Free The Secrets of a Lady by Jenna Petersen Page B

“But I know you can take care of yourself. You have Noah to protect you if you need him, and Hannah. I won’t make the same mistake again.”
    She dipped her head and nodded sadly, her look grave as she picked at the food on her plate. Instinctively, Griffin reached across to take her hand.
    “I’m sorry.”
    He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze, as he wondered what exactly he was apologizing for. Perhaps for the kiss they’d shared the night before. Perhaps for the one they’d shared years ago. Or maybe because he was sorry. Sorry he couldn’t… shouldn’t take more.
    For a brief moment when she looked up, he saw the volumes of emotion she felt, then she covered them with whatever skills she’d been taught as a spy.
    “Please don’t trouble yourself, Griffin.” She placed her hand over his. “I’m no fragile dove.”
    “Excuse me,” came a cold voice from the door.
    Like guilty children, both of them snatched their hands away. Griffin glanced over to the doorway to see Noah staring at them. He looked angry, and Griffin had the sudden realization that his friend knew about the previous night’s kiss. With a grimace, he stood up. Noah looked like he wanted to rip Griffin’s heart out, so it was best to face him on more equal ground.
    “Good morning.” Griffin motioned to the chair to his right while he kept a close eye on his best friend. “I trust you slept well and…”
    “Audrey, will you give my friend and me a moment alone?” Noah growled.
    Audrey stood up to smooth her skirts as she looked from one man to the other. “Noah.” Her tone was a warning and a plea all at once.
    “ Audrey ,” he answered, finally glancing at her pointedly.
    She placed her hand on her brother’s arm and squeezed. “This is ridiculous. Please, let’s have our meal together without any problems.”
    Griffin saw volumes of unspoken communication pass between the siblings, then finally Audrey sighed in exasperation.
    “You men! If you insist on destroying a lifelong friendship over a stupid…” Her gaze flitted to Griffin briefly. “… a stupid mistake, then what can I do about it?”
    With a flounce of her skirt, Audrey left the room, slamming the great oak door behind her and leaving Griffin alone with a man who looked as though he wanted to eat him alive.
    Clearing his throat, Griffin asked, “Is Audrey correct? Are you intent on destroying our lifelong friendship?”
    “How can you ask me that?” Noah stepped closer. “ You are the one destroying the bond between us, not I!”
    Griffin had to work at maintaining his own cool in the face of his friend’s ugly accusation. “And just how am I doing that?”
    Noah’s voice was dangerously low. “Audrey. I thought I made it clear just how easily you could hurt her!”
    Griffin sat down at the table and stirred his tea while he tried to maintain his façade of calm. “My relationship with your sister has nothing to do with my friendship with you. She is a grown woman, long past the age of majority. If she chooses to spend her time in my company, then it’s really none of your affair.”
    Noah’s face darkened a shade and the vein in his forehead began to throb as he gripped the back of the carved dining room chair.
    “Actually, it is my affair.” His voice was harsh in the quiet room. “Not only am I responsible for her as her brother, but starting any relationship with you could hurt her cover with Ellison.”
    “Oh, yes,” Griffin spat out, folding his arms. “I’d forgotten. You would much rather have your sister trading kisses with a turncoat in exchange for his secrets than with me.”
    Noah’s eyes narrowed. “At least I know where the turncoat stands, Griffin. Where do you? Are you planning to court Audrey? Are you planning to take her as your wife, or is your bed her final destination?”
    Stiffening at his friend’s observant, if cold, comment Griffin slammed a fist down on the table. “I would never harm your sister. She means…