Page 81 of A Naughty Proposal for His Winter Countess
Crouching, Harriet plucked up the paper and found that it was folded in half. The light was dim but she managed to open it and read words, written in thick hard slashes, that had her heart pounding in worry.
You know that this marriage is a sham. He'll soon go back to his old life and you won't matter. Cry off this marriage or you'll both regret it. I don't want to take extreme measures, but I will if pushed.
With the note in hand, she spun, ready to bolt back downstairs and show it to Martha—but stopped in her tracks.
She looked at the note again while her heart slowed in its pounding. It threatened Daniel as well. Finding a chair, Harriet stared at the note and wondered if Daniel had received something similar.
They were going to London the next morning, so Harriet felt it prudent to speak with Daniel about it first before she alarmed anyone else.
The threat was subtle and though there was danger lurking on the edges, Harriet didn't feel she was in peril. Taking the note, she tucked it into her reticule and went to prepare for bed.
Before she did retire, Harriet made sure her window and doors were locked and bolted. Slipping into bed, Harriet prayed that she had not made the wrong decision on not telling her sisters about the threat.
* * *
Before going to London, Harriet had insisted on going to Daniel's home first. He invited her, Martha and Aunt Barbara in, and while her sister and aunt were having tea and crumpets, Daniel asked for some time with Harriet.
After Martha gave her permission, he had taken Harriet to his study for a private conversation. He closed the door half way and after dropping his hands to her waist, Daniel lovingly said, “I've missed you.”
He drew her closer and with both hands wrapped around her slender form, held her for a brief, breathtaking moment before he lowered his mouth to hers. The kiss was deep, loving, and Harriet tasted of sweet wine on his tongue. Harriet responded in kind, using her lips and tender grasp of his hair in her hands to express her love for him.
Parting from his lips, Harriet stayed close and smoothed a lock from his eyes. “I never thought I'd love anyone as I love you. I cannot wait to be your wife, and I know that I will be the happiest woman in the world. If you’ll have me, I want only to be yours.”
“I love you too, and in a few days, you shall be,” Daniel replied.
Resting her hands on his chest, Harriet corrected herself, “I didn't say it right. I'min lovewith you, Daniel. I am utterly, inescapably, undeniably in love with you.”
Before her head dipped and her eyes darted away, Daniel propped her chin up with his knuckles, “And I believe that I'm the happiest, Beloved. I have the loveliest, most enchanting lady who will soon be my wife. Remind me to thank Ben for coaxing me out of my rut on Christmas Day. I will be forever grateful for that night I met you. I know you felt lost for many years and I want to be your hero. I love you, Harriet. With all I am.”
With the affirmation she was hoping to get, Harriet softly tugged Daniel to the couch. “Something worrying happened last night after I received your letter.” Pausing to dig in her reticule, Harriet took out the note. “Someone is after us.”
Daniel took the paper and instantly his face went rigid in anger. Harriet felt thrown for a moment. “Daniel?”
“I cannot believe this blackguard has targeted you as well,” he grated.
“Pardon?” Her brows darted up, before the realization set in. “Have you gotten something like this before?”
“A few days ago,” Daniel replied, regrettably.
Frowning, Harriet asked, “Why didn't you tell me?”
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Because I thought I was the only one targeted,” Daniel replied. “And as I was, I decided I'd take care of it. I didn't think this person would contact me again, but now I have cause to call in the Magistrate. I don't take kindly to anyone threatening you.”
Taking his hand, Harriet clutched it tight. “I don't want to argue, especially now that we know that this man is threatening us. Promise me that you'll tell me anything that the constables will find.”
Daniel held the note, “May I keep this?”
“Of course,” Harriet said with a light shudder, “I don't want to see it.”
“Everything will be fine, I promise you. Whoever is doing this will not lay a hand on you or I,” circling an arm around her waist, Daniel kissed her temple. “I think we should rejoin your family.”
“Aunt Barbara suggested that we travel after we're wed. What do you think?” Harriet said as she stood. “Where do you think we could go?”
“The safest places would be New Holland or the West Indies,” Daniel replied. “We could stay at a plantation home in Antigua. But we'll decide on it when the occasion arises.”
“And here I was trying to find a way to romanticize being captured by pirates,” Harriet teased.
