“I—I’m not angry,” she answered.
“Shall I make another guess?”
“I would rather you didn’t.” Her eyes once again darted away to the windowpanes. Rain had begun to tap against the glass.
Devlin was suddenly aware that the thud of his heart was turning a little erratic. “Dare I hope it’s jealousy?” he said, just loud enough for her to hear. The teasing note belied how much he wished to know what she was thinking.
The pink hue paled and then deepened to scarlet. “I…” she began.
“My interest in the widow is purely professional,” he murmured.
“But she’s very worldly,” replied Anna, watching the mist curls through the plantings.
“And very manipulative.”
“She’s very beautiful.”
“In a tawdry sort of way.” Devlin shifted, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Trust me, her charms hold no seductive powers over me.”
Her throat tightened as she swallowed. “A half hour, sir. I need a half hour to have a look around her room.”
“You shall have it,” he assured. “But remember your promise—if there’s any danger of being seen, you must retreat. If there is a conspiracy afoot here, none of the varlets must suspect that you know of it.”
“I understand.” Anna stepped back. “You really ought to go. We wouldn’t want Lady de Blois to think your interest in me is anything more than casual.”
The minutes seemed to be mired in molasses. Anna stole yet another glance at the case clock, willing the gentlemen to finish their port and cigars and rejoin the ladies.
Caro caught her eye and drifted over to take a seat next to her on the settee by the curio cabinet. “Is there a reason you are so concerned with the clock?” she asked between sips of her tea. “A tryst with one of your many admirers, perhaps? I hope it’s the prince. He is far more pleasant than the colonel.”
“You heard Josette. The prince is…well, he is not likely to make Mama’s wishes come true,” replied Anna.
“That may be. But the colonel’s interest is undeniable.”
She was about to assure her sister that she had no interest in Polianov, but quickly thought better of it. He was one of Devlin’s prime suspects, and so she fully intended to encourage his attentions.
“We ought not be too harsh on him. Granted he hasn’t made a favorable first impression, but that may be due to his feeling uncomfortable expressing himself in English. Beneath the outward stiffness, he may be quite interesting and amusing.”
Caro arched a skeptical brow. “Perhaps you’ve put too much sugar in your tea.”
“As Mama would say, don’t be cynical.”
“Then I shall be blunt instead,” retorted her sister. “I think the man is a pompous bore.”
Repressing a chuckle, Anna glanced around at the clock again. And found Lady de Blois watching her with a cat-in-the-creampot smile.
The sound of a satisfied purr was almost audible.
She looked away quickly, feeling her insides curdle at the thought of the widow sinking her claws into Devlin.
I have no right to feel possessive.
And yet she did.
Her palms began to tingle as Anna recalled the shape of his shoulders, the feel of his muscles. The idea of another lady exploring his body was…
She heard herself let out a sharp hiss.
Startled, Caro nearly dropped her spoon. “Are you feeling ill?”