Free Cloaked in Danger by Jeannie Ruesch Page A

for.”

Chapter Six
    Adam drew back slightly. What the hell did she mean by that?
    “Then...what? Why were you in his rooms? In his study?”
    “We all have our secrets, Lord Merewood. I will share if you will. Secrets are meant to be shared, don’t you agree?” She glanced toward the sharp turn in the path ahead, her intent clear. She wanted to be led into the dark. She wanted...
    God, he wouldn’t think straight if he considered what she might be offering.
    What secret did she have that involved Ravensdale? And why was she studying Adam? Even worse, did that please him?
    “I won’t let you hurt my family.”
    “So your secrets involve your family?” She stepped toward him, invading his space,
    He stepped back, though it galled him. “Compromising situations may be your modus operandi, but do not attempt that with me. Or my sister’s fiancé.”
    “I am not trying to trap a husband,” she snapped.
    “Then you truly are an Original. Ariadne Whitney, the Mythological Woman Not in Search of a Husband.”
    “I did not say I wasn’t looking for one,” she corrected suddenly. “But I have no intention of trapping a husband.”
    She cocked her head and reached up to twirl a piece of stray hair, which Adam—idiot that he was—couldn’t help but focus on. Even though he’d reminded himself at least a dozen times a day that she was trouble, that hadn’t stopped him from thinking about how soft she’d felt lying underneath him. It hadn’t stopped the instantaneous response of his body. And damn it, he needed to stop thinking in this direction. He needed something to divert him from her incredibly kissable mouth, currently drawn in a thin, angry line.
    Husband. Marriage-minded. Trap.
    Yet it didn’t add up.
    Most husband hunters guarded their reputation with zealous intent. One misstep on Aria’s part could destroy any chance she had of finding a titled husband, yet she treated her reputation with no more care than a fleck of lint on her skirt.
    And the men she’d seemed most interested in thus far were far from interested in marrying a debutante.
    Did she just need a challenge?
    “What are you after?” He didn’t bother to hide his confusion.
    If he took her at face value, she was as shallow as she appeared. But something hid behind her focused attention, underneath the tense way she held herself.
    There was desperation there.
    “Were you there when Blythe and the duke met in March? Were you at her home in the country?”
    Alarm clanged in Adam’s head. This was not a random question, a simple curiosity. Miss Whitney’s entire body was coiled, near sprung and ready for battle. Her eyes were wide and fierce.
    A pursuit of Ravensdale. Befriending Blythe.
    A strong curiosity about Blythe’s past with her first husband.
    Dread pooled in his belly and gurgled up into his throat. The nightmare was over. They had buried the man. The past was the past, and he was going to keep it that way.
    He had to shut this down. Whether she had deeper purposes or was avidly gaining information to use to trap someone in his family into marriage, he needed to keep this woman away from the people he cared about.
    He looked toward the supper boxes. “If I’m not mistaken, I saw you come in with someone. I’ll escort you back to him. And I advise that this be the last time you interact with anyone in my family.”
    “Blythe said the duke was at her house. Were you there?”
    “Miss Whitney, I am offering a friendly warning.”
    “This is friendly? I should hate to see your bad side, then.”
    “Take my advice to heart, or you will tarnish your reputation and your father’s as well.”
    “My father?” She stepped back, startled. “What do you know about my father?”
    “Your father’s work depends on benefactors. I know. I am one, and I’m well acquainted with many others. I would be quite displeased to see my investments damaged by your ambition and the ruination of your reputation.” He didn’t give a whit