Gemma felt Cam’s eyes on her as she paced from the window to the fireplace and back again.
But she couldn’t help herself. It was impossible to sit still while the most important fossil she’d ever come across was missing. A fossil that had very likely been the cause of a man’s murder.
“Where is it?” she asked again. “Did the killer take it? Or did someone else happen upon it before Sir Everard even returned to the cliff?”
She stopped, some of her frenetic energy dissipating at the memory of the dead man. He’d not endeared himself to her, but he hadn’t deserved to have his life cut short for being boorish. What if he had family?
At that thought, she collapsed into the chair Serena had so recently vacated.
She couldn’t imagine what she’d do if something happened to Sophia. Or anyone she’d come to know and love since her arrival in Sussex, for that matter.
“It seems unlikely that anyone would stumble upon that stretch of shore in the middle of the night by chance.” Cam leaned forward in the chair opposite hers, his elbows on his knees. “We must assume that the killer, very likely someone Sir Everard brought with him, took it.”
She nodded. It did seem the most logical explanation.
“If he brought an accomplice,” she said, “it must have been someone from Pearson Close. One of the other collectors.”
“Or his valet,” Cam said thoughtfully. “He did say that Chambers often assisted him in his excavations.”
“Then we must speak to this man,” Gemma said, her spirits rising at the thought of some occupation to help her find the skull. “I have no intention of allowing a murderer to make off with my skull.”
But Cam was already shaking his head.
“You heard what Northman said. He expressly warned you against looking into the matter yourself.”
Gemma waved that objection away. “He warned me against investigating the murder. Not the missing skull.”
“If you won’t listen to Northman’s caution, then listen to the killer’s,” Cam argued, his expression turning forbidding. “If you need reminding, Sir Everard was bludgeoned to death with his own digging tools. I cannot allow you to put yourself at risk for a similar fate. I won’t.”
“You aren’t the one who decides what I may and may not do,” she said with a glare.
“Now is not the time for stubbornness, Gemma,” Cam said, thrusting his hands through his hair, as if to keep from gripping her by the arms. “Just let me search for it. I promise to report on it to you as soon as I learn anything.”
But she shook her head. “Either you assist me, or I search alone,” she said firmly.
She watched as he slid his hands down his face in exasperation.
“I know you think it’s sheer bullheadedness on my part,” she said, taking pity on him, “but you have to understand that I’ve spent the better part of a year at Beauchamp House with little hope of finding out where Lady Celeste hid my inheritance.”
At his questioning look, she continued. “All of the others had detailed instructions and quests outlined for them. Puzzles and mysteries to solve. But Lady Celeste left my letter unfinished.” Gemma felt her eyes well. “She died before she could complete it. That’s what the note from the solicitor said that accompanied it. So, if she did indeed leave this skull for me—and I am convinced now that she did—then l must be the one to find it.”
Cam’s expression softened and he took her hand. “I know it must be incredibly frustrating for you, but I cannot believe Lady Celeste would wish you to risk your life to find this fossil.”
“No,” Gemma said quietly, “But nor would she expect me to simply cede the field to someone else.
“I must be the one to conduct the search, Cam,” she said. “And if you insist, then you may help me.”
“Help you?” Cam shook his head. “I most certainly will not. You don’t need to be mixed up in this business. A man was murdered, Gemma. It’s not a jaunt to the shore to dig for stones.”
“That’s why you’ll be there.” Really, who would have guessed Lord Cameron Lisle was such a prig?
“To protect me,” she clarified, just in case he hadn’t figured it out. “It’s really quite brilliant. You’ll assist me, and I’ll find the stone.”
“It’s not brilliant at all,” he countered. “If something were to happen to you, Sophia would be livid. And when Sophia is unhappy, Benedick is unhappy. I do not relish a thrashing from my brother the vicar, Gemma.”
“Oh come now. You can’t tell me you’re afraid of your own brother, can you?”
That was a bridge too far, apparently.
“I’m not afraid of Ben,” Cam said in the voice of a man who needed very much to assert his bravery. “I am simply not willing to risk jeopardizing my relationship with him by helping you put yourself in the path of a killer.”
“But I’m sure it would be perfectly rational if you had been the one to discover the skull first.” Gemma rolled her eyes. “Why is it when a man wishes to pursue something, it’s a noble cause that everyone should rejoice over, but if a woman wants to embark on a search for her own property, it’s far too dangerous and she should stay at home and … and…” she searched for the perfect womanly activity to illustrate her point.
“Knit? Cook? Sew? Polish her fossil collection?” Cam asked.
If anything, his attempt at levity made her even angrier. “Any of those things,” she said heatedly, stomping her foot for good measure. “And I will not sit still this time. I will not let my discovery be taken from me.”
