Magnolia hissed as she slammed the door of her room that night. She was angry and disappointed. At first, she thought she had done the right thing by telling him all that she had kept to herself.
Now, though, she could see that she had done the wrong thing. Adam had become overly protective. What if he was following me since the time I left the house?
She shook her head and covered herself with a blanket. Perhaps it was time to stop getting so close to Adam. She wasn’t going to allow anyone to stand in the way of avenging her family…not even Adam Avery or her feelings for him!
Chapter 16
Miss Magnolia Richmond
“You should not be too cross with him,” Caroline said to her, two days later. “Lord Strickland was only trying to protect you.”
Magnolia scoffed, trying to sit still while Mrs. Clarke arranged her hair. “Protect me? I must say that my thoughts on this are far different from yours, Caroline. If indeed he is trying to protect me, I daresay he is doing a poor job of it. I have a feeling he is trying to control me and I cannot allow that!”
Caroline sighed. “You cannot be angry with him. He only feels responsible for you.”
“Protecting me is not his duty. I can take care of myself,” she said, before standing up once Mrs. Clarke was finally done. “Thank you, Mrs. Clarke. Please help me to choose a gown for the ball tonight.”
The woman nodded, advancing towards the closet.
“Will you not be attending the ball tonight, Caroline?” asked Magnolia, as she joined her friend on the bed. Lord Townsend, a close friend of her father was holding a ball that evening. She knew she was supposed to be dressed, but she loved taking her time.
Caroline shook her head. “No. I do not feel too well for a ball tonight. You can go and tell me all about it.”
While they were talking, Aunt Dorothy walked in. She was fully dressed for the ball and looked surprised upon seeing that Magnolia was yet to be dressed.
“What is taking so long? We should be on our way already.” Then Aunt Dorothy looked at Caroline. “Oh, my dear, what happened to you? Are you not going with us to the ball?”
Caroline shook her head. “I am afraid I am too tired tonight. I shall stay back at home.”
“I am so sorry about that,” said Aunt Dorothy, and then faced her niece. “You must know that Adam is around and waiting downstairs.”
Magnolia was surprised. “What is he doing here? And why?”
Her aunt threw her a surprised look. “It is not a crime for him to want to chaperone you to the ball, is it?”
Magnolia frowned. She had to be careful so as not to get her aunt suspicious. She was also angry, wondering what Adam was up to.
“No, of course not. I shall thank him when I see him.”
“Good,” replied her aunt. “Now, you should hurry up with getting dressed. Time is almost gone, and I would not want him to be kept waiting for long.”
Magnolia watched as her aunt left the room and exchanged a knowing look with Caroline.
“You must be more careful, Magnolia. You do not want your aunt to know what is going on. You have to be nice to Lord Strickland, at least in the presence of your aunt.”
Magnolia nodded. “I understand. Aunt Dorothy is suspicious enough. I would not want her to think there is something more. If she finds out what I have been doing without her knowledge, she will be greatly displeased.”
“Miss Richmond, what about this pink gown?” Mrs. Clarke asked.
“That should suffice,” Magnolia replied, and she began to undress.
* * *
Adam Avery, the Earl of Strickland
Adam waited patiently in the parlor. He knew Magnolia would be furious with him. He wasn’t supposed to be here, but he felt guilty for the way they had left things.
The feelings he was having for her also worsened things. For the past two days, he had not been able to have a good night’s sleep without thinking of her. He was afraid for her safety and felt responsible for her protection.
If only she wasn’t so stubborn. If only she would listen to him and stop digging, perhaps he would be able to sleep at night and not think about her every waking moment.
He stood up as he heard footsteps approaching. Dorothy Richmond was coming down the stairs . . . followed by her niece.
Magnolia’s pink gown swept the floor behind her as she descended the stairs. Her hair was packed and rolled into a bun, held with silver pins which added sparkles to her beautiful face. Their gazes met briefly before she looked away.
“My lord,” she said with a slight curtsey.
“Miss Richmond,” he replied with a slight bow. “I hope you are not angry that I came unannounced?”
“Of course not. She is not angry. Come, dear! We should be on our way,” Aunt Dorothy said, as she led the way.
He turned to look at Magnolia but she looked away instantly. He sighed. He knew she hadn’t forgiven him.
* * *
Miss Magnolia Richmond
The ballroom was filled with people of high nobility. They had divided themselves into several groups and stood around laughing and talking while others were already on the dance floor.
After being announced, Adam, Magnolia, and Aunt Dorothy came down the stairs. By the time they landed, Lord Le Crussant – who turned out to be another baron – was waiting for them, since he was a friend of Aunt Dorothy.
“Miss Richmond. Miss Richmond,” he said, bowing to them both as they curtsied.
