Samantha (Barrett 2)

"And that's why you began visiting me, taking me to Hatchard's, dancing with me at Almack's—you thought I might know something. Why? Because of Barrett Shipping; because I'm Drake's sister?"

"Yes. But you made quick work of that plan. Once I tasted your sweet, beautiful mouth, I was lost."

Sammy sat back on her heels. "I asked you this the other night at Boydry's. I'm asking again. Does your investigation include Drake?"

"It didn't then. It does now." He silenced her protest, placing a forefinger across her lips. "I've elicited your brother's help in exposing the culprits."

"You've ..." Sammy's eyes widened. "Does that mean you told Drake who you are?"

"Yes. I didn't give him all the details I just gave you, but I did tell him I'm an agent of the Crown. I also disclosed the specifics of this particular mission. He is being tremendously helpful."

"Do you know who's responsible for the sinkings, and why?"

"We know several of the offenders and their motives."

"Is Viscount Goddfrey one of them?"

Rem gave her a quizzical look. "That's the second time you've brought Goddfrey's name up. Are your suspicions based solely on the conversation you overheard at Almack's regarding Goddfrey's disappearance?"

Sammy fingered the bedcovers uneasily.

"What aren't you telling me, imp?"

"Well, 'tis true I overheard Stephen and Lord Keefe discussing Viscount Goddfrey's disappearance, expressing their concern over the viscount's vast number of lost vessels and depleted fortune ... plus the increased dangers of sailing in British waters. But I was privy to another conversation which I haven't had occasion to mention to you."

"In other words, I'm going to throttle you when I hear these details. Go ahead."

"Well, I couldn't clear my mind of what Stephen and Lord Keefe had said. I kept worrying about the effect these perils could have on Drake. So ..." Sammy chewed her lip, stalling as she pondered Rem's reaction.

"Samantha..."

"I did a little investigating of my own," she blurted out at last. "The morning after the Almack's ball I slipped away at dawn and made my way to the docks, where I waited and listened."

"You visited the docks at dawn ... alone." Rem inhaled sharply. "Surely someone must have recognized you as Drake's sister and demanded that you return home?"

"I'm sure I was spotted, but I don't believe I was recognized." Sammy steeled herself for the explosion. "I was garbed in one of our gardener's clothes."

"Hell and damnation," Rem ground out, his teeth clenched to stifle the outburst that would doubtlessly awaken the whole household. "Am I going to have to tie you up in Gresham's sitting room once we're wed, to prevent you from darting about on these impulsive excursions of yours? The London docks, Shadwell... what next?"

"I was terrified for Drake. What if he'd been captaining one of those missing ships? I went to the docks to protect him, just as I went to Shadwell to protect you."

"Samantha." Rem framed her face. "Are there any other little jaunts you've taken that I should know about?"

"No."

"Then in the future, would you mind sharing your worries with me and allowing me to take the risks?"

"Unless they threaten you, my lord. Then I'll do whatever I must to shield you."

All Rem's fury dissipated at the earnest honesty of her reply. "I suppose I cannot argue with that," he murmured tenderly. "I'll have to instead make certain that I'm never again in danger."

Sammy smiled. "That would be ideal."

"So ... in your travels along the Thames, you overheard a conversation about Goddfrey that prompted your suspicions?"

"Yes." Sammy relayed the conversation of the two dock workers. "So I thought, having never met the viscount, that his personal circumstances might have been enough to provoke the crimes. His family relationships were strained, he'd run off without a word. It further occurred to me that, even if Goddfrey weren't responsible, perhaps he was the target of the sinkings, and that all the other attacks were merely being done to cast aspersion elsewhere." S

he frowned. "Now that I say it aloud, I realize how utterly ludicrous it sounds. Perhaps I have read too many novels."