Miss Beasley yelped and turned to face the dark corner where Gilbert had hidden when she’d suddenly stepped into the room.

“Goodness!” she cried. “You scared me.”

Gilbert moved toward her, lifting his gloved fingers to her lips. He pressed them firmly against her to silence her. “You must be quiet,” he whispered.

“Why?” she mumbled around his fingers.

He was still a long moment, studying her in the moonlight cast by the open drapes. Miss Beasley intrigued him as no other lady he’d met so far had. A pity he’d not the time to explore the attraction building in him, and what he sensed of hers even now. “So no one learns we are alone together.”

He brushed his fingers gently across her lips, wishing he’d taken the time to remove his gloves first. Miss Beasley had pretty lips. He found them fascinating to watch.

Unmindful of the potential scandal, she drew closer. “Did you discover who killed Miss Goldwell?”

“Not yet.” But he had come to this room to lie in wait for a candidate. Carmichael had gone to another likely location where an attack might be made, the library on the other side of the house. Together, they hoped to thwart the killer if he was here tonight.

Gilbert’s heart had stopped when someone had slipped into the room, and when he’d recognized Miss Beasley by the color of her gown and the curves of her body, his heart had raced with dread.

For a moment, a very brief one, he had wondered if he’d been so very wrong about her.

However, he felt the killer would have reacted very differently to his presence, had they come here with murder on their mind.

“I cannot forget what happened to her.” Scared eyes met his. “Can you?”

He returned his fingers to her lips as women passed the door, laughing loudly as they went. He listened until they were gone. “I’m sorry you had to see her like that.”

Miss Beasley shivered. “It is not right that no one knows about it.”

“No, it is not right, but it is how it must be for now if the killer is to be captured.”

Her eyes searched his face again. “Are there any clues at all?”

“Very few.” Confiding in Miss Beasley hadn’t been a consideration but he felt he owed her an explanation and hope. “We suspect the person responsible is someone frequently overlooked by society. Someone who stands at the fringes.”

Miss Beasley swallowed. “Is that why you’re hiding here? Are you trying to catch them in the act of attacking someone else?”

“Yes,” he confessed. He smiled quickly, lest she thought he considered her a suspect. “But I seem to have caught a pretty lady instead.”

“I’m not the killer,” she said, fingers rising to her throat. “I simply needed a moment to myself before I return to the ball.”

He noted she ignored the compliment but touching her throat revealed his words had indeed affected her. If it wasn’t so dark in here, he thought she might be blushing. “What has upset you tonight?”

She frowned at him. “Why do you think I’m upset?”

“I saw your expression change as you spoke with Lord Wade.”

She shrugged. “He unsettles me occasionally, but it is not him I flee.”

Gilbert stood straighter, more than a little worried by that remark. “What are you afraid of?”

“I am not afraid. I am annoyed. Father has promised I will dance with Carmichael soon.”

Carmichael was supposed to be patrolling the library by now. Had he intended to disappoint Miss Beasley tonight by not arriving to dance with her? That seemed unnecessarily cruel. “What if he didn’t come?”

“Then he would finally do something to make me happy,” she said, and then sighed. “No doubt my father pressured him to dance with me tonight. I’d rather not be a duty, all things considered. I just wish he’d go away or say no to Father with a hint of finality.”

“I’ll talk to him,” Gilbert promised, silently vowing to keep them as far apart as he reasonably could.

“You will? Why?” Her hand moved to her cheek and yes, he was certain she was blushing furiously now.

“He’s my friend and he’s being manipulated.”

“He has a spine made of jelly. He’s forever promising Father one thing or another, and his godmother, too, for that matter. It is not possible to please everyone. I learned that long ago, and I wish he would, too,” Miss Beasley declared, chin rising proudly.

Clearly Miss Beasley did not want to be around Carmichael, but she always seemed to be talking with Lord Wade, a man whose character seemed quite devious. She deserved better. “Is there something more than friendship between yourself and Lord Wade?”

