Andrea Kane (39 page)

“No. Thankfully, we can get our answers elsewhere. At this point I don’t think I could live with myself if I had to use Samantha to garner facts on—” Abruptly, Rem broke off, as if sensing that he and Boyd were no longer alone. Slowly, like a tiger assessing its prey, he averted his head, searching the dimly lit walk leading to Boydry’s. Then, without warning, he grabbed the door handle and pulled, simultaneously whipping out his pistol.

His piercing stare met Sammy’s horrified one.

“Samantha …” Rem lowered the pistol, visibly shaken, and took a step toward her.

Sammy’s face drained of color, but she didn’t retreat. “Tell me what I’m thinking isn’t true,” she demanded in a fierce whisper. “Tell me.”

The agony in her voice tore at Rem’s heart. “What you’re thinking isn’t true.”

“You weren’t using me all this time? Last night … tonight in your carriage … everything you said, did …”

“No … dammit no!” Rem shook his head violently as he reached for her. “If you believe nothing else, believe that.”

“Rem? Who the hell … Christ!” Boyd went white when he poked his head out and saw Samantha.

“Go home, Boyd. Get some sleep. I need to talk to Samantha. Alone.” Rem drew Sammy against him.

The door closed quietly.

Dazed and unmoving, Sammy tried to grasp all she had just overheard. “Who are you, Remington Worth?” Her eyes fell on Rem’s pistol as he tucked it away. “Or should I say
Worthless?
Who are you really?”

Despite the drama of the situation, Rem felt himself smile. “I’m not the villain in a real-life Gothic, if that’s what you’re thinking. Listen to your heart, not your fanciful mind.” Softly, he kissed her hair. “Sweetheart, I know you’re confused. I can’t do a thing to abate that. But as far as what’s happening between us—it was,
is,
real. I am not using you.”

“All your questions about Barrett Shipping—the brig you commissioned Drake to construct—and now, what I just heard you say … you’re investigating those missing ships, aren’t you?”

“I can’t answer that.”

“You’re not really in any financial difficulty, are you?”

“No.”

Sammy leaned back, solemnly studying him. “I don’t know you at all.”

“You know me, Samantha.” Rem framed her face between his palms. “Better than I know myself, perhaps.”

Her eyes closed against the bittersweet pain. “You warned me, didn’t you? That there was a part of your life—as well as your heart—you could never share? But I didn’t listen.”

“Imp … look at me.” He waited until she complied. “You’re going to have to forget everything you overheard here tonight.”

Sammy met his penetrating silver stare and saw the gravity and magnitude of his command. “Just answer one question. Whatever you’re doing, whoever you’re working for, do you intend to harm my brother?”

He didn’t hesitate. “No.”

“All right.” Shakily, Sammy inhaled. “Then I’ve forgotten everything I heard since I alit from the carriage.”

A muscle worked in Rem’s jaw. “You humble me.”

“What can I do to help?”

“You can stay out of peril.” Rem glanced around, suddenly reminded of where they were. “What are you doing at Boydry’s? Before dawn, no less.”

“I needed to see you.” Sammy gripped Rem’s arms, reassailed by the emotional impact of her quandary. “Drake is in London. He knows about us.” Her eyes misted. “He’s forbidden me to marry you.”

“Damn …” Rem scowled, evaluating this unexpected development. “When you say he ‘knows about us,’ what exactly do you mean?”

“If you’re asking, does he know we’ve
been
together, I’m not sure. The argument didn’t get that far. I told him I loved you, that you were going to visit Allonshire today to ask for my hand.”

“And?”

“And he blew up. He told me he wouldn’t see you, nor discuss the idea of my wedding you. He ordered me back to Allonshire, immediately.”

“Under the circumstances, that doesn’t surprise me,” Rem muttered, his mind racing. He knew what had to be done. The question was, could he convince Samantha to comply without shattering her faith entirely?

“Imp,” he began, praying her belief in him was strong enough to withstand this inopportune test. “I have no right to ask this of you, especially after all that’s happened. But I’m asking nonetheless: do you trust me?”

“And I’m answering as I always have: I trust you with my life.”

A knot of emotion clogged Rem’s throat. “I’m honored as well as humbled.” Gently, he smoothed Sammy’s hair from her face. “Do as your brother says.”

She started. “What?”

“Go home with Drake. Spend some time with Alexandria and your new niece. Tell them you need time to think, to make plans. Tell them anything you want. Just stay at Allonshire until I come for you. And Samantha …” His hold on her tightened. “I will come for you.”

