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

shrewd eyes taking in everything. “A sweep was done after the animal was discovered, and I’ve received word no one is missing.”
    “Good.” At least that was one less thing to worry about. “Bury him in the family pet plot and get the stragglers to move along.”
    When Derek knew his orders were understood, he went back to his study and locked the door.
    Opening the bookcase, he stepped back into the tunnel where he’d been only moments before. Only he wasn’t heading out to spy.
    He closed the passageway door, cut a sharp left, and climbed the narrow staircase.
    He was going to Charlotte.

Chapter 11
    C harlotte closed the door with a soft click before she ran to the chamber pot and retched. Her body heaved, purging images as ruthlessly as the contents of her stomach. She sobbed between bouts, clutching her skirts beneath her.
    Daisy’s name had suited her perfectly. Happy, a great companion, and never one to hurt another creature. She’d curl onto Charlotte’s lap at night, whimpering if she’d neglected to give her pet enough love.
    Who could murder such an innocent animal?
    She heaved into the pot. Sweat pricked her skin.
    Oh no. No .
    Wrapping an arm around her middle, she hobbled to her bed and sunk down to the aquamarine coverlet. Numbness froze her heart.
    Only one person could kill such an innocent creature so carelessly.
    The Black Dahlia.
    Her hand jerked to her stomach. She couldn’t be sick again. Panting, she staved off most of the nausea. She shuffled to the window, tossed lace curtains aside, and pushed open the glass. She gulped pungent garden air.
    How had they gotten through Derek’s defenses? Daisy had been in her room this morning. She hadn’t told anyone to take her out. Besides, if someone had been with her, they would have been hurt too.
    Her eyes flailed open. A woman had screamed. Was it during the moment of attack or upon finding Daisy’s crumpled body?
    Eyes wild, Charlotte scrambled to the door, throwing it wide open in her haste.
    She shrieked when a male form blocked the door.
    “Shh. Charlotte, you’re all right. You’re safe,” Derek said, maneuvering her back into the room before he slipped inside and closed the door.
    She barely heard him. “We have to go! Someone might be hurt.” She struggled against his soft hold, motioning toward the door. “What are you doing? We have to go!”
    “Who might be hurt?”
    “A maid. A servant. Daisy was in my room this morning when I left. But anyone could have taken her for a walk. Someone could be in danger.” Bile rose. “Someone could be dead.” Panicked eyes vaulted to him. “My presence might have gotten someone else killed.”
    He pulled her into his arms, tightening his grip when she struggled. “Deep breaths. In. Out.” She didn’t listen, but her struggles slowed. “Come on. In and out.”
    She did as he asked. Hoping once she did, he’d listen.
    “Everyone is safe. A head count was done, and everyone is accounted for. Staff and guests,” he said before her struggles picked up again.
    “Everyone’s safe?”
    “Yes.”
    A sob escaped before she could catch it. She gripped his coat, holding him close instead of pushing him away. “Oh, Daisy.”
    Tears sprung to her eyes, and she arched away from Derek. But he wouldn’t release her. Breath caught in her lungs as panic set in. She was ten seconds away from a complete meltdown, and she didn’t want him in the middle of it. “Let me go.”
    “No. You have me. You can release this.”
    She shook her head wildly. “No. You have to let me go.”
    “Trust me. Lean on me.”
    Her heart accepted his words. He’d been the one person she’d been able to confide in, to trust. He’d protected her and gone out of his way to deal with things no sane person would want to take on. And he’d done it all without complaint. He’d done it with kindness.
    The dam broke.
    Clenching him closer, she buried her face in his chest as the storm raged. Tears, heartache, and