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Whollyand without reservation.

Whenhad her wariness and distrust changed?

Probablywhen she’d acknowledged to herself that she cared for him—no, not just cared for him.

Siobhanloved Fletcher.

Shewasn’t supposed to. She knew better. She’d tried not to. She really had.

Nonetheless, the emotion had proved too potent and intoxicating to resist.

Sheloved him so completely, unreservedly, irrefutably, and irreversibly that her heart could scarcely contain the emotion, and her mind could hardly comprehend the truth. Surely, her love must be apparent to everyone, for how could she hide something so powerful?

“Where is my useless, mincing fop of a husband?” Her ladyship sent a seething glower toward the door. It was a wonder the panel didn’t burst into flames. “I swear. The man’s incapable of even the simplest of feats. I must explain every detail to him, thrice over.”

“Never fear, my love. You shall be rid of him soon enough,” Chandler soothed before kissing her forehead.

Siobhanhadn’t a doubt now that LadyHuxley had been the mastermind behind the crimes perpetuated against Fletcher and his clubs with her husband’s and Chandler’s assistance.

DidHuxley know his wife and Chandler were having an affair?

HadFletcher ever suspected his head of security’s disloyalty?

“Why are you doing this?” Siobhan asked.

Whatcould motivate a person to be this evil?

Theviscountess stalked across the carpet until she stood directly before Siobhan and Fletcher. “Revenge, of course.”

“Revenge?” Siobhan puzzled her forehead. “For what?”

Witha convincing groan, Fletcher stirred and fluttered his eyelashes before slowly opening his beautiful green eyes. His gaze meshed with hers as he silently begged her to trust him.

Andshe did. Without hesitation.

Groaningagain and holding a hand to his head, he slowly angled upward until he slumped upright on the sofa.

Siobhanprayed he only acted and wasn’t in as much pain as he appeared.

“I’m sure Fletcher can answer that question,” the viscountess purred as she leaned over him. “Why don’t you enlighten the skinny waif? She’s obviously in love with you.”

Shepractically spat the last words.

Aflush heated Siobhan’s cheeks, but she refused to refute the accusation. If she were about to die, she would do so with Fletcher knowing the truth.

Hegrasped Siobhan’s hand in his much larger palm. He gave her fingers a reassuring squeeze, and she gripped his in return. Somehow, and as irrational as it seemed, his big, warm hand encompassing hers made her feel as protected and invincible as a wall of armored soldiers with shields raised.

Ahoarse shout somewhere in the club drew Siobhan’s attention. The clamor outside made it impossible to tell where the cry came from.

Asinister smile twisted the viscountess’s mouth upward.

“That makes my vengeance that much sweeter.” She tapped her chin, switching her attention between Fletcher and Siobhan. She aimed the gun at Siobhan’s chest. “I shall quite relish your anguish, Fletcher, as you watch her bleed to death, knowing you are helpless to save her and that you brought this end not only on yourself but on her—an innocent victim.”

“All because I rejected your proposition two years ago?” Raspiness threaded Fletcher’s voice as he affected weakness. “Is this what the vandalism, fires, and sabotaging have been about? Vengeance because I didn’t jump into your bed when you crooked your finger?”

Armsfolded and one hip resting on the desk, Chandler remained oddly impervious to the conversation. He’d undoubtedly heard the tale before from Fletcher’s and the viscountess’s perspectives.

Oneof LadyHuxley’s collaborators occasionally lifted the drapery’s edge while the other stood near the door. The entrance to the secret passage gaped open a few inches, though whether from an oversight or because her ladyship was confident no one would intervene, Siobhan couldn’t discern.