Jacquie ’Alessandro - Confessions at Midnight

"That's precisely what I'm suggesting."

His eyes seemed to breathe smoke. "I believe that makes me the luckiest man in England. Consider me at your disposal."

"A very intriguing offer."

"I'm delighted you think so, especially as you didn't when I first offered."

"I was always intrigued. Just not willing."

"But now you are."

"Obviously."

He rubbed himself against her hand. "I'm extremely happy to hear it."

Her lips twitched. "Obviously."

Clasping her wrist, he dragged her hand up and pressed a fervent kiss against her palm. "Unfortunately, now is-"

"Not an ideal time."

"No. I want to make certain all went well with Samuel's errand and that Cook and my maid are seeing to Katie. Then I'll escort you and Gertrude home." His gaze searched her face. "And as much as I want to continue this right here, right now, I want you to have some time to think. To settle things in your mind. I don't want you to have doubts."

"You're not afraid that after thinking things over I'll change my mind?"

His fingers tightened over hers. "'Afraid' is a lukewarm word for the terror I feel at the possibility. Carolyn… the desire between us is the most potent I've ever experienced. I know we would be extraordinary together. But only if it isn't tarnished with regrets."

"I don't regret what we've shared this evening."

"Excellent. I just want to make sure you feel the same way in the morning." He brushed his mouth over hers then continued along the curve of her jaw. "And as hope springs eternal that you will, are you free tomorrow, around noon?"

With his body pressed to hers and his nipping kisses disrupting her thoughts, it was impossible to recall if she had any plans, but if she did, whatever they might be, she intended to reschedule them. "I am."

"Excellent. I'll plan a surprise."

"What if I don't like surprises?"

"You'll like this one. I promise."

A quiver of anticipation rippled through her. After one last lingering kiss, he stepped back. Tucking her hand into the crook of his arm, he led her through the French doors then into the corridor and back to the foyer, where they encountered a pacing Samuel. He halted when he saw them.

"Cook's puttin' a broth together," he reported without preamble, "and Mary's in with Katie and Gertrude."

"How is Katie faring?" Daniel asked.

"She's sleepin'. Gertrude said Katie was sore and tired, but otherwise fine. If Lady Wingate don't mind, Gertrude offered to stay until Katie wakes up, so she ain't frightened to see a stranger." He looked at Carolyn. "Real thoughtful, your Gertrude is, milady."

"Is that all right with you?" Daniel asked her.

"Of course."

"Samuel will escort her home after Katie awakens." He turned to Samuel. "I'll escort Lady Wingate home now. She has a busy day ahead of her tomorrow and needs her rest."

A blush scorched Carolyn's cheeks at his seemingly innocent words. She quickly said good-bye to Samuel, who handed Carolyn her cashmere shawl and thanked her for helping Katie.

"It was my pleasure to assist you, Samuel," she said with a smile. "And Katie's good fortune that you found her."

She and Daniel left the house. The instant the door closed behind them, he glanced around. After clearly satisfying himself that no one lurked about, he clasped her hand and tucked it beneath his arm. She noted he matched his steps to her shorter stride, for which she was grateful, as she was in no rush to leave his company and the walk to her town house would require less than two minutes.

She was considering asking him into her home but saw a lamp burning in the foyer window, which meant Nelson was waiting up for her. Discretion would hardly be served by bringing her lover home at three a.m.

Her lover.

The words reverberated through her mind. Any guilt she might have felt was buried beneath the avalanche of anticipation that trembled through her.

"Cold?" he asked.

She looked up at him and shook her head. "No. In fact, quite the opposite."

A slow smile curved his lips. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could utter a word, a loud bang sounded from across the street at Hyde Park. At the same instant something whizzed past her, mere inches from her nose, then the stone urn on her porch exploded.

Before she could even draw a breath, Daniel yanked her down and shielded her with his body.

"Wh-What was that?" she asked.

"That," Daniel said in a tight, grim voice, "was a pistol shot."

"Are you hurt?" Daniel asked, his gaze anxiously searching Carolyn's shocked face.

She shook her head, and his profound relief nearly rendered him light-headed.

"Are you?" she asked.

