Page 41 of Kiss a Rake at Midnight

Andit appeared no one would come to hers and Fletcher’s rescue.

Notknowing if Paddy and Kimber were safe cleaved Siobhan’s heart in two. She didn’t mind dying. Everyone did, eventually. She did, however, object to being murdered before she’d ever had a chance to tell Fletcher she loved him and before ensuring her brother’s and sister’s futures were secure.

“I was pregnant.” The viscountess loomed above Fletcher, her eyes narrowed and mouth thinned. “I wanted to marry you, not that doddering, simple-minded fool! Huxley, the impotent sod, wished to claim the child as his.”

Theunscrupulous tart had thought to entrap Fletcher into marriage and didn’t have a qualm about admitting her subterfuge. What made a person that wicked?

Siobhanrisked a glance toward Chandler.

Herladyship’s confession couldn’t be easy for him to hear.

Hisexpression remained stony and inscrutable.

Anguishcrumpled LadyHuxley’s features. “I lost the babe, and the physicians say I shall never bear a child. You robbed me of the chance to be a mother, Fletcher.”

Hadgrief caused her tumble into lunacy?

“I’m truly sorry, Samantha.” Fletcher kept his tone kind and comforting. “The loss of a child is tragic, no matter the circumstances. But surely you must know, deep in your heart, that had we married, there is no guarantee the child would’ve survived.”

“That’s not true,” she railed, completely unhinged. “Itis your fault, and I determined you would pay. You would grieve as I have. I’d strip you of everything important to you.”

“But why would LordHuxley agree to this madness?” The question left Siobhan’s lips before she could stifle it.

“Because the fool loves me and would do anything I ask of him.” LadyHuxley cackled. “Love does that to a person. Makes them do things they never believed themselves capable of.”

Wasthat why Chandler helped the viscountess, or was his motive purely greed?

Didlove cause one to toss aside morals, decency, and honor?

Siobhancould not conceive it.

Sheloved Fletcher so much that it consumed her, but she wouldn’t have committed crimes to appease him. True, sacrificial love made a person better, not worse.

Anotherchorus of dramatic shouts drew everyone's attention, and they glanced toward the closed draperies.

Thenext instant, chaos erupted.

Menburst through the windows, charged through the secret passageway, and kicked down the office door. In moments, LadyHuxley’s outnumbered thugs were overtaken and subdued.

Withouta second thought, Siobhan levered a forceful kick and dislodged the gun from LadyHuxley’s hand.

“No!” the viscountess shrieked as she frantically turned this way and that, searching for her pistol. “Chandler. Kill her! Kill them both.”

Fletcheryanked Siobhan to her feet and placed himself between her and the frothing viscountess.

Gunin hand, Chandler charged across the office, straight toward Fletcher, but at the last second, veered toward her ladyship and pointed the gun at her instead. “I don’t take orders from you.”

Jawunhinged, LadyHuxley gaped before erupting into an ear-scorching string of foul oaths that would’ve made a seasoned sailor blush.

“Well done, you.” Fletcher clapped Chandler on the shoulder as another man seized the viscountess’s arm. “You almost convinced me you were abetting her. I think a substantial raise is in order, my friend.”

What?

Ithad all been an act?

Siobhanlooked between them, trying to comprehend what had just happened.

Chandlerwasn’t a traitor?