Anna hurried to the drawing room to greet her unexpected visitor, her maid hard on her heels. Her betrothed had come to call at last. “My lord!”

“Anna,” Gilbert said with a heavy sigh, and then came forward to take her hands. “It’s very good to see you.”

“And you.” She looked up into his beautiful eyes but worried at the strain she saw in them. “Is everything all right? There hasn’t been another death, has there?”

“No, it’s not yet Friday, thank God.”

She breathed a sigh of relief too and smiled up at him. She had been worrying for nothing, but after reading the afternoon paper over Father’s shoulder, how could she be blamed? Her betrothed had told her only part of the scope of his investigation. “Can you stay awhile?”

“Yes, all afternoon in fact, if you will allow it.”

She did her best not to crow with excitement at having him all to herself once more. It had been a difficult few days. She’d been looking for him all week and had made do with his letters. “I’d like that, too.”

“And who is this?” he asked, looking behind her.

“This is Jane Lord, my maid and companion since I was a girl.”

He smiled warmly at Jane. “A pleasure to meet you, Miss Lord.”

“And you, my lord.”

Gilbert turned his attention back to Anna, lifted her hands to his lips, and pressed a gentle kiss to her knuckles before lowering them again. “There is much I’d like to talk to you about.”

“I feel the same, although now you’re here, I’ve no idea how to start any sort of serious conversation. Come, sit down with me.”

Jane scooted into the room ahead of them, finding a corner chair where she could sit unobserved and work on mending. After reading the paper today, Father now insisted Anna never be alone, even at home. Unfortunately, that meant she wouldn’t be able to kiss her betrothed unless Jane turned away.

Gilbert hesitated to sit. “I should make my presence known to your father.”

“Father is in the study with Lord Carmichael,” she told him.

Her betrothed frowned, glancing toward the doorway in obvious surprise. “Carmichael’s here?”

“Yes. He came not long ago actually, but I think they might be arguing now.”

“Arguing? Over what?”

She shrugged, glancing at her maid, who nodded. “Father and Carmichael do not agree on every subject, even if Father loves him very much.”

“What are they discussing today?”

“I’ve no idea. I gave up listening long ago. Jane, did you hear anything?”

Jane cleared her throat, looking a little guilty. “Begging your pardon, but Mr. Beasley is concerned about Lord Carmichael’s association with Bow Street.”

Anna was not surprised, given her father’s concern over her betrothed’s involvement with them, too. “Someone has to investigate, and it might as well be someone who has suffered a loss,” she said. She looked at Gilbert curiously. “Was that how you became involved with them?”

“A death in my parish. The local magistrate recommended me to them afterward for another case.”

“I see.” She smiled brightly, determined to distract him. “Tell me about your day, since I don’t imagine I’ll receive a letter from you.”

He smiled quickly. “You’ve read the afternoon paper, yes? Well, after seeing that handed out to the club patrons, I spent today chasing down a new lead in the investigation. That’s actually why I came to see you, to ask for your advice.”

Gilbert had been very curious about her life and her connections in his letters, so she nodded, eager to be of assistance yet again. Though she did wonder what more she could share with him that he didn’t already know. “Oh, what would you like to know now?”

He glanced in Jane’s direction.

“She can be trusted completely, about everything, I promise,” Anna whispered.

He nodded. “Tell me about Lord Wade.”

“Lord Wade? But I’ve told you he’s just a friend.”

Gilbert gave her an odd look. “Pretend I’m your best friend in the world. Tell me what he is really like.”

“But I have. We talk, because we attend many of the same balls. He calls on me the day after we have danced together, as expected.” She sighed. “He is courteous but occasionally a little blunt when he speaks.”

“Disrespectful?”

Was he disrespectful? Not really, but she wouldn’t want him to speak his mind any louder around others. “Coarse, is perhaps a better term. I’ve come to think he does it on purpose to ruffle our feathers.”

