A Terrible Misunderstanding (A New Adventure Begins - Star Elite 6)

“I am sorry for all of the trouble I put you through. In the morning, I shall do everything in my power to set the record straight with Edith, preferably before she does something rash like tell the village.”

Niall almost wept with relief at the thought of being able to shove her through the door beside them and leave her far behind. The urge to reach out and sweep that single curl that had escaped from the band of her bonnet away from her lip was strong. He couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for how harsh he had been on her, even though he knew it had been done with the best of intentions.

“Well?” he muttered, clenching his fist and diverting his gaze to the door.

Clara looked blankly at him. “Well, what?”

“Are you going inside, or do you expect me to leave you here for Erasmus to find?” Niall snapped impatiently.

“Who are you?” Clara asked, well aware that he had failed to answer her the last time she had asked.

“I told you.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I am not here to tell you everything about myself. I have helped you enough tonight. Now go inside and stay there,” Niall growled.

“Is Niall your real name?” For some reason, Clara refused to allow the matter to drop. If he was from the Star Elite, something was wrong. Terribly wrong. Or else he wouldn’t be in a small, out of the way place like Serpentine.

“Yes.” Niall could see no reason to lie to her.

“Do you work for the Star Elite?” Clara tipped her chin up and waited.

Niall blinked at her mention of the Star Elite and went still. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask who had told her about the Star Elite, but he knew that would reveal far too much about who he was and why he was in Serpentine. He knew instantly what she was asking him, and that if he confirmed anything she would demand to know all the details.

“What?”

“You are one of them, aren’t you, the Star Elite? Has my father sent you?”

“I can assure you that I am just passing through. I have no idea what you are talking about,” Niall protested. This time, he waved toward the house. “Are you going in?”

Clara nodded but still didn’t move.

Niall placed his hands on his hips and waited. His gaze turned challenging.

Clara stared at him. “You are from the Star Elite.” It wasn’t a question.

Niall lifted his brows. “You had better hope that I am, or you have just put yourself in a stupidly dangerous situation that you have no hope of ever getting out of alive.”

“You won’t hurt me,” Clara assured him with a certainty that came straight from the heart.

Niall’s brows lifted. He stepped closer, hoping that his size and strength would make her step away. He saw her eyes flash with temper, and mentally cursed when she stood her ground. The second he drew near, the tension between them became palpable. It was unlike anything he had experienced before. It was worrying, but not because of any sinister threat. It was sensual; a hint of promise of a mutual attraction and a need neither of them dared acknowledge. It was enough to make him squint suspiciously at her. Whatever caused it, Niall had no intention of being tempted into doing anything rash like kiss her.

Despite his determination not to give in to temptation, Niall’s gaze fell to Clara’s lips where they lingered for several moments. He instinctively stepped closer when he heard her faint gasp. It drew his gaze up to hers but he didn’t see any worry hidden in the steady stare she was giving him. Instead, he saw a need that matched his own.

“Go home,” he growled. “Go. It is dark, cold, and you should not be out on the street like me with this. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is? You don’t know me.”

“I know you are one of them.”

“Who?”

“The Star Elite,” she murmured for his ears only. “How many of you are there, and why are you here?”

“I have no idea what you are talking about,” Niall repeated. When she still didn’t budge, he stepped closer a little more until they were almost touching.

Before he could decide what to do, the sound of horses’ hooves broke the sensual silence. Niall blinked and mentally cursed because he suspected he already knew who the latest arrival was. Sure enough, when he looked over his shoulder it was to see Erasmus Boyle trotting steadily toward them on his curricle.

“Your boyfriend has arrived,” Niall murmured sarcastically.