He responded very readily indeed.
In the space of a moment, he had embraced me and pressed me against the railing.
Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Hamilton said, a wide smile on his face.
Milo turned his head unhurriedly but didnt bother to step back or remove his arms from around my waist.
We were out taking a moonlight stroll, he said with a smile.
Im afraid we got carried away.
So he had correctly interpreted my motives.
It was gratifying to know that he could, on occasion, prove useful.
Perfectly understandable, Mr. Hamilton said with a wink.
I was just out getting a little air myself.
All the better with a little company, eh?
His manner was as usual, and I detected no sign of skepticism in his tone or expression.
I could only hope that Milo and I had made a good show of it.
I assumed we had, as my pulse was still racing.
Milo turned back to me.
I find that this investigating business gets more amusing by the hour, he said in a low voice.
He may be watching.
Perhaps we should resume where we left off .
I was prepared to protest, but he kissed me again before I could rally resistance.
His kisses had been irresistible then, in the blissful blindness of young love.
I mustered up my resolve and pushed him back ever so slightly, my pulse pounding alarmingly.
That will do, Milo, I said breathlessly.
I think, my dear, that it wont do at all.
Milo …
Perhaps we should go back to our room, he suggested.
So it was ourroom now, was it?
For the briefest of moments, I must admit, I was sorely tempted.
He was my husband, after all.
Then I strengthened my resolve.
I pushed him back farther and slid from his embrace.
I think that is not a particularly good idea.
It seems an excellent idea to me, he said with a smile as his eyes lingered on mine.
Then he glanced up the stairway.
He had a point, though I hated to admit it.
Very well, I said at last.
You may stay in my room.
Im sure you will find the sofa to be quite comfortable.
Amusement tilted the corner of his mouth.
Thats not exactly what I had in mind.
No, Im sure its not, I said.
I stepped closer, braving the risk that he would embrace me again, and lowered my voice.
Mr. Hamilton was searching for something at the base of the cliff .
He appears to have located it and shoved it into his pocket.
Wasnt it a bit foolish to go running after him in the dark?
If hes the one who killed Rupert, hed have no qualms about doing away with you.
How did you know where I was?
I asked, ignoring his perfectly valid point.
I came out of the sitting room just as you slipped out onto the balcony.
I thought it best to follow you.
I can take care of myself, thank you very much.
Yes, Im sure you could have defended yourself nicely.
I took them from him but didnt bother to put them back on.
We still had most of the long stairway to climb.
I do appreciate your assistance, I told him grudgingly.
I assure you, it was my pleasure, he replied.
What do you suppose it was he was looking for?
I havent the faintest idea.
Youre not being helpful, Milo.
He leaned against the railing.
Well, Im afraid I have other things on my mind, darling.
Do you really think he might have killed Rupert?
Hes a thorough boor and his wifes afraid of him, but that doesnt mean hed kill someone.
Its not beyond the realm of possibility, I suppose, though I cant conceive of a good reason.
Well, come, Milo.
We may as well go back.
He caught my free hand in his warm one.
Do you suggest standing out here all night?
It seems to be getting rather cold.
Ill keep you warm, he said, pulling me toward him.
He lowered his mouth to mine again, and this kiss was slow and lingering.
The cool wind blew around us, and the soft lulling of the waves made for idyllic background music.
Once again, irrational longing warred with my better judgment.
Once again, prudence won the day.
I think wed better go back, I whispered at last against his lips.
Then he released me with a soft sigh.
We trudged up the stairway in a sort of companionable silence.
We reached the balcony and stepped into the pool of light cast by the windows.
Milo offered his arm for support as I bent to slip my shoes on my feet.
I straightened, and we looked at one another for a moment before I turned toward the door.
Milo reached past me to open it.
He stepped closer, pulling his handkerchief from the pocket of his dinner jacket.
Youve smudged your lipstick.
Another of his many talents, no doubt.