“Yours and…?”

“Oh, myself and my friends.” Anna smiled quickly. “I think he says a lot of things in order to draw attention to himself. He seems intent on upsetting Miss Hayes most of the time, and that would be because she dislikes him.”

“Really? I hadn’t sensed that.”

“Portia goes out of her way to avoid Lord Wade. She is always complaining about him watching her. Just the other day they were both here in this room. The air was so thick with tension it was a relief to have them gone.”

Her betrothed considered her remark a moment. “He disapproves of her?”

“I suspect he likes her, actually, but Portia will have none of him, though he has never confirmed his interest other than a vague mention of ‘being at the denial stage’ with the object of his affections. Unfortunately, her parents remain oblivious, and have forced them together by inviting him to dinner and tea of late. Which reminds me, would you care for tea?”

“Yes, thank you. That would be lovely.”

Anna turned to Jane. “Would you mind asking Cook for a tea tray to be sent up soon? For yourself too, Jane.”

“Thank you, Miss. I’ll be back in a moment.” Jane slipped from the room with a soft laugh.

“There,” Anna said as she faced her betrothed. “Alone at last. I’m sure you did not come to visit me just to pass the whole time in idle gossip.”

His smile was immediate. “Well, perhaps not only to gossip.”

Anna threw herself into his arms as soon as he finished speaking. The investigation was important, but so too were the feelings he stirred in her. She needed to be kissed. Yearned for his arms to be wrapped around her body again.

She found his lips and kissed him. Gilbert was quick to respond, cupping the back of her head with one hand to hold her near. Yet he drew back too soon, resting his head against hers in a way that melted her heart. “We’ll get in trouble for this if caught,” he whispered. “If Jane were to tattle…”

“Then we’d better not get caught,” she said before kissing him again. “Jane will say nothing.”

“Still,” he said, drawing back farther. “Should your Father come in, he would not be pleased with me.”

He was probably right that she ought to restrain herself a little. Fighting her desires, she sat back and straightened her gown. “My father and mother had an affectionate courtship. He used to say that she made him feel wonderful just by stepping into the room. You do that for me, too.”

“Your mother died when you were very young?”

“Youngish. I remember a few things about her still. Her hands cupping my face, wrapping a blanket around me a little tighter on a cold night.” Anna smiled. “She liked bluebells best of all. Father still keeps pots of them about the house at all times even now.”

“That is a sweet gesture.” His frown returned. “They had so little time together.”

Her mother had died when she was four. They’d never had another child, and the loss of her had nearly broken her father’s heart into little pieces, he claimed. “A few years really. Father never considered remarriage, although I’m sure he had admirers.”

Gilbert looked down on her. “I begin to understand only now why he wouldn’t want to marry again.”

Jane returned while Anna fought another blush. Such a sweet thing to say but also sad, too.

She poured him a cup of strong black tea, the way he liked it, and then offered him cake. She’d already gleaned some of his preferences. A discreet enquiry by Jane to his household staff had yielded surprisingly useful information. He was a man of simple tastes and habits, some of which mirrored her own. He would be easy to manage, to live with, if he was always honest with her.

She felt he wasn’t being completely forthright today. “Something is wrong. I can feel it.”

“Yes.” He smiled. “I am worried, Anna, about the delay we agreed to with our marriage.”

“How so?”

He moved closer, perching on the edge of his chair. “You and I have begun to know one another very well. But if certain aspects of our private rendezvous were known…”

“I would be ruined.”

“Considered ruined, yes,” he said. “I have begun to worry that the killer is someone you might know.”

“I have thought of that, too. The victims were my friends, and my friends introduced me to theirs many times.”

“You are not much different than the young ladies who met a grisly end. Young, unmarried, well dowered, pursued by scoundrels.” He winced. “You allowed me to capture you.”

He felt guilty about what they had done together. “We are an engaged couple and you’re not a scoundrel.”

