not pleased.”

“I can imagine.”

“We talked openly for possibly the first time in many years if not ever. Thank you for pushing him to tell me what our father said to him. It is indeed a heavy burden to place on a son.”

“It is.” She still wore the thick shawl around her shoulders, but it was cool out here, she needed to go back inside.

“I’m so sorry, Daniel.” Lowering her hand she closed the distance between them.

Her hair had long since come free of its pins, her skirts were creased, and she looked so disturbing, he clenched his fists so he didn’t touch her.

Daniel thought of himself as strong, but she was a weakness he wasn’t sure how to fight.

“What are you sorry for?”

“So many things, but I will start with my brothers’ behavior.”

“Which is entirely their fault and nothing to do with you.”

“Did Gabe apologize?”

“He did.” Not exactly a lie. The earl had skirted around an apology.

“We have treated you badly, I fear. First my lies and then the behavior of my family.”

“It’s all right.”

“No, it’s not, but I will never lie to you again, I promise.”

Her words suggested there was a future for them, but that was not true.

“Why are you here in this inn, Daniel?”

“I am going to Devon. I have business there and a property I wish to look at.”

“You want to live in Devon?”

“Not necessarily, but I like to buy property. I own two already.” He was babbling like his niece Hannah did when she was nervous or excited.

She fell silent.

“Why are you here, Lady Abigail?”

“Abby. And I am to visit my aunt and cousins in Devon.”

He had a feeling there was more to it, because she wouldn’t meet his eyes. “What other reason has you here away from London during the season?”

“Is that reason not good enough?”

“But there is more?”

“How do you know that?” She studied him now.

“Just tell me, Abby.”

“Gabe has discovered that the man who attacked me— ”

“With a knife.”

“Yes, with a knife. Did so deliberately and was paid to do so by an old business associate of my brother’s.” She said the words calmly, as if they were of little consequence.

“What!” Daniel didn’t feel calm. He felt as if someone had just dipped him in cold water.

“I am safe, Daniel, there is nothing to worry about.”

“Because of your brothers’ actions you are in danger. How can you tell me not to worry!” He felt irrational, like he wanted to grab her and make a run for it to somewhere no one could get near her again.

“I will be safe with Gabe and in my aunt’s house. Especially now they know who the man is. He will be caught soon. My brothers are doing what needs to be done to investigate it further. The matter will be dealt with before I return to London.”

Her inability to be worried infuriated him.

“Go back to the inn, Abby. It’s late, and you should retire.” The words came out harsh, but he needed her to leave before he did something they’d both regret. Daniel found that Abby made him unreasonable, and the sanity he could usually lay claim to was not always sound around her.

She looked at him with a small, sad smile on her face.

“Do you know, Daniel, I have spent my entire life with people telling me what to do.”

“I am simply stating that it is late, you’ve had a trying day, plus you should not be out here alone with me.” Daniel tried to keep the desperation out of his voice. He could not have this woman. “I think you have pushed your brother far enough for one day, don’t you?”

“It is not easy being a woman, and definitely not easy being the sister of four brothers.”

“Go to bed, Abby.”

Instead she took a step closer to him. Close enough that he could see the rise and fall of her chest and that small sprinkling of freckles on her nose. Close enough that he felt his rational thoughts sliding away like raindrops on a windowpane.

“Abby,” he tried to caution her, but it came out a rasp.

“Daniel.” She placed a hand on his chest, then rose to her toes. “Kiss me.”

She pressed her lips to his and while he fought for control for approximately five seconds, he lost the battle. His hand slid up her spine and the other into her hair, to take the kiss deeper.

Struggling not to grip her tight, Daniel battled to keep his touch gentle, hold back the need to devour her.

“We must stop, Abby.” He said the words against her soft lips. “You need to back away, now.”

Her answer was to move closer, closing the distance between them completely.

Her arms went around his neck, and his around her body. The feel of her made his head spin. He lost control and crushed her to him. Devoured her lips. Where a kiss stopped, another started. Christ, he was an inferno in seconds.

He poured everything he felt for her into that kiss.

One of his hands trailed up her ribs, mapping her shape, needing to feel her. Wanting so much more.

She sighed as he touched her breast, cupping the full, lush weight in his palm. His lips moved to her neck, kissing the silken flesh. Her soft sighs urged him on. The other hand gripped a handful of her skirts, raising them so he could cup her thigh. The skin was warm beneath her stockings. He craved to feel her flesh.

He moved higher to the crease of her thigh, and he felt her then. The silken perfection. The hitch in her breath had him stopping.

“Christ, what am I doing?” He didn’t release her, instead holding her in his arms. Pressing her head to his chest. “I’m sorry.”

“I don’t want you to be sorry. I wanted this, Daniel. Still want it.”

“No, please don’t say that. There can be nothing between us. Your family would never allow it, as they shouldn’t.” Daniel released her, urging her back a few feet away from his tight, hard body,

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