Page 18 of Black Widow

“What the hell was she doing out riding in the park this afternoon? The woman should have beenabed.”

Clarke made a rough sound of agreement in his throat. “Something is bothering her. That much is clear. I believe it’s time you forced the issue—provided you can run her to ground thistime.”

“I’ll break into her house if I have to,” Gideon vowed, his eyes tracking Amelia’s everymovement.

He let her dance a few more times, comfortably aware that her partners weren’t anything special to her. There wasn’t even a spark of interest in her expression when she looked at any ofthem.

Taking advantage of a break in the music—and the fact Worthing had departed to the card room—he stepped forward to greet Amelia with a benign nod. She closed the short distance betweenthem.

“Good evening, my lord.” The skirts of her violet gown stopped swinging as she stopped in front ofhim.

“Good evening, cousin.” He waved a hand to a passing waiter and asked for two glasses of champagne. “I would ask you to dance if I did not think you would topple over like aninepin.”

Amelia’s head drew back, and she blinked a few times. Much-needed color flooded her white cheeks. He was being quite rude, but that did not seem to signify. She didn’t chastisehim.

“I…”

“Yes?”

Her shoulders lifted and dropped and she looked away. “I’ve been having some trouble sleeping again, I’mafraid.”

“Then I prescribe an early night and bed,” hesaid.

He did not have to feign the concern in his tone. Face to face, Amelia appeared fragile and wan. A stiff breeze could have knocked herover.

Without looking directly at him, she answered in a whisper. “I don’t want to gohome.”

Was there a problem with her townhouse? “Whynot?”

“Oh, no reason really. It’s just…so emptythere.”

“Has something happened? You seemunsettled.”

Amelia’s head shot up. “Well…I suppose I am. Nothing out of the ordinary has occurred.” She laughed brittlely. “On occasion, one’s imagination gets the best of you, I suppose. I’ve been told that sort of thing is commonplace when one livesalone.”

Except you live with a horde of servants.Gideon nodded in understanding anyway. “It’s understandable after spending so much time in one person’s company. You must miss Martinterribly.”

“I do,” she breathed, looking down as tears flooded hereyes.

Guilt swamped him when she surreptitiously dabbed at her eyes behind her fan. A brave smile lit her face. “Never mind that. Tell me more about you. How are things at yourestate?”

“Which one?” he asked with a grin before launching into a detailed description of his newholdings.

Despite his desire to interrogate her, Amelia’s gentle and insightful questions had him lowering his guard. Before he knew it, they were discussing the improvements he was implementing to improve agricultural yields—debating benefits of crop rotation anddrainage.

After a few minutes, he caught himself and apologized. “I must be boring you to tears. Really, you should have stopped me at least ten minutesago.”

Amelia shook her head. “On the contrary, I was about to suggest you read Mr. Shipman’s article in the latest Agricultural Review. It’s calledInnovations and Improvements in planting and harvesting of cerealcrops.”

Gideon blinked. Yes, her questions had seemed informed, but he’d had no idea of the extent of herknowledge…

“I had no idea you were so well-versed in farmingtechniques.”

One corner of her mouth turned up. “My father always said an investor had to be informed about all the commodities theytrade.”

He should have expected such an answer.No, she hasn’t changed as much as you think.“So you are investing in cropfutures?”

“Among various other things. I also dabble in manufacturing, shipping, and the like. Variety is the key to a sound investmentstrategy.”

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