“Without a date set for the wedding to occur, I fear you now stand out for closer scrutiny. We have been alone together several times now,” he murmured. “Even today.”

“You want to announce our wedding date?”

“I want to marry you and ensure your safety,” he told her.

Anna stood, disturbed by his sudden haste. A few days ago, he’d been content to wait for as long as she needed. She had enjoyed getting to know him. She had enjoyed kissing him and touching. But now waiting, allowing her further time to explore this man and the depths of their feelings for each other, was something that made him concerned. “What has happened that makes you wish to rush?”

He swallowed. “In speaking to others, now the truth is out in the open, it has been brought to my attention that the victims of this particular killer may have been considered to be too friendly when it came to the gentlemen courting them.”

She spun about, offended by what he said of her friends even if there might be some truth to it. “They are my friends. Carmichael must deny such allegations.”

“Not just with Carmichael, whose offenses I consider harmless.”

She gaped. “You believe they were killed because they were considered fast.”

“I am afraid it is a distinct possibility, whether they were or not.”

The time she had spent alone with her betrothed would certainly damage her reputation if known or gossiped about. If anyone discovered she’d kissed him several times, perched boldly on his lap and allowed him liberty to touch her body, nay encouraged him to do so, while she touched him, she might as well paint a target over her heart, too.

“What have I done?” she whispered.

He stood and captured her hands in his. “Don’t be afraid, but do you understand why we must keep to a very proper courtship from now on? We should never be alone again, and you must never hint that we have been before.”

A proper courtship would mean no more stolen kisses. She would see him, chaperoned at all times. They would dance together and talk in a crowd but never while alone together. Now she knew her own needs, she did not want to be proper anymore. “What you suggest is unacceptable.”

“Anna,” he chided. “I only want to protect you.”

“And you will.” She bit her lip. Now was not the time to grow timid again. “Did you by chance secure that special license you spoke of?”

“I have one, but there are weeks left to use it.”

Anna grinned. She did not want to wait weeks to kiss Gilbert again. She knew her own mind. “We will marry tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

She smiled at his surprise and brought his hands to her lips. She kissed them the way he kissed hers. “I don’t want to wait. I don’t want to miss another moment with you.”

She didn’t want to die a virgin.

Across the room, Jane quietly clapped with considerable excitement, bouncing in her chair. “At last, a wedding!”

Gilbert threw a grin at Jane before turning back to Anna. “Your father may not like the rush.”

“Everything is already decided. The housekeeper, Jane and I, and Portia Hayes have already planned what must be done on our wedding day. The wedding breakfast is already decided, guest list prepared, though it will take Jane and I most of today to be ready to leave for your home by tomorrow afternoon.”

Gilbert lowered himself to the arm of a chair and drew her close. He smiled up at her shyly. “You wouldn’t set a date for our marriage, but you meticulously planned for it anyway?”

“I like to be prepared for anything.” She shrugged. “Tomorrow will go very smoothly, I’m sure. We will be married before the killer has a chance to strike and you will be free to catch them without worrying about my safety. Do you have someone in mind who might marry us that quickly?”

“Yes, an old friend from the church has already said he would be happy to preside over our nuptials. I’ll visit him after I leave and make the necessary arrangement.”

“Good. Eleven would suit for the ceremony, if you don’t mind.”

Her betrothed smiled, holding her hands firmly. “All we need to do now is inform your father of our decision.”

“We should see him together.”

“That might be a fine idea.” Yet Gilbert made no move. He sat smiling up at her, a ridiculously happy grin on his face.

Anna leaned down and kissed his lips quickly. “There.”

“That will just hold me over until tomorrow,” he promised.

“Me too.” She pulled him to his feet but he spun her around until she was leaning into him.

“I’m ready, and my household is ready, for our marriage, too,” he confessed, dropping a kiss to her cheek.

“I cannot wait to see my new home.” She looked across the room. “Neither can Jane. She will be coming with me, of course, to act as my lady’s maid.”

