“So then Finn O’Leary would be his son?”
“I expect so though I’d need to have it confirmed.”
“You think his father sent him to take control now that your father’s dead?”
“No.”Adrian swallowed.He wanted to look away from Samantha but forced himself to hold her gaze.To face the full impact of his father’s actions head on.“I think Finn believes my recent arrest to be a sign of weakness.I believe it’s his intention to use that against me as a means by which to exact his revenge.”
“For what?”Incomprehension filled her eyes.
“For the death of his father.”
15
Melody stared out of the carriage window while doing her best not to think of Marsdale.She and Lady Heathbrooke had landed in France that morning and were presently headed for Paris where they would stay for a few days before continuing on to Marseille.In truth, Melody had no wish to visit the city where tens of thousands of people, including the royals, had been put to death less than three decades ago.
She shuddered on account of the terror they must have experienced.The level of cruelty carried out by a country in such recent history said a great deal about the citizens currently living there.To give them coin in exchange for lodgings and food, to purchase anything from them at all, made her bristle.
Had it been up to her, they would have spent as little time in France as possible.Instead, she now had to wonder how they would be treated.With Lady Heathbrooke’s fondness for silks and fine lace, there was a good chance they would be sneered at or worse.
A memory flickered in her mind’s eye.She saw Marsdale’s kind expression, his gentle smile.Her heart ached with the sort of anguish that came from facing an unpleasant truth.Whatever longing she felt for him was pointless.No matter how much she wished it were otherwise, she would never be good enough for him.
The best she could hope for now was to somehow forget him altogether by turning her attention elsewhere.
* * *
The parlor door opened and Mary, one of the downstairs maids, entered bringing a tea tray.Elks followed her into the room and faced Samantha, who reclined on the sofa.Despite Adrian’s insistence that she stay in bed to rest, she’d refused the coddling as soon as Doctor Moore had informed her she had no major injuries.Just a torn muscle, he believed.
His only advice was for her to stay off her legs so her knee could recover, which was something she could do pretty much anywhere.So she’d selected the parlor, which felt less like a sickroom than the bedchamber.
The maid set the tray on a table that stood within Samantha’s reach and arranged the tea things for her.
Elks cleared his throat.“Mr.Harlowe has come to call.He’s asking if you’re available.”
Samantha tensed.She’d no wish to see Harlowe ever again after he’d ordered her brought back to Clearview to face him.There was no doubt in her mind that he meant to eliminate her because of the threat she posed as a renegade agent.
She mulled that over for a brief second before telling Elks, “Please hand me the pistol located in the top drawer of that cabinet.”
Elks arched a brow but complied.He offered her the wooden box housing the weapon and seemed to wait for her next command.She flipped the lid and proceeded to load the pistol.“Thank you, Elks.You may show Mr.Harlowe in.”
“Would you like for me to ensure you’re not left alone with him?”
“That won’t be necessary.He won’t do anything drastic.”Finished loading the pistol, she held it loosely in her lap.“This is merely a gentle reminder of who he’s dealing with and my current opinion of him.”
“Of course, Mrs.Croft.”Elks retreated a step.“I’ll show him in then.”
“Do stay within earshot once you’ve done so,” she said right before Elks left.“And if Murry’s around, please have him join you.”
If Elks was alarmed by this request, he refrained from saying so or offering any hint of it in his expression.He merely nodded and went to fetch Dorian.Samantha took advantage of the brief reprieve and allowed herself to indulge in the wonderful tea Mary had brought.Warm and soothing, it encouraged her to relax in a way that would surely aid her recovery.
Unfortunately, Dorian arrived almost immediately since he had to cover only a couple of yards to get from the foyer to the parlor.He entered after Elks announced him and paused as soon as he stepped through the door.
Displeasure rimmed his eyes, affording him with a slightly harsh look.“You don’t look well.”
“Did you honestly hope I would?”She saw no point in pretending he actually cared about her.
Not one hint of emotion showed on his face to betray what he might be thinking.She wasn’t surprised.As a former spy who’d worked to ensure England’s defeat against Napoleon, Dorian knew how to prevent others from reading his mind.He’d taught her how to do the same.
“I’m disappointed in the lack of concern you’ve shown toward Hazel,” he said as he walked to a nearby chair and sat.Apparently he’d no intention of answering her question.
