Crack!The sharp blast of the pistol firing echoed off the walls of the close and rang in her ears. And Miles fell to the cobblestones.
Not knowing what else to do, Juliana hurried painfully to his side.
He groaned and cursed, moving to rise, despite the fresh wound in his calf.
“No!” Juliana held him down with her hands and pressed one knee into the small of his back. “You’re not going to get away, Miles.”
“Juliana!” Maria gasped as she and Heather entered the close.
“Here!” Juliana called. “Please help me keep him down.”
“Good show, Juliana!” Heather clapped her on the back before staying Miles’ arm. “Your brother was shot.”
“Hsst, Heather!” Maria hissed. “It was merely a graze, Juliana. Do not let Heather alarm you.”
The odd timing notwithstanding, Juliana felt a moment of wistfulness. She had missed her friends dearly, and was so grateful to have them at her side once more.
“Is Leo—?” Juliana began.
“La, what a handsome man, Juliana.” Heather whistled. “Better lure him to your bed before some other lady nabs him.”
Miles grumbled several choice words before struggling fruitlessly against their hold.
Juliana’s lips quirked. “As a matter of fact, Leo—”
Heavy footsteps raced toward them, halting her words. A large figure stopped mere paces away.
“Juliana!” Leo’s relieved voice came before he approached. “Christ, but I’d worried that you’d been hurt.”
He unknotted his cravat and slid it from around his neck.
“What of Francis?” Juliana asked breathlessly, still focusing her energy on restraining Miles.
“Apprehended.” Leo gave a nod while he tied Miles’ wrists behind his back. “Miss Huntsbury and your brother have him in hand.”
Swift relief hit Juliana like a wave crashing in the ocean. It was finally over.
* * *
Voices fadedinto the Bow Street building’s foyer, leaving Leonard and Juliana blissfully alone in the parlour. He’d been waiting for the opportunity to speak with her privately; and, this was it.
“Jasper will be well,” Juliana said softly. “The ball grazed his ribs.”
Leo nodded. “Will you stay with him while he recovers?”
“No, but I will visit.” Juliana stepped closer. “Thisshall be my home.”
Or you could stay with me.
He cleared his throat, his hands trembling as he reached out and pulled her against him. “I cannot tell you how relieved I am that you are safe.”
“Did you fear that my plan would fail?” she asked with a taunting grin.
“Never. I worried over your safety in such a vulnerable circumstance, but I had every confidence in you. My—” He swallowed past the lump that had abruptly formed in his throat. “I simply cannot countenance a day without you in my life.”
Her glistening green-and-slate gaze raked over his features, her dark curling hair falling chaotically—and endearingly—out of its pins to encircle her face. The hint of a smile played over her lips, teasing him in his desire to taste them. But first, he must speak his truth.
“I love you, Juliana.”