“Excellent idea,” he agreed. “Let’s find your father and give him our happy news, shall we?”

They trouped from the room arm in arm. Tomorrow she’d be a bride, a wife, a lover to the man who made her feel things she’d never dreamed of.

Jane trailed after them, being the dutiful chaperone Father demanded. She promised to wait outside while they consulted with her father.

Father’s study door was shut.

They knocked at the same time and then grinned at each other.

Father jerked the door open, scowling fiercely. “I said I wasn’t to be disturbed.”

Anna faltered in the face of his expression. “Even by me? We have news, Papa.”

She looked behind him to Carmichael, who was sitting before Papa’s desk, face ashen. Anna rushed across the room to him. “What is it?”

“It is nothing, Anna.”

“It does not look like nothing.” She turned on her father, putting herself in front of Carmichael. “What have you said to upset him? He has every right to consort with Bow Street to catch Angela’s killer if he wants to.”

She felt a tug on her gown and turned. Carmichael was grinning up at her. “Are you attempting to protect me, Anna?”

She frowned at him. “I approve of what you’re doing. Angela would too.”

“We were just talking about her,” he promised, tears forming in his eyes again. “And how one day I would not feel such pain over her loss. I cannot imagine that.”

“You’re young yet,” Father murmured. “The pain never goes away but we grow used to carrying it with us.”

Carmichael nodded. “I loved Angela, and she’s gone, and there is nothing that can change that,” he murmured. “People depend on me at home. When the killer is brought to justice, hanged for their crimes, I intend to return to Edenmere and remain there for the rest of my life.”

“You’ll feel differently in a year’s time,” Father told him. “You’ll long for friends to share new adventures with.”

“Besides, we do expect you to visit us this summer in Kent,” she told Carmichael. She moved to stand at Gilbert’s side, curling her arm about his. “We have decided to marry tomorrow. Gilbert has a special license.”

“Tomorrow?” Father and Carmichael said at once.

“With your blessing of course, Father,” she murmured. “And yours too, Carmichael, since you will stand up with Gilbert. I would like to be safe and securely wed before Friday arrives. I know it could be dangerous but I want to help if I can, even if it is only to make sure my friends are never alone at the next ball.”

“Congratulations,” Carmichael said, striding forward to shake Gilbert’s hand. “This is just the happy news I needed today.”

Carmichael turned toward Anna. “May I?”

Anna wasn’t sure what he meant, but when she stepped forward, Carmichael pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. “He’s the best man I know. He’ll make you so happy.”

It felt strange to be embraced by Carmichael, but she did not resist. “Thank you.”

“Do you think we could be friends now?” he asked.

“That depends on whether you intend to borrow my parasol ever again.”

“No,” he said, and then chuckled softly against her hair. “I’ve no reason to hide in dovecotes anymore if you’re going to be married.”

She felt a firm tug on her arm and looked around.

“That’s enough of that,” Gilbert complained as she was dragged from Carmichael’s embrace to his. “She’s mine now.”

Carmichael laughed and turned to her father. “What do you say, sir, shall we drink another toast to the happy couple?”

“Yes, I think so. In a moment.” Her father looked at her with his lips pressed together, but then he held out his arms. She rushed to him, and her father held her tightly. “I will miss you, daughter. I will miss you very much.”

“I will miss you too,” she whispered.

When her father drew back, his eyes were suspiciously moist.

Carmichael drew his attention immediately. “Now, sir, what are you doing for Christmas this year? Anna said you might have plans but if not, I’d be very pleased to have your company. My dear godmother may even join us if we are fortunate.”

Carmichael clapped Father on the back and led him toward the whiskey, winking over his shoulder as he went. “Nothing needs to change between us, sir, when Anna marries old Sorenson here,” he promised. “Except now we may both indulge in the contents of my wine cellar without Anna glaring at us all night.”