“I do notwantus to be together!” Anna snapped; the scared pitch of her voice awakened a violence in Jeremy he had forgotten he possessed.
“I do not care whatyouwant,” Paul replied. “I love you, Anna, and if you had just married me all those months ago, after Robert was killed, none of this would have happened. We wouldn’t be in this mess, and you wouldn’t be so confused about your feelings for me.”
Jeremy slowly rested his hand on the door handle and turned to Katherine, raising a finger to his lips. She nodded in reply, her face losing color.
“Feelings for you? I have none beyond friendship!” Anna retorted urgently. “And Robertdied. He was not killed.Idid not kill him to be with you, if that is the madness you are suggesting.”
Mr. Miller’s dark laughter prickled the hairs on the back of Jeremy’s neck. “I wasn’t suggesting that, Anna. I know who killed him.” He paused. “It was me. Of course, it was me. I killed him foryou, so he would never get his hands on you, would never sully you. I could have killed the second one, too, but my sister had other plans.”
He spat out the last few words as if they tasted too sour in his mouth. As partial understanding dawned on Jeremy, he looked at Katherine, his eyes silently asking for confirmation. Had she protected him from something his brother had done? Had she known what he intended to do?
But Katherine’s head was bowed again and, this time, he knew he had no hope of her meeting his gaze. Perhaps that was an answer, in and of itself.
“What did Katherine do?” Anna asked.
Paul laughed coldly. “She saved him when she shouldn’t have done. She should have let him die, as intended.” He sniffed. “Apparently, she thought you were in love with him and had a sudden change of heart.”
“Idolove him,” Anna shot back. “I love him, but I shall never love you. I have been grateful for your friendship, but I have never asked for your protection, and I certainly do not need to be protected from my husband. If anything, it appears thatyouare the only threat to me.”
She loves me…
Jeremy didn’t realize how much he had yearned to hear that. He was so afraid of it and what it would mean. Now, all he wanted was to lie with her in his arms and hear her say it to his face, so he could have the chance to say it back.
“I suppose so,” Mr. Miller said with a sigh. “I had hoped you would see sense, but… if you will not be mine, then you will be no one’s. I am sorry, Anna. I didn’t want it to end this way, but?—”
Jeremy threw open the door and stormed into the room, his temper already blazing. But when he saw Mr. Miller’s hand caressing Anna’s cheek, it changed into something terrifying—something that would make him capable of anything if it meant protecting Anna.
The butler’s head whipped around, his eyes flashing with annoyance. Briefly distracted, Anna tried to duck under Paul’s trapping arm, but her movement didn’t go unnoticed. One moment, she was ready to run; the next, the butler shoved her hard in the chest… and she tipped backward, falling through the open window.
CHAPTER 33
Jeremy lunged, sprinting with everything he had, ignoring the flaming protest of his lungs and the thunderous beat of his heart. The butler turned in a vain attempt to block Jeremy’s path, but Jeremy just grabbed him and pushed him out of the way, watching out of the corner of his eye as Paul sprawled onto the ground.
He wished he could show the butler the true meaning of the word ‘pain,’ but the vile weasel wasn’t his priority. Anna was, and right now, she was hanging out of the window, her foot caught on the frame.
“Anna!” Jeremy grasped her by the ankle and leaned through the gap, his arm encircling her waist.
Huffing and puffing, fearing he might collapse all over again, he poured every bit of his effort into pulling her upright. If it killed him, then so be it; he didn’t care for himself as long as she was safe.
She was pale and wild-eyed as he hauled her carefully through the open window, her body shaking in his grip.
Uncertain of whether his closeness was welcome, he gazed into her eyes and searched her face. He should have come in sooner. He should have ridden after her the night before. He should have told her he loved her when he had the chance, so she could never doubt him.
“Are ye well?” he rasped, unable to resist any longer.
He brought his hands up to her face, cradling her cheeks, his heart swollen with relief. He leaned in and kissed her softly, kissing her brow, her nose, her eyelids, her temples, everywhere that he could possibly kiss. Needing that comfort for his own racing heart as much as he wished to offer it.
“I am… unhurt,” she whispered, still shaking. “My back might be… a little tender, but I am… unharmed.”
“I’m sorry I was late,” he told her, as he kissed her again, tenderly, upon her plump, pink lips. “I’m sorry I let ye leave me side.”
She shook her head. “The fault was mine.” Her gaze drifted to the man on the floor. “I did not see the danger.”
“Ye’re not to blame,” he insisted, following her gaze. “I’m yer husband, love. It’s up to me to keep ye from danger, and I failed. I won’t make the same mistake again.”
With his arm around her, he guided her to a worn-out settee and helped her sit down. Meanwhile, the butler was trying to get to his feet, though it seemed he had twisted his ankle in his fall, the wretch hobbling toward the door.
Katherine stood in the doorway, her arms stretching out as if to block her brother’s escape. But it wouldn’t be enough, and Jeremy needed the maid for something else.
