Part 7 (2/2)
His eyes narrowed. ”I was looking for you.”
”And just happened to find Lady Dunwell in the process?” she asked in a lofty manner.
”She found me.”
”So it would appear. Appearances, however ...” She shrugged.
He glared. ”There is nothing between Lady Dunwell and myself.”
”You led me to believe there had never been anything between you and that creature in the past save a futile attempt on her part to ensnare you in marriage.”
”There wasn't,” he said sharply, then paused. ”Not really. Nothing of any significance anyway. Not on my part.”
”And yet you never said a word.”
”Why on earth would any man in his right mind confess his previous indiscretions to his wife?”
”Ah-hah!” She aimed a pointed figure at him. ”Then you did lie to me!”
”I most certainly did not,” he said staunchly. ”It was at worst a ... a lie of omission.”
”Oh?” She stared at him for a long moment. ”And as such does not count as a true lie? Is that what you're saying?”
”Yes.” He nodded firmly.
”I see.” She swept past him, reached the door, then turned back. ”As it was a lie of omission, I can certainly overlook it.”
”How very gracious of you.” Sarcasm rang in his voice.
”I think so. But I do not trust that woman for so much as a single second. She has no sense of decent behavior.”
”But do you trust me?”
”Implicitly.”
”As well you should.” He paused. ”And you haven't answered my question. What are you doing here?”
”Why, I came to look at Lord Dunwell's collection.” She nodded at the wall display of ancient swords. It wasn't a complete lie. She had glanced at the swords. ”It's most impressive.”
He studied her suspiciously. ”I didn't know you were interested in swords.”
”I have any number of varied interests as you are well aware. And I have always been fascinated by antiquities. Goodness, Adrian, why else would I be here?”
”You were hiding behind the desk when I came in.”
”Nonsense.” She scoffed. ”I wasn't hiding. I had dropped one of my ear bobs and was simply retrieving it. I was just about to stand when I heard you and Lady Dunwell.”
”And you were compelled to listen?”
She stared at him as if he were quite mad. ”I could do nothing else.”
”No, I suppose you couldn't.” He glanced at her ear bobs. ”I see you found it and managed to put it back on while hiding behind the desk.”
”Fortunately. And again, I wasn't hiding.” She touched the garnet bauble dangling from her left ear. ”But I shall have to take it to the jeweler tomorrow. The clasp is apparently defective and I should hate to lose it.”
His expression eased. ”No, of course not.”
The man was obviously suspicious. It was not at all like him. Certainly her manner had been somewhat distracted of late, but his att.i.tude was still most annoying. She drew her brows together. ”Surely you do not suspect me of engaging in something untoward?”
”Of course not,” he said staunchly. ”I trust you every bit as much as you trust me.”
”As well you should.” She cast him a sympathetic smile. ”You look confused, darling.”
He stared at her for a long moment. ”This was not ...” He shook his head. ”No matter. You have become a most confusing woman, my dear.”
”Well, I should hate to have become boring.” She smiled in her most flirtatious manner. ”You might turn to one of the Lady Dunwells of the world.”
”There is little chance of that. And I daresay, you will never be boring.”
”We will never be boring.” She favored him with a wicked smile. ”I shall count on you to make certain of that.”
A slow smile spread across his face. ”I think I've had enough of this gathering.”
Desire fluttered through her. ”You have the best ideas, Adrian.”
He grinned and pulled open the door. Lord Radington stood with his hand outstretched. Surprise colored his face, turning almost at once to appreciation. Only a woman long in her grave would fail to be flattered. He was a handsome devil and he well knew it.
”Lady Waterston.” He reached for her hand and drew it to his lips. His gaze bored into hers. The thought flitted through her mind that he and Mr. Sayers had precisely the same overly practiced manner. She didn't know Mr. Sayers, but Lord Radington's reputation with women was infamous. A reputation she had once seen the proof of firsthand but never to the extent the gentleman had wanted. As das.h.i.+ng as he was, she had never found him as irresistible as other women did. Or as irresistible as he found himself. He slipped a folded note into his waistcoat pocket. Triumph curved his lips. ”What a delightful and unexpected surprise. It has been a long time. You are looking lovelier than ever tonight.” Obviously he hadn't noticed her husband.
”My lord,” she murmured.
”Radington,” Adrian said curtly. And just as obviously, Adrian was not pleased to see the lothario.
”Lord Waterston, my apologies.” A flicker of disappointment shone in his eyes but his tone was level. Lord Radington was well used to dealing with suspicious husbands. ”I didn't see you.”
”Imagine that.” Adrian's eyes narrowed.
Evie stared at her husband. He had been acting rather strange of late as well.
”I was ...” Lord Radington peered around them into the library. ”I came ...” His speculative gaze slid to Evelyn. Heat rose in her cheeks. It had been some time since another man had looked at her like that. As if he were stripping her naked right here and now. Utter nonsense. ”Ah well, it scarcely matters.”
”Perhaps you came to see the sword collection?” Adrian said coolly.
”Why else would I be here?” Lord Radington cast Evie another glance, then sauntered to the wall bearing the display. ”Fascinating. Don't you agree, Waterston?”
”I do.” Adrian studied the swords. ”The broadswords are especially impressive. One could slice off a man's head with one well-placed swing.”
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