“Thank you for the foresight. I left my footmen aware of Meg’s too-brief description of Nash Slade. I should get a better one when I can speak to her. But the footmen will watch the perimeter of the property.”
“Nizal should be close behind us.”
With the horses rested and fed, the two headed home, making it in just a few hours. They rode up to the door of the Georgian mansion and handed the reins of their horses to the footman before taking the steps two at a time.
“Good evening, my lords.” Cabot opened the door and took their hats and coats. “The fire has just been stoked for your arrival.”
“How did you know we…? Forget it. You just knew.” Max shook his head at his perceptive butler and moved past, heading for his office, happy to be warm again. He removed a decanter of brandy from the drawer of his desk along with two small glasses, pouring a liberal amount in each. “Here you go, Harlow.” He passed his best friend a glass and sat down in his chair while Harlow took one in front of the desk. True to his word, the room was toasty.
“Perhaps we should take a small group of footmen and ride the perimeter of the property.” Max was restless. What he wanted to do was go upstairs to check on Maggie.
“It’s almost nightfall. Let us wait until morning. Do you think there is a possibility they followed you here the other night? She said Slade left and did not harm her. Maybe Slade is not the person in pursuit of Lady Tipton. Perhaps her uncle has hired another. It seems logical that they would look for her at the home she knew before the marriage.” Harlow leaned back in his chair and rested one leg over the other.
“I guess that is possible.”
“Go check on her. I will head up to unpack my bag and will return here.”
“You always could read me.” Max took a swig of the brandy and set the glass down on his desk. “I will not be long.” I cannot wait to see her.
Harlow’s chuckle followed him down the hall.
Max took a calming breath and knocked, and a sharp yip answered behind the door to his sister’s room. He knew he should not have come up here unchaperoned, but he would only be two minutes, he reasoned.
“Come in.”
Maggie sat on the window seat. Her legs were pulled up under her robe, and her chin was on her knees. She was rocking back and forth, clearly distressed.
“Why are you not in bed?” Something had upset her. He stepped inside leaving the door slightly opened behind him. Shep whimpered and jumped off the window seat, allowing him room to sit. Max picked up her hand and found it cold. “Maggie, can you look at me?” He lifted her head to find her eyes red-rimmed. “Did something happen today?”
“I should leave, Max. I do not want anyone to get hurt because of me.”
“What? Why are you so upset? Did someone say something?”
“No...” She took a cleansing breath. “My husband…it has all been a bad dream, and now he is here. I cannot let him get me.”
She does not know Tipton is dead. But if Tipton is dead… A sense of dread filled him. “Who are you talking about? Who is coming after you?”
“Slade. He is here.”
“You saw him? When? Where?” Max needed to make her feel safe.
“He was out there.” She pointed beyond the rose garden. “He was looking up at my window this morning.”
Max knew there were experienced men scattered across his property whose sole job was to monitor the grounds. Yet, this…Slade had found his way onto the grounds, and below her window, no less. The thought both unnerved and angered him.
He pulled her close, his chin resting on the top of her head. Her hair smelled of lilacs. The fragrance arrested his body, niggling every part of him into a muddled awareness of her. Max inhaled deeply, wanting to envelop her whole essence. Her scent clouded his judgement. He needed to protect her, not seduce her.
She looked up at him and slowly wound her arms around his neck, placing her head on his shoulder. Heat shot to his loins. Mercy, he was losing this battle. His head told him to pull back, find space. But his body relished the feel of her in his arms. When she lifted her head again, he lowered his. His lips brushed hers lightly. An awareness of what he was about to do washed over him and jerked him from his trance. “I must apologize for that.”
“Please do not be sorry. You only meant to comfort me.” She looked down and wrung her hands. “I am really worried. If he finds me, it could be trouble for everyone. I do not want to cause your family hardship. You have only tried to help me. If not for you…” She stopped talking and wrapped her arms around herself.
“Harlow returned with me. And footmen are on patrol. Harlow and I had planned to ride the perimeter tomorrow, but maybe tonight would be better.” He stood to leave.
“Wait. Please do not leave me.”
“You are trembling.” His heart ached to see her distressed so. He sat and pulled her close. She wound her hands around his neck, resting them on the nape. Moaning, she opened her lips to him, and he covered them forcefully, meeting her tongue with his own. Dear sweet Meg. He pulled her to his chest and held her tight, wanting only to bury his face in her hair. It faintly smelled of lilacs and made him long for sunshine and green trees. It made him think of happiness and…
He pulled back, barely able to catch his breath. This was wrong. Tipton was dead, but Meg was still not his. He had to tell her.
“We will keep you safe. You and Shep are staying here.” Softly, he held her shoulders and looked into
