Page 22 of Obsession: The Unspoken Sin
Alice had seen the way the other woman looked at the guard Roy. She knew Addien wasn’t as unaffected when it came to matters of the heart, though she likely believed herself indifferent.
Her friend narrowed her eyes. “Oi’d mind yer tongue, if I were you.”
Alice widened her eyes and feigned innocence. “I didn’t say anything.”
“You didn’t need to. Roy’s different,” Addien stated as absolute fact. “And either way, he doesn’t know Oi exist. Yer fine earl, on the other hand, very much knows it, and I don’t trust it worth a damn. Oi see the way he looks at you. It ain’t good.”
Her heart jumped. The way he looked at her?
Alice didn’t ask it.
But she wanted to.
Alice looked at the clock hanging on the wall. She was late. He’d be there.
Of course, he’ll be there, you ninny.They were his rooms, but he knew she was coming.
At first, it was an invitation and a request, and then it was an understanding. This meeting, however, would be different.
Addien never let herself reveal any emotion. This time, however, her features were arranged into a mask of nothing but worry. “Are you sure you want to do this, Alice?”
They’d already worked out that Addien would escort Laurel to Laurence’s suite so the two could be properly introduced.
“I want to do this,” Alice promised.
“Oh, Oi’m sure you want to do this, but do you think it’s a good idea?”
The unflappable maid’s uncharacteristic discomfort stirred Alice’s own unease.
No. She wasn’t sure of much anymore. Introducing Laurel as her daughter to Laurence would bring their relationship to a place, she knew wasn’t safe. He’d not prodded her or asked to see Laurel, but neither had he been secret in his interest about Laurel. He asked questions about what Alice’s daughter loved and liked. He wondered about her pastimes and hobbies. He quizzed her about the little girl’s favorite toys.
At first, she’d been close-lipped, but as time progressed, it had been natural to share. No, it was more than that. It’d felt so bloody good to share her daughter with someone whom she loved. In doing so, she and Laurel weren’t alone. They were part of a wee family, if even just for a bit.
“Then I’ll be along shortly,” Addien said with a slight hesitancy that conveyed her reservations.
And with the warning ringing in her friend’s tones, Alice headed to see Laurence. And as she did, she felt more alive than she ever had before.
Chapter 9
He knew she was coming. She’d never been late to visit during the times that were slated as her breaks during the day. He hated that her time was not her own. He wanted to give her every single second of every minute of every hour of every day so that it was her own with which to do as she pleased—to paint, to smile, to just simply be with her daughter. But this was what he had with her and of her—for now.
By the time she stood before him, his gut was a tight as his cravat had been when he’d begun waiting for her to arrive.
He just hadn’t anticipated the reason for her delay or what would be different about their meeting together this afternoon.
“Close them.” Alice gave him a teasing pinch, and not a light one either, pulling him from his thoughts.
Denbigh winced.
“I’d like to point out that since I’m being blindfolded, closing my eyes seems a tad redundant,” he said drolly.
Alice gave the black strip about his head an extra tight tug. “Oh, hush.” She finished tying the fabric.
Denbigh waited. And waited. And continued waiting.
When absolutely nothing happened, he checked to make sure he wasn’t alone, “Are you still here, Alice?”
“I am,” she piped in happily.
