Page 9 of The Duke of a Thousand Desires

“We’ll cause a stir if we’re caught like this,” she said softly.

“We would cause an uproar if we were found dead,” he said in the deep steady voice that aroused sweet memories of their past. “You were not hurt?”

“Nothing to speak of,” she said, not steady at all. “A torn muscle or two. A broken spine. You flung yourself upon me with considerable impact.”

“Sorry. Necessity, I’m afraid.”

“I realize – ”

“Would you mind being quiet for a moment?” he said with the ducal hauteur that defined him. “I didn’t expect a reunion with you tonight. You shouldn’t be here.”

“Then we should separate. Being squashed together will only complicate matters for you.”

“Perhaps. We can’t be certain the gunman won’t return or that he doesn’t have accomplices in the garden. There is chaos around us. I need a moment to think. My head is still ringing from your valiant cry.”

“Valiant?”

His dark eyes studied her intently. “I’m well aware you took a risk to save me. I gather this isn’t what you had planned for the night, either.”

“What have you done to merit a murder attempt?” she asked him. “You aren’t using me to make another lady jealous, are you? I might have agreed to help, if you’d shared your intentions with me.” And if Jane hadn’t put questions about his libidinous nature in her mind.

“For pity’s sake, Ravenna. Do not make matters worse with such ridiculous assumptions. We are surrounded. There are dozens of guests wondering why you screamed and why I have skewered you to a walnut tree.”

“It is a good question.”

“They have already seen and judged us. You are not going to admit why you were walking unchaperoned to the temple, in the dark. I believe I know the answer.”

She struggled to follow his reasoning. Had Simon become a spy? A duelist? A scoundrel unaccustomed to being caught in the act? She couldn’t be expected to think clearly as long as such a flagrantly attractive man, her friend, insisted they remain in this eyebrow-raising pose.

What would Jane do in her place?

“My reputation will be destroyed,” she murmured, as if she hadn’t been prepared to sacrifice everything to break her engagement.

“That is of small consequence compared to the fact that you confronted a failed murderer.”

“It’s hard to argue that.”

She could not undo what she'd done. In the confusing pastiche of ladies and gentlemen who approached the clearing, she recognized the incredulous face of her unfaithful fiancé. He paled unfavorably in the shadow of Simon’s presence. Meek-spirited, shifty-eyed. Simon could step on him if he felt the urge.

Obviously David hadn’t expected to find her embracing another man. His palpable shock soothed her damaged pride. He looked so aghast, in fact, that she considered throwing her arms around Simon’s neck in an abandon of revenge.

Because -- well, why not? Simon was a tempting refuge in a storm.

Because propriety no longer mattered. Little mattered, actually, except for her family’s understanding and forgiveness. And Simon. She had a hunch this wasn’t to be their last encounter.

“Ravenna,” David said, jostled off to the side by a discreet jab from Simon’s elbow. “I hope this is not what it appears to be.”

Simon raised his shoulder, shielding her from further view. He ignored David like the nonentity he was. “You’ve had a fright,” Simon told her quietly. “Most ladies would have fainted after your experience. But this is crucial -- we won’t have a chance to talk for a while -- did you get a close look at the fiend?”

She blinked, her indignation reawakened. “Yes. He’s standing right behind you. I lost view of the woman he was ravishing, however.”

Simon sighed in disgust. “I have the feeling we’re talking about different fiends. Mine was the one who jumped out of the tree. Yours was the one in the temple? The annoyance breathing down my neck?”

She nodded reluctantly. “I wanted to expose him. I rather hoped you’d act as my witness.”

He gave her a droll smile. “That detail didn’t quite work to plan, did it? Mind you, I’m in no position to judge. I might have lost my life if you were a woman who did what she was supposed to do.”

“Your life is about to become even more complicated,” she said feelingly. “Rhys is almost here and he looks furious. We are both dead, Simon. I have killed us, socially speaking. Well, you will rise above this. I won’t.”