Read Online A Kiss With Scandal (Scandals & Secrets 4) by Janelle Daniels - Free Book Online

couldn’t walk away from this woman, his wo—
    He reeled back. He couldn’t afford such thoughts. His desire was a distraction, a distraction he couldn’t afford if he planned to keep her alive.
    “Let’s find them.” He gestured for her to lead. It wouldn’t be proper to hold her hand now that they were outside and others would see them. Even with a fire, he must appear completely in line with societal standards.
    “What will happen now?” she asked, without turning toward him. “They know who I am.”
    “I will make sure your house is secure for the night. My men will guard you. You don’t need to worry. They may know who you are, but they won’t get to you. And tomorrow, we’ll be gone.”
    She didn’t answer, just made her way down the garden path. She paused, her posture seeming to wilt. “I wish we could leave now. I cannot bear the thought—”
    “Charlotte!” Charlotte’s mother, Lady Langston, cried, running to her once she exited the enclosed space. “Philip! Philip, she’s here!”
    Charlotte stifled a cry as her mother embraced her.
    “Are you all right? We couldn’t find you inside.” Her mother worried over her as she searched her daughter’s form.
    “Yes. Viscount Lawrence was good enough to escort me to safety.”
    Charlotte’s mother blinked, only just noticing him. “My lord. I cannot thank you enough.”
    “No. No. It was my honor.” Derek nodded to Viscount Langston as he approached. “And if you’ll allow me, I’ll see you home.”
    “That is very kind.” The viscountess nodded to her husband. “I don’t want to stay a moment longer.”
    “I’ll notify the carriage, but it might take a while in this madness.”
    “My carriage awaits. It can take us directly.”
    Viscount Langston agreed. “Yes, indeed. Thank you.”
    Derek led them through the chaos of guests and loaded the harried family into the coach and instructed George to the Langston residence.
    Hopefully there’d been enough time for his men to scour the premises. Derek had no intention of leaving until he knew Charlotte was secure.
    So help him, he wouldn’t rest until she was safe.

Chapter 8
    C harlotte peeked through her lace curtain for a tenth time. Derek had promised men watched the house, but she saw no one.
    Her gut twisted. What if something had happened to them? What if someone had killed them and was already in her home, making his way to her? To finish the job the man at the ball had failed to do.
    She fingered the pinprick from his knife on her throat. She almost died. She would have died tonight if not for Derek.
    Had she truly wanted adventure? The dull life she’d despised seemed desirable now.
    She’d been safe. How she’d give anything to return to that safety now.
    She pushed away from the window. She had to stop this. His men were out there. If they’d been hurt, she would have heard something—a scream, a breaking window, a dog barking. Anything.
    She needed rest.
    She flopped into bed, yanked the covers up, and stilled when she heard a creaking board down the hall. Her muscles tensed. No one should be up at this hour. The last servant had retired an hour ago, and her parents long before that.
    She held her breath.
    Another squeak.
    Her eyes widened as she slipped from her bed, twirling around, desperately searching for a weapon. Neither servants nor her parents would skulk in the hallway.
    Should she scream? Wake someone in the household?
    She gripped her hand around a brass candlestick, the cold metal chilling her as much as her fear. Screaming would only endanger others.
    Her heart hammered as she held the weapon aloft. Trembling. Waiting.
    Her knob turned slowly. The door cracked open on well-oiled hinges.
    Derek’s eyes connected with hers before she could clobber him.
    Breath whooshed from her lungs as her arm sagged, dropping the candlestick with a soft thump to the thick rug. “What are you doing here? I thought you were about to murder me in my bed.” Her adrenaline