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"You're suggesting that Stephen used the necklace as a tool to win my affections?"
"Among other things, yes."
"Then he failed miserably. It's your arms I want around me—not his diamonds. So please don't feel badly."
"I don't feel badly—I want to kill him."
Placing the necklace on a nearby table, Sammy said, "I'll return it. The next time I see Stephen."
"The next time ... and the last time," Rem instructed her. "Tomorrow when the viscount comes to call, I want you to i
nform him that you can no longer receive his visits, or his gifts. From now on you'll see each other only in public."
"I assure you, Lord Gresham, Viscount Anders was a perfect gentleman," Cynthia said coldly, hovering in the doorway. "In fact, I would venture to say that his intentions are far more honorable than yours."
"Cynthia, stop it," Sammy directed instantly, sensing Rem stiffen.
"The viscount has taken his leave," Cynthia reported in clipped tones.
"And so have you," Sammy returned. "Please excuse us."
"I don't think you and the earl should be left unchaperoned."
"Well, I do." Sammy raised her chin decisively. "And, should Smitty chastise you for abandoning your post, I take full responsibility for my actions. Please, Cynthia," she added, her gaze appealing, seeking her friend's understanding. "Trust me, if not Remington."
A flicker of tenderness softened Cynthia's dark eyes. "Very well, my lady. I'll await you in your bedchamber."
Rem watched Cynthia's departure, frowning. "She's so damned convinced I mean to hurt you."
"It isn't you. It's men."
"Then why not Anders?"
"Because she knows I care nothing for Stephen, so I'm not vulnerable to his charms." Gently, Sammy lay her palms on the front of Rein's waistcoat. "Whereas you . . ." She reached up to kiss his chin.
With a will of their own, Rem's arms closed around her, enfolding her against his chest. "Whereas I," he interrupted, "am so bloody possessive that I cannot bear the sight of another man giving you gifts. Or you accepting them."
"I should never have taken the necklace," Sammy murmured, inhaling Rem's wonderful masculine scent. "Nor would I, had Stephen not been so insistent. I'm terribly inexperienced at rejecting men while sparing their feelings."
"Damn his feelings."
"Rem ... I simply didn't know what to say. By the time I'd found my tongue, the necklace was fastened and Stephen was beaming from ear to ear." Sammy tilted her head back to gaze into Rem's smoky gray eyes. "I understand your bitterness; truly I do. But in this instance, it's totally unfounded. I do not require lavish gifts. In fact, I don't require any gifts at alt." She stroked the hard line of his jaw. "In truth, a mere smile from you would be preferable to a deluge of gems from other men. So please don't berate yourself."
"Berate myself?" Rem was totally at sea.
"I'm aware of your financial difficulties; you confided in me at the opera, remember? And I admire your relentless attempts to overcome the situation. Why, just this week you had two business meetings at Annie's. Surely something lucrative will come of those." Sammy's voice rang with conviction. "In any case, I want you to know I have faith in you. I know in my heart all your efforts will pay off and your luck will change very soon. I want that for you... desperately, but only because you want it for yourself. To me, it matters not. Rich or poor, you'll remain a hero. My hero."
For a moment Rem said nothing. Overcome, he just stared down into Samantha's earnest face, humbled by the selflessness of her words. Samantha thought his jealousy stemmed from the fact that he couldn't afford to heap expensive gifts upon her like her other suitors. And she was consoling him, telling him his monetary status wouldn't alter her feelings, assuring him he would soon recoup his losses, but that, should he not, her heart would remain his.
Too moved to speak, Rem turned his lips into Sammy's palm.
"I meant every word I just said," she reiterated, assuming his continued silence implied skepticism.
Slowly, Rem raised his head. "Did it ever occur to you, imp, that my jealousy has nothing to do with money and everything to do with you?"
"To some extent, yes. You did make it clear that you don't want me with other men. But you already know you have nothing to fear on that score. As I told you, I don't want other men. So naturally I assumed—"
"Even if they want you?"
