Page 91 of Ravished

She really was all right. He had to keep reminding himself of that. Morland had not gotten his lecherous hands on her. Leave it to Harriet to save herself with some ancient fish embedded in a chunk of stone. Gideon's hands flexed gently on her shoulders. He had failed to protect her.

"My brave, resourceful little Harriet. I am very, very proud of you, madam."

She smiled tremulously. "Why, thank you, Gideon."

"But I am very angry with myself for having done such a poor job of caring for you," Gideon added grimly. "You should never have been in the danger you were in today."

"Well, it is hardly your fault, Gideon. You could not possibly have guessed that Mr. Morland would go to Mr. Humboldt's Museum." Harriet paused and then continued earnestly. "It really is a most excellent museum, sir. I do not believe I have had an opportunity to tell you about it because I have been so busy explaining how I may have killed Mr. Morland. But I did not find any teeth which resembled mine."

Gideon smiled wryly. Trust Harriet to be more interested in her giant reptile tooth than in the close call she had had. He put his fingers on her lips, silencing her. "You may tell me all about it later. Now I think it would be best if I go find out exactly what we are dealing with here."

Harriet looked alarmed. "What do you mean?"

"I am going to Mr. Humboldt's Museum and see if Morland is dead or alive." Gideon kissed her on the forehead. "Once I know his present condition I can make further plans."

"Yes, of course." Harriet chewed on her lower lip. "What if by some chance he is alive? Do you think he will accuse me of attempted murder?"

"I think," Gideon said gently, "that the very last thing Morland will do is accuse you of murder."He will be too busy trying to save his own hide, Gideon promised himself silently.

"I would not be too certain of that." Harriet frowned thoughtfully. "He is not a very nice man, sir. You were quite right when you told me that he is not the angel he appears."

"Yes." Gideon released her. "Go on upstairs, my dear. I shall return when I have seen to Morland."

Harriet touched his arm, her eyes anxious. "You will be very careful, will you not, my lord? I would not want anyone to see you near the body. Assuming he is dead, of course. And if he is alive, he might be dangerous. You must not take any chances."

"I will be careful." Gideon crossed to the door and opened it. "I may be gone for some time. You are not to worry about me."

Harriet looked doubtful. "I think I should go with you, sir. I can show you exactly where I left Mr. Morland."

"I will find him on my own."

"But if I accompanied you I could keep a watch while you attend to the body," she said, obviously warming to her plan.

"I will manage very well on my own. Now, if you do not mind, Harriet, I would like to be on my way." He motioned her out into the hall.

She walked slowly toward the door, clearly turning several notions over in her mind. "My lord, the more I think about it, the more I believe it would be best if I accompanied you."

"I said no, Harriet."

"But you know as well as I do that sometimes your plans do not always go perfectly. Bear in mind what happened that night in the cavern, and all because you did not take me into your confidence."

"The only time my plans go awry, madam, is when you interfere with them," Gideon said evenly. "This evening you are going to do as you are told. I will deal with Morland. You will go straight upstairs to your room and have a bath and a cup of tea while you recover from your ordeal. And you will not leave the house until I return. Is that very clear, my dear?"

"But Gideon—"

"I see it is not quite clear. Very well, let me be blunt. If you do not go up those stairs this instant I will carry you up them. Now do we understand each other, madam?"

Harriet blinked. "Well, if you are going to be that way about it—"

"I am," he assured her.

Harriet walked reluctantly past him. "Very well, my lord. But please be careful."

"I will be careful," Gideon said gruffly. "And Harriet?"

She glanced back inquiringly. "Yes, my lord?"

"You may be certain that in the future I will take better care of you."

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