It was rather amazing how a situation could go from bad to worse in such a short time. Marcus considered this as he listened to his friend recount the discoveries he'd made the other day.

"So you're saying the case you're working for Nicola Howerty is connected to the missing list?" he said when Winter took a moment to have a sip of the drink Marcus had offered him not long ago.

"It looks like it. Why else would the man I'm investigating for her have the address of the inn where the list thief was murdered? It's too much of a coincidence not to be the same man."

"True." Marcus did not believe in coincidences. This was exactly why he did not think his wife had accidentally ingested opium. The timing was far too suspicious. Looking at his friend, he noted the dark circles under the other man's eyes. There was nothing definitive for him to share yet, so he would not add to Winter's worries. He had enough to worry about.

"This means Nick is potentially in more danger than I considered." Winter sighed and dragged a hand over his face.

They were sitting in two comfortable armchairs in the study, sharing a drink after Winter had returned from a trip to follow a clue on his case. A case that was apparently linked to their missing list of spies. A peculiar development, indeed. Spending some time in his study was a welcome break from the tempting presence of his wife. That morning, an agent from the Rose Agency he trusted had arrived and would stay close to Rain so Marcus could get some work done without being distracted by her.

Maybe he could even have the agent stationed outside her bedroom door, so he would not be forced to share the room with her. Taking a sip of his drink, he realised he did not want to do that. As frustrating as it was to lie in his makeshift—and rather uncomfortable—bed, he rather enjoyed sharing a room with his wife.

"What are you planning to do?" he asked his friend.

"I will have to tell Nick about the list. She already figured out I used to be a spy some time ago, so I might as well tell her the rest."

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "She figured out you were a spy? What in the world did you say for her to make that connection?"

"I honestly don't know." Winter shrugged, then grinned. "She said it was that or a pirate."

That did sound like the youngest Howerty. "Have you told her about me?"

"No. But it would not surprise me if she figures it out. She told me once she met you outside the Rose Agency. It won't take long for her to make that connection."

"She is more observant than she lets on," Marcus mused.

"Have you told your wife?" Winter very obviously tried to look disinterested, but the way his gaze didn't leave Marcus gave away his curiosity.

"I have."

The stunned silence was rather gratifying. He took another sip of his drink before elaborating. "She took it well, though she is less than pleased about my continued presence in our house."

Winter scoffed. "Perhaps if you made an effort to woo her instead of ignoring one another."

"Stay out of my marriage," Marcus responded automatically, earning him a frustrated glare. It wasn't a terrible idea. Maybe he should try to woo his wife. He wasn't entirely sure how to go about it. Kisses were one thing. He knew how to kiss someone. But wooing was another beast entirely. He had managed it once as she had married him. Perhaps he could do it again. He frowned. Unless it truly had only been to gain a title.

"No need to scowl." Winter looked amused as he stood. "I won't make any other suggestions. I will attend the Leighton ball tonight and talk to Nick. Once I know what my next step will be, I will notify you."

Marcus nodded absent-mindedly as his friend left him to his own thoughts. How did one woo a wife?

Conscious of what had happened the last time she attended a ball, Rain sipped on her lemonade. After being so violently sick, she had lost the taste for punch. The Leighton ball was a popular event of the Season and the ballroom was hot and crowded. Normally, she loved balls. The dancing. The gossip. Meeting her many friends. But tonight, she just wasn't enjoying it. Whether it was because she'd been locked up in a room with her husband for two days or because she had been poorly, she did not know.

"Are you well?" Marcus asked beside her, a hint of concern in his voice.

"I am fine. Just bored."

He raised a dark eyebrow. "That is rather unusual."

She shrugged. "Perhaps I am not fully recovered. The idea of lying down in my bed is quite appealing."

With the man from the Rose Agency in the house, perhaps Marcus would sleep in his own room tonight. Glancing up at her tall husband through her lashes, she wasn't sure whether the thought made her happy or not. Somehow, once she fell asleep, she slept rather well, knowing he was in the room watching over her. She might actually miss his presence. Pursing her lips, she turned back to watch the couples dancing in the middle of the room, and catching sight of her sister, Nick, dancing with Dash, she smiled.

