Daniel gulped as he held his best friend’s gaze, trying his best to think of a way out of the mess. All he had wanted to do was stop an attack on Darragh’s sister-in-law, a woman that made his blood boil by simply existing. Yet now he stood accused of an unforgivable rule among men.
Any woman that was related to a friend, in any way, was not to be touched…
“I would like to see the two of ye alone,” Darragh growled in a deep voice, his gaze never leaving his friend’s face.
Daphne seemed to be the first to come to her senses as she turned toward the guests. “I’m sure there’s a perfectly good explanation for all of this.” She gave a nervous laugh as she ushered the throng of onlookers back into the hall before shutting the doors.
“There better be a good explanation for all of this,” Darragh growled again as the anger grew on his face.
“This is Melissa,” Avery attempted to calm him down as she looked at her sister and Daniel. “Let them speak before we jump to any conclusions.”
3
Melissa struggled to catch her breath as she was ushered into an empty room along with Daniel and the others. The tiny room was furnished with a desk and a few chairs, presumably used by the housekeeper or some other member of staff.
Shutting the door behind them all, Daphne looked furious as she rounded on them both. “What on God’s green earth happened between the two of you this evening?” Her eyes shot from her daughter’s chest, which was still covered by the coat, to Daniel’s coatless body. “I thought the two of you couldn’t stand each other. And nowthis? And you, Melissa? The daughter of a viscount seen in such a state of undress. How could you let something like this happen?”
“My thoughts, exactly.” Darragh glared at Daniel as he crossed his arms over his chest. “I dinnae ken how this could have happened?” He narrowed his eyes.
“I think we all need to take a deep breath,” Avery said with her hand raised to her forehead as if she were trying her best to keep an awful headache at bay. “I’m sure there’s a more than reasonable explanation for all of this.”
“You’re the daughter of a viscount, for pity’s sake!” Daphne snapped as Melissa opened her mouth to speak. “After everything that this family has been through in the past two years, how could you do this to us now?” she asked angrily.
To Melissa’s great surprise, it was Daniel who once again came to her aid.
“I dinnae think that pointing fingers an’ passing blame will be helpful to anyone at present, Lady Montgomery” he began. “The situation isnae as it seems.”
Melissa cringed, bracing herself for the shame that would come over her when Daniel told them the truth.
“The truth is that Melissa tripped an’ tore her dress. I was on me way to leave when I lent her me coat. It’s as simple as that,” he said without batting so much as an eye.
Her head snapped up in surprise when Daniel told a bald-faced lie to keep his word. “Naething untoward happened between us, despite how things may look.”
“As if I would believe a story like that!” Darragh finally snapped, advancing on his friend with his fists balled at his sides. “I should have kent that it was too good to be true that the famous rake wouldnae lay a hand on the sister of me wife!”
Daniel stood his ground, taking the accusations in his stride without flinching so much as a muscle. “Believe what ye will,” he said coolly as Darragh gripped his shirt and brought them nose to nose.
“Stop!” Melissa finally spoke up as she watched her brother-in-law nearly assault the man who had saved her life. “It wasn’t Daniel who compromised me!”
Everyone turned toward her in shock as Daniel gave her a look that said he’d keep her secret even if Darragh beat him to a pulp.
Releasing a shaky breath, she sank into a nearby chair and began to explain. “I had gone outside for a breath of fresh air when a man attempted to take me against my will.” She swallowed as she struggled to get the words out. “I tried to scream, but it was Daniel who came to my aid when nobody else did.”
Daphne placed a hand on her chest, stumbling back against the wall in shock as Avery covered her mouth with her hands.
Darragh looked down at his friend before releasing his collar and letting him go.
“If it wasn’t for Daniel,” Melissa continued, giving Daniel an apologetic look. “I would’ve been violated. He came just at the right time.”
Her mother began to wail as she sank to the ground. “My poor baby!” she cried in anger and regret, tears flowing from her eyes.
It was Avery who rushed forward, lifting her mother by the arms.
“Did ye get a look at the man?” Darragh demanded angrily as he came to Melissa’s side, towering above her in a protective manner. “What was his name?”
“Ethan McGregor,” Melissa answered as calmly as she could, trying her best to keep her hands from shaking, knowing all too well that Darragh would go on an angry rampage.
Darragh frowned as Avery caught her mother before she fell to the floor once again.
