A Scandal By Any Other Name-Chapter 182 - Hundred And Eighty Two

Aunt Margery’s mind worked with speed. She could not simply turn him away. If she threw him out, he would go to the city magistrates. As Delaney’s legal guardian—or so he claimed—he had the right by law to demand her return. The Hamiltons could not afford a public, legal scene on their front steps. Besides, Delaney would confront him sooner or later.

Aunt Margery forced a perfectly polite, completely fake smile onto her face.

"Of course, Baron Kingsley," Aunt Margery invited him in, stepping aside and gesturing to the warm foyer. "Please, step inside out of the cold. You must forgive the confusion; we have had a terrible shock this week."

Cole stepped into the grand house, his greedy eyes immediately scanning the expensive paintings and the crystal chandeliers.

"Simmons," Aunt Margery instructed, her voice smooth and commanding. "Show the Baron into the drawing room and offer him some tea."

As Mr. Simmons bowed and led the unwelcome guest toward the drawing room, Aunt Margery caught the eye of Sarah, the young maid who was polishing a nearby table.

Aunt Margery gave a sharp, urgent nod toward the stairs. Mr. Simmons saw Sarah and subtly motioned with his white-gloved hand, quietly instructing her to run upstairs and inform Delaney immediately.

Sarah dropped her dusting cloth and hurried toward the back stairs.

Upstairs in the master bedchamber, the room was incredibly quiet. The door was shut, isolating the lovers from the sudden danger lurking below.

Rowan shifted carefully on the bed, making room for Delaney to stand close to him. He reached out and took both of her small hands in his large ones. His brown eyes were entirely serious, filled with a fierce, burning protectiveness.

He knew she was leaving for an inn this morning before going to the Kingsley estate. He hated the idea of her being out of his sight, especially with Lord Farrington and Lord Hawksley circling the city like hungry wolves.

Rowan spoke, his voice low and firm. "I have a guard for you."

Delaney blinked in surprise. "A guard? But you said you will send a footman yesterday?"

Rowan nodded his head. He squeezed her hands gently. "He is one of my best men from the estate. The footman will protect you inside, The guard will protect you outside, secretly. He will be watching you from a distance at all times."

Delaney felt a warm wave of love wash over her. He was injured, confined to a bed, yet his only concern was keeping her completely safe.

"Rowan, that is not necessary," Delaney protested softly. "I will be careful."

"It is absolutely necessary," Rowan insisted, his jaw clenching tight. The dark memory of the falling carriage flashed briefly in his mind. "If there is any problem, if anyone tries to approach you or threaten you..."

Rowan paused. His eyes darkened with a cold, promise.

"...I have instructed him to snap their necks," Rowan finished bluntly.

Delaney’s eyes widened slightly at the sheer, violent honesty of his words.

Rowan did not take the words back. He stood up and pulled her hands closer to his chest. "I do not trust your uncle, and I certainly do not trust Hawksley. They are desperate men, Delaney. And desperate men make terrible mistakes. I will not let them make a mistake with you."

Delaney smiled. It was a soft, beautiful smile that completely erased the worry from her face. She did not feel frightened by his fierce, possessive nature. She felt entirely cherished.

She gently pulled her hands free from his grasp. She stepped closer to him and wrapped her arms warmly around his waist.

"Thank you," Delaney whispered sincerely.

She leaned forward and put her head gently on his bare, warm chest, resting right over his steadily beating heart. She closed her eyes, breathing in his clean, familiar scent.

Rowan let out a long, contented sigh. He lifted his large arms and hugged her back. He buried his face in her dark hair, resting his chin on the top of her head. He closed his eyes, memorizing the feeling of holding her. He wished he could freeze this exact moment in time.

"Miss me, okay?" Rowan asked softly, his voice a quiet, teasing rumble against her hair.

Delaney lifted her head to meet his face. She looked deeply into his eyes. She nodded her head, offering him a bright, promising smile. "Every single moment."

They leaned in slowly, their lips just inches apart, ready to share one final, lingering kiss before she walked out the door.

Just then, the door was thrown violently open.

Bang!

Sarah barged in. The young maid did not knock. She burst into the room, her chest heaving as if she had been running at full speed up the entire length of the back stairs.

"Miss Kingsley..." Sarah gasped out loudly.

Sarah stopped completely dead in her tracks. Her eyes went wide with absolute shock.

She saw the Duke of Ford standing, half-dressed, and she saw Miss Kingsley wrapped tightly in his embrace. It was an incredibly intimate, deeply scandalous scene.

Sarah’s face instantly turned a bright, burning shade of red. She turned her face quickly toward the wall, squeezing her eyes shut and covering her blushing cheeks with her hands.

"I am so sorry for the interruption!" Sarah babbled quickly, the words tumbling out of her mouth in a flustered, panicked rush. "Sorry, the disturbance! No, the intrusion! Forgive me, Your Grace!"

Delaney quickly broke the hug. She took a large step back away from him, her own cheeks flushing a delicate, embarrassed pink. She smoothed the front of her dark traveling dress, trying to regain her composure.

Rowan frowned deeply, highly annoyed that their quiet moment had been shattered. But he knew the servants would never barge into his private chambers without a very urgent reason.

Delaney took a steadying breath and looked at the maid, who was still facing the stone wall.

Delaney asked, her voice calm but laced with sudden worry. "What happened, Sarah? Why are you running?"

Sarah slowly lowered her hands from her face, though she kept her eyes firmly fixed on the floorboards, refusing to look at them.

Sarah replied, her voice trembling slightly with nerves. "There is a man downstairs, Miss. He is waiting in the drawing room."

Delaney frowned in confusion. "A man? For me?"

"Yes, Miss," Sarah confirmed, finally looking up to meet Delaney’s hazel eyes. "He is asking for you, Miss. He said... he said you are his niece."

The warm, safe air in the bedchamber instantly turned as cold as ice.

Delaney frowned. How did he know i was here?

Rowan’s entire demeanor changed in a single second. His eyes turned as hard and cold as shattered glass. His jaw locked tightly.

The threat had not waited for Delaney to leave the house. The threat had walked right through their front doors.

Cole Kingsley had arrived.