“I informed him a couple of days ago.”
“Yet you’re only telling me now?”Despite everything, the revelation stung.It felt so horribly sudden, as though she were being abandoned by her sister, even though it was silly to feel that way.They were on opposing sides of the playing field after Samantha had changed her allegiance.
Melody shrugged one shoulder.“It’s a long journey with a long stay away from home and very short time in which to prepare.I’m sorry, but I haven’t really had a chance to stop by before now and sending a letter to you felt wrong.I wanted to see you in person.”
Annoyingly, Samantha’s eyes began to sting.She blinked a couple of times and fought to recover that ironclad composure she’d been trained to wear like armor.It wasn’t easy.She’d known Melody most of her life.Her friend had provided comfort and hope while they’d been stuck at St.Christopher’s.Samantha wasn’t sure she could have survived the place without her.They’d always been close.Never far from one another even after Melody found her place with Lady Heathbrooke.
“Do you have any idea when you’ll return?”
“Not really.But given the fact that Lady Heathbrooke intends to remove me from Marsdale’s life for a while, I doubt she’ll be in a rush to get back.”She stood, prepared to take her leave.“And who knows?Maybe I’ll find a new life for myself in Italy.”
“Don’t you dare,” Samantha warned.She pulled her friend into a tight embrace.“Send me your address and I’ll write to you once a week – make sure you’re kept apprised of all major events.”
“Especially the scandals,” Melody said, hugging her back.When they pulled apart, Melody’s gaze had turned serious.“Be careful, Samantha.Harlowe trusted you and you betrayed him.I worry he’ll keep on hunting you until he gets his vengeance.”
“That will be a challenge for him with you gone and Hazel badly wounded.”
“There’s still Tara and Holly.Perhaps even Harlowe himself.Honestly, the idea of harm befalling any of you turns my stomach.”
“Rest assured, I feel the same.I’ll do my best to avoid them.I promise.”
They parted ways a few seconds later.Standing at the parlor window, Samantha watched Melody’s carriage drive away.
Despite all she’d gained for herself, a part of her heart felt hollow now.
9
It took longer than expected for the carriage to travel the distance from Number 5 Portman Square to Bow Street.The traffic was more congested than usual.Especially at the intersection with Regent Street where an accident had occurred.From what Adrian was able to learn from his coachman, a woman had been knocked to the ground by a rider who’d been in too great a hurry.
“This is what happens when any fool is allowed to get on a horse,” Adrian said when they drove past the wagon on which the woman would be transported to one of the hospitals.A group of men made sure the rider didn’t run off but that he remained where he was until law enforcement showed up.“I hope he receives the punishment he deserves for his reckless behavior.”
“Let’s pray his victim will be all right,” Samantha murmured.
She blew out a breath full of so much agony, Adrian knew there was more on her mind than what they’d just witnessed.She’d been despondent since leaving the house.
He set his hand over hers, encasing her fingers with his own.“What did Melody say?”
Samantha turned to him as if startled by the question.“Hmm?”
“Something has you troubled after you spoke with her.I’d like to know what it is.If you’re willing to tell me.”He offered a soft smile.“Maybe I can help.”
“Thank you, but there’s nothing you can do about this, I’m afraid.She’s leaving for Italy in the morning and won’t return until sometime next year.Lady Heathbrooke’s decision it would seem, intended to separate Melody from Marsdale.”
“Ah.”Though Adrian knew this was best for Edward, he was aware that Samantha probably did not view it that way.Nothing in her expression or voice suggested as much.Quite the contrary, judging by what was starting to look more and more like simmering anger.“I’m—”
“Don’t.”She sent him a sharp look.“I know you approve of this decision, so there’s no need to tell me you’re sorry about it.”
“That’s not fair,” though he understood why she would feel as she did.He’d made his disapproval of a relationship between Miss Roberts and Edward clear.“I never hoped for this – for the two of you to be separated, I mean.I know how much she means to you.”
“She protected me from Mrs.Hasham while we were at the orphanage.Or tried to, at least.And even though I saw much less of her after she moved to Heathbrooke House, there was comfort in knowing she wasn’t far away.”
“Maybe there’s a positive side to this that you’re not taking into account.”When she gave him a disbelieving look he said, “Italy isn’t the worst place in the world, Samantha.Think of all she will see on her journey and all the experiences she will have during her stay.It’s possible her life will be richer for it.Have you considered that?”
She stared at him for a long moment then slapped his shoulder with the back of her hand.“Curse you for being so reasonable about all of this.You’ve actually managed to make me envy her a little.”
“What is there to envy when you get to stay here with me?”
Her answering laugh was immediate and so infectious, he laughed as well, right before pulling her in for a heated kiss.Lord, how he loved kissing his wife.There was never a moment he could not spare in order to do precisely that.
