Page 116 of Ravished

"Oh, but there is. You have now seen for yourself just how unscrupulous these fossil collectors can be. If someone has found my cave it will do absolutely no good to simply warn him off. He will find a way to sneak back. I know he will."

Hardcastle nodded soberly. "Once a collector has the scent of old bones, it's bloody difficult to put him off it. One can only hope he has not yet discovered Harriet's particular cavern."

Harriet gave her father-in-law a grateful look. "Thank you for understanding, sir. You see, St. Justin? We must go back immediately."

Lady Hardcastle smiled at her son. "There is no reason the two of you cannot go back to Upper Biddleton for a few days and see to this matter. Your father and I will stay here."

Gideon held up a hand in surrender. He looked down the table at Harriet, his gaze indulgent. "Very well, my dear. Start packing."

"Thank you, Gideon." Harriet rushed toward the door. "I shall be ready within the hour."

The coach pulled into the forecourt of Blackthorne Hall shortly after nine in the evening. Gideon knew that fact frustrated Harriet. She wanted to head straight down to the cliffs and actually suggested doing so with the aid of lamps. Gideon put his foot down on that outrageous suggestion.

"No, you are not going down to the cliffs in the middle of the night. Your precious caves can wait until morning," he informed her as the Blackthorne Hall staff hastened to prepare bedchambers and unload the luggage.

Harriet gave him a speculative glance as she went up the stairs beside him. "It would not take long, my lord. I could just pop into the cavern for a moment or two and make certain no one has touched my bones."

Gideon dropped an arm heavily around her shoulders and guided her firmly toward the master bedchambers. "It is far too late for such running about. We have had a long trip and you should be exhausted."

"But I am not at all exhausted, my lord," she assured him quickly.

"Well, I am." He stopped in front of her bedchamber and trapped her against the wall, his hands planted on either side of her head. "And if you are not, you certainly ought to be. Get into bed, madam. In the morning, if the tide is out, you may see to your caves."

Harriet gave a disgruntled sigh. "Very well, my lord. I know I ought to be grateful you have been kind enough to bring me back here so quickly. I realize you were not in any great rush to return to Upper Biddleton. Indeed, it was very good of you, my lord. But then, you are always very kind to me."

Gideon bit back a short oath. "Get into bed. I will join you shortly."

"I thought you were exhausted, my lord."

"Not that exhausted." Gideon reached behind her, opened the door to her bedchamber, and gently urged her inside. He saw her maid waiting for her. He closed the door and went on down the hall to his own bedchamber.

Harriet's words rang in his head.You are always very kind to me.

Kind? Gideon dismissed his valet with a curt nod and started to unfasten his shirt. He caught sight of himself in the glass on the dressing table. His ravaged face stared back mockingly.

He had not been at all kind to Harriet. He had virtually coerced her into marriage, exhibited her to thetonas if she were an exotic pet, and put her in jeopardy at the hands of Bryce Morland.

In return she had given him her love, helped him restore his reputation, and made it possible for him to mend the breach with his parents.

No, he had not been particularly kind to Harriet. All she had ever really wanted from him was his love, and he had told her he could not give it.Six years ago I forgot everything I knew of love.

What an ass he had been.

Gideon yanked off his boots and stepped out of his breeches. He grabbed his black dressing gown, put it on, and walked over to the connecting door. He waited until he heard Harriet dismissing her maid and then he knocked once.

"Come in, Gideon."

He opened the door and found her sitting up in bed. She had one of her little muslin caps perched on her head and a book on her lap. A candle burned on the table beside her. She smiled her warm, vibrant smile at him as he walked into her bedchamber.

"Harriet?" He suddenly did not know what to say.

"Yes, my lord?"

"I told you once that you are the most beautiful woman I have ever met."

"Yes, I know you did. It was very kind of you."

Gideon closed his eyes in brief anguish. "I did not say it out of kindness. I said it because it was true." He opened his eyes. "Every time I look at you I think of how very fortunate I am."

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