A Rogue No More - Lana Williams Page 0,33

Graham be as concerned if he knew that Thomas was only his half-brother?

But his words made Thomas more determined to convince Annabelle she shouldn’t be involved in the situation in any way.

~*~

Annabelle watched the entrance to the Warenborough ballroom with a scowl that evening. If Thomas didn’t make an appearance, she’d have no choice but to pay a visit to Artemis Press on the morrow. Not knowing what he intended or if he’d received any new information was driving her mad. Even worse, the lack of communication from him hurt, especially considering that kiss. Apparently it had meant more to her than to him.

“What has you snarling this early in the evening?” Louisa asked as she joined her. “Aside from all this terrible talk of war.”

Annabelle smoothed her expression. “Merely an unpleasant thought.” She didn’t want to reveal her dilemma or Louisa wouldn’t let it rest until she knew all the details.

“Does the thought involve anyone in particular?”

“Why do you ask?” Annabelle tried to push away the image of Thomas. If her cousin realized with whom she’d been spending time, Annabelle would never hear the end of it. Subterfuge was much more difficult than she’d realized. It was simple to think of lying but an entirely different matter to actually do it with no one the wiser.

“Mother is certain you caught Lord Fuller’s notice at our ball.”

She smiled politely. “He was an excellent dance partner.” Though she didn’t care to mislead her cousin, the opportunity to better hide her relationship with Thomas was too good to pass.

“Do tell.” Louisa’s eyes widened. “Are you interested in him?”

“Not particularly.” Annabelle sighed. She didn’t have the heart to continue with the lie. Lord Fuller was a nice man, but she had no wish to further her acquaintance with him or any man.

Yet she couldn’t deny her attraction to Thomas. Perhaps if they weren’t working together on publishing as well as the murder, she could more easily ignore her feelings. Now he was driving her mad with his silence.

“Hmm. I’m not sure what to believe.” Louisa chuckled. “I will have to watch more closely the next time you dance with him.”

As long as she didn’t watch too closely when Thomas was nearby. Annabelle feared her emotions would make it impossible to hide her true feelings. How did a criminal cover the dark side of themselves? She gave herself a mental shake to ward off the question before it took over. The middle of a party was no place to ponder a murderer’s motive.

“Your ball was lovely. It must’ve been so much work to plan.”

“Mother was a tremendous help. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.”

“Did you enjoy hosting it?” Annabelle couldn’t imagine doing so. Her mother and father’s modest lifestyle meant they hadn’t done more than have an occasional dinner party or a family gathering.

“Most of it.” Louisa smiled. “Benjamin was very supportive.”

“Married life suits you.” Annabelle felt a pang of longing, much to her surprise. She’d always been so certain she didn’t want that life for herself.

“I like to think it’s love that suits me.” Louisa positively glowed. “I didn’t realize such happiness was possible until I met Benjamin.”

But how long would it last? Annabelle hated to think Louisa or Caroline would lose part of who they were when the men they loved demanded more than they could give. Or if a terrible loss struck, leaving them less than whole. She truly hoped nothing of the sort happened.

The back of her neck tingled, bringing an awareness that had her searching for the cause. She turned to see Thomas drawing near. Her heart quickened even as she admonished herself for her physical reaction. Was it only physical? She could no longer deny her emotional response to him as well. Before she could prepare herself, he greeted them with a bow.

“Good evening, Lady Granger. Miss Gold.”

They both curtsied and returned the greeting.

“Quite the crowd this evening,” Thomas observed as his gaze swept over the guests before pausing on Annabelle.

Was this how attraction built? A slow simmer that threatened something deeper, something more dangerous and delicious. This subtle dance that one hoped nobody else witnessed. The hidden question in the depth of his green eyes that asked how she truly was. The intense regard that suggested he wanted to hear all her thoughts by the way his gaze took in her entire face, lingering first on her eyes then her lips.

The flutters in her middle confirmed her suspicion. This was more than a simple attraction. Her breath slowed