“Staying at home and doing nothing while you head out to investigate will only make me feel useless.”Though she knew he had a point, she was also being honest with him.Her leg was much better.As long as she moved with care she was sure she’d be fine.In fact, she believed gentle movement would aid her recovery more than sitting still.
“There’s no need for you to do nothing.The rest of this list still requires reviewing.If you agree, you can do that tomorrow while I speak with Melroy.See if you’re able to find additional names.”
She huffed a breath.“I hate being relegated to the sidelines like this.”
“Consider it a necessity for our future success.”He pressed a kiss to her cheek.“While this may go against your instinct, I have to know I can count on you in a fight.More than that, I need reassurance that you can protect yourself should you have to, which means your leg must recover.That’s the priority.”
“Adrian, I—”
“Please don’t argue this point any more.Just think of how you reacted when I was stabbed in the shoulder.Hell, you wouldn’t even let me get out of bed.”
“Because you needed time to recover.”He gave her a pointed look in response to which she sighed.“Fine.I’ll accept your request but just so you know, I don’t like it.”
“Neither did I.You and Murry were both insufferable, colluding against me when all I wanted was to get out of the house.Can’t recall the last time I felt so trapped, but the truth is, I’m glad you protested my stubbornness or I might not have survived my encounter with Benjamin Lawrence.”
Samantha dropped her gaze to the table.Discomfort rippled through her.She hated being reminded of how she’d failed her husband when she’d arrived on the scene to find him standing over Benjamin Lawrence’s lifeless body.The look of anguish in his dark gaze when Kendrick arrived on her heels.Adrian’s belief that she’d led the constable to him.That she’d been to blame for his getting arrested.
All that had transpired since.The trial and the sentencing.Adrian’s life hanging in the balance.
Yes, she’d saved him from the noose and had since stood by his side as he fought to clear his name.But she couldn’t help thinking that none of that would have had to occur had she been more careful.If she’d paid better attention, she would have known her ruse to lead Kendrick astray hadn’t worked and that she was being followed.
Adrian’s hand settled over hers, pulling her out of her reverie.She looked at him and he set his palm against her cheek, his thumb gently stroking.
“Don’t do that,” he said, reading her thoughts as easily as he might read the paper.“Had events not played out as they did, we wouldn’t have found the missing children.Just imagine what they would be going through now had we not arrived at that house when we did.”
“They’d be on their way to Constantinople.”Samantha shuddered at the thought of what would have happened to them.Instead, Mrs.Hillford had taken their place.The wretched woman would now face the torment she’d had no qualms about foisting on innocent children so she could fill her own pockets with coin.
“We were in the right place at the right time, but only because Kendrick captured me and you were determined to help me escape.”
Samantha firmed her lips and turned her hand over so she could lace her fingers with his.“Thank you for reminding me of that.”
“It’s the least I can do after everything you have done for me.”His forehead touched hers and he paused for a moment, as if to simply enjoy the proximity.
Though they’d been married only four months, their marriage had already been tested beyond all reason on more than one occasion.It was enough to make Samantha wonder what sort of trials might await them around the next corner.But for now, there was only Adrian and his warm breath against her jaw.Until he tilted his head, closed the remaining distance between them, and kissed her as though this kiss was their first.
It stole her breath and transported her back to the private meadow where their path as one united entity had begun.She happily surrendered and wound her arms around his neck, felt the strength in his shoulders, the muscle flexing beneath his jacket as he moved to lift her into his arms.
Right now, the only thing that mattered to her was him.The rest of the bloody world could wait until morning.
16
Adrian set off immediately after breakfast.A quick conversation with Murry had helped ease his mind regarding Samantha.Adrian knew he couldn’t force her to do as he asked.Besides, he’d no wish to bend her to his will though he hoped common sense would prevail so she could recuperate as needed.
However, should she choose to ignore his request, he wanted Murry with her.The loyal valet had promised he’d try to dissuade her from leaving the house, but if she refused to listen, he would accompany her wherever she wished to go.
Adrian climbed the wide stone steps when he arrived at St.George’s and entered the building.Heels clicking against the recently washed tiles, he strode to where the nurse on front desk duty sat, her head bowed as she wrote something.He’d never seen her before, perhaps because he rarely came here this early.
Registering his presence, she looked up from her papers and smiled.“Welcome to St.George’s.How may I help you?”
“I’d like to speak with Mr.Melroy if he’s available.”Adrian handed her his calling card and waited for the usual response—raised eyebrows, parted lips, a frozen look that conveyed either fear or uncertainty.
The nurse responded with neither.It was as though she’d never encountered his name until now.“I’m afraid he’s busy this morning, but I can tell him you stopped by.”
She held Adrian’s calling card toward him, clearly wishing to return it.Unaccustomed to being treated as though his name bore no weight, he stared at her while regaining his balance.
He cleared his throat.“What about Doctor Ashburry or Doctor Wentworth then?”
She angled her head.“May I ask what this pertains to?”
