An Unexpected Countess. Laurie Benson
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about.’
That gave her pause. ‘You’re saying that to frighten me.’
‘If I wanted to frighten you, I’d inform you of the rats that are probably scurrying around this house or spiders or any number of creatures that could fall down on us from holes in the ceiling.’
‘What?’ she squeaked and looked up. Her heart slowed when she spotted the ceiling was intact. She stopped dead so he walked into her.
‘What was that for?’ he asked.
‘For trying to scare me.’
‘Why don’t you let me go down the staircase first?’
‘Why?’
‘In the event there is someone else in the house, I believe I am more equipped to deal with them than you are.’
‘I may surprise you.’
‘Miss Forrester, tonight I’m learning you are full of surprises, but as a gentleman, I must insist.’
The light from the dirty window across the way helped them navigate the spiral staircase. Peering over the wooden banister, Sarah could see all the way to the bottom—to the very dark bottom. Was Hartwick right? Was someone living in this house unbeknownst to the neighbours? Would it be some unwashed mountain of a man who would be angry he was discovered?
‘Very well,’ she whispered, ‘I’ll let you go first.’
Down and down they went. And when they finally reached the ground floor, Sarah held him back. ‘There will be a door to the back garden nearby,’ she whispered. ‘From there it should be easy to leave through the garden gate and into the alley leading to the mews.’
‘I agree. Stand back while I open the door.’ Hartwick crouched and retrieved a knife from his boot. The muted light shimmered off the silver blade.
She stepped back. ‘What do you have that for?’
‘One never knows who one will run into on a night like this,’ he replied with an amused grin.
Her palms started sweating as he slowly turned the doorknob and peered out into the hallway. She took off her gloves and wiggled her fingers in the event she needed to scratch an attacker’s eyes out.
Dear God, let us be alone.
He signalled her to follow him while keeping his attention on the silent, dark hallway. She would never admit to him how grateful she was for his self-assured presence tonight. Anticipating having to walk through these houses without being caught had upset her stomach all day. She had no experience at this.
They reached the door leading to the garden and he placed his hand on the doorknob. ‘Are you ready?’
She nodded and took a deep breath. The thought that someone might be close by watching them made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. She nudged his shoulder and got a whiff of leather and rainwater.
When they stepped out into the overgrown garden, the damp air was a welcome relief from the musty smell inside. She was finally finished with her evening of breaking and entering.
‘Do you require assistance returning home?’ he asked, searching her face in what appeared to be true concern.
‘No, thank you. I assumed the house was empty but you’re correct. One can never be too cautious.’
‘Words to remember as you go forward with Lord Baxter,’ he said with a friendly smile.
It took her a moment to recall his earlier assumption about why she had been on the roof. ‘Yes, well, thank you again.’
They were facing each other in the moonlight and she had the strongest urge to close the distance between them. His blue eyes, framed with thick black lashes, had her transfixed. For a long moment, she looked back at him. He really did have lovely eyes—but they gave away his suspicions about her story.
She went to walk past him, but he pulled her back by her hand. He stepped closer and his gaze dropped to her lips. The heat from his body travelled to hers through the cool damp air. The rain began to fall again, but she hadn’t noticed.
‘You should go,’ he said softly.
She nodded, but part of her was having a difficult time walking away from him.
His lips slowly curved into his familiar cocky smile. ‘You never thanked me for saving your life.’
She released his hand and stepped back. ‘Do not look for a kiss from me. The kiss you received from another woman tonight should keep you content.’
He crossed his arms. ‘What makes you think it was one kiss?’
Sometimes he made it so easy to resist that pull she felt towards him. She turned and made her way through the overgrown brush to the small, delicate, wrought-iron gate. ‘The details of your love life do not interest me, my lord,’ she replied over her shoulder, grateful to be leaving the arrogant Earl.
* * *
When she climbed into the carriage waiting a few streets away, she met the eager expression of her dearest friend and closest confidant, Katrina, Duchess of Lyonsdale.
‘Well, did you find it?’ Katrina slid across the green velvet bench in the well-appointed carriage, making room for Sarah to sit down.
Sarah shook her head while removing her hat and cape. The danger she had put herself in by breaking into the Everill town house had all been for naught. ‘I searched her room from top to bottom, and the bracelet was nowhere to be found. She must be wearing it tonight.’
‘Now what will you do?’
‘I’m not sure. If she continues to wear it everywhere she goes, I’ll be forced to take it off her wrist.’
Katrina handed Sarah the gown she had changed out of in the carriage when they left the ball. Concern was etched on her brow. ‘You were gone for a long time. I was beginning to worry.’
Sarah let out a sigh as she turned her back so Katrina could button her gown. ‘I was detained by Lord Hartwick on the roof as I was trying to leave.’
‘Hartwick? Does he know what you were doing tonight?’
‘No, he believes I was coming from an assignation with Lord Baxter.’
Katrina’s hand paused midbutton. ‘Do you think that’s wise?’
‘It was better than telling him the truth. With all his indiscretions I doubt he would say anything.’
‘Whatever was he doing on the roof?’
‘Do you really need to ask?’
Katrina resumed buttoning Sarah’s gown. ‘Has he taken up with Everill’s widowed niece?’
‘No, thankfully she was not in residence tonight, from what I could tell by looking into the bedchamber. He was with Lady Helmford.’
‘Why won’t that man ever pursue an unmarried woman?’
‘Because he might be forced to marry one! From what I’ve observed, he grows bored of women easily.’ Sarah began to pin up her hair.
‘I wish he would settle into marriage. I think it would do him good. He always appears rather restless to me.’
‘I pity the woman who falls for the likes of Lord Hartwick. He thinks too highly of himself and is too much of a rake to ever be faithful.’ She turned to face Katrina. ‘How do I look?’
‘You look like you never left the ballroom. I’m sorry this was all for naught.’
So was Sarah. That bracelet was the key to saving her parents great pain. She would not stop until she had it.
* * *
Playing cards with the Prince Regent always proved to be entertaining, especially when the man