Chapter 27
Sam slipped into the house and sighed, quietly closing the door behind her.
Her face was still heated from her exciting escapades with Eli.
Though he hadn’t claimed his payment kiss, she owed him a huge reward.
Leaning against the door, Sam set her fingers against her lips, and her eyes drifted shut as she imagined the kiss to come.
She would be bold and wrap her arms around him, maybe slip her hands under his shirt to feel the muscles she knew lay beneath, hidden from view.
Her heartbeat spiked at the thought, and her face likely reddened further.
“Did you just climb out of a cart?”
Sam’s eyes sprang open, and her hand fell to her side.
Marvelous.
She should have insisted Ralph drop them off at the market, which had been their original plan, but the man had insisted on seeing her all the way home.
Her youngest sister, Payton, stood right outside the drawing room, its windows facing the driveway.
Fabulous.
She’d seen everything…
“And was that Lord Ridgefeld with you?” She set her tiny hands on her hips.
She’d grown into a woman without Sam noticing—and an observant woman, at that.
“I am certain Marce will enjoy the story of my sister most regal climbing out of the back of a market cart like a common farmer’s daughter. ” Payton smirked triumphantly.
“You would not dare!” Sam retorted, stepping toward her sister and crossing her arms. “I will tell Marce of your nightly trips to the gaming halls.”
“You can prove nothing.” Payton didn’t bother denying her late-night outings, merely pointing out that no evidence of it existed.
Thankfully, Sam had been holding onto a little tidbit of evidence, in case the need ever arose for her to make use of it.
“A note arrived several days ago…something about you owing a certain shopkeeper five pounds by next week.” Payton’s eyes widened in surprise, her mouth gaping.
Sam continued, “So, I think it advantageous for both of us to keep each other’s confidences. Do you not agree?”
Payton only nodded, her chocolate-brown curls bouncing with her exaggerated effort.
“Very good.” Sam smirked. “Now, I should hurry to my room and freshen up for supper. That farmer must have transported a hundred pigs in that cart. I smell worse than a horse’s stall in the blazing summer heat.” Though Sam would not forget Ralph’s kindness.
Sam strode confidently past Payton, certain her sister would never risk Marce learning of her ever-increasing gambling debts. Just as Sam would not delight in their eldest sister questioning her outings with Lord Ridgefeld—or worse yet, her intentions toward the man.
With the man.
They all had secrets, it was only a matter of finding the means to keep them hidden.
For now, Sam needs must figure out what her next outing with Elijah would be.
She’d thoroughly enjoyed their time at Gentlemen Jackson’s and Hyde Park.
It wasn’t even a stretch to admit that she’d enjoyed their reckless phaeton ride into the country, though her feet were a bit sore from their short walk until Ralph had happened upon them and offered assistance.
Not to mention her aching arms from holding onto the reins as the horses ran with abandon. There was no chance she’d admit she’d been frightened during their short jaunt out of London.
“You know, dear sister,” Payton called, halting Sam before she started up the stairs. She didn’t turn to face her youngest sibling. “When a man courts me, he will need more than a filthy horse and cart to woo me. I suppose not all women are as particular as I.”
Sam’s back stiffened, but she refused to turn, in no mood to neither argue with her sister nor defend Elijah.
“Then I think it is a grand thing that Lord Ridgefeld is not courting me.” She paused, debating whether to say more.
“And, thankfully, for all gentlemen concerned, you are far too young for a courtship as yet, which will afford you ample time to improve your whiney, simpering disposition.”
At Payton’s gasp, Sam smiled to herself and started up the stairs.
No matter how much she teased Payton, Sam was certain the girl needed time to mature before setting her sights and gaining a tender for any man.
For once her youngest sibling grew a taste of the pleasures a man could give, she would fall fast for the first gentleman who could bring her to the edge of ecstasy, and she’d jump over without needing a push.
Not that Sam was naive enough to allow Elijah to bring her to the ledge.
Nor was she trusting enough to throw herself off the cliff with only him as her guide.
“Have a wonderful afternoon, Payton.” Sam turned the corner at the top of the stairs and continued down the hall to her room…and blessed privacy.