“It is good to see you again, my lord,” Aunt Dorothy said, before excusing herself with Lord Le Crussant.
Adam cleared his throat and walked closer to Magnolia. She shifted slightly, for she was still angry with him.
“Miss Richmond, I understand you are greatly displeased with me,” he stated. “However, you must know that my intentions are pure. I am only looking out for you, as James would if he were to be alive.”
Magnolia turned to face him. “I appreciate your care, my lord, but I can take care of myself,” she replied.
“How can I get back into your good graces?” he asked.
She paused. “I must warn you, my lord. I do not forgive easily.”
He chuckled, looking slightly impressed. “May I start by getting you some refreshment?”
She shrugged. “You may, my lord, if it pleases you.”
He chuckled, and so did she. She loved the little game they were playing. He left after bowing slightly.
Magnolia turned around, glancing around the room to see if she recognized anyone else – only to see a familiar face approaching her. Her lips twisted into a warm smile on seeing Nicholas Wilde, the Marquess of Longsheer.
She and Lord Longsheer had met during the time she was mourning her family. Prior to then, she had never seen him before.
He had come over to the manor to introduce himself as a friend of the family though Aunt Dorothy didn’t trust him and kept saying that she had never seen him before.
Lord Longsheer, however, explained that he spent most of his time traveling and had only come to call upon hearing of James Richmond’s demise. He visited Magnolia almost every day until the day she had left for Paris. They became good friends during that time, as he was incredibly nice and generous to her.
“My lord,” she said as he got closer, taking her hand to his lips.
“Miss Richmond,” he replied as he kissed her hands. “It feels so good to see you again. You look strikingly beautiful.”
She blushed. “I did not expect you in London anytime soon. What brought you here?”
“Oh, business as usual,” he said, with a laugh. “How have you been? How is your aunt? I suppose she might probably throw a fit if she should see me holding your hand like this.”
Magnolia chuckled. “Well, then you are in luck as she is busy dancing,” she replied.
“Why not go outside for a moment?” he asked. “I think we have a lot of catching up to do.”
She nodded and they walked out of the hall.
The ballroom was getting stuffy and she believed she could make use of some fresh air.
“So, tell me everything I missed while I was away,” said Lord Longsheer, taking her hand as they walked together.
“First, I plan to find out who killed my family.
The man stopped in his tracks and faced her. “That is a very dangerous plan, Miss Richmond. One that can put you into considerable danger. I remember you told me that you think they were murdered – that their deaths were not accidental. You still believe so?”
“Yes. I do believe so. And I think I might know who the killer is.”
* * *
Adam Avery, the Earl of Strickland
Adam watched as Magnolia spoke with another man. He had been following them and his jealousy was rising.
Who was this man and how did Magnolia know him? She was laughing and her hand was tucked into the hollow of the man’s curved arm. He couldn’t be more than thirty and five years of age, he thought, and tall and handsome enough with brown curly hair.
Adam doubted that this man had been a friend of James. If that was true, he would have known about it. He watched as they left the hall and he followed them, still holding the two drinks in his hands.
Once outside, he walked closer to them. When Magnolia saw him, she excitedly introduced him to the other man.
“Lord Strickland, this is Lord Longsheer. He was one of my father’s business associates and a good friend of mine,” she explained.
“And, my lord,” she said, turning to the other man, “this is Adam Avery, the Earl of Strickland and a great friend of my brother.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Strickland,” said Lord Longsheer with a warm smile.
Adam forced a smile. “Thank you, Lord Longsheer. However, I think it is time for you to leave.” He gave the other man a glare as cold as death.
Magnolia frowned. “What are you talking about?” she demanded.
“Well, Miss Richmond,” said Lord Longsheer, “I understand what your friend means. I think I shall take my leave and we shall see each other at some other time. It was good seeing you.” He bowed to her, kissed her hand, and left.
Magnolia whirled around to face Adam. “What did you do? Why did you do that?” she demanded, her eyes blazing with anger.
Adam gulped down both drinks and placed the empty cups into the tray of a passing footman.
“You had no right to do that!” she continued. “My lord, I am afraid you have gone too far this time. Do not talk to me again! I desire not to see you anymore!”
She walked past him on her way out, but he grabbed her hand and pulled her close to him so that they were away from prying eyes and passersby.
“What are you doing? Let go of me!” Magnolia fought him until they were alone. She was breathing heavily and so was he.
“Miss Richmond,” he said. “I am so sorry for everything that you think I have been doing wrongly . . . as well as for what I am about to do.”
“What are you talking – ” And before she could finish, he pulled her close to him and kissed her until she forgot all about saying anything at all.
