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‘Sh. Don’t say anything now. It’s not the time or the place. But I think that, when you have a moment, it is time for us to have a little private talk,’ he told me, too softly for anyone else to hear.
The problem was: Mr Rikkard Ambrose wasn’t just anyone.
Swallowing, I felt his ice-cold gaze burn into me from behind, cutting a path to my very soul.
I made myself smile up at Captain Carter. ‘I…look forward to it.’
*~*~**~*~*
I just want to make one thing clear from the start: I was not afraid of Captain Carter. Not of him, and not of what he might have to say to me. Fear had nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that, having made my excuses, I ran as fast as my hoop skirt would allow back towards my room and changed into blessedly male protective gear.
It was just more comfortable, clear?
All right, all right.
I admit it.
I’m a coward.
I didn’t want to have a talk with Captain Carter. At least not the one he had planned, which, I suspected, he could only have with Lillian, not with Mr Victor Linton. So I put on my shirt, peacock vest and tailcoat, and returned to the drawing room where the company had gathered, feeling like a new man. Literally.
‘Hello, everyone.’
I smiled as I closed the door behind me, trying to ignore the familiar icy stare burrowing into me from the moment I entered.
‘Mr Linton!’ Lady Samantha beamed. ‘Where have you been? The first of our guests have arrived.’
‘Linton?’ Captain Carter’s head jerked around and he blinked at me, his mouth opening a fraction at the sight. ‘Any relation of…good God! You must be. You’re her spitting image.’
I gave him a broad, friendly, thank-god-I’m-wearing-trousers smile. ‘You must be talking about my sister Lillian.’
‘Yes. Forgive me for expressing my shock, Sir, but the resemblance really is-’
‘-remarkable,’ I sighed. ‘I know.’
He was still staring at me. And he wasn’t the only one. The whole room was curiously gazing at Miss Lillian Linton’s identical twin.
Finally, the captain cleared his throat. ‘I was under the impression that Miss Linton had only female siblings.’
‘They don’t really talk about me.’ I gave a shrug. ‘I’m the black sheep of the family because I decided to work for a living. I am employed by Mr Ambrose as his private secretary.’
‘Ah. That explains it.’ The captain looked relieved, then seemed to remember himself and bowed. ‘I beg your pardon for addressing you without an introduction, Mr Linton. It was unaccountably rude of me. I was just so surprised…well, you are probably used to reactions from people who see you and your sister at the same time.’
‘That,’ I assured him, ‘happens rarely.’
‘Well, I am sorry, in any case. Now - the introduction. Marchioness, would you be so kind?’
Lady Samantha rushed in to introduce everyone to me - again - and then, when the attention was finally off me once more, and I was just readying to find a quiet corner with an iron door I could slip through to hide from Mr Ambrose, two female raptors descended on me without mercy.
‘Your sister is fabulous!’ Adaira gushed, grabbing me by the arm and dragging me over to a table with refreshments, away from the men. Another hand closed around my other arm, and I saw Lady Samantha, looking happier than I had ever seen her. Adaira squeezed my arm so hard it nearly fell off. ‘Why didn’t you tell us about her sooner? I’ve never seen anyone handle my brother like that! Actually, come to think of it, I’ve never seen anyone try to handle my brother and survive.’
Well, to be honest My Lady, the way his eyes are burning holes in my neck this very moment I’m not sure I am going to survive…
‘And she’s so warm and open,’ Lady Samantha sighed. ‘And what a lovely smile she has! Tell me, Mr Linton - is your sister engaged?’
My eyebrows shot up. The motive of her question was about as subtle as a flying brick in the face, and it…
It overwhelmed me.
