Seduced at Midnight

'And our husbands,' Sarah added. 'And Mr. Jennsen as well.'

'I'm afraid you can't go in there,' Mr. Rayburn said in an undertone, nodding toward the door.

'Why not?' demanded Emily.

After making certain the crowd was far enough away that he couldn't be overheard, he said, 'You have my word that Mayne and the others are unhurt. The duke, however, is dead.'

Before Julianne could even react to the news, the door opened.

Matthew and Daniel, wearing identical grim expressions, entered the corridor. With cries of relief, Sarah and Carolyn went to their husbands and were enfolded in tight embraces. Logan Jennsen appeared next. He nodded at Julianne, then at Emily, who murmured, 'Mr. Jennsen.'

Julianne craned her neck, and when she saw Gideon walking toward her, her relief was so strong she had to brace her hand against the wall for support. When he entered the corridor, heedless of their audience, she grabbed his hands. 'You're all right.'

His gaze seemed to burn into hers. 'Yes.'

'When I heard the shots I thought…' She squeezed his hands and blinked back the tears that rushed into her eyes.

'I know. I'm sorry you were worried. But it's all over now.'

'Mr. Rayburn said the duke is dead.'

A muscle ticked in Gideon's jaw. 'He is.'

The magistrate cleared his throat. 'Mayne, if you'll escort the ladies and gentlemen into the drawing room and make the necessary explanations, I'll take care of things here.'

Gideon nodded. Julianne held his arm as they walked down the corridor, unwilling to let him go, unable to keep from touching him. When they entered the crowded drawing room, however, he left her in the care of her friends and addressed the assembled group.

Julianne listened in shock and disgust to the story Gideon told. Gasps and cries of disbelief punctuated the tale of the duke's horrific crimes. By the end, everyone was clearly stunned yet relieved that the mystery of the murdering ghost robber had finally been solved and that no one else would suffer.

With the explanations finished, Gideon urged the stunned crowd to make their way home, and a slow exodus started toward the foyer. Julianne scanned the room and saw Sarah and Matthew talking quietly nearby. Daniel and Carolyn also stood close together, deep in conversation. Emily and Logan Jennsen stood near the punch bowl, making what appeared to be stilted conversation.

Just then Gideon joined her, pressing a glass of punch into her hand, which she gratefully accepted.

'Are you all right?' he asked.

'I'm… shocked. And grateful. That you weren't hurt. That he was stopped.' A shudder of revulsion trembled through her. 'That I hadn't married him.' She took another sip of punch then added, 'You were wonderfully brave and clever.'

'Thank you.'

'I'm very proud of you.'

What looked like a cross between confusion and surprise crossed his face. He lifted his hand, as if to touch her, then seemed to recall himself, where they were, and lowered his arm. 'I don't believe anyone's ever said that to me before.'

'I'm also very angry with you.'

He blinked, then his lips twitched. 'Now that I've heard before.'

'You took a terrible risk.'

'No. I took a calculated risk. I didn't have proof; that would have required a trip to Cornwall and weeks, if not months, to obtain. But the duke didn't know that. And I knew I was right. I didn't doubt for a minute that when confronted with the truth, he would confess. I went into battle armed. And came out uninjured. The brandy decanter, which took the duke's shot, didn't fare as well, I'm afraid.'

'You're making light of the danger you placed yourself in.'

'Only because you're making too much of it. I'm very handy with a knife, plus I had Rayburn and the others at my back.' He paused, then said, 'Julianne, I-'

'There you are,' came her mother's voice. 'The carriage is being brought around. I swear this ordeal is going to be the death of me.' She commandeered Julianne's arm and lowered her voice to a whisper. 'Your father is absolutely livid.'

'Why?' Julianne asked.

Her mother raised her gaze to the ceiling. 'For heaven's sake, Julianne, have you not realized the implications? With Eastling dead, all the plans for your marriage are in ruins.'

Julianne pulled away from her mother. 'Yes, that is a tragedy,' she said in an arid tone. 'However, I for one am pleased that I didn't end up married to that murdering madman.'

Her mother blinked. 'Oh. Well, yes.' She quickly recovered her aplomb. 'I believe Haverly was your father's second choice, so that's most likely the way it will go.'

Cold dread filled Julianne. Even though she knew the answer, she found herself asking, 'The way what will go?'

'Your betrothal. But don't worry about it now. There's plenty of time to discuss it tomorrow.' She turned to Gideon. 'It appears we no longer require your services, Mr. Mayne. I'll see to it that your belongings are packed up and returned to you tomorrow.'

And suddenly it hit Julianne that the investigation was indeed over. Which meant that Gideon wouldn't be guarding her any longer. He wouldn't be coming back to Grosvenor Square tonight. There wouldn't be any more nights. Any more days. No more time. No more Gideon.

Her mother once again commandeered Julianne's arm. 'Come along, Julianne. The carriage is waiting.'

Once again Julianne shook free. 'I'll join you in a moment, Mother.'

Her mother heaved a sigh. 'If you feel you must speak with Mr. Mayne, I'll wait.'

Julianne lifted her chin and spoke to her mother with a firmness she couldn't recall ever using before. 'As the man saved my life, I do want to talk to him. And I shall do so without you listening.'

Her mother's lips pursed as if she'd sucked on a lemon. Julianne knew she couldn't claim there was need of a chaperone as at least a dozen people still lingered in the room. Finally the countess nodded. 'Very well. You may have two minutes. Then I'll expect you in the carriage.'

After her mother left, Julianne turned to Gideon. There were so many things she wanted say, but all the words stuck in her tight, dry throat. Words she wished she had the courage to utter. I love you. Do you love me? I want you. Do you want me, too? I want to marry you. Do you want to marry me? She hoped he might speak, but he remained silent, just looking at her with an expression she couldn't read.

Nerves assailed her, and she pressed her suddenly damp palms against her gown. Moistened her lips. Then began, 'If you need your belongings tonight, you may come to the house-'

'No,' he said quickly. So quickly it was clear he didn't want to return to the house. 'Having them sent to me is fine.'

Julianne felt her time running out, and a sense of panic seized her. Unable to think of a way to delicately ask what she wanted, needed to know, she simply whispered, 'Will I see you again?'

Her heart beat in painful thumps waiting for his reply, trying to read his unreadable eyes. And then suddenly she could read them. Saw his answer. And his regret. And it felt as if her heart ceased beating. And instead began to bleed.

'The investigation is over,' he said quietly.

She had to swallow twice to find her voice. 'Which means that you and me… what we shared… is over as well.' She'd found her voice, but it was utterly flat. And seemed to come from very far away.