She laughed bitterly. “I like him, but not the way you suggest. Not romantically.”

Someone cackled with laughter directly beside them, outside in the hall. He placed his hand over her mouth again, hoping whoever it was would quickly go away. He and Miss Beasley had been alone for too long. He had to let her go as soon as silence returned to the adjacent hall and send her on her way.

He bent close to whisper in her ear, “You should go.”

“You keep saying that to me,” she whispered back.

“I’ve no wish to harm your reputation.”

She considered that a moment, and then sighed. “No one will notice I’m missing yet,” she promised. “Do you need help looking for Miss Goldwell’s killer? I should like to offer any assistance I can.”

“Bow Street has the matter well in hand. I have Carmichael, too.”

She rolled her eyes. “You need someone better equipped to ask intelligent questions than Carmichael.”

Gilbert muffled a laugh. “I think Carmichael did too well turning you against him. You do know he’s something of a genius, don’t you?”

“Price Wagstaff is an imbecile and a scoundrel,” she said flatly. “His friend would know that about him by now. All he is interested in is chasing the nearest skirt.”

Gilbert was amused by her hostility toward Carmichael. “Carmichael may never have attended classes when we were in school together, but he passed every test with time to spare. He is smarter than most men, myself included.”

“What? That cannot be right. You’re…”

Gilbert touched her arms lightly. “I’m what.”

Miss Beasley wet her lips. “Well, you’re obviously very intelligent and…”

Gilbert cursed under his breath as his body reacted to the flick of her tongue across her lips, and the praise. He desired her, though he couldn’t pursue her until the murderer had been captured.

Still, there was no reason why he couldn’t reveal his interest and see what happens. “And?”

“What else is there to say?”

He leaned close. Recklessly close, and he heard her breath hitch. “I think you’re very attractive, too. I notice you,” he whispered. “When you arrive, when you leave. Who you talk to. Who you dance with.”

Miss Beasley trembled when he set his hand to her shoulder. “You do?”

“Oh, yes. You are quite lovely to watch. So graceful and always smiling.” He moved his hand so his fingers brushed against her throat and slid them up to cup her face. “If I had time to spare, I might do nothing else but watch you.”

Miss Beasley collapsed back against the wall behind her. “You’re too kind.”

“I’m really not.” Had she no idea of how appealing he found her? He’d have to fix her lack of understanding on the matter of her desirability. He moved closer, crowding her against the wall. His blood was pumping fast through his veins. Desire was robbing him of his manners, and he knew it. He didn’t care. He lowered his head until their lips were very close. “If I was kind, I’d not want to do this.”

He sealed his lips over hers and kissed her thoroughly for several long minutes. It was obvious Miss Beasley was inexperienced. He had to coax her to part her lips and when she did, he flicked out his tongue to taste her.

She tasted of the punch she’d sipped earlier and smelled of heaven, too.

He pulled her into his arms, setting aside what he’d originally come to this room for. All he could think of was showing Miss Beasley how much he admired her. She wound her arms about his shoulders and he moaned against her mouth, closing his eyes to savor the moment of their surrender to passion.

The next moment, Miss Beasley was wrenched out of his arms.

He opened his eyes in a daze and found Lord Wade’s scowling face before him. “Sorry to interrupt,” Wade murmured. “But you should know better.”

Miss Beasley blinked several times and then covered her lips. Her cheeks were definitely turning a fiery pink now, and her eyes were wide with shock.

Only then did he see their hostess, Lady Windermere, standing just inside the room, too. She did not look pleased with them.

Lady Windermere addressed Miss Beasley first. “My dear, unmarried ladies prowling the halls without chaperones in tow must always remember to lock the door when they sneak away for stolen kisses.”

“She did not sneak anywhere,” he protested, affronted on Miss Beasley’s behalf.

“What else could this be but an assignation?” Lady Windermere studied him carefully. “Or have I stumbled upon the acceptance of a marriage proposal from you? If so, I couldn’t be happier for Miss Beasley—my husband’s cousin.”

