solicitor if you doubt us.”
He ignored her, not doubt considering her outburst unreasonable. “Your father has been to London before?”
“Many times, I imagine. But some years ago. Why do you ask?”
The couple abandoned the gazebo. Laughing together, they came toward them on the path. After they passed, Reade took her arm and drew her reluctantly along with him up the rise. “I apologize for these questions, but I need to know.”
“You might tell me why,” she said again. “My family must be the most uninteresting people in London. My father is a decent man,” she added grittily.
“I don’t doubt he is.”
“You are most mysterious, Lord Reade.”
“I fear you must find me so.”
Jo scowled at him. “I do.”
They had entered the gazebo. Reade leaned his back against the rail, his eyes resting on her. How graceful he was, his long limbs arranged in a casual pose. Except that he was more like a tightly wound spring, she thought distractedly. And this was not a casual conversation between two guests at a party. What might he possibly want from her?
“Tell me more about your father. How long did he have the haberdashery store?”
She turned away from his penetrating gaze. It made her nervous and defensive.
Gripping the rail in her gloved fingers, she gazed out over the gardens, a web of luminescent light and shadow where the lamps and moonlight couldn’t reach. “Papa bought a farm after he left the navy, but his injured back made such work difficult. He had fallen from the mast onboard ship when he was young. He sold the farm and bought the shop ten years ago.” Her polite voice defied her churning thoughts. As if she chatted to the vicar after church. But a sense of foreboding sent a warning to her brain.
“How do you know the Virdens?”
She swung around to face him. “The Virdens? Who are they?”
“You claim not to know Virden?” He sounded skeptical.
“No. I’ve never met the man. Should I have? Is it important?”
He had moved closer, his eyes searching hers. “Perhaps not,” he said inscrutably.
“Then I am relieved, for I cannot supply you with the answers you seek and feel as if I’ve been playing a rather poor game of charades.”
He laughed. “Then, I apologize again.”
“I should like you to tell me what lies behind this inquisition.”
He huffed out a laugh. “Is it as bad as that?”
“It is confusing and disturbing.”
“I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to reveal my reasons. Shall we return to the house?”
Jo narrowed her eyes at him. “Very well.” She didn’t want to go back. She wanted to question him further about his interest in her father. But it would be a waste of time.
Descending the slope, they walked in silence until they reached the pretty water feature set in the carpet of green lawn. Moonlight made diamond ornaments of the water droplets as they fell. Jo watched them, attempting to order her thoughts.
“It’s a shame,” Reade murmured close beside her.
A frisson of awareness rose up her neck. “What is?” She turned, caught by the softer note in his voice.
“A beautiful night, a beautiful lady.” His voice was seductive, making heat ripple under her skin. “Any man in his right mind would steal a kiss.”
“Perhaps you’re not in your right mind, sir,” Jo said, fighting desire while still unsettled about his questioning. “I can make no sense of you tonight.”
He tilted her chin up with his palm. His thumb slid along her jaw, leaving a trail of warmth. She stilled, and her lips parted.
“It will all come to light, eventually.”
Jo swallowed. “What will?”
He dropped his hand. “The truth, Miss Dalrymple.”
“I think we should return to the house,” Jo said, turning away.
“Yes. Regrettably, I must agree with you.”
Suddenly furious with him, she balked at taking his arm but was obliged to when a group of people appeared on the path.
Really, the man was impossible! She had been right in her first assessment of Reade. He was involved in something serious and possibly dangerous. But what on earth had her father to do with any of it? Did he think she hid something from him? That if he’d kissed her, she would reveal it? But he changed his mind. Decided he would learn nothing from her. It was insulting. She was not a fool. She wanted to demand Reade tell her what lay behind his questioning, but there was no point. He was as mysterious as the Pyramid of Cheops.
After they reached the terrace, Jo dropped her hand from his arm