By God, he could see the silhouette of her lush form, clearly delineated beneath that excuse for a garment she wore. Even in his present state of alarm, he could not look away from the glory of her curves lovingly illumined by the light at her back. A careful glance at both Sutton and Tierney revealed they had averted their gazes in deference to the lady’s state of dishabille. Thank Christ. He’d hate to have to challenge the only men he could currently trust to a duel over Virtue’s honor.
“My lady, please return to your chamber until you are otherwise instructed,” he snapped at her, not surprised at her latest inability to do as she was told.
When had she ever?
The chit was a walking, breathing, magnificent study in rebellion.
“Not until you tell me what has occurred,” she said stubbornly, her eyes darting to his companions. “Ah, Mr. Sutton, how good it is to see you again. Whatever are you doing here at this time of night? And you, sir…”
Truly? She expected him to perform introductions at half past four in the morning, after an assassin had just broken his neck on the staircase, and whilst she wasnearly nude?
“This isn’t a ballroom, Lady Virtue,” he corrected her sharply. “Nor are you dressed for company. I suggest you return to your chamber and await further direction from me.”
As if belatedly realizing how scantily clad she was, Virtue glanced down at her night rail, a becoming flush rising to her cheeks. “Oh dear, I do suppose I ought to have put on a dressing gown, at least. Forgive me.”
“You are forgiven,” he said curtly, recalling the godawful ache in his gut when he had momentarily feared something ill had befallen her and relenting. “Given the shock of the evening, it’s only to be expected.”
She was safe, thank God. And so was Pamela. As was he, for now.
The ominous reminder spurred him on, forcing him to add, “Mr. Sutton, Mr. Tierney, and myself are examining my chamber for clues. If you will excuse us, my lady?”
“Clues for what?” she asked, stubborn and maddening as ever. “Lady Deering was screaming, but I couldn’t decipher much of what she was saying. There appeared to be a dead man at the base of the staircase.”
Her composure was impeccable. How did she manage it? His own sister had dissolved into hysterics, and Pamela was as hardened as an anvil.
Trevor cleared his throat. “There is indeed a body at the base of the staircase.”
“Who is he?” she asked, lingering at the threshold and making no effort to fetch the dressing gown she’d mentioned.
This damned ward of his was going to prove the death of him.
If whomever it was who wanted him dead didn’t first.
“We don’t know,” he ground out. “Lady Virtue, please return to your room.”
“Oh, but I would dearly love to be of assistance.”
Why was he not surprised?
Trevor stifled a groan. “No.”
“Why not?” Tierney asked, slanting him a diabolical grin.
The cunning wretch likely scented his desperation to be rid of his ward’s unwanted and unnecessary temptation. Archer Tierney was like a damned shark.
“Because it isn’t done,” he countered,sotto voce. “She’s my innocent ward.”
Sutton snorted. “Couldn’t be innocent for long with you as her guardian.”
Had he considered these two his friends as recently as approximately one minute prior? For some incomprehensible reason, yes, he had.
More fool he.
Trevor glared at Tierney and Sutton and then at his ward for good measure. “Back in your room, infant. At once.”
Her face fell, and he rather felt as if he’d kicked a puppy. He, who had nearly been slashed to death in his own bed, not long ago.
He was a candidate for Bedlam, clearly.
