Page 83 of A Naughty Proposal for His Winter Countess
“No, I was at the office and overhead a mention of you. They didn't speak your business out, and certainly didn't go into details with me, but it was enough,” Ben said soberly. “Is this going to be a problem for you and Harriet?”
“Not if the constables do their job right,” Daniel replied shortly.
Ben looked displeased. “I don't like it. Why would anyone want to harm you out of the blue?”
Daniel wasn't sure if Ben knew that it wasn't only he who was in danger, but he wasn't going to make him the wiser. He had pledged to take all the fallout from his and Harriet's broken engagement, and he was willing to bear this danger alone as well.
“I can't say, Ben,” Daniel shrugged. “Mayhap it's some lunatic with an idea that I've wronged him somehow.”
Huffing out a breath, Ben advised, “Carry a pistol on you.”
“Novel idea,” Daniel drawled sarcastically. “Why hadn't I thought of that?”
“I'm going to ignore that tone,” Ben said. “But be careful out there. I don't want my sister to be a widow before she's a proper wife.”
Standing, Daniel nodded. “I will. Thank you for coming to see me, Ben. I appreciate it.”
“I'll appreciate it more when you live to see your grandchildren,” Ben nodded, before he ducked out of the room.
Retaking his seat, Daniel went back to his work before Russel came in with the mail.
“Good morning, My Lord,” he said. “Your suit is being prepared and the maids have begun to air out a guest room for Miss Bradford. Is there anything else you need, Sir?”
“Not at the moment, no,” Daniel said. “Thank you, Russel.”
Sifting through the mail, Daniel had anticipated finding another threat.
You have two days to call off this wedding, I will not be merciful if you don't.
Sitting back, Daniel said, “Not if we find you first.”
* * *
Carrington must have paid through his ears to secure such a lovely assembly room.
Clinks of crystal glasses and peals of merry laughter filled the high-ceilinged assembly room. An orchestra was playing muted music so the party of thirty-odd persons could converse without interruption.
With Harriet on his arm, various couples came to them and offered their good wishes and felicitations. Daniel knew a few of the people, and thanked them personally for coming. As for those he didn't and those he hadn't expected to be there, he was civil.
When Dawson came to add his accolades, Daniel gave Dawson a gentlemanly welcome. He had no reason to suspect the man of any underhanded dealings anymore as Harriet had chosen him; she was to be his wife in less than forty-eight hours.
“My pleasure, Barkley, why wouldn't I congratulate you on a lovely match,” Dawson said, while lifting his glass with a sly gleam in his eye. “I’m glad to be here to witness the spectacular fireworks that will conclude the night.”
“There are fireworks?” Daniel asked.
Dawson smirked, “I believe so.”
Harriet thanked Dawson just before Daniel swept her further on the floor, directly under the shimmering chandelier. The music was a waltz, and dancing with her, while seeing the love in her eyes made his heart swell in the same tempo as the sonata came to a crescendo.
Someone called for a speech, and instead of Daniel going to the dais, Carrington did with his glass lifted high.
“Welcome, welcome, thank you for attending this humble celebration. My dear sister-in-law, Miss Harriet Bradford, will soon be Mrs. Daniel Raster, and I believe she will be the second happiest woman in England. The first, of course, is my wife who is elated to give her baby sister away to an upstanding Earl. Please, lift your glasses as we wish them a wonderful, fruitful life.”
As glasses were lifted—papers began to flutter out from the ceiling, from the open spaces around the chandelier. A murmur of confusion rang through the crowd until an elderly lady plucked up a paper, read it and screamed out in indignation.
A few more followed, while the old woman tottered to a chair. Like a chain reaction, people were crying out in horror and astounded gazes were flung at them.
Fearing the worst, Daniel grabbed a paper and his blood ran cold in horror. It was all there, Harriet's letter to Lily, her desire to rendezvous with Dawson, her deal with him to learn how to pleasure men, and the acts she wanted to do.
