Page 39

Thirteen

Fletcher’soffice

FIVE MINUTES LATER

Timecrept by interminably slow as ViscountessHuxley, yet wielding the ivory-handled pistol, paced back and forth in Fletcher’s office. Agitation fairly radiated off her as she muttered under her breath.

Thoughonly five minutes had passed, each second lengthened into what felt like an hour. Smoke’s choking stench and the frantic sounds outside filtered through the drawn draperies.

Amyriad of questions pummeled Siobhan.

Wherewere Paddy and Kimber?

Hadsomeone made sure they made it outside?

Howbig was the fire?

Hadit been extinguished?

WasDe la Chance at risk?

Wereothers still in the club and in peril?

Wereshe and Fletcher going to die at the hands of these lunatics?

Do not think about it.

Shegrazed her fingertips across Fletcher’s forehead and down his cheek. Only to reinforce the ruse he played at, of course. Not because Siobhan couldn’t help reassure herself that he was alive and, though bruised and cut, would be all right.

Ifthey managed to escape the demented curs holding them prisoner.

Thatwas a very big if.

Thefact that none of Fletcher’s security team or his brother had appeared didn’t portend well.

Siobhanforced her thoughts elsewhere, for if she dwelled on the danger, she’d become paralyzed with fear, and Fletcher needed her to have her wits about her to assist him in whatever he had planned.

He’dbest get to it, however.

Ifthe blaze spread to De la Chance…

Settinga fire.

Whata stupid and reckless scheme. However, it wasn’t the first time her ladyship had employed the method.

Itspoke to the absolute insanity of the Huxleys. Their accomplices too.

Throughhalf-lowered lashes, Siobhan observed the viscountess and Chandler. Both appeared peculiarly at ease given the perilous circumstances. On the other hand, the brutes LadyHuxley employed glanced around like a nervous mother dog with newborn pups.

Fletcherlay insensate upon the sofa where LadyHuxley’s thugs had unceremoniously dumped him. Pulse racing in anticipation of what he had planned, Siobhan had sat on the sofa and slipped his head onto her lap, only too happy to aide in his deception.

Whyhe pretended unconsciousness, she couldn’t guess. And how the two of them could ward off the four menaces in his office also eluded her. Nevertheless, she trusted Fletcher implicitly.

Therealization gave her an internal start.

Shecaressed his beloved face with her gaze.

Shedid trust him.