A Kiss Before Dawn by Kimberly Logan

to bea source of much support in his investigation, especially if they had made up their minds that one of the boys at Willow Park was responsible for the crimes.
    At that moment, as he raised his head to speak to Tristan, he noticed Emily and a blond gentleman standing at the foot of the staircase, observing the proceedings in silence. Emily’s eyes were full of dismay, while her companion’s were rife with speculation.
    Peter disliked the man on sight. Tall and elegant, he was the utter personification of an arrogant young lord, and there was something about the way he hovered over Emily in such a proprietary and possessive fashion that put Peter’s back up.
    Tristan saw them at the same time and crossed the foyer with a smile of welcome, grasping the young man’s hand in a firm handshake. “Hello, Moreland. I’m sorry. I didn’t notice you standing there.”
    â€œThat’s quite all right, Lord Ellington. You were otherwise occupied.” The gentleman cast a glance back over his shoulder at Emily before turning to Peter. “Em, aren’t you going to introduce me to your…guest?”
    â€œOf course.” Though she appeared somewhat reluctant, Emily came forward to perform the introductions. “Mr. Quick, this is our good friend, the Viscount Moreland. His father is our neighbor, the Marquis of Brimley. And Adam, allow me to make known to you Mr. Peter Quick, a former resident of Willow Park.”
    â€œAhhhh.”
    Peter clenched his teeth at the knowing tone. He wasn’t certain what it was about the man’s reaction thatgrated on his nerves. It wasn’t as if he’d never run into that sort of attitude before. As a matter of fact, it was the usual response whenever someone realized he’d once lived in a home for former street children. But for some reason, Moreland’s superior demeanor made him long to rearrange those bloody perfect features with a display of pugilistic expertise.
    â€œMr. Quick is a Bow Street Runner.” Tristan stepped into the breach, the pride in his voice evident.
    â€œA Runner, you say?” Moreland’s interest seemed to perk up. “So you’re the one the boy Benji is always talking about.”
    The viscount’s statement piqued Peter’s curiosity and he studied the other man closely. “You know Benji?”
    â€œOf course. He’s a frequent visitor to Knighthaven. As am I.”
    There was no mistaking the implication, or the subtle way the fellow shifted just a bit closer to Emily, almost as if staking a claim.
    Peter’s hands tightened into fists at his sides. He should be gladdened by this development, he thought. After all, Moreland was just the sort of man he’d always wanted for her. A true gentleman. A viscount and the future Marquis of Brimley.
    But then why did the mere idea of the two of them together make his temper soar?
    â€œLord Moreland! What a pleasant surprise.”
    At the sound of the warm greeting, Peter looked up to see Lady Ellington making her way down the stairs, the mound of her belly preceding her like the prow of aship. As she neared the bottom, she reached out to accept her husband’s outstretched hand and stood on tiptoe to press a kiss on his cheek before facing the viscount once again. “How nice to see you. It’s been too long since your last visit.”
    â€œYes. Yes, it has.” Lord Moreland looked at Emily, and Peter couldn’t help but note the way she colored and glanced down at the floor. A tension seemed to vibrate in the air between the two of them, a tension that had Peter wondering just what he, Tristan, and the constable could have possibly interrupted with their entrance earlier.
    His jaw tautened as a sudden vision of Emily and Moreland passionately entwined crossed his mind’s eye, but he pushed it away with vehement force.
    It’s no longer any of your concern, a warning voice sounded in his head. But