“Your idea is very tempting, young Harry.” He lifted her chin with a finger and gazed into her eyes. “Not afraid?”
“A little,” she confessed. She felt safer when Gerard was with her. He seemed so strong, and capable. She liked that he was hardheaded and rational. And loyal to old Harrison. Harriett smothered a sigh. She was more uneasy about keeping her true feelings from Gerard, and risking her heart, than she was about a murderer lurking around. “I’ll be fine, as long as you stay with me.”
“No, Harry. I can’t allow it.”
“I’m probably safer with you than when I’m alone,” she said trying another tack.
“Alone?” He gripped her arms. “Dash it, you wouldn’t wander about alone at night would you, Harry?”
“I might,” she said extracting herself from his disturbing hold. “I’m getting the hang of it. I might discover something by myself.”
He shook his head. “You’re a minx. I can see I shall have to agree, just to keep you safe.”
“It’s settled then,” Harriett said quickly, before he changed his mind.
“Tomorrow night, then? We’ll take a stroll in the gardens, if the night is clear. I’ll be armed, no need to feel frightened.”
Pleasure threaded through her at the prospect of another night in Gerard’s company. “Eleven o’clock?”
“I’ll meet you at the rose arbor, unless it rains. Wear something more sensible.”
“I intend to!” she said indignantly as her face heated.
“Unless you like me helping you to dress?”
She wished he wouldn’t tease her in that way. His gruff voice sent tingles racing down to her toes.
“I don’t see anyone about yet.” Harriett gazed up at the house. “The servants rise early.”
“Go!” He gave her a push. “I’ll watch until you’re inside.”
She turned away onto the path.
“Harry?”
“Yes?”
“You’re a brick.” His soft utterance came out of the gloom as he stepped back into the shadows.
Warmed by his praise, Harriett hurried up to the front door. Once inside the shadowy front hall, she locked the door. Startled by the grind of gears in the grandfather clock, she darted forward to replace the key.
Finger-like shadows reached across the marble floors, and every piece of furniture took on an alarming shape. Her pulse pounded in her ears as she climbed the stairs. Might some murderer lurk behind a pillar, waiting to strike her down?
Reaching her bedchamber, she hurried in and closed the door. Then with a deep, tired sigh, sank down onto the bed, only to jump up when she remembered the state of her dress. Stripping off the offending garment, she searched for her needlework box. She would have to repair the torn flounce as soon as it grew light, and then take a walk before her mother came down to breakfast. A stumble into a muddy puddle would be enough to hide tonight’s ravages from her mother’s sharp gaze. Her annoyance at Harriett’s carelessness would have to be born.
She poured water from the jug into a basin and performed her customary ritual as if retiring for the night, when only a few hours remained before she would have to rise again. With her nightdress half over her head, she paused. Gerard still hadn’t told her exactly where he’d gone when he’d ridden away from Foxworth the night Harrison was killed. He couldn’t have ridden to London and been back so soon. So where was he? She trusted him implicitly, but it disturbed her that he withheld so much from her. However, tomorrow night was another chance to learn more.
As she climbed into bed, a second thought occurred to her, and robbed her of any possibility of sleep. What if Leonora decided to marry Gerard? He would be her brother-in-law.
♥♥♥
Gerard rode back to Foxworth. Why had he let Harry get the better of him? Again! He’d been determined not to repeat this night’s debacle. If the murderer had come after them, she would have been a witness to violence. Going behind her parent’s back didn’t sit well with him, either. It must be the absolutely last time. For one thing, she was far too distracting. There was a good reason why a man’s brain performed better without a woman around. He yawned. Short of sleep, he was making poor decisions. He’d make a late start—snatch a few hours’ sleep. He hoped that Harry got some beauty sleep too. Although she hardly needed it. She really had no idea what a temptress she was with her long, slim legs, glorious hair and her inquisitive green eyes. He couldn’t help grinning despite himself.
