Page 44 of Prescription for Sin

Lady Amy didn’t quite hide her interest. “Do tell us more, Lady Winona.”

“Oh, you should have seen him on the parallel bars! My brother says he trains religiously. Though I suppose one must, to maintain such…” Lady Winona’s cheeks pinked, “form.”

Emma’s hands tightened in her lap with possessiveness, unwanted images of Everett’s “form” flooding her mind. And the feel of his steely shaft in her hand…

Helen caught her expression and squeezed her hand briefly, startling her from her reverie.

“I’m surprised you ladies are not drooling over Lord Kincaid instead,” Helen said. “He is even taller than Dr Moreland and just as handsome. Not to mention his wealth and title that would suit your families admirably.”

As if on cue, both ladies’ heads swung toward the blond lord who was laughing at something Lord Salisbury had said.

“He is an impressive gentleman,” Lady Amy said, “but he reminds me too much of my brother. I fear people might think Lord Kincaid and I are siblings.”

“Oh, but you look nothing alike!” Lady Winona exclaimed.

Helen snorted beside Emma. “I agree, Lady Winona. No one could mistake Lord Kincaid's rather prominent ears for Lady Amy's. Why, they’re practically two different species.”

Emma shushed Helen despite feeling grateful for the distraction, but her smile soon faltered upon noticing something more concerning. Lord Salisbury, Mr Snowden, and the elder Dr Moreland were slipping quietly from the room, their expressions grave. A moment later, Everett detached himself from his group and followed with a casual grace that didn’t quite mask his purposeful stride.

Emma leaned close to Helen’s ear. “I need to follow them. Cover for me?”

Helen’s eyes sparkled with intrigue. “Of course, darling. Shall I create a diversion? I could always faint dramatically.”

“Just tell them I needed air,” Emma whispered, already rising. She didn’t wait to hear Helen’s response, though she caught her friend’s murmured “Do be careful” as she slipped away.

Following the men’s path and staying close to the shadows, Emma tracked their muffled voices toward Arthur’s study. Heart pounding, she crept into the room next door and removed a small painting. Despite the pitch darkness, she knew the precise location of everything, having spent hours in that room. Her favourite pastime after Alexi married Arthur had been eavesdropping on Arthur’s business and political discussions. She winced as she recalled the one time he wasn’t in a discussion of the verbal kind with Alexi. She peered through the hole to confirm the identities of the men, then pressed her ear against it.

A sudden movement in the darkness made her jump. Before she could cry out, a large hand clamped over her mouth, another arm pulling her back against a solid chest. She knew that touch, that scent, even before Everett’s voice whispered against her ear.

“Quiet.”

Emma’s pulse thundered, every inch of her aware of his body pressed against hers in the darkness. His hand released her mouth, and his body folded over hers a little as they both strained to hear the conversation beyond the wall. She told herself her racing heart was from the shock, not from the way his breath stirred her hair or how his chest rose and fell against her back.

They stood frozen together in the shadows, united in their eavesdropping, if nothing else, while Emma tried desperately to focus on the voices instead of the maddening heat of him all around her.

“I assure you, Lord Salisbury, our proposal for modernising Dartford’s water system is most comprehensive.” Dr Moreland’s voice carried the practiced smoothness of a seasoned negotiator.

“Indeed,” Mr Snowden chimed in, his tone oily and ingratiating. “Our pipes are of the highest quality, guaranteed to bring your constituency into the modern age.”

There was a pause, and Emma could almost picture her brother-in-law’s thoughtful frown. When Lord Salisbury spoke, his voice was measured and cautious. “Gentlemen, while I appreciate your enthusiasm, I must consider all options carefully. The welfare of Dartford’s residents is my primary concern.”

“Of course, of course,” Dr Moreland replied. “And that is precisely why our system is ideal. Think of the improvements to the taste of your water. Why, it’s as sweet as honey.”

Emma’s mind reeled with possibilities. Was Dr Moreland gaining financially from the water system? Could he be hiding the source of the outbreak for his own interests?

“I understand your company has undertaken similar projects in London,” Lord Salisbury said.

“Yes, indeed,” Snowden answered, a note of pride in his voice. “We’ve made significant inroads in the East End.”

Emma’s mind raced. The East End, the epicentre of the cholera outbreak she had been investigating. So there could be a connection.

“And the results have been satisfactory?” Lord Salisbury pressed.

There was a moment of hesitation before Dr Moreland responded. “There have been some…unforeseen complications. But I assure you, we’ve learned valuable lessons that will only improve our future projects.”

Emma’s fingers curled into fists, her suspicions growing with each passing moment. If there was indeed a link between the new water pipes and the cholera outbreak, it would explain why Everett had been sent to steal her research. They were covering their tracks, protecting their investment.

“I see,” Lord Salisbury said, his tone noncommittal. “Well, gentlemen, I appreciate your proposal. I’ll need time to review it alongside the others I’ve received.”