Page 193 of Storm of Bells
‘Um…’
Because I don’t want you to find a stash ofsecret documents in my underwear, that’s why!
‘Don’t worry, Mother.’ Mr Ambrose’s hand tookhold of my other arm. ‘I’ll take care of this.’
Lady Samantha’s eyes went as wide asextra-large Italian pizza dishes. With a force you wouldn’t havethought the little woman capable of, she smacked his hand away.‘You reprobate! Going into a lady’s bathing chamber before you aremarried?’
Mr Ambrose blinked. ‘No, that’s not whatI—’
‘Back! Back with you, you rogue, before youcorrupt this sweet, innocent girl completely! To think I believed Iraised you properly. Come on, Miss Linton. Your friends and I willtake care of you. I’m sure Miss Amy or Miss Cora would be delightedto help you with your bath.’
From Mr Ambrose’s direction, I heard amixture between the croak of a bullfrog and the growl of alion.
‘Oh yes.’ I couldn’t keep my eyes fromdancing. ‘Of course, with them my reputation will be muchsafer.’
‘Quite so.’
‘Just one thing, My Lady…?’
‘Yes?’
I nodded towards my groom-to-be. ‘Could yougive me just one moment with him, alone? I just need to tell himsomething, then I’ll go straight with you, I promise.’
‘Hm…’ She nibbled her bottom lip, obviouslyquite reluctant to let the two of us out of her sight before shehad the opportunity to jam a ring on my finger. ‘Very well. I shallwait over there, out of hearing distance.’
And I’ll watch you like a hawk, theunsaid words hung in the air.
Squeezing my hand more tightly, Mr Ambrosedragged me into the shadow of a marble statue, while Lady Samanthawaited at the top of the front stairs. Sliding his fingers up untilthey squeezed my shoulders, Mr Ambrose gazed down into my eyesintently.
‘What should we do? We don’t have time forthis!’
One corner of my mouth twitched up. ‘You meanyou have no spot in your busy schedule for getting married tome?’
His grip tightened until it was almostpainful as his icy eyes burned into me. ‘You know that’s not what Imeant?’
‘Of course. After all, I’m still yoursecretary. I can rearrange your schedule as I please.’
His hand slid up even farther, until it wasgently touching my cheek. ‘This is not the time for jokes, MissLinton.’
‘No. This is the time for reaching into myunderwear.’
‘Miss Linton!’
‘Shh! Your mother is watching.’ Manoeuvringhim around so he stood between me and the mansion, I stood up on mytiptoes to press a gentle kiss on his cheek. Covered by that move,I slipped my hand under my dress and swiftly pulled out thedocuments we had retrieved. My lips still lingering on Mr Ambrose’scheek, close to his ear, I pressed the documents into his hand.
‘Here!’ I whispered. ‘I’ll go with yourmother and get ready. I trust you to take care of this. You saidyou had a suspicion about what Dalgliesh is up to?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good. Find evidence. Enough to crush thatsnivelling worm!’
He gave a stiff nod. ‘I shall not disappointyou.’
‘Like I said—I trust you. And…’
‘Yes?’
‘I shall also trust you to be at the altar ontime.’ My eyes seared into his with absolute sincerity. ‘I don’ttolerate latecomers.’
