“Very good. I’ll take the next.” He reached for her card, then wrote in his name before he positioned himself on Ada’s other side. She drew in a breath, not sure what to make of it. As she looked at him, he turned toward her. “The dance will begin in just a few minutes. It seems silly to leave and return in this crowd.” He glared at Vice. “And I’d enjoy extra time in your company.”
Ada swallowed. Well, this was a bit sticky. Grace sauntered by, giving her an exaggerated wink. “It’s working already,” she said in a loud whisper.
“What’s working?” Blake asked as he shifted her closer.
“I have no idea,” she answered, finally dropping her hand from his arm. Ada had never expected to be positioned between two men. A giggle bubbled up in her chest. While she didn’t want Walter anymore, she may as well enjoy her one night of having multiple beaux. And Grace was correct. She couldn’t give Vice all her affection. He’d only break her heart. It was time to put a little distance between them. “Tell me all about your journey, Mr. Conroy.”
* * *
Vice stood absolutely still, using every ounce of his energy not to punch Walter Conroy directly in the face. Everything inside him screamed to pull Ada close and make this man disappear. But then what? Would she be stuck with Vice?
Jealousy coated the inside of his mouth. This man was pulling Ada away from him. Conroy’d had his chance with Ada, had literally sailed halfway around the world. The man should have stayed gone.
“I got on that ship, Miss Chase, and realized what a terrible mistake I’d made. I should never have left you.”
Vice heard Ada’s gasp. Damn Conroy. Damn himself for not being a better man. Conroy was likely honorable and upstanding. All the things a man named Vice lacked. He hated himself in this moment. Even worse, he kne
w if he cared for Ada at all, he should step aside and allow Conroy to court her. Vice wanted to hit something. Anything.
“When we reached the first port in Northern Africa, I left the ship and found another to return home but it was a merchant vessel and made several stops.” He stepped closer to Ada, taking her hand. “I know I’ve been gone six months and I know I told you not to wait but…” Conroy brought her hand to his lips and kissed her gloved skin.
Vice’s skin crawled with tingling energy. His fists clenched and unclenched. Yes. He definitely wanted to punch the researcher.
“Oh Walter, you don’t need to apologize. It was—”
“I want to.” Walter stopped her. “I wish I’d stayed. I wish that I’d asked you to marry me.”
“What?” The word left her lips in a gasp as Vice’s insides twisted in pain. It was going to happen again. He was going to lose another woman to a better man. He should never allow himself to care. He’d worked so hard to have the perfect relationships on the outside that were devoid of any emotion.
“You don’t mean that,” Ada said. “Your work, it takes you—”
“I know what the job requires. What I need to ask you, is can you be part of that with me?”
“I,” Ada started, her hand still resting in both of his. “I’m not—”
“Our dance is beginning.” Conroy tucked her hand into his elbow. “Let’s go, my love.”
Vice jolted, his lip curling over his teeth. Conroy gave him a wary glance over Ada’s head as he pulled her into the crowd. Vice’s heart ached in his chest watching that man pull her away. Ada should be next to him not with Conroy. But he pushed that thought back down. Ada should be with the man who could make her happy. Vice had never fulfilled anyone, not even himself.
“Mother fu—” Vice started but a tap at his shoulder stopped him. He turned to see Ada’s cousin standing to his right.
“There is a lady present,” Grace said, giving him an angelic smile.
He glared at her, then realized how harsh his expression must be and attempted to relax the muscles of his face. “Apologies,” he mumbled, his body still vibrating with anger.
Grace’s smile widened. “Upset, are we?”
He drew in an unsteady breath, trying to clear his head. “That man is—”
Grace raised a brow. “All wrong for Ada.”
Vice narrowed his gaze. “Are you saying that to fill in my thought or is it your own?”
Grace shrugged. “It’s my own.” Then she lifted her finger. “But I’m not sure I approve of you either.” And then she tapped him on the shoulder again. “What are your intentions toward Ada?”
“Intentions? I have none other than to do as I’ve been directed and follow her about like a puppy.” He was lying. About all of it. He wanted to keep her for his own, he knew that now. But he also wanted her to have the man she deserved. Since the death of his parents he’d been broken. Camille had known it and Ada would realize it soon enough.
Grace’s lips thinned. He had to confess, he’d never seen this side of her. He was a touch intimidated. “I’m not going to insult either of us by pointing out all the ways in which you are far more dangerous than a puppy. Nor will I point out how I know you have intentions. What I’ve yet to understand is how honorable they are.”