Chapter 5
Adrian fixed another drink for himself after seeing Edward off.
He downed the contents in one swift gulp and savored the bite.
His friend had a point and as such, he’d backed Adrian into a corner.
A choice had been presented. Adrian could either stand by Edward’s decision or risk losing his friendship forever.
He had no doubt this was what would have happened had he kept trying to steer Edward away from Miss Roberts. The flint in Edward’s green eyes had proved it.
Is there anything you’re not telling me?
Blast.
Adrian squeezed his eyes shut and curbed the instinct to send decanters and glasses flying with the swipe of his hand. Instead, he tensed at the sound of the front door opening once more. Elks’s low voice reached him first, followed swiftly by a feminine sound that sent his heart racing.
He was in the hallway before he could blink, seeking his wife with rising dread. She wasn’t supposed to be here so why had she come?
Without warning, no less.
“What’s happened?” The words were as urgent as the rapid beat of his heart.
She turned to him, blue eyes meeting his, a soft smile forming upon her lips as she took him in, and the rest of the world retreated.
“The baby started moving and I worried about the medical treatment I would receive from a village doctor, should I need it. I’m more comfortable with a fully staffed hospital nearby. ”
Her point was valid and yet…
“You should have written,” he said while Elks took her pelisse. “I’d have come to escort you.”
“I had no wish to wait.” She removed her gloves. “Isak is well, by the way, in case you were wondering. He was reading Robinson Crusoe when I left. Slowly of course, but with marked improvement.”
“Good. That’s good.”
She sighed. “I’m sorry I didn’t warn of you my arrival.”
“You gave me no chance to prepare.” He could feel panic starting to grip him. “Finn O’Leary is still—”
“A threat?” she asked, her hand grasping his. “I expect as much since you haven’t informed me otherwise, but can we not forget about him for a moment and simply focus on being together again. For starters, I’d love a cup of hot tea.”
“I’ll have a tray brought up right away,” Elks said and proceeded toward the kitchen stairs.
Samantha thanked him and stepped into Adrian’s arms. The conversation he’d had with Edward combined with Samantha’s unexpected arrival made him feel like control was being wrested away from him.
He didn’t like it one bit though he was wise enough to keep his mouth shut and simply savor his wife’s embrace.
“Is O’Leary the only thing troubling you?” she asked once they were sitting side by side on the sofa a few moments later.
“Is he not enough?” Adrian countered.
“Yes, but you seem more edgy than usual, so I thought something might have happened this evening. Prior to my arrival.”
Adrian blew out a breath and relayed the details of Edward’s visit.
They were interrupted once when a maid brought the tea.
Samantha now sipped from her cup while Adrian spoke.
“I couldn’t deny him anymore. He’d have cut ties with me instead of Miss Roberts.
At least this way our friendship remains intact. ”
“For now,” Samantha muttered, her eyes streaked with sorrow as they met Adrian’s. “It may be worse off after he discovers the truth.”
“If he discovers the truth,” Adrian amended.
She gave him a we-both-know-he-cannot-wed-her-without-being-told-who-she-is kind of look.
“I’ll speak with Melody when she returns, but if her relationship with Edward moves ahead, you’ll need to be honest with him.
Even at the risk of losing his friendship.
Anything less would be wrong. Especially after all he has done to help you. ”
“I know. You’re right.”
“Of course I am.”
He chuckled in response to her satisfied smile and pressed a kiss to her cheek.
“I’ve missed you.” She echoed his words and he allowed himself the luxury of savoring her company for a few more seconds while the rest of the world waited.
“We’ll visit Doctor Wolf in the morning so he can check on you. ”
“And then?” She sent him a questioning look while weaving her fingers more firmly with his.
He knew what she asked. Would he insist she return to Deerhaven Manor?
How would he respond if she refused? His stomach tightened at the realization that danger lay in both directions.
If he sent her away in the hope of keeping her safe from O’Leary, he’d be denying her the improved medical access London had to offer.
The choice was simple yet impossible at the same time. He sighed. “And then you can either stay in London where I shall do the best to protect you against O’Leary, or you can return to Deerhaven Manor where he’s no threat.”
Her response was immediate. “I’d rather stay here by your side.”
Although he’d expected this answer, he suddenly felt like the walls were caving in on him. Only to realize he’d probably have felt the same had she chosen to leave. Their current situation was too unfamiliar, and as such, he found himself increasingly anxious.
No solution existed. It was simply a period he had to get through, all the while praying his wife would be well. That she and the child would survive.
He shuddered and blocked out that thought as soon as it formed. No good could come from such worry, and with Finn O’Leary…
“I will do my best to be reasonable,” he told her. “To not overreact with regard to what you can and cannot do. I only ask that you don’t leave the house unescorted. Can you accept that?”
She nodded. “I realize the peril I face, both from Wrengate and O’Leary. More so now that I’m showing.”
There would be no denying her condition and that made her vulnerable and exposed his weakness.
No question his hand could be forced if his wife and unborn child faced even a whiff of danger.
The notion was like an itchy, ill-fitting set of clothing.
Made him deuced uncomfortable and wary. But at least Samantha was being sensible, and this eased his mind, if only a little.
“As far as I know, Wrengate has not yet returned to Town, though it’s only a matter of time before he does with the new Season starting next week.”
The duke had left for his estate the day after warning Adrian about interfering in his affairs.
He’d figured out it was Samantha who’d broken into his home to steal a handwriting sample, that it was also she who’d killed the men he’d sent after a now-dead crime lord named Wycliff.
They’d not communicated since, but Adrian knew it was never good to be on the wrong side of a powerful peer.
Least of all when said peer had ordered another man killed.
“I’ll do my best to avoid him,” Samantha said.
“Should your paths still happen to cross, I urge you to remain calm. Chances are he’ll attempt to rile you, if only for sport.” Wrengate was precisely the sort of rogue who’d take pleasure in pushing his enemies to the edge of a cliff and making them jump. “You mustn’t let him affect you.”
“Neither must you,” she said, a grave look in her eyes to remind him of how well she knew him.
He smiled his agreement, then said, “Edward’s arrival took me away from an important matter I was trying to resolve. If you don’t mind, I’d like to finish with it before supper.”
“I’d also like to freshen up after my journey.” She yawned. “Maybe we can have supper brought up to our bedchamber and eat in front of the fireplace there? It would allow me to put on my nightgown and be less formal.”
His fingers caught the edge of her chin, tilting it slightly so he could press a soft kiss to her lips. Her answering sigh was like tonic, a rush of fulfillment and pleasure that spread through each limb. Were it not for her obvious exhaustion, he’d have gladly encouraged taking things farther.
Instead, he moved his lips to her cheek where he kissed her again before withdrawing. “I like your suggestion and will ask Elks to—”
A knock at the door cut him off. He frowned as he glanced toward it and issued the order for whoever it was to enter.
Elks appeared, an apologetic look stretching his features into tight lines.
“Please forgive the intrusion but Chief Constable Kendrick is here with Miss Hastings. They wish to speak with you if you’re able to spare the time. ”
The hour was growing increasingly late so Adrian wondered at Kendrick’s motive for calling. If he’d come, it had to be for good reason, in which case everything else would have to wait.
He sent Samantha an apologetic look before telling Elks, “Show them in.”