Page 55 of Black Widow

The familiar hand that snaked out, pulling her into the dark corner, was so quick she didn’t even have a chance to scream. Not that Gideon gave her a chance. His hand covered hermouth.

Amelia blinked up at him. How had he even found her? Though the Folsom ball was well attended, it wasn’t considered the most fashionable of events. Their hosts were too old to be considered high-flyers, their music and refreshments tired anduninspired.

She didn’t have the opportunity to question Gideon about his spy network. He kept his hand on her mouth and caught her up in his arms. Moving like a cat, he melted deeper into the shadows, abducting her from the ballroom with next to noeffort.

There was no hue and cry in their wake. He managed to snatch her from under the ton’s nose without anyone being the wiser. Marveling at his skill and the blindness of the other guests, Amelia waited until he had taken them to a dark and empty sittingroom.

“Damn it, Gideon! You can’t just carry me off without so much as a by yourleave!”

Gideon’s grip on her arms was firm. “And you can’t seriously believe changing a few locks is going to keep me away fromyou.”

Amelia shivered involuntarily, but it wasn’t fear she felt.Stop it. She couldn’t afford to be alone with himanymore.

“I have to leave.” She tried to break his hold, but he wouldn’t release her. In fact, he pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her until she was crushed against hischest.

His scent enveloped her, and her body reacted predictably. Her breasts swelled, moisture pooling low in herbody.

He stroked one of her curls. “Amelia, why are you trying to do thisalone?”

“You knowwhy!”

He winced. “As unfortunate as this morning’s incidentwas—”

“It was more than anincident!”

Gideon held up a hand. “I know. But it changesnothing.”

He lifted her chin, meeting her eyes imploringly. “Amelia, I know you may have some doubts. Someone is trying to intimidate you and last night, I slept through their latest assault. I understand your faith in me might be shaken now, but it’s not a mistake I will make again. I can and will protectyou.”

She shook her head. “No, you need to stay away from me. The dead dog wasn’t just intimidation. It was a message—awarning.”

“Amelia…” hebegan.

She pushed against him, clutching at his waistcoat. “No, you must listen to me. That poor creature died because the monster wants me to know you’renext.”

“Me?” Gideon scowled. “No, my love.Youare the one indanger.”

The casual endearment nearly derailed her argument. She cleared her throat and stood herground.

“If the monster wanted me dead, I would be dead,” she declared firmly. “It has had ample opportunity to do away with me. Nothing occurred the entire year I spent in mourning. It wasn’t until I returned to society that this nightmarebegan.”

She put her hands on his chest. “Gideon. It doesn’twantto kill me. It wants me to be alone. You’re the one who will die if you continue to associate withme.”

Gideon’s jaw went slack as he followed her reasoning. But then he blinked, stubbornly jutting his chin out. “No. This must be part of Sir Clarence’s plan. He’s trying to force your hand. He wants you to marry Cannonburry. You told me so yourself. I would have confirmation of that now if Sir Clarence was still in town. The minute he returns, I’llbeatthe truth fromhim.”

Amelia wanted to scream in frustration. Though there had been occasions when she wished ill for her authoritarian guardian, she knew Gideon would only be worsening the situation if he stooped to suchviolence.

“I would sooner marry Cannonburry than let anything happen toyou.”

The words were out before she could even think about them. If she’d spared a second to consider Gideon’s reaction, she would have never utteredthem.

She couldn’t see much detail beyond the outline of his features in the dim light, but she didn’t need a candle to know how he was reacting. The very air around them heated and seemed to vibrate. Amelia felt as if she had stumbled upon a predator in his lair, possibly abear.

Holding her breath, she cautiously began to retreat. Gideon’s arm shot out, yanking her againsthim.

“Don’t eventhinkabout such athing.”

She struggled against his hold. “Damn it, Gideon! Can’t you see I’m trying to save your life? What more do you want fromme?”

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