Anna Beasley was Lord Windermere’s cousin? He had not known that about her, and really, he did know very little about the Beasley family and their connections.

There was utter silence for a full minute as the ramifications of Lady Windermere’s second question filled him. There had been no talk of marriage or a future, only Miss Goldwell’s murder and one stolen kiss. Actually, several stolen kisses, but he couldn’t remember how many now. It wouldn’t be fair for them to marry under those circumstances and yet, as family, Lady Windermere would expect him to do his duty and hush up any scandal.

Devil take it! He’d have to offer for Miss Beasley.

Gilbert reached for Miss Beasley’s hand and cradled it tenderly against his chest. “We are found out, my love.”

Panic flared in Miss Beasley’s eyes as their gazes collided. She clearly hadn’t expected him to offer endearments, but after that kiss, and being caught in his embrace, he had no choice but to play the part of a smitten suitor. He would do the honorable thing and lie that he had intended this from the start.

He hoped Miss Beasley could pretend happiness well enough to fool Lady Windermere and Lord Wade that she had been with him for this outcome.

Thankfully, Miss Beasley squeezed his fingers, but a question formed in her eyes just the same. “Indeed.”

He covered her hand with his and held it tightly. They could talk about this later, after he’d spoken to her father and averted a potential scandal. The actual marriage could wait until the murderer was brought to justice.

Although…he couldn’t say he disliked the idea of marrying Miss Beasley, even if it was a bit sudden. He hadn’t come to London to find a bride, although he would need to marry in the next year or so if he wanted to see his sons grow to reach their majority. Miss Beasley was certainly a woman he would have considered, given time for a longer study of the marriage mart. He’d certainly enjoyed holding her in his arms tonight and kissing her witless. He could easily do so again. What might have happened if they’d not been interrupted? His pulse raced at the idea.

“I had hoped to speak to your father before anyone knew my intentions for us.”

A pretty blush flooded her cheeks. “I am sure my father will be very happy to meet with you tomorrow, my lord.”

“Why not speak to him tonight?” Lady Windermere asked with a bright smile. “He can announce the engagement before all our friends. My ball will become the talk of the season.”

Gilbert thought it would be already, given the number of guests who’d come. Society seemed stunned that Lord and Lady Windermere had set aside their differences and married in the first place. There’d been a lot of gawking done tonight at the couple—mostly due to Lady Windermere’s expanding waistline and this second pregnancy since the marriage began.

Miss Beasley released his fingers slowly. “I would not like to announce any engagement tonight.”

“Oh?” Lady Windermere said, one brow rising in surprise. “Why ever not, my dear cousin?”

“My father dislikes being put on the spot, and he hasn’t yet realized the depths of Lord Sorenson’s interest in me. Tomorrow is soon enough for him and Lord Sorenson to discuss the future,” she said firmly.

Gilbert suppressed a grin. Miss Beasley might seem quiet and prone to blushes but she wasn’t about to be pushed around by her relation. Bravo! Now he was really looking forward to getting to know Miss Beasley better.

Lady Windermere took Miss Beasley’s measure, and then nodded slowly. “As you wish, my dear. I will have to content myself with merely being the first to know of the engagement. If you need any assistance in planning the wedding or your trousseau, I’d be more than happy to help.”

“Thank you for understanding, and for your kind offer,” Miss Beasley murmured before looking at Lord Wade. “And you, my lord? I trust you are willing to hold your tongue, too?”

Lord Wade seemed vastly amused by Miss Beasley’s question. “As long as I hear Lord Sorenson has called on your father tomorrow, I will say nothing.”

“Thank you.”

Lady Windermere beamed. “Well, then, now that is settled, Miss Beasley will accompany me to the retiring room, and then return to her father with me. He will be wondering what is keeping her.”

