The Daring Miss Darcy (Lost Ladies of London 4)

A pang of guilt hit Vane squarely in the chest. For a second, he had doubted Estelle’s loyalty. “The lady has been out of her depth for eight years, battling one criminal attack after another. If it is any consolation, I did not see it, either.”

They exchanged consolatory smiles.

“She deserves so much more from life,” Mr Erstwhile said. “Do you not think?”

Two weeks ago he would have refuted the claim. Eight years ago, he would have said she deserved a grand house and a prestigious position in society. Now, she deserved the only thing that mattered — love.

“Come.” Vane patted Mr Erstwhile on the back. “Let’s see how she’s faring. And then I shall escort you all home.”

Once back at Whitecombe Street, Vane carried Estelle up to her chamber. Mrs Erstwhile followed and settled her into bed. The effects of the laudanum were wearing off. And so, Mrs Erstwhile agreed to give them a few minutes’ privacy.

Vane dropped into the chair next to the bed. “How are you feeling?”

“The urge to sleep does not feel so great now,” she said. “Doctor Hanson assured me I should feel more like myself tomorrow.”

They stared at each other. So many words filled his head. But where should he start?

“At what point did you suspect Mr Hungerford’s motives?” he said.

Estelle took longer than usual to reply, no doubt her mind was still hazy. “I knew nothing until we arrived at the yard, but by then it was too late.” She sucked in a breath. “While I have found myself in many precarious situations over the years, I am just a naive country girl at heart.”

“You’re not naive, Estelle. Hungerford had everyone fooled.” Thank heaven for Mr Joseph. “Were it not for the fact I hired a man to follow him, you would be on your way to Bath now.” Bile bubbled in his stomach at the thought. “And I—”

“Would have believed I had left you once again.”

He tried to swallow down the lump in his throat. “Yes,” he whispered. “You would have been the devil who betrayed me twice.”

A tear trickled down her nose. “I am too weak to talk at length now. But know that I never betrayed you, Ross. The only person I betrayed was myself.”

He didn’t know what that meant. Despite wanting to ask a myriad of questions, he knew now was not the time to pester her for information. She would tell him when she was ready, and somehow during the last week he’d learnt patience.

Vane captured her cold hand and pressed a kiss on her knuckles. He lingered there for longer than necessary. “Rest now.” He stood and straightened the coverlet. “I shall call again tomorrow to see how you fare.”

Estelle smiled. “Thank you. I dread to think where I would be without you.”

Her remark hit him like a lightning bolt to the heart. That was all he’d ever wanted. To be her protector.

“Have no fear,” he said in a rich drawl. “I’m sure I can think of a way you might repay me for my efforts. Pleasure is as good a currency as any.”

A blush touched her cheeks, bringing life to her pallid countenance. “I’m afraid you might be disappointed. I lack your experience in such matters.”

“How wrong you are. You’re the only one with the skill to please me.” He inclined his head. “Now, I must leave before I’m tempted to draw back the bedsheets and sidle in beside you.” He could feel a stirring in his loins at the mere thought. “I doubt Mrs Erstwhile could take another shock today.”

A weak chuckle left her pale lips. “You would be most welcome, though I can’t promise I won’t mumble and mutter incoherently. Then again, I imagine I’m not the first woman to fall asleep with you in bed.”

There was a touch of amusement in her tone and a hint of jealousy.

“It may surprise you to learn that I have never fallen asleep with any woman.” There was something intimate about the act, something deeply personal. “You would be the first.”

The energy in the room shifted. Desire sparked in the air between them. He imagined a host of delicious ways he might wake her in the morning: a gentle suck of her earlobe, nimble fingers wandering down to a warm haven, pressing his erection against her soft buttocks.

“You should know I’m an early riser,” he added just to fan the flames of lust a little more.

“I shall bear that in mind as I am full of vitality in the morning, too.”

“Then you should most definitely get some rest.” With a wide grin, Vane bowed. “Until tomorrow, Miss Darcy.”

“Until tomorrow, my lord.”