Page 38

S ince Emmeline had slept most of the afternoon into the early evening, she sat up reading during the darkest hours of the night.

Her mind was not on the gothic novel, and she’d had to reread several pages.

Her mind kept drifting to her near-death experience.

The driver, all dressed in black, had his hat low on his head, so his face was hidden, and the sharp snap of the reins drifted to her ears even now along with the clopping of the horse’s hooves on the street.

She could still feel how her heart had lodged in her throat when she saw the coach barreling out of nowhere and how she’d frozen, her feet unable to move.

Then the feel of a large, unyielding body crashing into her. The scream tearing from her throat as they flew through the air and tumbled to the ground. His heavy weight on top of her as she struggled to breathe. And relief when Andrew’s voice called out to her.

Would it ever go away, or would she relive the near miss every day? With her heart pounding, she believed she would keep the memory in her mind until the person or persons responsible were caught and punished.

A commotion downstairs traveled up to her chambers, and her heart froze inside her chest.

Donning her robe, she went down the stairs with a candle in her hand and found Harrison in the foyer, speaking to someone just outside the door.

“Harrison,” she said, her voice shaking. “Who is it?”

He closed the door and turned to her. She could see the worry etched on his face even though it was in shadow from the darkness and the candle in his hand. “It was a Runner.”

She knew he didn’t want to tell her. “Why was he at the door in the middle of the night?”

“They caught someone sneaking in the servants’ entrance.”

“Yes?”

His body visibly shook. “He had a knife.”

A strangled cry escaped her lungs. Her hand reached back for a stair tread, and she sank onto it before her legs gave way. “Are they positive?”

“I’m afraid so,” Harrison replied. The worry had not faded from his face, and his voice sounded forced and far away from her ears. “The Runners will keep you safe and solve this quickly. They are the best. Blackstone hired the best.”

“Yes. I know. Please secure all the doors. I don’t want the servants’ door unlocked anytime, day or night. Post a footman inside the door to let the servants in. Double-check all the windows on the first floor. Leave none unlocked.”

“I will take care of everything. Try to get some rest, miss.”

It took her several minutes before her legs were strong enough to support her trembling body.

She struggled with fear as she made her way to her chambers.

Then, for the first time she could remember, she locked her door out of fear.

Sliding down the door, she sat with her knees up, her arms wrapped around them, and her head rested down. She had no more tears left to shed.

All she wanted to do was marry Andrew and have a family. Was that so much to ask for? Hadn’t she done her penance for loving two men by losing Aiden and living through the six lonely years after?

Sometime before dawn, she rose from the floor, stretching to ease her stiff, sore, and cold body. She then moved to the chaise longue, wrapping herself in a blanket. She must have dozed and awoke to knocking on her door.

“Ma’am,” her lady’s maid said. “Can you let me in?”

Emmeline hurried to the door, unlocked it, and swung it open to find Amanda holding a breakfast tray. “Sorry. I didn’t feel safe last night.”

Amanda walked over to the night table and placed the tray down. “I understand. Harrison told the household this morning about the intruder.”

“I don’t want anyone to feel unsafe working or staying here. If you or anyone else wants several days off, I will gladly pay you to stay somewhere else until the person is caught.”

“Harrison said as much, but we all agreed we were happy to stay and protect you.”

Tears threatened to fall at the loyalty of those in her employ. Not that she was surprised. They had always taken good care of her and her mother, and Lilly for the year she’d lived with them, and before that, Aiden. What would Mother say about this latest unsuccessful attempt on her life?

“The Duke of Blackstone is downstairs in the drawing room. He said to take your time as Harrison brought him a breakfast tray, and he could occupy himself.”

“Thank you. Help me dress, please. The green muslin will do fine.” After dressing and having her hair combed and tied with a ribbon, she excused Amanda and sat on the edge of the bed.

She sipped her now lukewarm hot chocolate and nibbled on a piece of toast, finally giving up because her stomach was too unsettled to eat.

Besides, she wanted to go downstairs and see Andrew.

“Andrew,” Emmeline said as she entered the drawing room moments later, waving him off as he began to rise.

“Sit. I’ll join you.” Sitting beside him, the breakfast tray untouched before him, except for the coffee held in his hand.

The strong aroma took up the room. Coffee was not to her liking, but the smell was divine. “Any news about last night?”

