Page 4 of Black Widow

“That’s disappointing…I had hoped we could renew our acquaintance. I’d like to hear about Martin and your travels.” He uncrossed his arms and put one of them on the railing behind him to brace himself. “I let too much time pass since seeing him last. Tell me, was he happy those last fewmonths?”

“He was the happiest I’d ever seen him,” she said, not thinking, and then wanted to bite her tongue. She hoped he wouldn’t ask her for moredetails.

“Really? Was there something in particular, some change that was responsible for such astate?”

Her lips parted.Oh,dear.

Amelia belatedly realized the conversation had ventured into troubling territory. She had been too unguarded with him. But Gideon interpreted her hesitation asembarrassment.

“I’m sorry if I overstepped. I didn’t mean to imply the marital state alone was not sufficient to achieve bliss. I’m sure he was very happy married toyou.”

“He was,” she assured him with a blush. “But you’re right; there was more. The return home to England for one. I don’t think he realized how much he had missed home until wereturned.”

“But you didn’t return to Northumberland. You settled inKent.”

“Err, yes,” she said, looking out the corner of her eye forCrispin.

He warned you about situations likethis.

“I did not think you had any connections there,” Gideon continued, his relentless questioning as inexorable as theFlood.

“No family connections to speak of. Only friends. Martin was my only family,” she said, a shaft of lonely longing spearingher.

“And Uncle Clarence,” he pointedout.

“Yes, of course. There’s Sir Clarence,” she repliedweakly.

“Have you spoken to him recently? I heard he’s also in town this season, but I’ve not had the occasion to visit with himyet.”

“Well…”

As if on cue, Crispin, Lord Worthing, stepped outside at that moment, displaying his impeccable sense of timing. Her relief was short-lived, however, dwindling to nothing when she saw who was on hisarm.

“Amelia, darling, where have you been hiding?” The graceful woman at Crispin’s side was dressed in a fashionable cerise gown paired with a modest string of pearls. Amelia recognized the dress as the work of her own modiste, an exclusive dressmaker whom Crispin hadrecommended.

“Mrs. Spencer,” she said, feigning enthusiasm to see her former guardian’s mistress. “How nice to see you again. I wasn’t aware you were here tonight or I would have come to pay myrespects.”

Ellie Spencer laughed, a light tinkling sound. “No need to be so formal, my dear,” she said with a charmingly dismissive wave. “I saw the viscount here and imposed upon him to find you. I wanted to make sure you were attending my little garden party next week. You will attend, won’tyou?”

The look in Mrs. Spencer’s eyes and the surreptitious glance she gave Gideon told Amelia all she needed to know. She had been neatly trapped. Somehow, Ellie Spencer guessed Amelia did not want to appear ill-mannered in front ofGideon.

“Of course I willattend.”

“But, my dear, you’ve already agreed to attend the Marston’s country party next week,” Crispin interjected smoothly. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure,” he said, extending a hand to Gideon. “I’mWorthing.”

Gideon hesitated so long Amelia was afraid he was about to deliver the cut direct, but he eventually accepted the hand and shook it. She suspected his grip was painful because Crispin winced, but her erstwhile protector managed to smile and murmur something polite about being members of the sameclub.

“Congratulations on the title, by the way,” Crispin added after a moment. “I have some property near one of your new estates in Cornwall. We are neighbors infact.”

“Is that so? Is yours the old Cavendish estate or do you own the bit of land to theeast?”

“It’s the latter. I’m eyeing just the right spot for a snug cottage or country house. It’s a pretty littlepiece.”

“That it is,” Gideon agreed, turning back to her. He raised an eyebrow when he saw she had a hand to hermouth.

Amelia was mortified. “Oh dear, I forgot you’re an earl now!” He must think her a perfect ninny. “At the very least, I should have congratulated you aswell.”

“Think nothing of it.” In a swift economical move, he leaned over. “I remember your father’s views on the nobility—don’t worry. I haven’t let it go to myhead.”

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