She closed her eyes. He’d saved her for her father’s sake.
But in her fantasies tonight, she’d surely imagine that he’d saved her because… Another blush infused her cheeks. Fortunately, it was getting too dark to see. But she’d dream that he loved her, that he was her knight in shining armor. Of course, her sisters could save themselves. And they now had husbands in the event that they couldn’t.
Emily dropped her arms. Surely, this man who seemed able to conquer the world would want a woman who was just as strong.
She was trying.
She glanced at him. He looked tired but still handsome. Her hand pressed to her stomach.
“How did you know I needed to be rescued?” She tried to turn to look at him but there wasn’t much room for her to pivot on the seat. “Again.”
“I overheard a plot whilst I was spying. I am trying to find all the thieves…” He shrugged.
Her breath caught. In an effort to save her entire family, he’d stumbled upon information to save her specifically and he’d come to her aid. “And the last time?”
“I was following your uncle for the same purpose.”
The carriage rolled to a stop. She almost didn’t wish to leave. But he opened the door and handed her out, paying the driver. In a moment, he had her up the stairs, banging on the front knocker with an insistence that might have been frightening if she didn’t feel so safe next to him.
She didn’t even realize she’d moved closer until her arm brushed his chest.
But without a word, he lowered his hand to her back.
His eyes were scanning the street and the alley even as he knocked again.
“So is it a coincidence that you have saved me twice?”
“Not entirely,” he answered just as the door opened a crack.
He didn’t elaborate as he gave it a firm push, the butler just barely moving out of the doorway as Dishonor ushered her inside without invitation. Then again, she did live here.
“Emily,” Avery screeched from the top of the stairs. “Holy Mother Mary, it’s Emily!”
For some reason, his hand tightened on her back for a moment before he let her go.
Within seconds, her family flooded the entry. All of them. Her sisters, her cousin, her brothers-in-law, even her fake aunt who’d quit and returned to their employ.
She was dragged into several hugs as people talked over one another.
She passed from person to person until she looked back over her shoulder. Dishonor stood exactly where she’d left him, staring at her.
She drew in a breath and held up her hand to call for silence.
The room fell quiet. A nervous flutter started in her chest as she looked around. For the first time, she wondered what the consequences of her adventure might be.
Bash was the first to break the silence. “What just happened?”
“I was in the garden, thinking—” she started.
Noise erupted again. A shower of words crashed over her.
“How could you.”
“Shouldn’t be outside.”
“It’s not safe.”
She didn’t answer as she crossed over to Dishonor once again. “Now you know why we had to redo my hair.”
Those words made the cacophony of noise cease in a second.
“I do see,” he responded with a slight smile. “Are they always like this?”
She shrugged. “I’m the least useful of the sisters so—”
“Never say that again.” His voice was quiet, almost tender. “You were so brave tonight.”
Her heart nearly stopped in her chest. She’d needed someone to say those words to her. “Thank you.”
“Again. You’re welcome.” He touched her back once again. It was a small gesture, but Bash clearly caught it, his gaze narrowing.
Emily ignored her brother-in-law’s disapproving glare. “I need to ask you something.” She reached up then and touched his biceps with her fingertips. The intimacy made her sister Isabella gasp, but the room remained silent.
“Yes?”
She licked her lips, titling her chin to look up at him. “Since you’ve saved me twice, don’t you think it’s time that you told me your name?”
Chapter Four
Brandon looked down at Emily. Even in front of all these people, he wanted to kiss her.
Hell, he wanted to sweep her back out the door, tuck her into another hack, and take her home.
Maybe someday he could do just that. But not now. Associating with him would bring even more danger to her door and she had enough of that already. He was at the heart of an investigation that could very well get him killed. In all likelihood, it had her father.
He rubbed his eyes. Something about the crowd of people reminded him just how tired he was. Which was likely why he considered telling her. “I can’t.”
“You can,” she replied. “Your secret is safe with us. We’re on the same side.”
He looked up at Bash’s dark glare. “I don’t think we’re all in agreement on that count.”
Emily followed his gaze. “Bash,” she said, her eyebrows rising. “He’s saved my life twice. He must have chased me halfway across London tonight.”
Bash crossed his arms. “He also waited an entire day before telling us you might be in danger. Ask him about that.”
Brandon winced as her gaze swung back to his. He should have come here sooner.
She took a step back, removing her hand from his arm. “Is that true?”
“Yes,” he answered. “I had to find out who’s been stealing from me, you, your sisters. I can’t let anything distract me from that.”
Her head dropped as she nodded in understanding. But he noticed she didn’t look back up. He’d lost her.
His heart contracted as his fist clenched at his side. He always knew he would. That wasn’t even the worst of it. Holding Ewan from them all these months…that had been his real sin.
Brandon had made his choice and he couldn’t change it now. He reasoned she was never going to be his. But over the last few months he’d seen a myriad of men try to gain her
