Page 198 of Storm of Bells
‘What? No way! I couldn’t just—’
‘Adaira?’ Gazing up at her, I put on my bestpuppy dog look. I had been studying in the mirror. ‘Please. It’s mywedding day.’
‘That’s kind of my point,’ Adaira grumbled.‘But if you really want…fine!’ Sighing, she stepped out of the wayand pulled open the door. ‘You can come in if you absolutelymust.’
Mr Ambrose scrutinized her coolly. ‘Thank youfor the warm welcome.’
Then his gaze swept past her, searching theroom—until it found me. His eyes bored into me, devouring the sightof me, my hair mostly done up, a single stubborn strand fallingfreely down towards my neck. Even from where I sat, I could see histhroat move as he swallowed hard.
‘There we go,’ Adaira groaned. ‘Badluck!’
Really? It didn’t look bad from where I wassitting.
Mr Ambrose swivelled his head, looking ateveryone in turn. ‘Could you give me and my fiancée a momentalone?’
His little sister narrowed her eyes. ‘Thatsort of thing usually comesafterthe wedding, youknow.’
‘Adaira!’
‘Oh, I dunno.’ Amy said to Adaira, her eyesflickering between me and Mr Ambrose. ‘In my experience, it’s quitepossible for unmarried people to—’
I stepped on her foot, hard. ‘That’s quiteenough about your experience!’
‘Really?’ Amy grinned, evading my foot withease. ‘I‘d ‘ave thought you’d like some advice before the two ofye—ouch!’
‘I’d be happy to hear your advicelater.’ I pressed down on her foot. ‘When we’realone.’
Amy pulled a face. ‘Spoilsport. Oh, well, ifye insist…’
Sighing, Amy ambled over to the door, shooingpeople along as she went. ‘Come on, let’s go. The two lovebirdswanna “talk”.’ And she gave a wink so salacious it nearly made Ellafaint on the spot.
Whistles and whispers rose from Juicy Jennyand Cora the Curvaceous. Adaira, for her part, stuck her fingersinto her ears, closed her eyes, and muttered, ‘I cannot see, Icannot hear, I have no idea what’s going on here, and whatever itis, it doesnotinvolve my brother!’
‘Come on, you.’ Reaching for Adaira, Amygently grabbed her arm and started pulling her towards thedoor.
‘…cannot see, cannot hear—’
‘Yes, yes, come along!’
Adaira was dragged out of the room, and thedoor closed behind her, leaving nothing but silence in the room.Silence, myself and Mr Rikkard Ambrose. He was at my side in twolong strides. Without even thinking about it, our hands went up tograsp each other. There was no need for superfluous words betweenus, no greetings, no professions of love. Our eyes said it all.
‘What did you find?’ I demanded.
‘Not much yet.’
My eyes narrowed. ‘Don’t you try and fool me!I know how you talk by now. Don’t forget I asked you how much moneyyou make each month, and your answer was “Not that much. We mustwork harder!”.’
His eyes narrowed infinitesimally. ‘You seemto be quite insolent today, Miss Linton.’
I grinned. ‘What do you mean, “today”?’
An icy sparkle lit up his eyes. ‘Well, MissLinton—you are correct. I did indeed find something.’
‘What?’ I demanded instantly. ‘What did youfind?’
The sparkle grew into a coldly burning flame.‘It is not definite yet. But…I think I was right. I think I’ve beenright all along in my suspicions. Oh, and if I am, if I manage toprove it…’
I sucked in a quick breath. That look in hiseyes…
