Andrea Kane (27 page)

“So you came to me,” she whispered, tenderness softening her features. “Thank you, Remington.” She lay a trembling hand on his jaw. “I’d want it no other way.”

With a muffled oath, Rem dragged her into his arms, kissing her with a clawing, bottomless hunger. The raw vulnerability that had accompanied him from Allonshire merged fiercely with the primal possessiveness now raging through his blood. He wanted to absorb her into himself, ease the gnawing ache in his soul with the sweet balm of her body, bury his pain, his jealousy, and his bewilderment deep inside her, along with his seed.

Sammy twined her arms around his neck, standing on tiptoe to lean into his kiss and give him hers. Her tongue glided into his mouth, stroked slowly along his, then ran lightly over the tingling surfaces surrounding it.

Cupping her soft bottom, Rem lifted Sammy up and against him, hard and fast and fully, pressing his rigid arousal between her thighs in such a way that it burned right through the ineffective barrier of her gown.

“Rem …” Half moan, half sigh, it was enough, when combined with the inadvertent, tantalizing motion of her hips, to strip away the last of Rem’s control.

“Christ … I want to lock that bloody door and take you right here. Right now. On the floor.” Rem rasped the words into her parted lips. “I couldn’t even make it to a bed, that’s how badly I want you. Samantha …” Kneading her buttocks through the layers of silk, Rem urged her closer, melding their lower bodies into one. He rocked his hips against hers, delving as deep into her softness as their clothing would allow, so frantic to brand her that he was shaking. “Tell me you want me,” he demanded hoarsely. “Say the words.”

“I want you,” she managed. “So much, Rem.”

“Only me.”

“Only you.”

Rem lifted his head, stared into her magnificent jade-green eyes. “I can’t wait anymore.”

Not even a whisper of fear crossed Sammy’s face. “I don’t want to wait. Please, Rem, find a way.”

He felt her heart pounding against his. “Samantha …” There was so much to say, and no words with which to say it.

“The necklace means nothing,” Sammy tried, mistaking Rem’s silence for brooding. Easing out of his embrace, she reached behind her neck to unclasp it. “I’m not even certain why Stephen gave it to me.”

“Oh, I know exactly why he gave it to you.”

“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 inform 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 Rem’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 all.” 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?”

“Even if they want me.” Her eyes twinkled. “And even if they’re incomprehensibly affluent.”

Rem’s dimple flashed. “No gifts, you said. Does that mean I needn’t take you to Hatchard’s again?”

“No, it definitely does
not
mean that,” she teased back. Abruptly, her laughter faded. “What it does mean is that you needn’t agonize over your lack of funds. Your
temporary
lack of funds,” she corrected herself. “One of your investments will prosper, you’ll see.” Another radiant smile lit her face. “Heroes always prevail.”

Heroes. Investments.

Abruptly, Rem remembered he had important news for her. “You may be right about one of my investments proving successful. I entered into a business arrangement today that I think will be a long and profitable one.”

“Oh, Rem, that’s wonderful!”

“I think you’ll be interested to learn more about it, not to mention the name of my colleague.”

Sammy’s brows drew together quizzically. “Why? Do I know him?”

“Quite well.”

“Who is it?”

“The Duke of Allonshire.”

“Drake?” Sammy clapped her hands together. “You met with Drake today?”

“I did. But before I tell you the details, there’s a small bit of news I think you’ll want to know.” He grinned. “You’re an aunt again, imp. As of approximately two hours ago you have a niece.”

“A niece!” Sammy clutched Rem’s forearms. “Is the baby well? Is Alex well? What’s the baby’s name? Who does she look like? How did Gray take the news? Is Drake ecstatic? Is Alex exhausted? Is Humphreys telling all the world yet? Does Smitty know?”

“Enough!” Rem’s shoulders were shaking with laughter. “I can scarcely remember your questions, much less think of answers to them. My information is sketchy at best; I left the moment your brother received the announcement.”

“Received the announcement? Wasn’t he at Alex’s bedside?”

“No. Evidently, Alexandria felt things would go easier if Drake weren’t present.”

“In other words, he was a nervous ninny and Alex tossed him out.”

“Precisely. I
can
tell you that both baby and mother are well, and your brother is euphoric. If my suspicions are correct, your nephew—whom incidentally I met and found to be a thoroughly enjoyable little lad—is thrilled with his new sister, long having abandoned the foolish notion of wishing for a brother. Your butler, Humphreys, did appear to be bursting with pride, so I assume he began notifying the world of the babe’s arrival immediately following my departure. As for Smithers, I rode here directly from Allonshire, so, unless someone’s carriage is faster than mine, your brother’s valet couldn’t possibly have received the news yet. Lastly, so far as the infant’s name and physical attributes, I wasn’t told.” Rem paused to inhale deeply. “Have I covered everything?”

