Page 62 of A Scandalous Bargain
She went to the settee and sat in one corner, which left enough room for him to join her. The invitation seemed clear, and Thomas wouldn’t ignore it.
He sat down beside her and stretched out his legs. “You took off your coat.”
She shrugged. “You aren’t wearing one, so it seemed appropriate.”
That was true. “I’d wondered if you removed it for another reason.”
Her eyes narrowed seductively—or maybe that was just his wishful interpretation. “Did you? Would you care to share that reason?”
The temperature in the room climbed, and he was glad not to be wearing a coat. In truth, he wished he could remove the rest of his clothing—and hers—too. He had to clear his throat to speak. “Not just now.”
“Well, let me know if you change your mind.” She took another sip of brandy and gave him a coy stare.
“If you keep looking at me like that, I will.”
“I see.” She sat straighter and sobered. When her gaze met his, he saw a worry that gave him pause. “Harry told me you are still being investigated regarding your wife’s death. He said Bow Street had evidence that she was afraid of you.” A light flashed in her eyes. “Is that why you thought I was afraid of you?”
Shit.He didn’t want to talk about this. Why couldn’t they go back to flirting? He took a rather large swig of brandy. He looked toward Thea’s chamber, silently cursing her. “She wasn’t afraid of me. I don’t think she was afraid of anything.” She’d certainly never been concerned with hiding her infidelity from him.
Thomas returned his attention to Beatrix. “I’m surprised Sheffield mentioned this to you.”
“It came up in conversation after church yesterday. And frankly, it was a welcome diversion from Selina’s curiosity about why I was talking to you.” She cocked her head and ran her fingertip along the rim of her glass. “Harry said your mother-in-law is the one who provided the evidence about Lady Rockbourne.”
“She doesn’t care for me. She blames me for Thea’s death, and maybe she’s right to do so.” He inwardly winced after saying that last part out loud.
Beatrix set her glass down on the table next to the settee and turned toward him. “Why would you think that?”
“I didn’t make Thea happy.”
“She didn’t make you happy either. I’d argue she made you miserable.”
“We made each other miserable.” Finishing his brandy, he deposited the empty glass on the table to his left. He angled himself toward her as she had done to him.
“But you tried, didn’t you?”
“I did.” So damned hard. Until he’d given up. And maybe he shouldn’t have.
“You can’t blame yourself,” she said firmly, shaking her head. “I saw what happened. It was an accident. She fell. There was nothing nefarious about it. Maybe I should tell them that.”
He gently cupped her face. “No. You can’t do that. That would ruin you.”
“I wouldn’t care if it was just me, but you’re right that it would be ruinous—to Selina. She’s about to become the daughter-in-law of an earl. I won’t jeopardize her standing.”
“You are the very best pretend sister.”
She laughed. “Thank you.”
He reluctantly moved his hand to the back of the settee—close to her, but not touching. “The wedding is in the morning?”
“Yes.”
“I was invited to the breakfast. That was before.”
“Are you coming?” she asked hopefully.
“I shouldn’t. It’s one thing to steal into a masquerade or go to church with my aunt. It’s something else to show up at a wedding celebration.”
She made a sound with her lips and tongue that reminded him of something Regan would do. Except that seeing her tongue drove all thought of his daughter from his mind.