* * *
Miss Magnolia Richmond
The rest of the words Magnolia wanted to say died in her throat at the sudden closeness of their lips. That forced closeness shot her heart into her throat and made her lightheaded with an unsettling mixture of emotions and physical awareness.
When his tongue parted her lips and teased her own tongue, something deep in her belly twisted and clenched and a flash of heat shot through her like a fire in a pan.
His arms tightened about her body to keep from escaping. She tried to push him away as he was a little rough. He touched the bare skin of her arms with his calloused palms but rather than being frightened, Magnolia felt only a sudden increased arousal. Adam’s breathing turned heavy. She found that she loved the scent of his breath, the taste of his lips, the smell of his hair…all she could do was allow herself to be swept away by it all.
This was the man she had been in love with for so long, kissing her at last, and she began to relax at the thought.
Magnolia became lightheaded as she kissed him back with the same urgency he kissed her with. She could perceive the sweet rise of heat in her body and the slowly growing ache between her legs.
She bit back a moan when he slid one hand down from her waist along her thigh. Struggling to catch her breath, she tried to push his hand off of her thigh in an effort to ease the effect it had on her senses.
This was wrong. What if someone finds us here? I must stop this! With all of her effort, she pulled away from him.
“Magnolia,” he whispered, in his most seductive tone. His voice was heavy and eyes darkened with lust.
“This does not change anything,” she said, breathing heavily. “I still do not want to see you again. Please do not follow me.”
Magnolia walked away, back to their carriage. She could feel Adam’s stare as she hurried away, even while fighting the urge to turn around and run back into his arms.
Chapter 17
Miss Magnolia Richmond
Two days had passed since the time Magnolia and Adam had kissed at the ball, but to Magnolia it felt as though it had just happened. She found it difficult to let go of the memory of his lips on hers and his hands on her thigh . . . and the way she desperately craved for something she didn’t understand.
She sighed as she took her bath. Adam did not come to the house. Nor did he write. He must have realized she meant every word, but – did she?
No, she did not. Not after the intimacy they shared. Not with the way her body still responded to the memory of their time together. She couldn’t deny that she wanted more of him.
Magnolia shivered at the thought of being naked with him. It was too much and made her feel like she might just explode.
Eventually she got out of the bath and walked towards her bed, wrapped in a towel. She stood in front of the mirror to dry off, but then she caught sight of a white paper on her mirror stand. Written boldly on it was Magnolia. It was underlined thrice, to mean urgency.
At first, she didn’t touch it. Had Aunt Dorothy left a letter for her? Her aunt could have called her attention to whatever she wanted to say to her. Even if she was the one who had come in, why didn’t she just say what she wanted to say instead of dropping off the letter?
“Magnolia, dear,” her aunt called, opening the door of her room. “I have a tea gathering. I will be back in an hour’s time.”
“Is that what you wrote in the letter?” Magnolia asked.
Her aunt frowned. “What letter?”
“This.” Magnolia held it up.
Her aunt frowned. “Is this a joke? Why would I give you a letter when I could simply tell you what I want to say?”
Magnolia stared in surprise. “So, you mean you really did not write this?”
Her aunt shook her head. Just in time, Mrs. Clarke walked in.
“Mrs. Clarke. Did someone come into this room while my niece was in her bath?” Aunt Dorothy asked.
The woman stared at both of them. “I left only briefly and just now came back. But I cannot imagine anyone was in here.”
“Well, who wrote this, then?” asked Magnolia, still holding the letter.
“Oh, that,” said Mrs. Clarke. “I found it beside your pillow this morning when you were in your bath. I put it on your mirror stand where you could easily see it.”
Magnolia and her aunt exchanged glances. “Well, who wrote it, then?” her aunt asked in bewilderment. “Maybe you should open it. Let us see the content!”
Magnolia swallowed and tore the letter open. It was written in bold letters.
Stop digging or you will end up like your family!
Be warned!
The letter dropped from her fingers. Her hands trembled. Aunt Dorothy picked up the letter and gasped.
“What does this mean, Magnolia?” she cried. “What have you been doing?”
“Nothing,�
� she lied.
“Do not you lie to me! What does the word ‘digging’ mean?” Have you been doing something you should not be doing?”
Trying to find out who killed her family was something Magnolia felt she ought to be doing, so the answer to that would be, “No!”
“Oh! Dear Lord!” her aunt cried, sitting on the bed while holding the letter. “My frail nerves cannot bear such horror! What does this even mean? Was it a bad idea to have come back here?”
Even though Magnolia was terrified, she knew she had to be strong for her aunt’s sake. “Everything is fine, Aunt Dorothy,” she started.
A Mysterious Quest 0f A Seductive Lady (Regency Historical Romance) Page 12