Marcus deserved to sleep in his own bed. The pile of blankets he'd slept on the past two nights did not look comfortable. And the night before that he had spent in a chair. She wasn't quite sure what to make of him lately. His ability to mask his emotions was still infuriating, but finding out more about him had definitely softened her anger towards him. The scars on his body bore witness to things she could not even imagine.

"Would you like to go outside for some fresh air?" he asked. "It is rather stifling in here."

She nodded. Fresh air sounded great. Maybe it would clear her head of these thoughts she had about him. She did not want to think of him too warmly. It was something she had done once before, and it had broken her heart.

Taking her elbow, Marcus led her outside and into the garden. A silver moon hung above, painting the garden in pale white light that played with the shadows between the trees and rose hedges. A few other couples had taken refuge outside as well, and she could not blame them. Summer was fast approaching, and it felt like an early heatwave might be on the rise.

"Will you return to your bedchambers tonight?" she asked as they strolled down a path between the flower beds.

"No."

She blinked, not having expected his answer. "But Mr Russell can guard my door if you are worried."

"He could," Marcus allowed. "But I would rather stay close. Unless you absolutely want me out?"

Did she? She wasn't sure. She did, and she did not. Having him so close was both comforting and... not. Remembering his kiss after he returned to the room last night, she shuddered. He had kissed her with a passion and hunger that had shocked her. But it had also excited her. His mouth on her breast. Hand on her thigh. She would lie if she said she didn't want to explore more of those feelings. They were unlike anything she had ever experienced. But it was a dangerous path to tread if she wanted to keep her heart safe.

"You may stay," she mumbled even as she questioned her own wisdom in allowing it. If they consummated their marriage, the only validation she had for requesting an annulment would vanish and they would be stuck together for the rest of their lives. And the idea of being near him without the love she had once thought they shared was simply too painful to contemplate.

They reached a stone bench below an ivy-clad arch, and Rain sat down, putting her gloved hands in her lap. Marcus watched her quietly for a moment.

"I will fetch you another lemonade," he finally said. "It is still important that you stay hydrated."

She smiled. "It's been three days. Surely I am fine by now."

"I'd rather not risk it." He looked around. "However, I should not leave you alone."

"I will be safe here." She nodded to a shadowed area on the other side of the garden. "I am fairly certain I saw my brother and his wife disappear into that spot of shadow. If anyone approaches me, I will shout for them."

Marcus shifted from one foot to the other, then nodded. "I will be back shortly."

He strode down the garden on his long legs and soon disappeared into the house. Closing her eyes for a moment, Rain enjoyed the relative quiet of the garden. She could hear the muted sounds of the ball from the open terrace doors, and quiet discussions between the few people milling about the garden.

"Is everything all right?"

She opened her eyes to look at Dash. He stood a few feet away, his wavy brown hair swaying lightly in the faint breeze. She smiled at her friend.

"I am well, thank you. I do not know why everyone is asking me that."

He smiled wryly. "Possibly because you look a little pale."

"I was poorly. I am better now."

As he shifted from one foot to the other, he reminded her of his brother, and she had to hide another smile. They were entirely unalike in temper, and Dash was nowhere near the bulk of Marcus, but their mannerisms were sometimes comically similar.

"Seeing you with Winterbourne is unusual." He ran a hand through his hair. "It is rather strange if I am honest."

"For me too," she admitted.

"Seeing the two of you—" Dash quieted as he caught sight of Marcus coming towards them with a glass of lemonade in one hand.

Walking up to Rain, he handed her the drink before glancing at his brother. "Dash."

"Winterbourne."

The awkwardness between them was uncomfortable even to watch. Had it been caused solely by her allowing Marcus to believe she had slept with his brother or had they never been close? Guilt niggled at her again, and she did not much appreciate the feeling. As much as Marcus was at fault for the poor start of their marriage, she had not helped things by allowing him to think the worst.

~~~~~~