Page 99 of When a Lady Kisses a Scot
Bitterness laced Lady Ellicott’s tone. Did she suspect Gavin harbored feelings for Sophie? Would that make her all the more dangerous?
Sophie met her razor-sharp gaze. “I assure you I’ve done no such thing. If the man is here, he seeks revenge.”
McNaughton moved to the door. Lady Ellicott admonished him to stand down.
“That is no way to greet our guest. There will be time for that later.”
Gavin stepped through the portal. His eyes locked with Sophie’s for the briefest of moments. An unreadable emotion blazed within the sapphire depths. He had not come for revenge.
He’d come for her.
Misery pierced her heart. He’d put himself in danger. If only he’d stayed away.
He turned his attention to Lady Ellicott. Recognition flared in his eyes. His gaze dropped to the gun in her hand, then rose to the placid mask of her face.
“My God, it’s you.” Derision shaded his tone.
A venomous smile pulled at Lady Ellicott’s mouth. “I must say, this is a pleasant surprise. I wasn’t entirely certain you’d accept my proposition.”
Confusion flickered over his features. “What is the meaning of this?”
“I think that is rather apparent.” Lady Ellicott leveled her revolver at his chest. “Now, I’ll ask you to cast aside your pistol. Surely you did not come unarmed.”
Gavin removed the Webley from its holster and placed it on the ground. McNaughton secured it at his side.
“I’ve done my part,” Gavin said. “Now, let her go.”
“So gallant. Highly unusual in this day and age.” Lady Ellicott’s mouth thinned. “But then again, she did save your life…after my brother-in-law dosed you with my little concoction. I suppose it’s only fair.”
“The bastard at the club—bloody hell, it makes sense now. Where’s the coward hiding tonight?”
“He fulfilled his purpose. Just as you will.”
Gavin’s throat tensed. Anger pulled his mouth taut. “I’ve complied with your demands. Now, release Miss Devereaux.”
“Miss Devereaux?” Lady Ellicott’s brows hiked. “So…you don’t know.”
“What the hell are you talking about? Let her leave this place.”
“I believe you are referring to Miss Atherton.”
His forehead furrowed. “What—”
“She’s right,” Sophie said the words as a confession. “I was not at liberty to tell you—there was still a chance I’d be sent to a secure location on the Continent. I could not reveal my true identity, not even to you.”
“I assume you already know she is a reporter,” Lady Ellicott said. “But she undertook this investigation in the Queen’s service. She is a spy. Andyoumay well have been her quarry.”
“That’s not true,” Sophie protested.
Gavin’s jaw tensed, but he offered no acknowledgment. “Now that I am here, Lillian, do you care to inform me why I have been summoned?”
“It seems we had a common interest. His name was Peter Garner.”
“He was my colleague—my friend. What was your interest in him?”
“I am the one who ordered his death.”
…