She needed solitude to decide what outing she’d undertake next with Lord Ridgefeld.
His presence was certainly a boon for her, bringing amusement and a sense of leisure to her normal routine since joining society.
It was a constant wake up, dress, eat, social calls, afternoon entertainment, meals, and evening soirees.
The pace left no time for satisfaction of the grand moments she’d experienced in the last several months.
Once safely in her room—all of Jude’s possessions gone—Sam sighed in relief.
A lovely pink gown hung from her wardrobe in anticipation of her evening out.
She hadn’t any notion what entertainment was planned for her that night, but the dress was certainly demure, a soft blushing color that suddenly seemed far too innocent for Sam to wear convincingly.
Would society look at her in the gown and suspect the pleasure she’d experienced with Elijah?
The mere thought of their intimate moment in his carriage sent heat flooding her entire body. She stripped her overcoat from her shoulders to ward off the warmth overtaking her as she hurried to her window, unlatching it and throwing it wide to allow in the breeze.
Sam scanned the driveway and street below, but Elijah—and the cart—was gone, disappeared from sight.
A spark of remorse filled her. Certainly they had quarreled, but if she hadn’t insisted they try and outrun Lord Proctor, Cartwright’s carriage would not now be deserted outside the city and Sam might have been able to convince Elijah to extend their outing.
He’d mentioned a picnic in the country. Something entirely uninteresting to her, but with Eli…
she rather thought she’d enjoy the outing.
Maybe that would be her next request. Or the opera.
Her mind swirled with possibilities. Covent Garden outdoor playhouse with its darkened garden paths and private audience boxes.
However, Marce would never agree to allow her to journey to the opera or Covent Garden unchaperoned with Lord Ridgefeld. It would be highly unseemly and certain to gain undue attention—which only increased Sam’s desire to do exactly that.
Besides, she owed Elijah a reward for their afternoon outing.
What better way to give it than to request his accompaniment to Covent Garden that very evening.
Certainly, he would not turn down her request, it was innocent enough.
Especially if she could convince Jude and Lord Cartwright to join them.
Her twin owed her much more than a mere night at the playhouse for her hand in Elijah fleeing Hollybrooke.
Sam hurried to her writing desk and jotted off a quick note, requesting that Jude and her husband accompany her to Convent Gardens.
As their houseguest, they would have no option but to invite Lord Ridgefeld to join them.
But, hastily, Sam added Elijah was welcome, as well, just in case Simon was too obtuse to realize it would be rude not to bring Ridgefeld along.
Sam replaced her quill and dusted the page with sand to make sure the ink did not smudge after she’d folded the note.
She could not risk any of her message being illegible when Jude read it.
Would her sister—her closest friend and confidant—suspect Sam’s clandestine intentions behind her invitation?
Truthfully, Sam was unconcerned with how Jude interpreted the note. She was determined to see Elijah again—the sooner, the better. There was much more she sought to learn from him before he disappeared once more to the far reaches of Liverpool.
Eli entered the museum, unable to dispel his smile.
He’d thought the brisk walk from Piccadilly to the museum would give him time to put Sam from his mind, at least until his afternoon of work was complete.
Once he’d returned to Lord Cartwright’s townhouse, and his room, he would be free to allow his thoughts…
and desires, to return to her. For now, he had a task to complete, and if he did not wipe his satisfied grin away before meeting with Cartwright, the earl would certainly suspect Elijah had something altogether different on his mind that had naught to do with his family’s treasured collection.
The exhibits were busy with meandering men, women, and a few well-behaved children as Eli made his way to the door leading to the offices and the workroom hidden in the far reaches of the large building.
He’d relish the opportunity to bring Sam here to wander through the displays and disappear into the darkened maze of corridors, exploring not only the hidden treasures not on public display but also each other.
“Ridgefeld,” Lord Cartwright stepped into his path. “I’ve been trying to gain your notice since you entered the museum.”
“My apologies, my lord. It is rather loud in here.”
Cartwright glanced around. The museum was as it always was, quiet as a mausoleum. He shook his head as if he’d missed something important but was unwilling to admit it. “I was not expecting you this afternoon. I am on my way to meet Garrett at White’s for a meal. Join us?”