"I'm fine." Actually, he was nowhere near fine. That shot had barely missed her. Another few inches and-

He cut off the horrific thought. "We need to get inside. Quickly."

He grabbed her hand, and shielding her with his body, hurried her toward her front door. They'd nearly reached it when oak panel flew open, revealing a wide-eyed butler.

"What on earth-"

The butler's words were cut off as they hurried into the foyer and Daniel quickly closed and locked the door. Then he turned to Carolyn and grasped her shoulders.

"You're certain you're all right?" he asked, unable to shake off the gut-twisting image of that shot actually hitting her.

"I'm fine. Shaken and stunned, but unharmed."

She quickly introduced her butler, who asked, "What happened?"

"A shot was fired, from the park," Daniel said tersely. "It nearly hit Lady Wingate."

Nelson's face turned the color of chalk. "Dear God." He looked Carolyn over, as if to satisfy himself that she truly wasn't injured. Then anger flashed in his dark eyes. "First Lady Crawford's murder and now this. Terrible what the world's come to, brigands hurting innocent people, and ladies no less! 'Tis shocking."

"Yes," Daniel agreed. A muscle ticked in his jaw. Except he suddenly didn't think it was the work of just any brigand. "The authorities must be summoned," he said to Nelson. "Mr. Rayburn, the magistrate, attended the Gatesbourne soiree this evening. You might check for him there first."

"Yes, my lord. I'll do so at once," Nelson said, then looked at Carolyn and hesitated.

"I'll remain here with Lady Wingate until you return," Daniel assured him. "I'll allow no harm to come to her. And so no harm comes to you, call at my town house and instruct my footman Samuel to accompany you."

"Yes, my lord."

"Are you armed, Nelson?"

The butler leaned down and patted the side of his boot. "Always carry a knife, my lord."

After Nelson left, Daniel locked the door then braced his hands against the oak panel and took several seconds to pull in a calming breath, which unfortunately did nothing to calm him. Bloody hell, she'd almost been killed. And it was entirely his fault.

He felt her hand upon his back and turned around. The mere sight of her, standing before him, her beautiful eyes clouded with concern, damn near brought him to his knees. A shudder rippled through him as he relived that shot ringing out, followed by the unthinkable, horrible aftermath of what had nearly occurred.

She reached up and rested her palm against cheek. "You're so pale, Daniel. Are you certain you weren't injured?"

The sound of his name on her lips, the touch of her hand against his skin, the worry in her eyes, all threatened to undo him.

"I'm not injured." He turned his face to press a kiss against her palm. "But I must talk to you about what happened."

"All right. Let's go to the drawing room." Taking his hand, she led him down the corridor. Once inside the room, they moved toward the hearth, where a low-burning fire crackled in the grate. She sat on the settee, but he felt too restless to join her. Instead he paced the length of the room, every muscle tense, his mind whirling.

As he passed her, she reached out and grabbed his hand. "Daniel, what's wrong?"

He looked down at her and the lump of fear and fury that had lodged in his throat when that shot rang out threatened to choke him. "What's wrong," he said in as calm a tone as he could manage, "is that you were nearly killed."

"As were you." She offered him a shaky smile. "Luckily the only casualty was my urn. Surely it was an accident. A shot gone astray. Fired by some intoxicated reveler."

He shook his head. "I don't believe it was an accident, Carolyn. I'm certain that shot was meant for me. And it nearly killed you."

She frowned. "What do you mean? If someone had meant to rob you, they'd hardly shoot at you from across the street."

"The person wasn't trying to rob me. I'm quite certain he meant to kill me."

Fear and horror widened her eyes. "Who would do such a thing? And why?"

Unable to stand still, he slipped his hand from hers and continued to pace while telling her about his aborted investment with Lord Tolliver. "He threatened me at the masquerade ball, but I shrugged off his words as the ramblings of a drunkard." He halted in front of her and fresh anger raced through him. "Based on tonight's shooting, however, Tolliver's threats weren't empty. And you were nearly the victim of his vendetta against me." Bloody hell, if Tolliver had harmed so much as a hair on her head, he would have hunted the man down and killed him without a moment's remorse. As it was, it required a great effort not do so and to instead allow the authorities to go after the bastard.