Sweet Enemy (50 page)

He reached around her and grasped the handle, stopping the door from opening. “You neglected to give
me
an assignment.”

Emma turned, effectively caged by his arm and the door at her back. Those large amber eyes widened as he loomed over her. Which heightened his own awareness of how close his body was to hers, nearly touching. How fragile she seemed…how diminutive, and yet he’d already been the recipient of her tart tongue and sharp appendages. Besides, he knew her to be tough. As a girl, Emma had always kept up with him, no matter how he’d tried to lose her.

As if to demonstrate that her stubbornness still remained, Emma lifted her chin in challenge. “I hadn’t thought you would—”

“Wish to help?” Derick returned her challenge, raising a brow. Damn. Her assumption irked. And the fact that he’d been stung by it irked more. He’d long grown accustomed to not caring what anyone thought. “Feel responsible for a member of my household?”

Emma blinked. “Your household?” she sputtered. “You haven’t been to Derbyshire in fourteen—”

“No, but I
am
human, Miss Wallingford.” Derick stepped closer, bringing his other arm around and planting it on the door behind her, trapping her. Only so that she would listen to him, of course. Not at all because of her tantalizing scent, a heady mix of lavender and… something he couldn’t quite place. “I may not agree with your assumptions, but it is clear you strongly believe the maid is in danger. If there is a chance you are correct, I would like to do what I can.”

A huff of exasperation escaped her lips, a gesture Derick took to mean she didn’t think too highly of him or his offer. He allowed a half-cynical smile to curve his lips. What did he care if Miss Emma Wallingford disapproved of one of his many alter egos? It wasn’t
him
, after all.

Besides, he doubted she’d like him any better if she knew his
true
purpose in Derbyshire.

To investigate her brother for treason.