"As will I," said Daniel.

"And me," added Logan.

Gideon knew they were all standing behind him. And he prayed none of them would get shot.

"We heard everything, Your Grace," Rayburn said. "All ofÛn s th us. It's over. Put down your weapon."

Hatred burned in the duke's eyes as he glared at Gideon. "This is all your doing. If not for you, no one would have known."

Gideon shook his head. "You would have been caught eventually."

"No. Haverly would have been blamed. If you hadn't ruined everything." A sick smile curved his lips. "I may have failed, but I'll at least have the satisfaction of making sure you don't see another day."

In the blink of an eye Gideon threw the knife he'd hidden up his sleeve. In the same instant both Rayburn's and the duke's pistol shots rent the air.

Chapter 24

Julianne froze at the sound of pistol shots. For the space of two rapid heartbeats, she and her friends stared at each other. Then she stood so quickly she knocked over her chair and dashed toward the door, Sarah, Emily, and Carolyn close behind. She raced down the corridor, barely registering the sounds of running footfalls and anxious voices of the other guests pouring in behind them. All she could hear was her heart pounding in terror. Gideon… dear God, Gideon.

She knew, knew that those shots involved him. What if he were hurt? What if he were-

She couldn't even bring herself to finish the thought. He had to be all right. Had to be. Had to be.

A door just ahead opened, and the magistrate stepped into the corridor, quickly closing the panel shut behind him.

"We heard shots," Julianne said, stopping in front of him. She grasped his arm, her fingers digging desperately into his sleeve. "Gideon." His name burst from her lips on a hoarse, terror-filled whisper. "Where is Gideon? Is he-"

"Mr. Mayne is fine." His gaze touched on Sarah and Carolyn. "As are your husbands. Mr. Jennsen as well."

Julianne heard her friends gasp. "Matthew is in that room?" Sarah asked weakly, reaching out for Julianne's hand.

"And Daniel?" Carolyn whispered.

"Yes. And they are all perfectly fine."

Before he could say anything more, a crowd surged in behind them with shouts of, "What's happening?"

Mr. Rayburn held up his hands and demanded silence. Once the crowd quieted, he said, "All is well. There is no need for alarm. If you'll go back to the drawing room, I'll explain everything."

Amid much murmuring, the group turned around to do as the magistrate bade them. But Julianne again grabbed Mr. Rayburn's sleeve. "I'm not leaving this corridor until I see for myself that Mr. Mayne is unharmed."

"And our husbands," Sarah added. "And Mr. Jennsen as well."

"I'm afraid you can't go in there," Mr. Rayburn said in an undertone, nodding toward the door.

"Why not?" demanded Emily.

After making certain the crowd was far enough away that he couldn't be overheard, he said, "You have my word that Mayne and the others are unhurt. The duke, however, is dead."

Before Julianne could even react to the news, the door opened.

Matthew and Daniel, wearing identical grim expressions, entered the corridor. With cries of relief, Sarah and Carolyn went to their husbands and were enfolded in tight embraces. Logan Jennsen appeared next. He nodded at Julianne, then at Emily, who murmured, "Mr. Jennsen."

Julianne craned her neck, and when she saw Gideon walking toward her, her relief was so strong she had to brace her hand against the wall for support. When he entered the corridor, heedless of their audience, she grabbed his hands. "You're all right."

His gaze seemed to burn into hers. "Yes."

"When I heard the shots I thought…" She squeezed his hands and blinked back the tears that rushed into her eyes.

"I know. I'm sorry you were worried. But it's all over now."

"Mr. Rayburn said the duke is dead."

A muscle ticked in Gideon's jaw. "He is."

The magistrate cleared his throat. "Mayne, if you'll escort the ladies and gentlemen into the drawing room and make the necessary explanations, I'll take care of things here."

Gideon nodded. Julianne held his arm as they walked down the corridor, unwilling to let him go, unable to keep from touching him. When they entered the crowded drawing room, however, he left her in the care of her friends and addressed the assembled group.

Julianne listened in shock and disgust to the story Gideon told. Gasps and cries of disbelief punctuated the tale of the duke's horrific crimes. By the end, everyone was clearly stunned yet relieved that the mystery of the murdering ghost robber had finally been solved and that no one else would suffer.

With the explanations finished, Gideon urged the stunned crowd to make their way home, and a slow exodus started toward the foyer. Julianne scanned the room and saw Sarah and Matthew talking quietly nearby. Daniel and Carolyn also stood close together, deep in conversation. Emily and Logan Jennsen stood near the punch bowl, making what appeared to be stilted conversation.

Just then Gideon joined her, pressing a glass of punch into her hand, which she gratefully accepted.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"I'm… shocked. And grateful. That you weren't hurt. That he was stopped." A shudder of revulsion trembled through her. "That I hadn't married him." She took another sip of punch then added, "You were wonderfully brave and clever."

"Thank you."

"I'm very proud of you."

What looked like a cross between confusion and surprise crossed his face. He lifted his hand, as if to touch her, then seemed to recall himself, where they were, and lowered his arm. "I don't believe anyone's ever said that to me before."

"I'm also very angry with you."

He blinked, then his lips twitched. "Now that I've heard before."

"You took a terrible risk."

"No. I took a calculated risk. I didn't have proof; that would have required a trip to Cornwall and weeks, if not months, to obtain. But the duke didn't know that. And I knew I was right. I didn't doubt for a minute that when confronted with the truth, he would confess. I went into battle armed. And came out uninjured. The brandy decanter, which took the duke's shot, didn't fare as well, I'm afraid."

"You're making light of the danger you placed yourself in."

"Only because you're making too much of it. I'm very handy with a knife, plus I had Rayburn and the others at my back." He paused, then said, "Julianne, I-"

"There you are," came her mother's voice. "The carriage is being brought around. I swear this ordeal is going to be the death of me." She commandeered Julianne's arm and lowered her voice to a whisper. "Your father is absolutely livid."

"Why?" Julianne asked.

Her mother raised her gaze to the ceiling. "For heaven's sake, Julianne, have you not realized the implications? With Eastling dead, all the plans for your marriage are in ruins."

Julianne pulled away from her mother. "Yes, that is a tragedy," she said in an arid tone. "However, I for one am pleased that I didn't end up married to that murdering madman."

Her mother blinked. "Oh. Well, yes." She quickly recovered her aplomb. "I believe Haverly was your father's second choice, so that's most likely the way it will go."

Cold dread filled Julianne. Even though she knew the answer, she found herself asking, "The way what will go?"

"Your betrothal. But don't worry about it now. There's plenty of time to discuss it tomorrow." She turned to Gideon. "It appears we no longer require your services, Mr. Mayne. I'll see to it that your belongings are packed up and returned to you tomorrow."

And suddenly it hit Julianne that the investigation was indeed over. Which meant that Gideon wouldn't be guarding her any longer. He wouldn't be coming back to Grosvenor Square tonight. There wouldn't be any more nights. Any more days. No more time. No more Gideon.

Her mother once again commandeered Julianne's arm. "Come along, Julianne. The carriage is waiting."

Once again Julianne shook free. "I'll join you in a moment, Mother."

Her mother heaved a sigh. "If you feel you must speak with Mr. Mayne, I'll wait."

Julianne lifted her chin and spoke to her mother with a firmness she couldn't recall ever using before. "As the man saved my life, I do want to talk to him. And I shall do so without you listening."