To her shame, tears sprang into her eyes. She’d worked so hard to gain recognition in the world of geology, and the excitement she’d felt when she caught sight of the skull protruding from the mud had been like nothing she’d ever felt before. She’d felt in her bones the importance of it. How dare that … that man … attempt to steal it from her.
She gulped back a sob and before she knew what was happening, Cam was on his knees before her, pulling her into his arms and flipping them so that he was in the chair and she was in his lap.
It was utterly improper, but at the moment she didn’t care for such niceties. Not when he was so warm and strong and it felt so good to be held close.
“Hush now,” he whispered, his breath tickling her ear. “Hush. I’ll help you. I’ll help you find your skull.”
She pulled away a little to look him in the eyes and found something there that made her stomach give a flip. “You will?” she asked, her voice hoarse with tears.
“I will,” he said, and his eyes glanced down at her mouth.
Without conscious thought, she closed her eyes and whispered, “Thank you.”
Then, in what at the time she’d doubtless considered a gesture of gratitude, she kissed him.
* * *
What the devil was he about?
Cam tried to form a coherent thought, but Gemma Hastings in his arms with her mouth pressed against his was far too overwhelming to allow anything to cross his mind but disbelief followed by sheer exhilaration.
It was clear from the tentative nature of the caress that she wasn’t practiced in the art of seduction, but her mouth was sweet and he let her explore a bit before leaning into her, opening his mouth a little, to tease her.
That surprised a soft “oh” from her as she opened her own mouth and he nipped her lower lip before tasting her with his tongue.
She clung tighter, and he felt her hands slip up and around his neck. He smiled against her as she tilted her head and took to the art of kissing as she did everything else.
With unabashed enthusiasm.
Soon they were exchanging bits of dialogue in a conversation only they could understand.
When she made a noise of satisfaction as he caressed her breast, it sent a lick of fire through his veins.
“Gemma, do you know where my…?”
No two people could have leapt away from a kiss faster than they did.
Though her eyes were still hazy with passion, Gemma had jumped to her feet and turned her back to him.
Cam, meanwhile rose, grateful for the length of his coat.
But they hadn’t been hasty enough to hide what they’d been up to.
Lady Serena had seen far more than she should have, if her expression was anything to go by.
Damn it.
He’d even made note of the open door.
“Lord Cameron,” Serena said coolly. “I would like to have a word with Gemma alone, please.”
He bowed. “Of course, Lady Serena. Miss Hastings, I will speak to you later, if I may?”
Having turned back to face him, Gemma nodded. Her lips were a little swollen from his kisses and he felt a mix of protectiveness and anxiety at the sight.
He’d been afraid of angering Ben by putting her in danger.
Little had he realized he was far more dangerous to her than Sir Everard’s murderer was.
* * *
“Of all my charges, Gemma,” Serena said in an exasperated tone as she shut the door, “you are the last one I’d expect to find in such a scandalous position. What were you thinking?”
Gemma could hardly argue with her. She was just as surprised as her chaperone was by what had just happened. She’d never have guessed she’d be caught in anyone’s arms. Much less Lord Cameron Lisle’s.
“I was upset,” she explained, and to her own ears it sounded like a weak excuse. “He was comforting me.”
“With his tongue?” Serena asked with a disbelieving laugh.
“I know what you saw wasn’t precisely proper,” Gemma said, “but it’s hardly the worst behavior you’ve seen from the Beauchamp House heiresses.”
“And why should the others’ behavior matter?” Serena countered. “You are responsible for your own actions. And I’m afraid that I cannot simply forget what I saw and let this slip by. I am assuredly the most lax chaperone in all of England, if not Europe. But never let it be said that I do not hold my charges accountable.”
“It isn’t your fault,” Gemma protested. “As you say, I’m responsible for myself and so was Ivy. She’s the only one really who ignored the proprieties.”
“Do not try to tell me that Daphne and Sophia didn’t anticipate their vows,” Serena said with a shake of her head, “for I will not believe you. But they are beside the point. We are speaking of you.”
Gemma swallowed. She’d never thought to be on the receiving end of Serena’s look of disappointment. It didn’t feel good at all.
“Do you love him?” Serena asked, her expression grave.
It was a simple question, but had no simple answer.
Gemma hadn’t even liked Cam until this week. Could she grow to love him? Perhaps. But that was not part of her plan. And she’d certainly never thought to kiss him.
“I don’t know,” she answered. “Not yet.”
Serena sighed and took Gemma’s hands in hers. “I must write to your parents about this. There’s no other option. I am acting as your parent while you are here.”
“But what about Sophia?” Gemma asked. Though the idea of Sophia learning what had happened was more alarming than having her parents find out, if she were being honest. “She’s a married woman now. Why cannot she be the one to decide?”
Serena thought about it. “I suppose that will be acceptable. Though you must agree to abide by her decision.”
