Samantha (Barrett 2)

"No," Rem replied huskily. "Like this." He crushed her against him, buried his lips in hers and kissed her until they were both breathless.

Long minutes later Rem tore himself away. "I'd better take you home now, my lovely lady. Else I'll forget every good intention I ever possessed."

"I look forward to that day, my lord." Sammy smiled. "In fact, I can hardly wait."

7

Finding Smitty was infinitely easier than Sammy expected.

He was standing in the front hallway, glowering like an angry lion, when she entered the Town house at twilight.

"Oh, Smitty! I'm glad you're here. I looked for you at noontime, but you weren't—"

"My lady, we need to talk," he interrupted.

Sammy's eyes widened in surprise. It was rare that Smitty spoke to her in so harsh a tone. "Of course. What is it?"

"I think we should adjourn to the library," he replied stiffly.

"Very well." She proceeded him down the hall, wondering what on earth this was about. Once inside the library, she turned. "You seem upset."

"I am."

A sudden chill ran down Sammy's spine. "It isn't Alex ... or the baby . . . ?"

"No, my lady." Smitty shook his head at once. "I received a message from His Grace today. All is well; the doctor and midwife agree that the new babe should be making an appearance by next week's end."

"Thank goodness." Visibly, she relaxed. "Then what is it?"

Smitty cleared his throat with rough unease.

"This is extremely difficult for me, Lady Samantha. I've known you since you came into this world, and care for you as if you were my own."

A fond smile touched Sammy's lips. "I feel the same way about you, Smitty—you're a member of our family."

"Thank you. And I apologize in advance for my impertinence."

"You are never impertinent, Smitty." Sammy grinned.

Her grin was not returned. "When His Grace realized he couldn't be in London this Season, he entrusted you into my care____" Smitty met Sammy's gaze. "I take that responsibility very seriously."

"I know you do."

"Then I must interfere in a way I customarily would not."

"Very well."

"To be blunt, I understand you went riding with the Earl of Gresham this evening."

"My goodness, news travels quickly!" Sammy laughed. "I only just arrived home. But yes, I rode through Hyde Park with Remington."

"I don't think the earl is proper company for you, my lady."

"Why not?"

An uncomfortable pause. "You're very young, Lady Samantha, and very naive about. . . certain things. The earl has a reputation that is—in polite terms—scandalous, making it ill-advised for a well-bred woman such as yourself to keep company with him. I don't expect you to fully understand what I am

saying, however—"