The Spy Who Loved Her: Once Upon an Accident, Book 3 by Melissa Schroeder Page A

thinking to save him from embarrassment. “I always do.”
    Sebastian nodded and slipped back into the ballroom. Daniel took a few moments to gather himself and then turned to follow his friend when his mother stepped out.
    “You are not behaving, Daniel. You did not even listen to any of the singing.”
    “Sebastian wanted to talk to me about the orphanage. There seemed to be someone trying to break in the other night.”
    Immediately, his mother’s smile faded. “Nothing serious I hope?”
    “They did not get in, but I will have Jack ask around.”
    She nodded.
    “Was there something you wanted?” he asked.
    “Yes. I wanted to go to the Fillmores’ Ball with Lady Victoria.”
    “You do not need my permission to go to a ball.”
    She made a face. “Daniel, behave. I need you to attend to Lady Anna.”
    “What?”
    “Well, Victoria is a little suspicious after last night and is trying to drag the poor girl to the ball. Anna wants to go home.”
    “Why does she not go with Sebastian and Colleen?”
    “They left. Colleen is ill.”
    “Nothing serious?”
    His mother smiled. “I dare say she is increasing again.”
    “Good Lord, they already have three children.”
    She chuckled. “I have a feeling you will understand some day. So, will you take her in your carriage?”
    The thought had him breaking out in a cold sweat. Alone in a dark carriage with Anna? This would not do. “Do you not think people will question it?”
    She laughed. “I doubt it. We are family friends and you are escorting her home. Everyone saw how sick Colleen was.”
    “How are you getting to the ball?”
    “Lord Greenwood is taking us.”
    “Is he not a little young for you?”
    “Not the pup who has been sniffing around Anna’s skirts. His father. Really, Daniel, I do not have the time to play around. Will you escort Anna home? She is none too happy with the attention she has been receiving tonight.”
    Just then he saw her standing off to the side, surrounded by her horde of men. Anger and possessiveness griped him. He did not have a right to it, but he did not like the way they were slavering over her.
    “Daniel?”
    Without looking away from Anna, he said, “Yes.”
    “Oh, wonderful.” She stepped closer, rose to her toes and brushed her lips over his cheek. “Be careful.”
     
    Daniel cursed his mother the moment the door on the carriage shut both he and Anna in alone. Dammit, he should have known better than to let his mother talk him into something like this. They were utterly alone, and he knew with the traffic it would take them close to an hour to get her back to her family townhouse.
    “I noticed that you and Sebastian escaped the soprano’s performance.”
    “We could still hear her out on the terrace.”
    She humphed and crossed her arms beneath her breasts. Even in the dim light he could discern the flesh that rose above her neckline. His fingers itched to glide over her skin, feel it beneath his hands.
    He swallowed.
    “I daresay it was much worse inside. Why does all of society think sopranos are the type of singer to host?”
    “They are known as the epitome of the musical world. They are also known to have volatile tempers and tumultuous affairs. I am certain that some of the young men were there tonight because that soprano is unattached at the moment.”
    There was a moment of silence. “Oh. I understand now.”
    Something had shifted in her demeanor, the way her voice sounded. It was like their discussion yesterday at her house.
    “What do you understand?”
    She did not say anything.
    “Anna?”
    She sighed. “I noticed that she is your type of woman.”
    “I told you yesterday you do not understand the first thing about my type of woman.”
    “She is tall, dark-haired, and well…we know that she will not have to sing to pay for her supper with a figure like hers.”
    The prim note in her voice had him laughing. “Oh, that is rich.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “You attend the musicale with