“A book,” he replied, cursing the hasty reply when Springer gestured to the shelves, eyebrows raised.
Aware Springer had every reason to betray him, Arthur sauntered out of the library. “Another person the world should be rid of,” he muttered as he tackled the stairs leading to his chamber. A double shooting accident was beginning to look very appealing. He’d like to include Farnworth, but three bodies might raise suspicion. He’d seek the Watchman’s advice on the matter, though the prospect of venturing into Ancoats again tied his gut in knots. However, the first priority was planning how to steal the horse.
Sharing the News
“You look tired,”Rebecca remarked when Susan arrived in the morning room of the dower house.
“I didn’t sleep well,” she admitted.
“Oh?” her friend replied, eyes wide. “Why is that?”
Susan would never divulge anything of the intimacy she and Griff had shared. Emma and Gabriel should be the first to know of the engagement, but she itched to tell Rebecca who clearly suspected. “I was worried after our earls returned from Withins Hall last evening. Something’s going on.”
“Ourearls?”
“Very well,” Susan replied as heat rose in her face. “I suppose you’ve already guessed Griff asked me to marry him.”
Rebecca nigh on shook with anticipation. “And you said?”
“I accepted.”
Her grinning friend reached for her hand. “I’m so happy for you. It’s plain to see you are both in love.”
Susan couldn’t rid herself of niggling doubts. “I have deep feelings for Griff, but I doubt he loves me. He simply sees the match as advantageous.”
Rebecca gaped. “Did he say as much?”
“No, but logic says he’s marrying me because it’s his obligation to sire an heir, and he wants to gain control of Orion.”
“I didn’t get that impression when we were at Clifton Heights. He seemed to enjoy your company. However, I suppose the kind of thinking you describe is true of most aristocrats, but I’m surprised you would agree to marry under those circumstances.”
Susan understood her friend’s skepticism. “I know I’m not the kind of woman rakes are normally attracted to,” she admitted with a smile.
Rebecca frowned. “If you hope to change his ways, you should reconsider. I naively thought I could persuade Waterman to give up the gin. It was the biggest mistake I ever made.”
Susan shook her head, unable to think of a single thing she would change about Griff Halliwell. He was a skilled lover, a man who adored horses and who’d hidden his grief and loneliness behind the veneer of a roguish lifestyle. On top of that, he aroused her sexually and she couldn’t imagine living without him now that long-denied side of her had been unleashed. He was as essential as the air she breathed.
But she could share none of these innermost thoughts with Rebecca. Emma, on the other hand, was the closest things she had to a sister. “I wanted Emma and Gabriel to be the first to know, although, last night, I got the feeling your son already knew of Griff’s proposal.”
“Perhaps he learned of it on the drive to Withins Hall?”
“If Gabriel knows, then Emma certainly does. Still, I’d like to go over to the main house shortly so we can tell everyone.”
She didn’t mention she could hardly wait to see Griff again, though she hoped he wasn’t having regrets.
They’d barely finished breakfast when Jenkinson entered the morning room. “Pardon the interruption,” he said. “Lord and Lady Farnworth, Lord Pendlebury and Miss Crompton have ridden over from the main house.”
A wave of heat swept over Susan. Every nerve tingled. Perhaps Griff was also anxious to reunite. “Show them into the drawing room,” she replied as she stood.
*
Griff feared Susanmay have changed her mind now that she’d had a chance to reconsider her acceptance. He wouldn’t blame her. He’d tried to convince himself his proposal was the act of a madman, but the joy on her face when she entered the drawing room of the dower house swept aside his doubts. He genuinely wanted her as his wife.
She greeted everyone, but it was to him she offered her hand. The love in her eyes was only for him.
“I’m afraid I’ve let the cat out of the bag,” he confessed after brushing a kiss on her knuckles.
“We had to come,” Emma exclaimed, kissing Susan on each cheek. “Gabriel and I are delighted by the news.”