Page 73 of Sinfully Daring

Sebastian held her tight for a moment before swinging her up into his arms.

“Oh!” Rosamund exclaimed. “There’s no need to carry me, I can walk.”

He shook his head, staring down at her. “I want to know you’re safe, and besides, it’s nice to play the hero for once, even if it’s a minor role.”

“Not to me, it isn’t,” she said, putting her arms around his neck. “Oh, Sebastian, it’s over. Everyone heard her say it. They know we were not having an affair, and no one can accuse you now, your reputation will be restored.”

“Well, I married you with rather scandalous haste,” he said, grinning at her. “So, I think I’m probably still a bit villainous.”

Rosamund laughed and shook her head.

“No,” she said, patting his cheek. “I’m very sorry, my darling, but you were never cut out for the role of villain. You have always been and shall always be my hero.”

“Ah, well,” he said with a shrug. “I suppose if I must, I must.”

He laughed, and Rosamund pressed a kiss to his mouth, not caring who saw.

“Lady Rosamund!”

They both looked around and saw the Comte de Villen hurrying towards them, his beautiful face taut with concern. “Have you seen Miss Knight?”

“Evie?” Rosamund said, shaking her head. “No, not for a while.”

“When?” the comte demanded, and Rosamund felt a tremor of anxiety as she heard the urgency in his voice. “When did you see her last?”

“Not since you sent her that glass of champagne,” Rosamund said.

“Champagne?” he repeated in confusion, and then paled. “Excuse me.”

He turned and disappeared, pushing into the crowd.

“Do you think she’s all right?” Rosamund asked with concern.

“I expect so, just caught up in the chaos. Besides, Mr Knight is no doubt rounding his family up as we speak, and Villen won’t stop until he finds her, that much is obvious.”

Rosamund frowned at him. “What do you mean?”

Sebastian laughed, shaking his head. “I mean, he’ll ensure she’s safe because the poor devil is mad for her. Knight will have his balls in a vice next, though, if he finds him near his daughter.”

Rosamund stared at him in shock. “You know?” she whispered.

Hargreaves rolled his eyes. “I’m not blind, love. I’ve seen the way he looks at her.” He smiled and tightened his grip on her, holding her close. “And I know what a man in love looks like now.”

Rosamund sighed.

Epilogue

Elton,

Leave everything and get out. You know where to go.

―Excerpt of a letter from Louis César de Montluc, Comte de Villen to his valet, Mr Elton Carter.

The early hours of the morning 18thJuly 1842, Brown’s Hotel, 33 Albemarle Street, London.

Sebastian closed the door to their hotel room and leaned against it for a moment.

“Well,” he said. “That was another eventful evening.”