Page 66 of Black Widow

“Yes,” Sir Lennon sniffed disapprovingly. “The woman has been making the rounds at all the major events. Murders lend a certain cachet to the people associated with the victims. Needless to say, she’s all the crack at themoment.”

He noted the wrinkle of Amelia’s nose. “Don’t concern yourself with that sort of cheap display, my dear. Mrs. Spencer will find this sort of popularity wanes quickly as soon as a new scandal crops up to occupy theton.”

Gideon murmured his gratitude to the two men, thanking Hayes with surprising warmth. They eyed each other over a firm handshake, the tension of a few moments ago seeminglyforgotten.

Kindred spirits, Amelia noted to herself before turning her attention to the pile of correspondence on Gideon’s desk as he walked the two men to thedoor.

Gideon had generously offered to share his office with her until her private parlor was redecorated. It was part of a series of improvements planned. Flint House was a spacious and drafty mansion with many outdated features. Gideon had always intended to conduct a top-to-bottom renovation, but hadn’t started any of the improvements before theirmarriage.

“I was too focused on you and my investigation,” he admitted with an abashed grin when they discovered the chimney in the master bedroom smoked. He’d thrown open the window and turned to her. “But now that you’re here, we can make the improvements together, and choose new furnishings for the drawing room and whatever else your heartdesires.”

And so the work renovating Flint House had begun. They had started in the master bedroom, spending every night in the adjoining chamber meant for the lady of the house. Though both rooms were being redecorated, Gideon had already declared they would share his once it was finished. Theirs would not be a fashionable tonmarriage.

“Get used to living in each other’s pockets,” he’d declared that morning near dawn, after spending most of the night making love to her. He fell asleep with his arms wrapped aroundher.

Feeling more secure and loved than she had her entire life, she had sleptpeacefully.

Marriage to Gideon was everything he had promised. Amelia was spoiled and cosseted at every turn. Their wedding vows hadn’t diminished their passion. If anything, that aspect had strengthened. Living together allowed Gideon the opportunity to lavish affection on her, while taking advantage of his ready access to satisfy his seemingly insatiableappetites.

Her husband’s fixation with her—the intensity with which he loved her—governed her days. He was demanding and generous and wilder than anything she’d ever known. His hunger extended far beyond the marriage bed. He wanted to know everything about her, what she liked, disliked, andhated.

Gideon seduced her at every turn…and nearly every room, including thisone.

“Are you thinking about what we did on that desk a few daysago?”

She blushed. “How did youknow?”

“An educated guess based on the fact your quill is dripping ink all over my estatereports.”

Amelia looked down and cursed. “I’m sosorry!”

Gideon laughed. “Leave it,” he said, setting the ink safely out of reach in adrawer.

She put her hands to her face and rubbed before changing the subject. “They asked all the questions you said they would. I’m surprised you let me answerthem.”

Gideon removed his cravat, leaning carelessly against the desk. “I wasn’t raised to privilege, and I’ve only been an earl a brief time. There’s no need to beat them over the head with my title. From my own experience making inquiries, I know it would only make Hayes more suspicious to deny him access. He’d give up on finding the real killer all the sooner, and I want him to keeplooking.”

If that were true, then he might have mentioned the giant.No, the omission made sense because a giant as murderer sounds mad, she remindedherself.

There had been no disturbances since Sir Clarence’s death. It had been so quiet since that she was forced to concede Gideon had likely been correct about her former guardian’s role. Sir Clarence had been the one behind the strange disturbances and attacks onher.

“What if Inspector Hayes interviews the minister?” she asked, remembering Gideon’s unexpected falsehood regarding the hour they hadmarried.

“Old Lessig has been amply compensated to tell the samestory.”

She frowned. “But it’s not even necessary. Your friend Mr. Clarke confirmed Sir Clarence died in theevening.”

He bent to nibble on her ear. “At this point, I believe you can safely lay claim to Clarke’s friendship as well. He’s become a great advocate of yours. Also, it seems he and Lord Worthing have struck up afriendship.”

Amelia held her breath, waiting for Gideon to comment further on Crispin and Clarke’s relationship, but he seemed too engrossed with toying with the fine curls of hair next to herear.

“And, yes,” he continued. “The murder was most likely when we were together at the Vernon’s, making love in theballroom.”

“We were behind a screen!” sheprotested.

“I know. I simply like making you blush,” he teased before leaning over and picking her up. He pushed the papers on the crowded desk’s surface to make room to set herdown.

“What did the inspector mean about Mrs. Spencer?” she asked, running her fingers through his thick darkhair.

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