Page 86 of His Sinful Touch

“He thinks Mr. Dearborn was misusing your funds?” Lilah’s eyes widened.

“Yes. That’s what Con has been investigating. He’s bribed a clerk in Mr. Dearborn’s agent’s office to get a look at his books.”

“Really? I thought he only went about investigating bizarre things.”

“No, I think he does quite a bit more than that.”

“And Alex intends to blackmail Mr. Dearborn?”

“Well...yes, I guess that is what it is. Alex says I will be...” Sabrina heard the little hitch in her voice, and she quelled it. “He says I will be free to go wherever I want. Do as I please, without fear.”

Lilah studied her friend, her head tilted a little to the side. “Yet I think that you are not eager to do so.”

“Of course, I will be exceedingly happy to not have to worry about Mr. Dearborn. And I will enjoy being able to decide everything for myself and—” She sighed. “But I don’t really want to leave Broughton House.”

“Broughton House or Alex Moreland?” Lilah asked shrewdly.

“Is it that obvious?”

“Your face lights up when you speak of him.”

“Does it?” Sabrina put her hands to her cheeks. “I have, um, grown close to him these last weeks—Oh, bother, why am I trying to hide it? I love him, Lilah.”

Her friend smiled. “But surely that’s good. I’ve seen his face, too, and I would dare swear he feels the same way about you.”

“I thought so,” Sabrina admitted. “But things have been different since we returned.”

“In what way?”

“I’m not sure.” She could hardly tell the very proper Lilah that Alex had not come to her bedroom since they came back, that the kisses and caresses had disappeared. “We don’t talk as much, and we are not together as often. Sometimes it feels...almost awkward around him.”

“That’s only natural, don’t you think? When you were on the trip with him—” Lilah’s cheeks colored faintly. “I mean, of course I’m sure nothing wrong transpired between you, but the two of you were alone. Here, with all his family around, it would bound to be less comfortable.”

“Yes.” Lilah was more right than she knew in that regard. It would be very imprudent for Alex to visit Sabrina’s bed or even to kiss her. In this house, someone might come upon them at any moment.

“It’s no wonder you’ve seen him less. He’s been out trying to unearth information about Mr. Dearborn.”

“You’re right.” Sabrina paused, then said rapidly, as if she could not contain it, “But he hasn’t said anything about how he feels about me.”

“Perhaps he doesn’t want to be too forward,” Lilah reasoned. “You haven’t reached your birthday yet. And such a sudden engagement might cause gossip.” When Sabrina raised her eyebrow at that statement, Lilah chuckled. “Yes, all right, gossip scarcely matters to a Moreland. But he might feel concern about you, wouldn’t want any gossip to affect your reputation.”

“I suppose.”

“Or perhaps he wants to move slowly. You haven’t known each other long. Maybe he doesn’t want to rush his fences, so to speak. Or he might be uncertain how you feel about him.”

“No, I wouldn’t think that’s the problem.” A reminiscent smile touched her lips as she thought about her enthusiastic response in his arms.

“I have heard that men are sometimes reluctant to admit they love a woman.”

“But he hasn’t even said he will miss me when I leave. He hasn’t suggested that I stay longer or...well, anything.”

Lilah started to speak but broke off as the butler entered the room. “Excuse me, Miss Blair. This message just arrived for you.”

“From Alex?” Sabrina reached for it, brightening.

“The boy who delivered it said nothing, but I would venture to say that is not Mr. Alex’s hand.”

Sabrina’s eyes fell to her name across the front of the envelope, and her stomach dropped. Hollowly, she said, “Yes, I see.”