Page 62 of Evidence of Evil
Constance stamped mercilessly on his instep. “And I promise you pain.”
He emitted a muffled howl, surprised into releasing her, but even as she spun away, he grabbed her once more, and now his expression was ugly and his grasp designed to hurt.
“There is a word for women like you. You can’t entice me all the way over here and give me nothing in return. To the boathouse with you. I’ll have what I came for one way or another.”
It was a long time since she had allowed a man like him so close. The inevitable panic swamped her, but even so, the instincts that had preserved her more than once already had her twisting and lifting her knee. Before it could connect, another voice spoke, cracking through the tense air like a whip.
“And what exactly did you come for?”
Solomon.
Chapter Thirteen
Constance’s knees wentweak with relief, and she almost staggered when Darby released her as suddenly as if she really had assaulted him.How’s that for the fillip of discovery?
But Darby was an old hand. He chose the attitude of haughty entitlement, looking Solomon over with contempt. “Who the devil are you?”
It was a mistake. She could see the realization dawning on Darby as Solomon strolled toward them. He ignored Darby, his hard gaze on Constance, assessing her. Many people misjudged Solomon for many different reasons, but one glance assured her that Darby would not make the same mistake twice.
Solomon loomed, lithe, dangerous, just waiting for the slightest reason…
“My husband, Mr. Grey,” she said mildly. “Solomon, this is Mr. Darby of Shelton Hall.”
“And you came here for…?” Obviously, Solomon was not about to let the question go in favor of polite introductions, and Darby hastily changed tack.
“To call on my old friend Maule, of course. As you see, I was just in time to prevent your wife from falling completely into the lake. She had a fright. But I require no thanks.”
“Then I shall merely escort you both to the house.” Taking Constance’s numb hand, Solomon threaded it through the crook of his arm, and she clung to his warmth, inhaling his scent for strength.
Quite suddenly, she was safe again.
“When did you get back?” she asked as they walked around the line of trees and down the path toward the front of the house.
“Just a few minutes ago. The servants told me you’d gone toward the lake, so I followed.”
She was glad he had, even though he would no doubt think the worst of her for encouraging the likes of Darby.
“Then you don’t know if Maule is at home?” Darby asked, as though looking for an excuse to leave as quickly as possible.
“I believe he just arrived and is with Lady Maule and Mr. Niall from Fairfield Grange.”
“Excellent,” she said, nodding to the footman who opened the front door. “Then I shall go and change my dress.”
Leaving Darby to the footman who clearly knew him, she forced herself not to dash to the staircase. Even so, it was some moments before she realized Solomon was climbing steadily beside her. He said nothing until he closed the bedchamber door beside them.
“What happened? Did that lecher assault you?”
He wasn’t blaming her.
The knowledge stunned her. Even so, she managed to say lightly, “Not quite, though I very nearly assaulted him. You rather saved his—”
“What was the ‘falling in the lake’ story?” he interrupted her before she could be indelicate. “You certainly look as if you fell into something, and your skirts are wet.”
She shivered and fumbled with the fastenings of her cloak. He walked over, brushing her hands aside and removing the cloak for her. He untied her hat too and cast them both on the bed without looking at them. His gaze remained fixed on her face.
She swallowed. “Someone pushed me.”
“Darby?”