“Oh, yes! Oh, Rem how wonderful!” Sammy threw her arms around his neck. “I’m so happy … I can’t wait to meet my new niece!” Leaning back, Sammy smiled delightedly up at Rem, a magnificent idea dawning in her eyes. “Would you take me to Allonshire?”

“Sweetheart …” Rem hesitated, trying to think of a way to present the reality to his naive Sammy. With her customary exuberance, she could see naught but the rightness of his accompanying her to her brother’s house.

He, fortunately, could see beyond.

“Samantha.” He caught her hands, easing her away from him. “I don’t think Drake would think kindly of my escorting you to his home.”

“But you said you’re conducting business with him … surely you must be on good terms?”

“I am and we are. I’ve commissioned Barrett Shipping to construct a brig for me.”

“You did?” Sammy chewed her lip, perplexed. “But how will you pay for it?”

A brief pause. He hated lying to her. But to tell her the truth meant to justify his original lie, which in turn meant to jeopardize his identity and his mission. “I managed to secure a loan.”

“Why do you want a brig?”

“I plan to begin my own fleet. Hopefully, my ships will succeed in safely traversing British waters.”

“I see. And is Drake enthusiastic about the idea?”

“He appears to be, yes.”

“Then why won’t you escort me?”

“Imp, we’re talking about your brother. A man who protects his family like a wild animal protecting his pack. All I did was mention I’d seen you at a party or two, and he coiled to strike. Imagine his reaction if I appeared at your side for a family visit.”

Color suffused Sammy’s cheeks. “What did he say?”

“Oh, a few pointed comments about my reputation … and a few others about your innocence. He subtly—but emphatically—warned me to stay away from you.”

“Did you tell him that we—”

“I told him nothing.”

Sammy sagged with relief. “Then there’s no reason why you can’t accompany me to Allonshire.”

“There’s every reason why I can’t accompany you to Allonshire, sweet.” Rem trailed his fingers up the side of Sammy’s neck, feeling her inadvertent shiver. “Samantha, I want you. Every nerve ending in my body is screaming to be inside you. And you want me. It’s in your eyes, your touch, the intimacy of your gestures. Drake is one of the most astute men I’ve ever met. Do you honestly believe we could hide this”—Rem brushed his lips slowly, heatedly across hers, capturing her soft sigh with his mouth—“from him?”

Anxiety clouded Sammy’s face, another worrisome thought intruding. “Rem, you’re not changing your mind? I mean, you haven’t decided not to …” She blushed.

Brushing wisps of sable silk from Sammy’s nape, Rem smiled at her enchanting honesty. “I couldn’t walk away from you if my very life depended on it,” he replied huskily. “Not for your brother. Not for anyone. Does that satisfactorily answer your question?”

“Yes.” Relief surged through her.

“However,” Rem rubbed his thumb across her moist lower lip, “that doesn’t mean I should flaunt my desire for you in Drake’s face. I admire the man. And he and I are working together, yes. But working with me is one thing. Approving of my involvement with his little sister is quite another.”

“I’m a grown woman,” Sammy defended hotly.

Rem’s smile made her bones melt. “Yes, imp, I know.” He buried his lips in hers for another long, drugging kiss. “God, how I know.”

“Very well,” Sammy acquiesced, languorous and dreamy. “I’ll make arrangements to visit Allonshire myself. Smitty will escort me first thing tomorrow morning … if I can restrain him that long. He’ll be nearly as eager to hold the new baby as her father is.”

“Be back by nightfall,” Rem murmured, kissing the fragrant hollow behind her ear.

“Nightfall?” Sammy wondered if her legs might give out.

“Um-hum. Be dressed by nine. My carriage and I will arrive then. There are a host of balls and soirees we’ll be attending.” Rem nuzzled her neck, his breath hot, explicit. “And, imp? Forget what I said about keeping me fashionably waiting. This is one night I want you to be ready for me. Very ready for me.”

Samantha’s eyes slid shut, liquid heat coursing through her in wide rivers of trembling need. “Tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“Rem … how will you manage … ?”

“Trust me.”

“I do.”

“Good.” Ever so slowly he released her, bringing her fingers to his lips. “I suggest you retire early, my lady. I don’t expect you’ll be getting much sleep tomorrow night.”

W
HITE’S WAS BUSTLING WITH
activity—the perfect release for Rem’s restless energy. He strolled into the card room, thinking how beautiful Samantha had looked when he’d left her, flushed and impatient, eager to retire early so the morning would arrive that much sooner. The morning … together with her visit to Allonshire … and the dark magic of the night to follow.