The doubt and betrayal he expected to see never appeared. Instead, insight, stark and absolute, illuminated Sammy’s eyes like a blaze of fireworks. “Whatever you’re involved in … it’s dangerous.”

It was Rem’s turn to be startled. “I’ve been told by hundreds of people that I am impossible to read; a true enigma.”

“Those people obviously weren’t in love with you.”

He stared deep into her eyes, and something painful and profound moved within his chest, blanketing the past in a dark and distant memory, spawning a soul-stirring emotion that terrified him with its intensity. “I love you, Samantha Barrett.” The words escaped before he realized he’d said them.

“I know you do,” Sammy whispered, twining her arms about his neck. “But I so needed to hear you say the words.” Joyful tears filled her eyes. “Thank you, Rem.”

With a low groan, Rem dragged her closer, capturing her mouth under his. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”

“So many things. You’re tender and caring, but at the same time fearless and protective. And loyal. A true hero …
my
hero.”

“Keep believing in me,” Rem breathed fiercely, pressing her head to his chest. “No matter how difficult it becomes, keep believing in me.”

Fear clutched Sammy’s heart. “I know you’re walking into danger.” She gripped his coat. “Please … be careful.”

“A hero would never refuse his heroine’s request,” Rem murmured, his voice hoarse with feeling. “Rest assured, my lady, I’ll soon be riding to Allonshire to claim you. Now go and await my arrival.”

I
THOUGHT I MIGHT
find you here.”

Alexandria crossed the library and sank down on the settee beside Samantha. “What are you reading?”

“I have no idea,” Sammy answered honestly, closing the book. “I’ve read the same paragraph seven times.”

With an understanding nod, Alex folded her hands in her lap. “Are you ready to talk?” she asked frankly. “Or is it too soon?”

A tiny smile touched Sammy’s lips. “I wondered what was taking you so long. I’ve been home for two days.”

“I thought you needed some time. Besides,” Alex sighed, shaking her head, “it’s taken me every bit of the two days to calm your brother down.”

“I’m sorry, Alex. This is the last thing you needed. You’ve barely regained your strength since Bonnie’s birth.”

“Despite Drake’s incessant worrying, I feel wonderful and have been up and about for days. As for your twinges of guilt”—Alex took Sammy’s hand in hers—“anything that troubles you, troubles me as well. In all ways but blood, we’re sisters.”

“I know. I …” Sammy’s eyes filled with tears and she launched herself into Alex’s arms. “I don’t know what to do,” she sobbed. “I’m home … and yet I’m not. I’ve only been away a fortnight, and yet it was a lifetime. I’m the same, and yet I’ve changed.” She drew back, wiping her cheeks self-consciously. “I never used to cry, and lately it seems that’s all I do. You must think I’m quite mad.”

“No, Sammy.” Alex stroked Samantha’s hair tenderly. “I don’t think you’re mad. In fact, I’ve felt very much the way you’re feeling right now.”

Sammy stared at her beautiful, self-assured sister-in-law. “When?”

“When I fell in love with your brother.”

Silence.

“You’re in love with Remington Worth, aren’t you?” Alex pressed gently.

“So much that it hurts. But everytime I try to say it, Drake flies into a rage. I don’t want to anger him, but I can’t stop loving Rem.”

“Drake worries about you, Sammy. And so do I. But it’s different for me; I’m a woman, and I remember what it feels like to fall in love with an overpowering, disreputable man. Unfortunately,” Alex grinned, “Drake remembers what it’s like to
be
that overpowering, disreputable man. And he’s terrified that Lord Gresham will hurt you.”

“I understand. Drake wants to protect me. But why won’t he give Rem a chance? Why does he refuse to even see him? I’m not so naive that I don’t know what Rem’s life was like before we met; how many women there were. But all that’s changed now, Alex. He loves me; I know he does. His intentions are entirely honorable. Why won’t Drake believe that?”

“He will … in time. But Drake still thinks of you as a child. You recall how vehemently he opposed the idea of your being brought out even one day before your eighteenth birthday.”

“Well, I’m eighteen and two months now. And he hasn’t improved.”

“My point exactly. He’s brooded since you left for London; over Smitty’s competence as a guardian, over your inexperience at rebuffing the immoral blackguards of the
ton.
And now, in Drake’s mind, his worst nightmare has been realized. One of those immoral blackguards has won your heart.”

“So what do I do?”

“Try to call on just a small amount of the patience that you and I are so severely lacking. Drake will soften; I promise.”

“If you say so.”

“Tell me about him.”

