Page 84 of Wicked Again
I’m just in time.
Nighter’s eyes widened slightly at the sight of Marissa before one side of his mouth tilted up in a half-smile. “Lady Cupps-Foster. Good evening.”
“Lady Cupps-Foster,” Miss Higgins repeated in a horrified whisper. Her mouth trembled at Marissa’s pointed stare, uncurling her fingers from Nighter’s lapels with reluctance. She looked up at Nighter. “Ross?”
Nighter said nothing, but his chin dipped in Marissa’s direction, waiting for her to speak.
“I saw Lord Pendleton searching the ballroom for you, Miss Higgins,” Marissa said in her most matronly tone.
Nighter’s lips twitched at Marissa’s lie. They both knew Simon didn’t give a fig where Miss Higgins was. Only her dowry.
“Lord Pendleton,” Marissa admonished. “Your betrothed, Miss Higgins. Have you forgotten?” She put her hands on her hips and peered at the girl as if scandalized at her behavior.
Miss Higgins lifted her chin. “I don’t wish to marry Lord Pendleton. I’m going to run off with Ross.” She beamed adoringly at Nighter. “Not that it is any of your affair, Lady Cupps-Foster.”
Brave little thing.Perhaps there was hope for Miss Higgins yet. Marissa made a mental note to search the girl out when all the dust had settled and befriend her.
Nighter looked at Marissa then back at Miss Higgins. “Clare, Lady Cupps-Foster is right. I should not have encouraged you to sneak off with me. Think of your reputation.”
“I don’t give a fig for my reputation,” Miss Higgins declared in a passionate voice, her hand taking Nighter’s.
“Yes, butIdo,” he said gallantly. Bringing her hand to his lips, he pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “Please.” He leaned over and whispered something in her ear.
Miss Higgins nodded. “I understand.” She looked up at Nighter with absolute adoration.
“We would beg your discretion,” Nighter said. “For her sake.”
He sounded so bloody sincere, except for the icy, empty look in his eyes. How did Miss Higgins not notice? Marissa had the urge to applaud his performance but now was not the time.
“I would speak to you in private, Captain Nighter.” Marissa pointed at Miss Higgins. “Return to your parents immediately lest I drag you out of here and to them myself.”
“Please do not.” Miss Higgins let go of Nighter’s fingers, appropriately terrified of Marissa. “I’ll go. Your discretion, Lady Cupps-Foster, would be appreciated. Iassureyou nothing has occurred.” She gave one final lingering glance at Nighter before gliding out the door.
Once the sound of the girl’s footsteps had faded, Marissa went to the door and shut it. Not only did she not want Nighter to be discovered with Miss Higgins,shedidn’t wish to be found with him either. Adelia would never speak to her again.
Not to mention Haddon.
“Your presence here,” Nighter started in a dark, raspy tone, “instead of Adelia, leads me to the assumption you wish to...endthis affair.”
“I do,” Marissa said. “Miss Higgins’s reputation is to stay intact. Her marriage to Viscount Pendleton will go forward as planned.”
A frosty smile met her words. “Clare detests him, you know. Says he’s a cold fish with little warmth.”
“Yet she found you more appealing?” Marissa hissed before she could think better of it.
The briefest bit of anger flashed across his beautiful features before the icy, aloof mask fell back into place. “I can be human when it is warranted.”
“I’ll make note of it should we meet in the future. Your friendship with Miss Higgins is at an end. Do not approach her again. A large sum of money has been deposited in the account you designated. Our brief association, Captain Nighter, is over.”
The pale blue frost of his eyes lingered over Marissa while she spoke. “It doesn’t have to be, my lady.”
“Yet, I’m fairly certain.” The coldly furious words came from the doorway. “It does.”
28
Nighter and Marissa both turned to face the gentleman now standing at the entrance to the parlor.
Haddon.
