Humor spilled through her as she kissed him once more.She loved how easily he could make her melt, that simmering heat he encouraged with words, and the fact that he always followed through on his wicked suggestions.
As far as she was concerned, they could not retire to their bedchamber soon enough.Reaching home, however, she quickly realized all notions of bedsport would be delayed, though not for an unpleasant reason.Indeed, she could not have been more pleased by someone’s unexpected arrival than she was by Murry’s.
* * *
“Good God,” Adrian said, spotting the servant whom Elks had told to wait in the parlor.“You’ve returned.”
Murry stood near the fireplace.He looked as though he’d been forced to drag himself across half of England.His angular features softened in response to Adrian’s comment.“Nearly hopped on a boat to France in order to meet you as we’d agreed.When I overheard a bit of chatter about your return to London, I turned full circle and came straight back.”
“Damned fortunate.”Adrian extended his hand and Murry shook it.The pair had always been more than master and servant.Though Edward was like a brother to Adrian, Murry was his true confidant.He not only knew of Adrian’s more questionable dealings but also helped undertake them when needed.
“We’re glad to have you home,” Samantha said.
Murry sent her a nod.“It’s good to be home, Mrs.Croft.”
“Have you not received any sustenance?”she asked, alerting Adrian to the fact that there wasn’t a teacup or plate in sight.
“Not yet, though not because Elks didn’t offer.I gather Cook has prepared a meal for me in the kitchen.I simply wanted to wait up here a while longer.Make sure I had a chance to see you as soon as you arrived.”
“I appreciate the gesture,” Adrian told him.“Now that we’ve spoken, I insist you eat.You must be both famished and exhausted after your journey.How long did it take you?”
“Five days.I had to walk much of the way.”Murry allowed Adrian to steer him toward the door.“Have you heard from Ward or Turner?”
The two men who answered to Murry had helped Samantha secure Adrian’s freedom.But when they’d been on the run together, they’d decided it might be best to split up since the authorities would be looking for a group of five people.
Adrian and Samantha had headed east along the beach while Murry, Turner, and Ward had taken the road.
“Not yet,” Adrian said.
“There’s also this,” Elks said once Murry had headed below stairs.The butler held a silver salver toward Adrian, who snatched up the missive it contained.“Arrived about two hours ago.”
“Thank you.If it’s not too much trouble, we’d like to have dinner as soon as possible.It’s been a long day.”
“Certainly, sir.I’ll inform the kitchen.”
Elks departed and Adrian tore the seal.
“What is it?”Samantha asked.
Confusion settled deep in Adrian’s gut when he read the first line, but it soon transformed into deep concern as he continued.
“A suggestion,” he muttered, even as the page shook between his fingers.God help him, but this was like having the air forced out of his lungs.He sucked in a breath and felt his heart beat with near-painful force.
“May I see?”
“I…” He raised his gaze to meet Samantha’s and found the stability he required.It grounded him and allowed him to draw on a stronger emotion than the shock that had caught him so bloody unaware.Chest tightening in response to the anger building inside him, he thrust the paper in her direction and went to pour himself a drink.
The crystal stopper scraped against the decanter’s opening as he removed it.Liquid splashed into an awaiting tumbler.Behind him, paper rustled.And then…
“This is unsigned.”
He sipped his drink and savored the heat it produced as it slid down his throat.“What does that tell you?”
“Obviously that the sender wishes to stay anonymous.”
“And the message?”
“I don’t know.The suggestion for us to take a closer look at The Royal College of Surgeons is certainly disconcerting under the circumstances.As if the sender knows the killer we’re seeking belongs to the medical profession.Perhaps it’s another surgeon or physician who wishes to remain anonymous?”
