Page 17 of Once Upon a Midnight Dream

“I think…” Yes, he was almost certain. “I think I may have been abducted.”

“Pardon?” she gasped, her flabbergasted gaze flying up to meet his. “You are certain?”

Was that genuine concern in her brown eyes, or did doubt linger in her irises?

He paused for a couple of heartbeats before giving a tentative nod. “Yes. Again, I do not know by whom or why.”

“Well, that certainly puts things in a different perspective.” Miss Granger quickly recorded that tidbit before pausing and staring at the list. “Surely if you have been abducted, someone is looking for you. Unless…”

She raised an apologetic gaze to his. “Unless you do not have anyone.”

“Honestly, I do not know.”

Did he have anyone?

If so, why had no one found him in the fortnight he had been in residence at Kelston Hall Children’s Home?

Almost immediately, she shook her head, dismissing the idea.

“No, that makes no sense. Abductions are usually committed to extort money.” Lips pursed, she narrowed her eyes. “That leads me to venture you are related to someone who possesses wealth or position. Perhaps both.”

“I sincerely do not know. However, I am familiar with the trappings and goings-on of the haut ton. I also have an unusual knowledge of women’s cosmetics and periodicals. And the fragrance of lavender is very familiar to me, as are some herbs you have used to treat my injuries.”

“Cosmetics?” Miss Granger could not hide her staggered expression. “That is certainly…uncommon.”

She obviously understood that other than actresses, courtesans, and aristocrats—the latter, discreetly, of course—most women did not use beauty enhancements.

That meant he either had disreputable or prestigious female acquaintances.

The speculative look she slid him seemed to try to see inside his head to determine which was the case.

“I also have a vague recollection of a black-and-white-tiled marble foyer,” he blurted to point her discomfiting, contemplative musings in another direction.

He sure as Hades was not mentioning that he believed he normally slept naked. No need to share that shocking detail with the proper Miss Granger.

Except, damn him for a rogue, he rather thought he would enjoy seeing color flood her face.

After setting aside the pen, she held the list up. “I believe we have the beginnings of a picture here. Granted, it is not clear, by any means, but there are enough details that I think when I present them to Sheriff Wrottesley this afternoon, he might start to put the pieces together.”

“Sheriff Wrottesley?” A stab of alarm speared him.

It made no earthly sense, but his intuition shrieked, “Caution! Caution!”

“Is he an honest fellow?” He pressed his lips tight for a heartbeat. “Someone you would trust?”

She grew pensive and averted her gaze as she waved the foolscap to dry the ink.

Finally, she shook her head. Not one lustrous, golden hair in her tightly coiled chignon quivered at the movement. “No, he is not what I consider an honorable man. Furthermore, I do not trust him in the least. I think…”

She inhaled a deep breath, and he truly tried to ignore the enticing rise of her well-endowed bosom.

“I think it would be wisest to not alert the sheriff to your presence just yet, though how I shall explain why I asked him to call this afternoon, is rather a pickle.

“What is more, the children, Charles, and the staff know you are here.

“It would not surprise me at all if Sheriff Wrottesley is not already aware you are here. In small communities, it is hard to keep secrets.”

“Especially since you did not think you needed to.” He gave a slow nod. “Perhaps, there is no need to tell him I have regained consciousness just yet.”