Captain Amberton's Inherited Bride (Whitby Weddings 2)

She folded her hands primly. ‘I told you before.’

‘Gambling and women again?’

‘They aren’t things I care to repeat.’

‘Then I’ll take that as a yes. Although, with all due respect, that gossip refers to the past. A man can change, can’t he?’

‘He can, though I find it hard to believe from a beast who locked me up in a tower.’

‘Good point.’ He took a mouthful of whisky and then peered dolefully into the cup. ‘I had hoped for a full measure.’

‘I’ll get you another if you answer a question.’

‘Just one?’ His eyes glittered with amusement. ‘I suppose that’s fair. What would you like to know? Ask anything you like.’

She hesitated thoughtfully. What did she want to know? She had so many questions that she hardly knew where to start, but if she was going to find another way to escape, then she supposed she ought to find out what had gone wrong the first time...

‘I’d like to know how you found me this morning.’

‘How did I know you hadn’t taken the train, you mean? Let’s just say that next time you choose an accomplice you ought to find one the same height. The stationmaster remembered a woman in a black veil, but he also recalled her being reasonably tall. Whereas you, Miss Harper, are quite...’ his gaze roamed leisurely over her body, down to her ankles and back up again ‘...distinctive.’

Distinctive. She dropped back on to the sofa with a thud. That was better than small, she supposed, though in essence it meant the same thing. Strange, unusual, odd-looking, the same words she’d been hearing her whole life. Except that no one else had ever looked at her in the way Captain Amberton just had, without criticism or disapproval, but with... She hardly knew what with, only that whatever it was made her feel too hot suddenly, with a quivering sensation deep in her chest. No, lower than that, in her stomach, something between a tingle and an ache. It was the same way he’d looked at her five years before, the way that had made her feel, albeit briefly, like a woman and not just an object of curiosity. Before she’d realised he’d only been laughing at her.

She shifted away from the fire, willing the feeling to subside. ‘What about Rosedale? How did you know I was going there?’

‘I didn’t, but Mr Rowlinson happened to mention your friendship with Ianthe Felstone. I guessed that you might have used one of her husband’s connections.’

‘It’s still only a minor supply route. How did you find out about it?’

‘I asked her husband. He thought it might be the likeliest possibility.’

‘Robert told you?’ She couldn’t hide her dismay.

‘Robert?’ His gaze darkened slightly. ‘Yes, I’m afraid Robert did, though in his defence, he was trying to help you. Apparently he didn’t think running away was in your best interests either. But then, I presume you already knew that or you would have included him in your plans, too?’

She lifted her chin, annoyed that he’d guessed correctly. ‘It wasn’t something I could explain to a man. I knew Ianthe would understand.’

‘But to encourage a wife to keep secrets from her husband? Tsk, tsk, Miss Harper. You know he was quite offended by the suggestion of his wife’s involvement at first, though once I explained the circumstances, he seemed to agree it was likely. It should be an entertaining evening in the Felstone household tonight.’

‘It’s not funny!’ She felt a stab of guilt. Robert would forgive Ianthe anything, she knew, but any rift between them would still be her fault. Maybe she shouldn’t have asked for help after all, but she’d needed to talk to someone.

‘I wouldn’t worry.’ He sounded nonchalant. ‘Every marriage needs a bit of drama now and again, or so I’ve heard.’

‘I forgot how much you enjoy arguing.’ She shot him an irate look and then shook her head despondently. ‘All that planning...’

‘I take it that running away wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision, then?’

‘No. I made up my mind as soon as I heard the terms of the will.’

‘Ah.’ His expression sobered. ‘So your father didn’t tell you about the arrangement before? I wondered about that.’

‘You mean you already knew?’ She sat bolt upright again in surprise. ‘Since when?’

He held out his empty glass. ‘I believe that you said one question. If you want me to answer another, then you’ll need to alleviate my thirst.’

‘All right.’

She took the glass and refilled it quickly, feeling his gaze on her back the whole time. The awareness unnerved her, making her hands tremble slightly as she poured. What on earth was the matter with her? More precisely, what was the matter with her body? It seemed to be acting independently of her mind. She didn’t want to be so aware of him and yet every part of her seemed to be on the alert. Another thing she resented him for!