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Emmeline sat up in her bed and saw the drapes drifting in the breeze next to an open window. The fire had gone out, and the only light came from the moonlight streaming through the windows.
She hadn’t recalled opening a window before going to bed, but perhaps Mary had after she had helped her undress for the evening. She laid back down on her pillow and stared up at the darkened ceiling. Something felt off, but she couldn’t figure out what was wrong.
A creaking sound caused her to sit up again in alarm. She hadn’t imagined that. Her eyes roamed the room, looking for any sign of an intruder. But there was no place for someone to hide that would escape her notice.
She tossed off her covers and put her feet over the edge of the bed. She went to stand when she felt something clasp just above her right foot, and was yanked back with such force that she fell to the ground with a thud.
In the next moment, a burly man sat on top of her, forced her onto her back, and shoved a pillow over her face, muffling her screams. She started scratching at the man’s arms, but it did little to relieve the pressure. The weight of the man prevented her from moving around, and her attempts to free herself were becoming more feeble.
Just when she was about to succumb to the darkness, she heard a door slam open and the sound of a pistol discharging.
The pressure of the pillow let up, and she felt the man slump to the side. She tossed the pillow off her face just as Oliver dragged the man off her.
She sat up, gasping, as someone pounded at her door, followed by Grubbs shouting, “Are you all right, milady?”
Oliver laid the man down and walked over to the door. He opened it to reveal the butler and footmen huddled around the door. “Her Ladyship was attacked by an intruder, but I was able to shoot him before he killed her,” he announced. “I want you to send for the constable.”
Grubbs nodded as his eyes met Emmeline’s. “Yes, milord. I will send a footman at once,” he said. “Will there be anything else?”
“Not at this time,” Oliver replied, “but I must tend to my wife.”
“I will leave a footman outside your door should you require anything,” Grubbs informed him.
Oliver closed the door and turned towards her. “Are you all right?” he asked, the concern in his voice evident.
She shook her head. “No,” she replied.
He closed the distance between them and crouched down next to her. “Did the attacker say anything to you?”
“He did not,” she replied. “He attacked me the moment I got out of bed and put a pillow over my face.” She let out a shaky breath. “I couldn’t breathe, Oliver.”
He reached out and pulled her into his arms. “You are safe now,” he murmured softly against her hair. “He can’t hurt you anymore.”
“Is he dead?”
She could feel him nod. “I shot him in the head,” he revealed.
“How did you know I was in trouble?”
“I wasn’t quite asleep yet when I heard a thud coming from your room, and I correctly assumed something was wrong.”
“Thank you for coming when you did.”
Leaning back, Oliver met her gaze. “You are my family now, and I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe.” He paused. “Please say that you believe me, Emme.”
“I do.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Tears started rolling down her cheeks as she admitted, “I have never been so scared in my life. I thought he was going to kill me.”
“I wouldn’t have let that happen, my dear.”
“Why would he attack me?” she asked, her words turning into a sob.
“I don’t know why, but I intend to find out.”
Glancing over at the window, she revealed, “I believe he came through my window. I don’t remember opening it before going to bed.”
