A Kiss With Scandal (Scandals & Secrets 4) by Janelle Daniels Page B

envy. It would hide dirt better than her riding habit on a good day. Men were so lucky.
    “Excellent.”
    They didn’t run exactly, but before she knew it, she was skipping every few steps to keep up with Derek’s long-legged stride. She giggled. “Do you plan on having me run after you in a moment?”
    His steps slowed with a sheepish grin. “Forgive me. I might be a bit more competitive than most.”
    She could see why. He was used to meticulously gathering details before zeroing in on a suspect. He captured those in his sights and brought them to justice. He was used to hunting, whether it was people or hatpins.
    But what else does he have? she wondered as he led her through a smooth path.
    His sister married not that long ago, and both his parents had passed away. There were plenty of people on the estate, but she knew it was hard to form deep connections with staff. For all she could see, he was alone. Truly alone. Maybe he had to be because of what he did, but Charlotte wasn’t so sure. Everyone had someone. But maybe this made it easier for him. He didn’t have someone he worried about. Someone he must protect.
    Someone like her.
    She didn’t want to be a burden on him, though. “Would you teach me how to shoot?” He slowed to a stop, giving her his full attention. “If something happened, and for some reason you weren’t there, I’d like to be able to defend myself.” She reached for a leaf beside her, shredding it as the conversation shredded her nerves.
    “Do you have a weapon?”
    “No. But I could get one. Perhaps there’s a shop that sells small guns?”
    His lips pursed. “There’s no weapon smith in this town, but I have something that could work. It could fit in your reticule.”
    Her eyes flew to his. “Really? You’d consider teaching me?”
    “Of course. I think it’s a brilliant idea. You should be prepared in every way.” He took her hand and threaded it through his arm before continuing down the path.
    Charlotte couldn’t speak. Gratitude filled her as she thought of how much he’d given her, of how much he was still willing to give. Shooting wasn’t a feminine sport, and most men would have laughed at her request. But not Derek. He respected her and seemed to have no problems crossing the lines of propriety to do what needed to be done. What other man could compare?
    He was exciting, thrilling. And unlike any other man of her acquaintance. Married life had seemed so lifeless, so boring before. But a life with Derek would be anything but.
    She choked. Sugar lumps! She needed to get ahold of herself.
    His arm shot out in front of her, stopping her movement. “Wait,” he whispered, scanning the trees.
    His muscles tensed, and it was only then she realized the world had gone silent. No birds called from the sky, no crickets sounded, no mice streaked through shrubs. Her breaths shallow, she strained to hear something. Anything.
    “Stay behind me.”
    He pushed her gently behind him, and her face burrowed in his back as she nodded. He unsheathed a knife in his boot as he led her down the path, one painstaking step at a time.
    Her heart raced, the pounding echoing in her ears. The soft light filtering through the tree branches wasn’t idyllic anymore. It threatened. Someone hid behind those same branches. Someone hunted her in these woods as a gamekeeper would a fox.
    Derek protected her, but who protected him? He only had a knife. What use would it be against an attacker armed with a gun?
    She was a coward, hiding behind Derek’s back like a scared ninny. She hated that about herself, but maybe for once, it was okay to be scared. Perhaps it wasn’t always bad to lean on someone else.
    Derek had kept her safe thus far. She knew he always would if he could.
    Derek stilled his progress, cocking an ear. His muscles relaxed. “They’re gone.”
    She peeked around him. “Who was it?”
    “I don’t know.” He sheathed his knife.
    “Could it have been someone from the