Miss Beasley swayed a little, no doubt imagining the worst of how her father might take the news of her behavior tonight. Gilbert reached for her hand again, determined that her father would never learn of their interrupted kiss. “A moment.”

“I should go,” Miss Beasley begged.

“Very well,” he reluctantly agreed. They should discuss the mess he’d placed them in, in private, before he spoke to her father tomorrow, if possible. Although he wanted her to linger with him, there was sense in pretending they had not already kissed. He nodded. “We will speak tomorrow then.”

“I look forward to receiving you,” she promised, before joining Lady Windermere at the door. With one last look, she swept out the door and out of his reach.

Gilbert let out a heavy sigh when the door closed behind her. He turned to Lord Wade. “Thank you for not raising an alarm.”

Lord Wade raised a brow, all trace of amusement gone. “I trust my faith in you is not misplaced.”

“I will call on her father tomorrow,” he promised.

“Good.” A little of his amusement returned. “Miss Beasley is a rare one, isn’t she? Outwardly shy, but I detected no hint of that when she was kissing you back so ardently just now.”

“Consider your next words very carefully, Lord Wade,” he growled.

“So should you.” Lord Wade glowered right back. “I would not be happy if my friend was disappointed in any way.”

Gilbert frowned at the man. Anna Beasley had claimed no deep affection for Lord Wade existed. But with threats still tainting the air, he wondered if he hadn’t come between a romance in the making. “You care about her?”

“No surprise there.” Lord Wade shrugged. “She’s one of the few ladies in society worth speaking to. Platonically, of course. Miss Beasley is entirely too trusting, so I do what I can to educate her about scoundrels. Myself included. Once she’s happily settled in marriage, I’ll turn my attention elsewhere.”

Gilbert grunted in surprise. He’d never have pegged Lord Wade as anyone’s guardian angel but the fellow seemed to have his heart in the right place. “Thank you, I think.”

The man beamed. “I’ll be rejoining the ball now, and listening for news of an engagement announcement tomorrow.”

He sauntered from the room with a cheery wave.

Gilbert shook his head and returned the way he’d come, via the terrace window as the clocks of Windermere House struck midnight.

He quickened his steps. By all the reports he’d cobbled together, the time had come and gone for the killer to act. There had been no cry of alarm. However, he would still like to search for an undiscovered body just to be sure nothing had happened.

He met a few older couples outside on the terrace, but no one he considered a potential murderer as he skirted the house. He recognized few so he kept moving. Checking out-of-the-way places for bodies, discreetly conferring with the Bow Street men who had slipped into the crowd to act as extra eyes, and receiving the all clear from them.

He breathed a sigh of relief—until he stumbled upon Albert Meriwether, leaning against a garden wall in dark everyday clothes.

“What are you doing out here?”

“You took my case from me.” Meriwether’s expression soured. “But the magistrate also hinted that there seems to be a pattern developing. I’m here in my own free time to see you in action and step in when needed.”

“The killer did not strike down anyone tonight.”

The fellow brushed himself off. “That is disappointing to hear. But I’ll take my leave before I am seen. Expect to see more of me about.”

He wasn’t pleased by Meriwether’s intentions. He’d been told he had the lead in the investigation. He didn’t need the man under his feet. Gilbert drew near him. “If you beat another suspect to gain a confession on this case, I’ll do the same to you.”

Meriwether bowed coldly and then vanished into the night.

Having Meriwether around meant he could never fully trust any information he was given if it went through his hands first. Davis would not be pleased by the development, either. They’d worked well together without a third wheel. Davis was angling for a promotion, too, which Meriwether might not support.

On returning to the ballroom, he noticed Miss Beasley immediately. Anna. She and Miss Hayes were together again and talking with great animation. Lord Wade was some distance behind them—keeping watch yet again. The fellow caught his eye, but then wandered off into the crowd just as Carmichael came into the room.

Gilbert wasn’t sure what to do next about the killer, but he was absolutely sure of one thing—he really did want a chance to be alone again with Anna.