Sammy’s head came up. “Rem?” Her eyes glowed. “Oh, Alex, he’s so wonderful.”

“I’ve met him several times. He’s very handsome.”

“Yes … he is.” Sammy grinned impishly. “I fell in love with him the moment I saw him, even before we spoke. Was it that way for you and Drake, too?”

Alex’s lips twitched. “Actually, I think Drake and I would have killed each other if we could.”

“Yes, I know, but underneath it all, you were drawn to each other from that first instant. You probably fell in love right then and there but never realized it.”

“I won’t argue with you—our feelings for each other were certainly intense. But then, Drake is a very volatile man. Is Remington?”

“Yes … and no. Like Drake, Rem is a force to be reckoned with. But unlike Drake, Rem keeps his power carefully restrained. Outwardly, he’s so charismatic he makes women melt. Yet there’s something almost dangerously controlled about him, as if there’s a volcano inside threatening to erupt. At the same time, I know he’d never hurt me. Does that make sense?”

“He sounds much like your long-awaited hero.”

“He is.”

Silently, Alex contemplated Sammy’s radiant face, her own worry unappeased. After three inseparable years, she, better than anybody, understood Sammy’s innocent, fanciful mind. She also knew that if Sammy’s loving heart went astray, the results could be disastrous.

Taking a deep breath, Alex plunged right in. “Sammy, you say Remington is in love with you. How do you know?”

“He’s told me so … in words and in actions.”

“Then why didn’t he declare his intentions to Drake the day he was at Allonshire?”

“He was shielding me; he wanted to wait for the right time.”

“He told you this?”

“Yes.”

“But if he loves you, why has he made no attempt to reclaim you?” Alex raised her hand to stave off Sammy’s protest. “I know Drake ordered you back to Allonshire. But the way you described the earl, he doesn’t sound like the kind of man who could be deterred, even by Drake,
if he
wanted you—loved you—enough.”

Sammy had opened her mouth to reply, when Rem’s words resounded clearly in her head.
Imp … you’re going to have to forget everything you overheard here tonight. …Tell them anything you want. Just stay at Allonshire until I come for you. And Samantha … I will come for you.

Slowly, Sammy exhaled. “Rem hasn’t come for me because I asked him not to … at least not right away.”

Alex looked puzzled. “When did you speak with him?”

“I ran straight to his Town house after my argument with Drake.”

“Samantha, it was the middle of the night!”

“I barely noticed. Not that it would have made any difference. I could never have left London without seeing Rem.” She raised her chin. “Were you in my position, you would have done exactly the same thing.”

“You’re right. I would have.” Alex gave her a wry smile. “Or perhaps worse.”

“The decision to comply with Drake’s command was mine. Rem agreed to give me some time to talk to Drake and, hopefully, to change his mind. But he won’t wait forever. Any day I expect him to explode into Allonshire and come to blows with my brother.”

“Not a pleasant thought,” Alex commented dryly. “Speaking of waiting forever—” She broke off, unsure of how far she dared trespass.

“Rem has had scores of women,” Sammy responded to the unasked question. “But all that ended the day we met. He’s told me so himself … and I know it’s true every time I’m in his arms. Oh, Alex, I see the wonder of discovery in his eyes; as if he never knew he could feel these things, as if we’re both experiencing them for the first time—together.”

Alex cleared her throat. “Sammy, no matter how I phrase this next question, there’s no way to alter the fact that I’m prying. My only excuse is that I love you. So forgive my boldness. And if you choose not to answer, I’ll understand.”

“All right.”

“How far has this relationship progressed … physically?”

Sammy rubbed her skirt between her fingers.

“Pretend I never asked.”

“No, Alex, I want to answer you.” Sammy looked up, her expression tender, open. “You’re the one who explained to me what happens between a man and a woman, and how beautiful it can be when love is involved. Watching you and Drake—the way you look at each other—I could only imagine what you meant. Well, now I know.”

“I see.” Alex chewed her lip. “Did he seduce you?” she blurted out.

A grin. “Actually, I’m afraid I seduced him.” Seeing Alex’s stunned expression, Sammy explained, “Rem was being entirely too noble, worrying about my reputation and my inexperience. He did everything he could to discourage me. But to no avail. Finally, he just surrendered to the inevitable.” She leaned forward. “Alex, he arranged things so no one would suspect we were together, including the servants. He filled the room with flowers and wine. He was so incredibly tender, so loving … as if we were the only two people on earth. Seduction is born in the mind; making love in the heart. This was making love in its truest form.”