Free Sweet Deception by Heather Snow

his eyes roving her face, searching for something.
    Emma quickly released her grip even as she tightened her lips and straightened her shoulders, determined not to show him her worry.
    “This is a highly unusual circumstance,” he said, finally. “I must decide what is best all around.”
    How utterly arrogant! And unfair. And completely like a man. “And what makes
you
thusly qualified to make such a decision?” The words flew out of her mouth,as they so often did, and immediately she wished to bite them back. It never paid for the mouse to anger the lion who held her in his paw.
    His green gaze held hers for so long, she thought she could distinguish a dozen subtle verdant shades in his glittering irises. “So very many things,” he said finally, enigmatic. “I will return in the morning, at ten. I expect to see your brother then, to determine for myself the truth of the circumstances. Then you and I will discuss what is to be done.”
    Derick stepped through the entrance of the town’s largest inn and pub, the Swan and Stag. It was the fourth such establishment he’d visited today in his effort to learn what he needed to without having to deal with Emma Wallingford.
    He couldn’t get her out of his mind. Even now, just the thought of her set his body on edge. Damnation. Well, at least the madness between them wasn’t one-sided. Wouldn’t it have been ironic, though, if the first woman he’d felt true desire for in years felt nothing for him? But Emma wanted him. Oh, she might pretend she loathed him, but he’d picked up all the signs of her attraction…the soft melting against him, the subtle shift of her scent, the way her amber eyes had darkened with desire. He’d wager that whatever little Pygmy was doing right now, she was doing it with him on her mind. He could take some solace in that.
    He wasn’t sure what to think about what he’d learned today about Emma’s brother. If the man was as incapacitated as she let on, Derick didn’t see how he could be the traitor. While many of the secrets had been passed prior to Wallingford’s accident, the information had continued to flow long after it. He would have to reserve judgment until he met the man, of course. Emma had certainly done her best to ensure that he wouldn’t get that chance today. Had she succeeded in keeping Farnsworthfrom her brother? Could that be one of the reasons this mission was still unresolved?
    And why the hell hadn’t Farnsworth made contact by now? There was always the chance he’d picked up another trail that had led him away from here. But if he had moved on, why hadn’t he sent word to the War Department?
    Well, Derick wasn’t moving on until he had some answers. And since Farnsworth hadn’t come to him, he had decided to look for the man himself.
    Derick stepped up to the bar. The pleasantly earthy scents of wood fire, meat stew and spilled ale filled the air, as did murmurs of conversation and the occasional guffawing laugh. And yet, as Derick stood waiting to be acknowledged, the lull of voices died out. He could feel the curious stares heavy upon his back. He loosened his shoulders to appear casually relaxed and pretended not to notice, withdrawing a coin from his purse and lazily placing it on the surface of the bar. It clicked loudly against the scarred wood, drawing the pub owner’s attention. The portly man was of middle years, and had the aches of one much older, if his slow, shuffling gait was any indication. As he approached Derick, the man lifted his chin, setting excess skin to jiggling.
    “I’m looking for a man,” Derick said. “He may have been in town off and on the past couple of months. Have you noticed anyone who doesn’t belong?”
    The owner flicked his eyes to the coin, but didn’t move to take it. Then he ran his gaze over Derick. “I notice plenty of people who don’t belong here.” He used the cloth he held in his hamlike fist to polish nonexistent dirt from the bar. “Lots of