Flutters were instantly set off in Leah’s stomach.
He reached into his vest and pulled out a small box that he handed to her.
“More surprises?” she teased.
He smiled. “Just one.”
She slowly lifted the lid to reveal a set of emerald earbobs and a matching necklace. A gasp escaped her.
“Don’t get too excited,” he said. “They are just paste, but it wouldn’t be right if you weren’t properly adorned.”
“Thank you,” she breathed. As he took the necklace and moved around to her back to clasp it, she lifted a gloved hand and touched the delicate gems. “Real or not, they are enchanting. And they match perfectly with my dress.”
“I have never lacked for taste,” he murmured in her ear, causing a delicious shiver to trail down her spine. “I chose you, so that definitely should account for it.”
Leah yearned to lean back into his embrace. She imagined his hands moving down her shoulders to cup her breasts. She would moan as he teased them into hard points… “You don’t know me well enough yet. You might come to lament that decision.”
He nipped playfully at her neck. “Never.”
There was a brisk knock at the door and he moved away from her. Leah wanted to groan at the loss. They locked eyes just moments before a man with graying hair and a calm assurance entered. Lucas was alongside him. The bespectacled man offered her an encouraging smile. “Good to see you again, Miss Lindquist. I believe we have the pleasure of escorting you to the festivities.” He waved a hand to indicate his companion. “Might I introduce you to Matthew? He is the driver for our various escapades” He leaned forward, as if imparting a secret, but didn’t lower his voice. “You might have to speak loudly as he lives with seven women.”
Lucas was elbowed in the ribs for his teasing as he addressed Leah. “It’s true that I have a wife and six daughters, but I am more than capable of handling my own.”
Leah inclined her head. “I’m sure you are.”
“How is your head?” He touched the side of his head. “If I recall, you were injured the other night when we…ah…escorted you here.”
Her lips twitched at the subtle way he was trying to refer to her abduction. “Thank you. I am quite recovered.” She attempted to calm any concerns he might have. “And there is no harm done.”
“I’m doing well,” Harlan spoke up from where he’d been observing the exchange. He touched the side of his head. “I was shot, you know.”
Matthew waved a hand. “You’re always in trouble.”
Harlan rolled his eyes as Lucas announced, “Shall we go?” He held out his arm to her. “I heard tonight shall be grand enough to rival the festivities held at Vauxhall.”
Before she could accept Lucas, Harlan leaned down to murmur, “I won’t be far away.” She nodded, because speech had failed her. Knowing that he would be out in the crowd, hidden from view but watching her, made her pulse flutter with awareness.
It wasn’t until he was gone that her voice returned. She smiled at Lucas. “I daresay it will be better.”
A burstof sparks overhead lit up the night sky. Harlan caught a glimpse of green in the midst of the crowd, but he couldn’t be certain it was Leah until she turned her head and looked out among the assemblage, a brilliant smile on her face. His cock instantly stirred with desire.
He turned away, lest his attention was distracted any further.
He meandered about the edge of the main gathering of onlookers who had come out to watch the amusements. From acrobatics to musicians, and food vendors and boats floating on the river that offered guests a different view to see the colorful fireworks overhead, it was one of the best spectacles that Gravesend had witnessed since the spring opening a couple months previous. Now that the weather was starting to get warmer, the enthusiasm to engage in outdoor enjoyments had begun to grow.
Harlan spied Benjamin and Hugh, who were there with their families and appeared at ease, playing their parts as eager revelers with perfect precision.
Lucas and Matthew had also joined their prospective circles but made sure to keep Leah close. Everything was progressing exactly as it should, but as past experience had taught Harlan, that was when he needed to worry.
Men and women in various costumes were walking among the assemblage and offering drinks or other wares on silver trays. Harlan was far enough away from the heart of the merriment that they didn’t approach him, but he could still keep a close eye on the activity. It didn’t take long before he saw one particular lady glance about before disappearing around the side of the windmill.
Instantly, the fine hairs on the back of Harlan’s neck began to rise with awareness. He never dismissed his gut feeling, and right now, it was telling him that this woman hadn’t moved away from the merriment for no reason. He managed to catch Benjamin’s eye as he nodded in the same direction. The other man started to retreat the opposite way, giving them a chance to meet and hopefully, cut off anyone’s chance of escape.
A surge of energy pulsed through Harlan’s body as he crept closer to the windmill without drawing any undue attention to himself. Once he reached the solid base of the structure, his heart started to beat rapidly, a direct contrast to the giant turbines overhead. He removed the small pistol that he’d tucked in the back of his trousers and slowly moved closer to the two shadowed figures that were speaking in muted tones a short distance away.
A crackle of fireworks overhead momentarily lit up the sky and Harlan knew he was in trouble when the man’s head whipped around to face him. For an instant, his features were clearly revealed. They stared at each other, both sizing up the moment, deciding when best to act.
Whipping out his pistol, the villain pushed the maid against the windmill and Harlan spied the glint of the steel as he raised his weapon and fired first.
