Page 109 of A Devil in Silk
Bentley considered the point. Had he not come to Westminster in search of Scarth, he would not have kissed Clara atop the tower. Perhaps it was fate that led Daventry to follow his instincts and pay the soprano a visit, too.
“Does that mean we’re free to leave?” he said, already planning where he might propose to Clara. Somewhere far away from Westminster.
“Yes.” Daventry suggested they go home and rest. “I’ll keep you informed of any developments. I’m sure we’ll learn more in the coming days.”
Bentley stifled a groan. He hoped he never heard talk of seances and seminaries again. He doubted he could visit theopera without hearing Mrs Morven’s chilling vibrato echoing in the auditorium.
A crowd had gathered on the street outside, a morbid mirror of the night Miss Nightshade died. Keen to be on their way, they pressed through the throng and reached Bentley’s carriage.
Once settled in their seats, Clara released a weary sigh. “At least it’s all over now. There’s no need to keep looking over our shoulders.”
Bentley had feared they would never catch the killer, that the past would go on haunting them both. “Yes. Let the dead rest where they belong.”
On the journey to Mayfair, they discussed the case and the curious fact that their mothers attended the same seminary, about everything but the one topic that mattered: marriage. A proposal burned on his tongue.
“May I speak to Clara alone?” Bentley said when they reached Dalton’s house in Bedford Square. “Just for a moment.”
Dalton looked at the scorch mark on Bentley’s coat sleeve and swore. “I should thrash you for taking her to that lunatic’s house. She could have been killed.”
Bentley met his glare, undeterred. “You think I don’t know that? I’ll carry the guilt for the rest of my life. But if you’re spoiling for a fight, can it wait until tomorrow? I have more pressing matters to attend to tonight.”
Dalton’s scowl eased, but he was as desperate as Bentley to settle the matter. “Why wait? If you mean to address the future, come inside and we’ll discuss it in my study.”
“No,” Clara said firmly. “I need to speak to Bentley privately.”
Dalton hesitated, his gaze flicking between them. “So be it. I’ll be inside.” He closed the carriage door behind him, leaving them alone.
Bentley exhaled, the weight of unspoken words pressing at his chest. He turned to her, ready to speak, but Clara was determined to speak first.
“Will you do something for me, Bentley?”
“Anything.” He’d proved he would die for her.
“Can we have one last adventure tonight?”
He knew that look, the quiet dare in her smile. “What did you have in mind?” he teased, though the wordlastunsettled him.
She reached for his hand, her fingers twining with his like they were bound for life. “Can it be a surprise?”
He brought her hand to his lips, needing answers yet unable to deny her. “One last adventure,” he agreed, slipping back her glove to kiss the tender skin of her wrist. “Then we’ll sit down and discuss the future?”
Her lashes fluttered as his mouth moved over her. “Yes,” she breathed in the sultry way that always undid him. “Tomorrow we will discuss the next steps.”
“What time shall I call?”
“Be ready for the hackney at nine.”
“Ah, we’re travelling incognito.”
She chuckled, a sound he would never tire of hearing. “Perhaps. I don’t wish to ruin the surprise. And this outing is a new addition to my list.”
Her enthusiasm was intoxicating, arousing a need he could no longer mask. “Do you know how badly I want to kiss you? How much I want to taste more than your mouth? To have you beneath me, nothing between us?”
“As much as it all sounds deliciously tempting, I would advise against it. My brother has his nose pressed to the study window, looking every inch the gruff bear.”
He brushed another kiss across her wrist before drawing the glove back into place. “Then I shall look forward to having you to myself tonight.”
Heedless of her brother’s watchful eyes, Clara kissed him as she made to depart. “Until tonight.”
