasure. “You look exceedingly handsome yourself.”
“I thought it was time to put in the effort.” Nostalgia flickered within his gaze, so achingly sentimental it tore at Samantha’s heart. “After all, I’ve come to realize that getting out and surrounding myself with people is the only way for me to escape my thoughts.”
The pained look he directed at Adrian made Samantha’s eyes sting. She pressed her lips together firmly and forced herself to tamp down the emotional response she was having, only to notice the sheen in Adrian’s eyes.
“Understood,” he said with a touch of hoarseness. “We’re glad you’re here.”
Marsdale’s expression twisted, revealing the agony he still suffered, but rather than let it take charge, heforced a smile and said to Samantha, “If your dance card isn’t yet full, I’d like to add my name.”
Samantha dipped her chin. “No one else has made such a request yet, so you may have your pick, though I’m sure my husband will want to secure the waltz.”
“Of course.” Marsdale took the card and pencil she gave him and wrote his name next to one of the country dances, then handed the items back to her.
Not caring what others might think, she added Adrian’s name in three places while he engaged Edward in a new conversation pertaining to the possibility of Edward joining them on their next visit to Deerhaven Manor. It was a lovely idea and Samantha prepared to say as much when she spotted Melody. Standing a few yards away, Lady Heathbrooke’s companion discreetly gestured for Samantha to join her.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Samantha told her husband and Marsdale. “There’s someone I need to speak with. I’ll find you both later, when it’s time for our respective dances.”
“Try and talk to some of Lady Eleanor’s female friends, if you’re able,” Adrian suggested. “One of them has to know more than what we’ve discovered so far.”
“I’ll do my best.” Samantha left the men to their discussion and went to join Melody. “You should have come over instead of requesting that I come to you. I’d have introduced you to Marsdale.”