“The young man caught sneaking in your house swears he doesn’t know who hired him. I’m inclined to believe him. Even dragging him off to Newgate didn’t get him to give up a name.”

“So we know nothing.” Her voice broke, but she refused to cry again. It solved nothing.

“Come here.” His comforting arms wrapped around her and held her tight. “From this night on, I will spend them with you. Last night was the longest of my life.”

“Mine too,” he admitted. “But what about keeping up appearances of being betrothed to Lady Beatrice?”

“The hell with that. I truly feel sorry for her, but I won’t risk your life for her reputation. You are stuck with me.”

She snuggled deeper into his arms. “That sounds wonderful. I love you, Andrew.”

“And I you.” He cradled her face and kissed her. The desperate kiss revealed not only their fears and the turbulent times they experienced together but also the deep, connected love they shared.

“Forgive me,” the baroness said as she entered the room.

Breaking the kiss, they sat back on the settee, holding hands. “Good morning, Mama.”

“What is this news I heard this morning about a man trying to sneak into our home with a knife?” she said as she sat in a chair opposite them, her face pale and her eyes fearful. “Dear God, Emmeline, this has got to stop. Do something, Blackstone.”

“Mama, it isn’t Andrew’s fault. Please don’t be angry with him.”

“But it is his fault.” She swung out her hand. “If he hadn’t gotten mixed up with Lady Beatrice.”

“Forgive me, Baroness, but she was forced on me. And her mother admitted to leaking the information to the scandal sheet. I only agreed to a betrothal, a fake one at that, so the earl could have time to find her a suitable husband. However, after yesterday and last night, I don’t care what people think of poor Lady Beatrice.

Her mother ruined her, not me. I can’t take responsibility for Lady Hartford’s actions when they put Emmeline’s life at risk. ”

“Begging your pardon, Blackstone, for my plain speech. But you must understand this is my only daughter whose life is in danger. Perhaps we should leave the city and rent a house in the country until this is over.”

“I would say yes, but I don’t think that will solve anything,” Andrew said.

“We need to get to the bottom of it. Otherwise, both Emmeline and I will see potential villains in everyone we encounter, never feeling safe and relaxed, looking over our shoulders every second of every day. Which is a horrible way to live.”

“I agree with Andrew, Mama. I will not run away and sulk in the country.”

“I sent a message to Lord Hartford this morning saying the betrothal is off. I will not play the game anymore. If he is wise, he will send word to the press that Lady Beatrice has broken our betrothal. I don’t care what excuse they use, I just want it over.

With any luck, another scandal will happen, and her scandal will be yesterday’s news.

Her reputation may be salvaged yet. I offered my help, and threatening Emmeline is how I was repaid.

I’m sorry for Lady Beatrice, but I truly believe she will persevere through the scandal and come out on the other side unscathed when her mother’s schemes are made public.

Gentlemen will feel sorry for her, and she will receive numerous proposals. ”

“I hope you are right. Meanwhile, promise me you will do everything possible to keep Emmeline safe.”

“I will guard her with my life.”

“Andrew . . .”

He kissed the top of Emmeline’s head. “It’s true. I will gladly die keeping you safe.”

Emmeline appreciated Andrew’s protection, but her heart would never survive if he died. Even now, it beat so fast that she expected it to tire out and cease beating at the mere thought.

“It is a warm, sunny day. We could ride in the park and solidify the end of my engagement with Lady Beatrice.”

“I’d like to take Marigold. I haven’t ridden her in so long. She must think I’ve forgotten about her.”

“Anything you want, my dear.”

Not long after, a groomsman brought Marigold and Andrew’s mount to the front entrance. Emmeline swung up into the side saddle with the aid of a mounting block. Andrew mounted and said, “Ready?”

“Yes.”

They made their way to Hyde Park with the sun shining down all around them.

Emmeline wished she could remove her hat and feel the sun on her face.

The warmth could penetrate inside her skin, verifying that she was alive.

Perhaps later, in the privacy of her garden, she would tilt her face up to the sun and glory in its warmth.

“What are you thinking?” Andrew asked as he slowed his horse to match Marigold’s pace.

“How wonderful the sun would feel on my face.”

“It would. Don’t look now, but we have attracted an audience.”