Page 70 of A Scandal at Stonecliffe

“I should have known better than to wear new shoes on a trip,” she said, unbuttoning the red leather half boots and pulling them off. She dropped them on the floor and lay back on the sofa, resting her head on the arm of the couch and idly watching Nathan kneel to light a small fire in the fireplace.

When he was finished, he joined her on the couch. Lifting her feet, he set them on his lap and began to massage them.

“Ahh.” Verity let out a blissful noise. After a moment she said, “You’ve been very quiet today.”

“Have I?” He glanced at her, the corner of his mouth lifting in a faint smile. “No doubt I’ve been nursing my wounds after having my theory about Lord Arden squashed.”

The truth was he had been feeling strangely let down, the feeling increasing as they drew nearer to London. It was absurd. He should feel overjoyed that they’d proved that he was his father’s legitimate son and heir.

He was glad of that, of course, and it was even a bit heartening to learn that his actual half brother was not the one threatening to bring scandal down on the Dunbridges. His world had been restored; he could go on just as he always had. And yet...

There was something in him that mourned a little. The prospect of a new life had been exciting, even if it was somewhat alarming. He was sorry to let go of the plans he had daydreamed about—becoming a detective, working with Verity...being with Verity. In short, continuing to live as they had the last few weeks.

But he wasn’t going to tell Verity that. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know how she would react. So he said only, “I’ve been thinking about what we should do tomorrow. Where to start. I can’t think Shoemaker and Hill would return to the places where we found them before.”

“You’re probably right, but it’s worth a try. Old habits are very hard to break, even when you know they’re foolish. I could set ‘my’ urchins to looking for any of those three men. They can roam around everywhere without rousing any particular notice.”

“Perhaps we should get out and about tomorrow, make calls, go shopping. The theater—we should go to a play.”

“Why?” She looked at him quizzically. There was something else in her expression—something guarded. Nathan wondered if he would ever look at Verity and not be curious as to what secrets lurked behind her eyes. Probably not. But it didn’t bother him as much as it used to. Perhaps there was something to be said of a relationship where the past was not known, unlike his courtship with Annabeth. A certain allure of mystery and continual discovery.

“Well...because I want to. It’d be nice, don’t you think?”

Verity hesitated, and Nathan felt a pit in his stomach as he waited to hear the words he had been dreading for days. Their affair was coming to an end.

“Yes,” she finally answered. The cloud he had seen before left her eyes, and her face grew relaxed and warm. The foot rub was obviously having a good effect on her. He wondered if it was awakening feelings having nothing to do with her feet, as it was him. “I’d like that.”

“And, to be practical about it, we have been out of town a good while, so if our blackmailer has tried to call on us again, he’s had no luck. He may be on the watch for us.”

“For you.” Verity’s tone was one of correction. “You are the one the imposter will be looking for. I think perhaps I will wear a disguise. A wig, at least.”

“Really?” Nathan wasn’t sure why he cared. Yes, he loved the brilliant hue of Verity’s hair, but it wasn’t as if she looked any less beautiful as a blonde or a brunette. Still, it felt...as if she was hiding herself from him. “Why?” He frowned.

“I’ve stayed quite long as Mrs. Billingham, I think. I worry that I might become a bit too well-known amongst the ton at this rate. I still need to be able to do work for other clients.”

“But the ton already knows of our courting. I can’t very well just be seen out with someone that looks strangely like Mrs. Billingham. No wig could hide your beauty. And I’m assuming you aren’t suggesting I take a street urchin to the theater.”

Verity laughed. “No, I suppose that would draw even more attention. It can’t hurt to take out Mrs. Billingham once more.”

“How about twice?” Nathan paused, then added, “I also thought we might pick up some sweets.”

“Fairborn’s Confectionary.” Verity gave him a crocodile smile, all teeth and wicked intent. “Clever boy.”

“I thought so. If we want to catch sight of our targets, it’s one place we know at least one of them goes regularly.” Nathan pressed his thumbs into the instep of her foot, and Verity let out a soft groan, sounding so much like a woman in the throes of passion that it sent a lance of fire through Nathan. He drew a shaky breath and continued his work, though now he was less rubbing away the soreness as tracing idle patterns on her skin.

Nathan studied Verity’s face as he stroked her feet and ankles. She’d closed her eyes, her lips faintly parted, and a blush tinged her cheeks. Her breath was a trifle faster, and he could see the throb of the vein in her throat. His loins tightened. “But right now...” He slid a hand farther up her leg. “I have something much better in mind.”

Verity sucked in a little breath as he teased at the soft skin of her inner thigh. She opened her eyes and cast him a demure look. “Why, Mr. Dunbridge, are you trying to seduce me?”

“Am I succeeding?”

“Hmm. Let me think.” Verity crossed her arms beneath her head and sent him a tantalizing smile. “It might take some effort to convince me.”

“In that case, perhaps I should try harder.” His hand went up, sliding beneath her undergarments and over her skin to the juncture of her legs. His finger moved over the sensitive skin, hot and slick, flooding with moisture at his touch. “Why, Verity...I do believe you’re lying. You seem very receptive to me.”

Her only response was to bend one leg at the knee, opening herself more to him. Desire pulsed through him now, but Nathan was patient, reveling in the buildup of hunger inside him, the knot growing ever tighter, as he watched Verity’s face. He could see every new pleasure as it went through her, each soft gasp and sensual smile, the golden eyes growing ever more lambent and dreamy.

Nathan pulled his hand back, and Verity’s eyes flew open. “Don’t stop.”