His hand was still on my chin as he looked down at me.
I raised a brow, some small part of me hoping he would kiss me again.
Then he dropped his hand from my face and reached for the door.
Hand on the knob, he turned to look down at me once again.
One more thing, darling.
He leaned closer, a smile flashing across his face.
I think it only fair to warn you.
I have never slept on a sofa in my life, and I dont intend to start now.
It would only complicate things, especially considering the uncertain state of our marriage.
I still wasnt sure of my feelings for Milo, and certainly not of his for me.
As long as things were unsettled, it would be better to keep a distance between us physically.
I had the uneasy feeling that it was only a matter of time before his interest would wane.
I turned and studied the sleeping face of my husband in the soft darkness of our room.
He was too handsome, too charming, and I had been too young not to be flattered.
There was so much more that separated us than the little bit of empty bed that lay between us.
I wondered if he too was lying awake at the moment.
I hoped he was not too terribly uncomfortable in his prison cell.
I still could not believe that Gil had been arrested.
What a mess this whole thing was.
Tomorrow, I would go to see him.
I only hoped he would not be too angry with me.
I hadnt meant for anything to come of what I had told the inspector.
I thought of Detective Inspector Jones.
That man severely tried my patience.
Yet I could not help but feel that there was more to him than met the eye.
He was up to something.
Of that, I was sure.
He had arrested Gil, but he had not said anything about discovering the weapon.
As of the inquest, it had still been missing.
I would ask him tomorrow just how it was that they could be certain of anything without a weapon.
Thoughts swirled in and out of my head as I edged toward sleep.
I was drifting somewhere between wakefulness and a hazy dream when the thought struck me.
I sat up, instantly awake.
I looked over at Milo.
I felt I needed to share my theory with someone, and he was the closest at hand.
Perhaps it could wait until morning … but, no.
My mind raced over the possibilities, and I knew it would be impossible for me to rest.
I reached over and switched on the lamp.
Milos eyelids did not so much as quiver.
The smooth, peaceful lines of his face showed no sign that he was anywhere near wakefulness.
Milo, I said at last, rather loudly.
He blinked against the light and covered his eyes with his hand.
What on earth … whats the matter?
I need to talk to you.
Good heavens, Amory.
What time is it?
I glanced at the clock on my bedside table.
Its just after two, I said.
No, blast it.
Dont be surly, Milo.
Ive thought of something.
I should have realized it before.
I think Mr. Hamilton was looking for the weapon.
He lowered his hand to look at me.
Yes, he must have been.
Surely your inspector was bright enough to search for it there.
Like what, for instance?
It might have been anything, a loose brick from the wall, perhaps.
If it was so carefully concealed, why not leave it there?
Perhaps he was afraid it would be discovered later.
Or perhaps he was afraid the tide might wash it out into the open.
I should have thought of this method before.
It always cleared my head to write to Laurel.
Once I could organize my thoughts on paper, I could begin to make sense of things.
I hoped the same would prove true when trying to solve a murder.
Darling, cant this wait until morning?
It is morning, I said, pulling out a sheet of paper and a fountain pen.
Yes, well, this wasnt what I had envisioned.
I wrote Mr. Hamilton on the piece of paper and drew a line beneath it.
What motive does Mr. Hamilton have?
Do you think Rupert may have trifled with Larissa Hamilton?
I tried not to notice how very attractive he looked, disheveled from sleep.
My mind wandered to our earlier kisses, and I forced myself to focus on the task at hand.
Its possible, he said, but I shouldnt say likely.
I gather Rupert Howe would have preferred a very different sort of woman.
Granted, shes pretty enough, but theres that aura of tragedy that hovers over her.
She doesnt conceal her unhappiness well.
I shouldnt think most men would find it appealing.
She certainly warmed up under your attentions, I observed.
She enjoys it when someone is pleasant to her, he said.
From what Ive seen, Mr. Hamilton certainly isnt.
