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He’dstaged the entire thing to entrap the Huxleys—specifically LadyHuxley.

Siobhan’svoice, a mere thread of sound, penetrated the thick door. “We might’ve been shot, Fletcher. Did you not consider that?”

Ahint of her earlier ire raised the pitch of her voice.

Wincing, he laid his palm flat against the door.

He’ddone this to her. Made her fear for her life and his—likely her brother’s and sister’s too.

“Chandler removed the ball from LadyHuxley’s pistol. Only he had a loaded gun.”

Along pause ensued.

“Siobhan?”

“It seems you thought of everything.” Sadness and resignation laced her low tone. “I’m happy you were able to catch LadyHuxley. What made you suspect her?”

“She was receptive to Chandler’s complaints about me. That is why we decided on the course of action you witnessed tonight, although I still wrongly believed LordHuxley was behind everything until a few days ago.”

“That is what Chandler wanted to discuss with you privately that day I fainted, isn’t it?”

“It was.” Fletcher smoothed his fingers across the wood, wishing it was her he comforted. “Open the door, sweetheart. Please.”

Silencereigned for several heartbeats.

“Why?”

BecauseI love you. I want to take you into my arms and assure you you’ll never have to be afraid again. I long to taste your lips in a soul-searing kiss. To convince you that you are the most precious thing in the world to me.

Instead, he whispered, emotion clogging his throat. “BecauseI desperately want to see your beautiful face and to apologize for not including you. It was stupid of me.”

Severalmore gut-wrenching moments passed before the key scratched into the lock.

However, Siobhan didn’t open the door.

Takinga deep breath, Fletcher pressed the latch down, and the panel swung open.

Hisentire future rested upon what happened in the next few minutes.

She’dretreated to the window, her virginal nightgown enshrouding her like an angel, her ebony hair falling past her shoulders. She glanced at the bedside clock.

“It’s almost midnight, Fletcher. Say what you need to say, and let me seek my bed. I’m exhausted.”

Herblue eyes round and wounded, she regarded him as an injured doe would have done, leery and ready to flee.

“I’m sorry, my love. So very sorry.” He held out a hand in entreaty. “I can bear anything, punishment or pain, except knowing I’ve hurt you. I thought it was for the best, but now I know I should have told you everything.”

Twistingthe gown’s fabric with her fingers, she bit her lower lip and averted her gaze. Not, however, before Fletcher saw tears pooling in her incredible eyes.

Hespread his arms.

“Can you forgive me, Siobhan? Please?”

Witha small cry, she flew into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him as if her very life depended upon it, her small breasts burning dual holes in his chest. Honeysuckle and jasmine wafted from her freshly washed skin.

Fletcher’ssoul took to wing in exaltation, singing with joy that this tiny woman with her big heart could forgive his foolhardiness and inconsideration.

“I was so afraid,” she whispered into his neck. “Not for myself, but for you. Paddy. Kimber.”