My Lady Scandal by Kate Harper Page A

stairs when they heard the muffled sound of a pistol. There came a sudden commotion from below and they paused, listening.
    ‘What was that?’ Nell hissed.
    ‘Quickly!’
    Turning, they headed back down the stairs and peeped around the corner. Frame was no longer on the landing, but had headed back down the stairs. They could hear his voice raised, shouts from outside and the unmistakable sound of another pistol shot.
    ‘A distraction!’ Perry turned and seized her arm, dragging her towards the back stairs again. Instead of going up, he went down and they emerged cautiously into a narrow hallway that was just shy of the kitchen. There was nobody about. Nell supposed that they would all be crowded around the front of the house, trying to find out what was going on.
    And if they were all crowded around the front of the house, the back of the house was theirs for the taking. The boot room leading off from the hallway was deserted and they ran through it, opening the door cautiously. They caught a glimpse of a soldier running, but he was running away from them, heading towards the continuing commotion at the front of the house.
    Whatever – or whoever – was causing the diversion was a Godsend and neither of the Marriotts hesitated, running towards the back fence, too intent on speed to worry about concealment. Bending, Perry linked his fingers and Nell put her foot into it immediately, springing up onto the top of the fence. Pausing, she reached down a hand and helped her brother scramble up, before both of them dropped down onto the street below and took off at a flat run.
    They met up with Talbot twenty minutes later and rode silently home in the moonlight.
     

 
    Chapter Six
     
     
     
    ‘We were lucky,’ Perry murmured, looking at his sister gravely.
    They were seated in the front parlor drinking the tea that Emma had insisted on making them. For shock, she had said. It was hot and sweet and Nell was grateful for it.
    Luck, Nell surmised, had nothing to do with it. She could not rid herself of the feeling that somehow they had been rescued by Carlisle. There was no reason to think so – anybody could have been in the street firing a pistol – but nonetheless, she was sure that it had been him.
    ‘It must be the end of it now,’ she murmured, ‘we cannot risk trying again.’
    ‘Agreed. I’m grateful enough for my neck.’ Perry yawned and rose to his feet. ‘Bedtime for both of us. You look done in, m’dear.’
    She nodded, rising herself. She was exhausted, right enough and tired to the bone. What a night it had been. And how very differently it might have ended.
    Making her way to her bedroom, she was glad that she had sent Emma off to bed, for she wanted some time to think. Still dressed in breeches, a shirt and a vest, she would have no trouble getting herself into her nightclothes. She carried a single candle with her, more than enough light to see her get ready for bed. Closing the door behind her, she leaned against it for a moment, eyes shut.
    She did not know what it was that told her she was not alone. The familiar scent of him? Or perhaps it was merely that she was conscious of him if he were anywhere near her, be it a crowded room or one that was dimly lit.
    She always knew when Carlisle was close.
    He was sitting in the chair by the uncurtained window; moonlight gilding him into silver and shadow.
    Nell walked forward slowly, placing the candle on the dresser top. He watched her without speaking as she came to stand before him. She began to shed her boy’s clothing: the vest, the shirt, the short shift beneath. The stockings, breeches and linen smalls followed, until she was completely naked before him. Nell heard him catch his breath as he looked at her and smiled. Silently, she held out her hand and Carlisle rose to his feet.
    Moving forward, he kissed her. It was neither the feather light touch that he had bestowed in the park, nor the unrestrained passion that simmered just below the