Page 21 of Black Widow

In the year since her husband’s death, Amelia had convinced herself she’d imagined that ghastlyvision.

Self-delusion had been easy. Nothing out of the ordinary had happened while she had been in mourning. It was only now that she was reentering society at Crispin’s behest that strange and unnerving events had begun tooccur.

But those eyes belonged to no man or animal she recognized. Their glow was not the reflective sheen of any night beast. It was the light of hellfire. And it had been as real as the floor under herfeet.

She hadn’t known what to tell Crispin after she collapsed at the ball. He’d been so concerned about her this past week. He hadn’t understood her frenetic need to socialize the last few days—she who had avoided and criticized the shallow frivolity of the ton at every turn. Crispin had been confused and a little hurt by her behavior and the silence she had maintained aboutit.

Amelia hadn’t wanted to come to the Westcliff’s. She had been determined to quit England altogether that night, to flee to Italy and travel to her former governess’ home. Isobel would take herin.

This had been Amelia’s plan for some time, although she hadn’t admitted that to herself. But she’d had her maid pack her trunks in preparation to depart since the morning she woke up on the floor of her privateparlor.

That troubling episode had merely been the first. In the time since, Amelia had begun to see things out of the corner of her eye. She would get to her feet to chase the flicker of movement around a corner or into another room only to find there was nothing there. And sometimes, late at night, she would hear whispers in rooms that were empty save forherself.

Yes, she should have left England. However, at the last minute, she had been too shaken to think clearly. All she had told Crispin was that she wanted to leave town. He had tried to convince her to travel back to his estate in Kent, but Amelia would not set foot anywhere near theplace.

Crispin’s estate was only a stone’s throw from the house where Martin had died. That was where this nightmare had started. She was determined it wouldn’t end there aswell.

When Amelia had rejected traveling to his home, Crispin had remembered his invitation to this country party. He had taken charge, bringing her here. And in her weakness, she had lethim.

Would the beast follow them all the way here? Was she putting these innocent people in danger? What if the creature decided to harmCrispin?

I should have gone to Italy. The shadows and darkness plaguing her couldn’t survive under the hot Italian sun, could they? She honestly didn’t know. What if she made it all the way to Isobel and Matteo’s home only to find she was still being pursued? She could not bear it if Isobel and her family were harmed because ofher.

Every move she made felt like the wrongone.

“Amelia?”

She started, her eyes flying to the doorway. Crispin frowned at herresponse.

“Oh, I didn’t hear you come in. Is the fishing outingover?”

Crispin came and sat next to her on the couch. “No, I found myself falling asleep and decided to come back early for a few fortifying cups of tea. Did you sleep well lastnight?”

“Better than I have in ages,” sheconfessed.

Crispin’s light blue eyes flicked to her face before he turned to the tea tray to pour himself a cup. He drank deep before turning to her. “Amelia, I know what’s goingon.”

Her eyes widened. “Youdo?”

“Of course. You told me about the confrontation with Sir Clarence yourself and his desire to wed you off to that pile of dust Cannonburry. It’s obvious he’s made more threats, and you’ve been afraid to confide inme.”

Her mouth dropped open. She was unsure what to say, but Crispin didn’t require an answer. He held up ahand.

“I’m no fool, Am,” he said, using Martin’s pet name for her. “You can save your denials. I’ve put it all together—that confrontation in the maze, your sudden need to be out in public. Even your sudden preference for other men’s company. I know you haven’t been avoiding me completely, but you’ve certainly cut down on the amount of time you have spent with me—before this sojourn to the country that is. You’re afraid to be with me, but you’re more afraid to be alone. Obviously, Sir Clarence has made some manner of threat against me, something you’ve taken to heart. Well, I’m not afraid of him, and I won’t let the bastard get away with intimidatingyou!”

She sat gaping at him while he took her hand. “You don’t have to worry anymore. I have the solution. We will announce our engagement. In a few months’ time, we can be married and Sir Clarence will have no choice but to leave youalone.”

Amelia tried unsuccessfully to retrieve her hand. “Crispin, you are my dearest friend—indeed you are my only friend—but you know that is quiteimpossible.”

His chin lifted. “I know marriage to me is not what you would wish, but you weren’t meant to spend your life alone. Martin wouldn’t have wanted that. You deserve more, a family. Children. You can’t tell me you’ve never desired a child of your own. I know of your plans withMartin.”

Her mouth tightened. Forcibly, she withdrew her hand fromhis.

Crispin winced. “I’m sorry. I’m only trying to say I understand what you’ve lost because I’ve lost it,too.”

Amelia picked at her skirts and sighed. “I know. But a marriage between the two of us will not restore those deaddreams.”

He nodded but did not give up. “It won’t be the same. Everything will be different. But that doesn’t mean you won’t find a measure of happiness with me. Our relationship is not unlike yours andMartin’s.”

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