Page 67 of Black Widow

Gideon’s mouth compressed. “Don’t worry abouther.”

Amelia stopped him with a finger on his lips. “What is she doing,Gideon?”

Her husband sighed and sat back in his chair. “It seems the vivacious Mrs. Spencer has been making the rounds attending all the major balls and parties—all the ones we haven’t accepted invitations to that is. According to Clarke, she’s stoking the fires of public opinion against me, rather artfully, I might add. She knows better to state outright I murdered Sir Clarence, but she has dropped hints about my visit to Sir Clarence’s townhouse while he was away, painting it in the darkestlight.”

Amelia was incensed. “Gideon, we can’t let her get away with that! How dare she impugn your honor? Why, I want to call her out myself. I may not know how to use a pistol, but I used to fence with Martin when we were younger. Get me yoursword!”

He chuckled. “My bloodthirsty littlewife.”

“Your loyal wife,” she corrected, pushing his nose with her index finger. “And most of the time, I could disarm Martin, so don’t make meangry.”

This time, he laughed outright. “I’ll remember that, but believe me when I say we don’t need to be concerned about Mrs. Spencer. Sir Lennon was right. Her proximity to the murder makes her fashionable, but it’s temporary…and I’ve already taken steps to dampen hercachet.”

“How?” she askedsuspiciously.

Gideon began to fiddle with the ties of her bodice. “By exposing Sir Clarence’s dirty dealings. With the help of a few friends in the war office, I’ve dug deeper into my uncle’s business affairs. His reputation was that of a scrupulous and savvy investor, but we’ve found evidence of some unsavory connections and underhanded tactics. A few things were technicallyillegal.”

Amelia sniffed. “I suspected as much about Sir Clarence, but how will exposing those details hurt Mrs.Spencer?”

“Well, to be blunt, her reputation is tied to his. Before his death, he was considered spotless, a bit of prig really. But once his reputation is tarnished, hers will be by association. It’s not fair, but neither are her insinuations. Also, Clarke is already seeding doubts about the ladyherself.”

“Suchas?”

Gideon spread his arms as if addressing an audience. “Who is she? Ellen Spencer appeared on Clarence’s arm this season, but she never speaks of her people. No one knows anything about her. The sticklers in the ton have begun to question herbackground.”

He paused and rubbed his chin. “There is more. As Sir Clarence’s closest relation, I inherit his estate. His lawyers have contacted me. I’ve had them send word to Mrs. Spencer that I’ll be giving up the lease on his townhouse, but she is welcome to stay until the end of the season. If she is wise, she’ll make other arrangements soon. Without Sir Clarence’s fortune to sustain her, I expect she’ll leavetown.”

“That’s quite generous under the circumstances.” Amelia crossed her arms. “What if she finds another protectorinstead?”

He shrugged. “Even if she does, the power of her words will be greatly diminished by the time my campaign is over. Have a little faith. Manipulating information was my stock in trade up until a few monthsago.”

“Very well, I will trust your judgment on this,” she said, reaching out to himagain.

He came eagerly, wrapping his arms around her. The next few minutes passed in a blur of heated kisses and caresses. She was about to suggest they retire to their room when Gideon exposed her breasts and pressed a soft kiss to one hardened bud as he began to fiddle with the fastening of hisbreeches.

Apparently, they would be staying where they were.Which remindsme…

“Do we still have to stay in town? You said we could leave after being interviewed by theauthorities.”

Gideon reluctantly lifted his head. “Yes, but I don’t want to make the connection obvious so I think we should stay on till the weekend. There is a vote in the House of Lords on Friday. Hayes and the others will assume we stayed on forthat.”

He returned his attention to her décolletage. Amelia had to tug his hair to get his attention again. “What is the voteregarding?”

His head dropped back to look at the ceiling as if searching his memory. “Something to do with munitions and supplies for the war effort, nothing critical,” he said before eagerly drawing up herskirts.

Amelia stayed his hand. “Nothing critical! My lord, that issue is of extreme importance.” She pushed him away and hopped off thedesk.

“You must tell me which suppliers are being considered for government contracts,” she said, hurrying to the stack of ledgers she’d brought over from her townhouse. “There are entirely too many corrupt ones vying to be suppliers—poor workmanship of weapons and uniforms or tainted food. Even gunpowder is not safe. There was one case of adulterated powder supplied to the Navy. When they needed it for the cannons, it failed and the ship was taken. We must learn everything about the companies being considered. It’s urgent. The safety and well-being of our soldiers is atstake.”

Gideon sighed and fastened his breeches with a wistful grin. “As you wish, my love. But let’s dohurry…”

Chapter 25

The rapid whisperinggrew louder as she approached thelibrary.

At first, Amelia believed Clarke and Crispin had dropped by to wish them well on their trip. She and Gideon were about to leave for Tarryhall, the Earl of Flint’s principal seat. They would spend a week there so Gideon could catch up on estate business with his steward before leaving forDevon.

While helping Gideon with the correspondence for his far-flung estates, Amelia had been thrilled to learn he owned a small property a stone’s throw from her father’s country home. After verifying that the cottage was in good repair, Gideon had offered to take her there as part of a larger bridal tour of his newproperties.

---