“Of course,” Gemma said with a nod. She trusted Sophia. And though she’d married a vicar, she hadn’t changed her opinions on the strictures that society placed on women. She would understand that Gemma shouldn’t be forced into marriage because of a few kisses.
No matter how toe curling and wonderful those kisses had been.
She wondered what Cam was thinking right now.
Was he just as alarmed as she was at the prospect of a betrothal?
Surely he was, she reasoned. He had no more wish to marry her than she had to marry him.
Why did that bother her so much?
Just then a knock sounded at the door and Sophia stepped in and shut it behind her.
“Cam told me I was needed in here.” Her eyes were troubled as she glanced from Serena to Gemma. “What’s amiss?”
Serena gave Gemma an encouraging smile and said, “I’ll leave you two to discuss this alone.”
To Gemma she said, “I trust you to make the right decision.”
Then she was gone and Sophia looked alarmed. “What’s going on? Has something happened?”
Deciding that plain speaking was best, Gemma said, “Serena caught me kissing Cam.”
It was clear from her sister’s expression that Gemma confessing she’d been in on the Gunpowder plot with Guy Fawkes would have come as less of a surprise.
“What?” Sophia blinked. “I have to sit down.”
She collapsed onto the settee.
Gemma sat down beside her. “I know it’s unexpected. But the important thing is that it was only the one time. Really just a slight indiscretion. Nothing to concern ourselves about.”
There, she thought. That should convince Sophia to let this whole matter pass without any sort of betrothal nonsense.
“A slight indiscretion is treading on someone’s toes on the ballroom floor,” her sister said with a frown. “A slight indiscretion is bumping into someone accidentally. Being found kissing one’s brother-in-law is not a slight indiscretion.”
“Oh please, Soph,” Gemma argued. “We all know how silly and hypocritical the rules about how ladies should behave are. And only Serena knows. There’s no reason for it to go any farther.”
“I know,” Sophia returned. “And I’m sure Ben knows too because Cameron is very likely telling him at this very moment.”
Gemma blinked. “What? Why would he do that?”
“Because he’s an honorable man, Gemma,” Sophia said with a look of disbelief. “I know you have had your disagreements with him, but Cam is not the sort of man who would shirk his duty. You are an unmarried lady. He is an unmarried man. There is every reason for him to do the right thing.”
“Marry me, you mean?” Gemma could hardly believe her sister was uttering these platitudes. “What happened to the Sophia who was ready to storm the patriarchy and show her art no matter what the cost to her reputation?”
“She is still here, my dear,” her sister assured her. “But there is a time and a place for resisting society’s strictures, and since I’ve married Benedick I’ve seen far too many examples of what can happen when a lady is ruined. It isn’t a happy existence.”
“Oh come. I will hardly be ruined because of a few kisses,” Gemma chided.
“All it takes is the whisper of scandal and you will not be received anywhere.”
“I’ve always planned to pursue my studies and remain unwed,” Gemma said defiantly. “I will be independent like Aunt Dahlia and Lady Celeste.”
“My dear,” Sophia’s voice was sympathetic. “Aunt Dahlia lives on the kindness of our parents. And Lady Celeste, despite this magnificent house and library she built, was dreadfully lonely.”
It was Gemma’s turn to blink.
“You would be financially secure, of course, thanks to the inheritance from Lady Celeste,” Sophia said. “But you wouldn’t be able to be received by Ivy or Daphne without damaging their reputations. And I would have to see you in secret lest word get back to the church hierarchy and endanger Benedick’s position.”
Gemma stared at her.
“All because of a few kisses.” This time it was a statement rather than a question.
“Is it really such a dismal prospect?” Sophia asked softly, taking her sister’s hand.
Gemma reflected on the matter.
Cameron was, at the very least, a gifted fossil-hunter.
He was also an honorable man, who clearly bore a great deal of affection for his family.
In agreeing to help her find the lizard skull, he’d also proved himself to be a loyal friend.
And there was no question about his kissing skills, which were, so far as Gemma could tell, exceptional.
“Perhaps not dismal,” she admitted aloud.
“Maybe instead of a hasty wedding,” Sophia said slipping an arm around her, “we can arrange a betrothal. If at the end of a few weeks you are still against the match, you can agree to go your separate ways. That will silence any rumors of overfamiliarity between you, and will give you a bit of time to get to know one another better.”
“Won’t that be odd? If we choose to break things off, I mean?” Gemma asked, frowning. “We will still have to see one another from time to time because of our family connection.”
“More odd than being married to someone you do not wish to be married to?” Sophia asked wryly.
“I see your point,” Gemma said with a nod.
The sisters sat in silence for a moment. Then, Sophia turned to her. “So, tell me all about it. Was it a good kiss?”
Gemma grinned. “Very good.”
Very good, indeed.