The Secrets of a Lady

they’ve had a few drinks and enough turns around the dance floor to make their heads spin.” She shrugged a shoulder. “No one feels they have to respect me, though. I’m only the bait for the traps my brother lays.”

“Isn’t it better that way?” he asked. Though his tone was nonchalant, she didn’t miss the way his hands gripped his glass even tighter. “You’re out of danger then.”

She rolled her eyes. “I am capable of doing more. I can shoot, in fact Noah says I’m good with a pistol.”

Griffin’s nostrils flared and his face paled. “I’m sure you are, but the thought of you in the middle of a gun fight…”

He trailed off as he finished his drink in one gulp.

“Why do you assume I wouldn’t come out the victor in such a situation?”

The one thing she longed for most was respect for her independence and capabilities. Though Noah allowed her into his world, he’d always kept her on the fringes. In fact, the case with Ellison was the closest she’d ever come to real danger. Now she desperately wanted Griffin, of all people, to recognize that she was competent enough to take care of herself.

His frown lengthened. “I’m sure you believe you could manage it, but…”

He stopped as he met her eyes, allowing her a glimpse of all the concern mirrored there. While it gave her a thrill that he cared enough for her to worry over her safety, she hated that he lumped her into a ‘helpless female’ category with everyone else.

“I could manage.” Rising from the chair, she walked to the fireplace. As she turned, she crossed her arms in a challenging stance.

“Well, with that look of pure venom in your eyes, I have a tendency to believe you.” He laughed as he stood up to come to her side. “Could we call a truce on this issue, Audrey?”

“I suppose,” she conceded.

She was surprised when he reached out to take her hand. He drew it to his lips gently, burning the delicate skin on her fingers as if she’d put her hand in the fire. Why did he push her away only to draw her back to him half an hour later?

“I’m sorry,” he said, as if he’d read her thoughts. His voice was husky as he released her. “I shouldn’t keep doing that.”

“Why do you?” Her voice trembled as she drew the hand he’d kissed up to her chest.

“I don’t know.” He backed away as he ran his fingers through his thick hair. “I keep telling myself I’m a fool for wanting you. That it can only lead to problems for us both, but then I get near you and…”

Trailing off, he uttered a soft curse. “I apologize again, Audrey. I shouldn’t speak so freely about such things.”

Her heart slammed against her rib cage. “Don’t. I’d rather you be honest with me than to lie and treat me like some fragile dove.”

A small smile lifted one corner of his lips. “I would never insult you by treating you as such. But I shouldn’t send you mixed messages either.”

She frowned. “What do you suggest?”

“Perhaps we should try to stay away from each other,” he said with a quick sigh. “Though we’ll be forced together at events, there is no reason why we should be alone.”

“I see.” She hoped her tone was noncommittal and didn’t reflect her disappointment. “If that’s what you want.”

He took a few brisk steps toward the door. “It isn’t what I want, Audrey. But I think it’s what both of us need.”

With that, he was gone, disappearing out the door. When she heard him enter his chamber, she covered her eyes with her hands. What had begun as such a glorious night had ended in bitter disappointment. Though she should have been familiar with such emotions, they hurt.

Taking her time, Audrey went to her own chamber. When Hannah appeared in the doorway from her room, Audrey smiled.

“I thought you were never coming to bed,” Hannah grumbled, her eyes heavy from dozing.

“I needed to speak to Griffin about tonight.” In the mirror, she saw her friend’s eyebrows shoot up. “Don’t fret. Nothing happened.”

It was a partial lie, but there was no reason to go into the whole exchange. As Hannah came and helped her take down the rest of her hair, Audrey watched her in the mirror. The only person who could help her understand men was the woman she’d come to trust over the years. Not only did she have experience, but Audrey knew she would keep any secret as long as it didn’t endanger their mission.

With a sigh, she said, “Hannah, I wanted to ask you a question.”

“What is it, love?” the older woman asked, putting another hairpin between her lips as she worked Audrey’s curls down over her shoulders.

“Well…” Heat rushed to her limbs. “I wanted to know exactly what pleases a man. What makes him want to go to bed with one woman over another? And what one can do to make him stay?”

Hannah coughed and sent pins flying across the room. “You’re certain nothing happened between you and Lord Berenger, now?”

Audrey’s face flushed darker, but she nodded nonetheless. “Nothing that I can’t manage.” She questioned if that statement was truthful. She certainly couldn’t say she’d ‘managed’ anything tonight. “But he confuses me and I want to know why he behaves the way he does.”

“Well, that is a whole other subject.” Hannah laughed, sitting down on Audrey’s dressing bench beside her. “I’ll do my best to explain the mysteries between a man and a woman, but I’m not sure you’ll like the answers.”

An image of Griffin’s mouth grinding against hers as their bodies moved together flashed into her mind. With a shiver she said, “I might just like the answers fine.”

Chapter Nine

Audrey gave Noah a quick glance. Her brother’s normally handsome, smiling face was darkened with a deep frown, his brows furrowed until they almost hid his eyes. Though he hardly ever showed this darker side, Audrey knew full well what it meant. He was worried and considering forbidding her to continue with their plan. But that was impossible.

“You worry too much,” she reassured him with a smile that was brighter than she felt. “What can he do to me in Griffin home?”

“More than I would like to imagine.” Noah folded his arms with a grunt. “After all, Ellison virtually assaulted you in a carriage right outside my bloody window.”

“Don’t swear,” she admonished with a quick grin.

Noah couldn’t help but return the smile as he shook his head. “Don’t take the man too lightly, Audrey. It’s dangerous to underestimate your enemy.”

She nodded, but barely heard his words of wisdom as she watched Ellison stroll from his home down the street. His stride was purposeful as he reached Griffin’s door. Stepping back from the curtain so he wouldn’t see her watching him, Audrey turned back to her brother.

“He’s here.”

“Well, at least wait until the maid announces him unless you want him convinced that you liked his wretched kiss.” Noah scowled. “You never could wait for the proper moment before you acted.”

“And you always wait too long,” she countered with a brief pat on his arm as she passed by him. “That’s why we work so well together.”

Glancing in the mirror to check her hair one last time, Audrey saw she was rewarded by a grin from her