Page 13 of Black Widow

“Why would I write toa—”

“Nor did you write earlier to congratulate us on our marriage or I would have seen the letter,” she interrupted, snapping her fan open. “You see, I took care of all my husband’s correspondence and I never forget a name, so no, you were not very good friends at all, wereyou?”

Mapleton’s entire face was purple now. Around them, heads turned. Everyone seemed to be holding their breath as the man raised a finger and waved it in herface.

He opened his mouth to speak—or shout—but he snapped it shut when someone collided withhim.

“Amelia, here is the punch you asked for. Oh, sorry Mapleton. Didn’t see you there,” Crispin said hurriedly as he upended a glass of fruit punch all over the man’s bright yellowwaistcoat.

Apparently, Crispin had decided to take a page out of Lady Everly’s book. Mapleton sputtered, his hands going to the damage. The viscount took advantage of his distraction to whisk her away. However, their escape was blocked by the crush of people who’d gathered close to witness her humiliationfirsthand.

The strains of a waltz almost drowned out Mapleton’s vicious swear. Crispin continued to smile as if nothing was amiss. He bent and loudly asked her to partner him on the dancefloor.

“No,” a deep voice interrupted. “This dance ismine.”

Amelia whirled and looked up. Her heart leapt at the sight of Gideon, his golden-brown head haloed by thecandlelight.

She blinked and smiled, finding it necessary to remind herself Gideon was not an avenging angel coming to herrescue.

Although he resembles one.Compared to the other men in the room, his clothing was cut plainly and severely. His black coat and pants set off a crisp white shirt. A single pin adorned his breast, but with his height and the breadth of his shoulders, bright colors or more jewelry would have beenoverwhelming.

Gideon stood a full head taller than Mapleton, but he didn’t need to use his superior size or strength to intervene. One cold glare was sufficient to stop Mapleton in histracks.

Cutting in front of Crispin, Gideon swept her onto the dance floor before either man couldreact.

The people blocking the floor were forced to move in the face of the earl’s authority. He guided her through the throng until enough space was cleared for them to dance. After a few turns, other couples joinedthem.

It no longer mattered that everyone was staring at them. She was in Gideon’s arms. She held on tight, the familiar lines of his face blurring with hertears.

He tsked. “Here now, we’ll have none of that,” he murmured, his thumb caressing her waist in a small show ofcomfort.

“Thank you,” shewhispered.

“For what?” He seemed amused. “From what I could see, you were doing a credible job of defending yourself.” He whirled her through a tight turn before continuing. “But I’m sorry you were subjected to that scene with Mapleton and his busybody of a cousin, Lady Everly, in the first place. Had I been closer, I wouldn’t have allowedit.”

He trailed off, suddenly distracted. “Orthis…”

Amelia glanced down. Somehow during one of the turns, her sleeve had shifted, revealing the dark line of bruises Sir Clarence’s grip had left on her whiteskin.

For an instant, rage burned in Gideon’s deep brown eyes, but it was gone the nextsecond.

Amelia blinked, confused. If she hadn’t been studying him so closely, she would have missed the flash of emotion. Now his face was a mask, one so perfectly controlled most others wouldn’t have noticed anythingamiss.

However, she was not most others. “Gideon?” she asked, suddenlyapprehensive.

It was not fear she was feeling. She could not possibly be afraid of him, but she was suddenly unsure. The youth she had known was open, guileless. Gideonhadchanged.

“Who did that to you?” he asked softly, his head tilted to indicate herbruises.

Amelia racked her mind. Though Gideon and Sir Clarence did not precisely enjoy an amicable relationship there was no sense in borrowing trouble. “Mapleton took my arm justnow.”

“No.”

Gideon’s tone was low and his face remained impassive, but she sensed his frustration with her answer. “Those marks are old. Several days atleast.”

When she didn’t reply, he increased the pressure of his hold on her, not enough to hurt her but to hold her more securely. Already giddy and emotionally exhausted, it took active restraint to keep from collapsing into hisarms.

“It’s nothing. Old business.” Amelia’s smile was careless, masking her misgiving and discomfort at having to dissemble with him—the one person she wanted most to confidein.

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