A Kiss Before Dawn by Kimberly Logan Page A

he knew convincing himself of that was another matter entirely.
    â€œAnd how is your father?” the countess asked, drawing the man’s attention away from Emily and back to her.
    â€œNot well, I’m afraid. His health has deteriorated a great deal in recent weeks, and I must admit I’ve been concerned. His physician has given strict instructions that he is not to leave his bed.”
    â€œI’m so sorry to hear that. Please pass on my good wishes to him.”
    â€œI shall. Thank you, my lady.”
    Deirdre looked up at her husband. “Has the constable been here already?”
    Tristan grimaced. “Unfortunately.”
    â€œOh, dear. Was he uncooperative?”
    â€œYou might say that. He’s still convinced one of the children at Willow Park is responsible, and he made it very clear that any help we receive from him will be reluctant, at best.”
    The countess turned troubled eyes on Peter. “I’m sorry, dear.”
    He gave a nonchalant shrug, though he couldn’t deny he felt touched by her concern. “It’s nothing less than I expected, my lady.”
    â€œStill, that’s no excuse at all for the man’s rudeness.” Deirdre glanced at Lord Moreland. “We have asked Mr. Quick to look into the case of the Oxfordshire Thief.”
    The viscount’s hazel eyes narrowed a fraction and he met Peter’s gaze with an unreadable expression. “Really? How interesting.”
    Peter didn’t bother to reply, merely returned the viscount’s stare with a steady one of his own.
    No, he did not like this man at all.
    â€œWell, let us turn to more pleasant matters, shall we?” Deirdre said brightly. “Lord Moreland, perhaps you would like to join us for breakfast?”
    Peter felt a surge of relief when the man shook his head. “I thank you for the offer, my lady, but I had a bite to eat before I left Brimley Hall this morning.” He cast another hooded glance at Emily. “I truly only stopped by to see if Lady Emily would accompany me for a short ride, but as she appears to have other plans today, I suppose I should be on my way.”
    Emily, who had been a quiet, unobtrusive presence in the background all this time, took an abrupt step forward and slid her arm through Moreland’s. “Please, Adam?” She glanced up at him from under lowered lashes, one corner of her lips turning up in an almost impish smile. “Won’t you change your mind? You just got done saying we haven’t had much of a chance to see each other lately. I would love to have you join us.”
    The viscount contemplated her for a long moment, then seemed to come to some sort of decision, for he inclined his head in a nod and gave her a charming grin that encompassed the earl and countess, as well.
    And completely disregarded Peter.
    â€œSince you ask so nicely, I’d be delighted to stay for breakfast,” he replied, his gaze never wavering from Emily’s piquant face.
    â€œHow marvelous!” Deirdre beamed. “I’ll have a footman set an extra place at the table at once.”
    As she led Tristan off in the direction of the dining room and Emily fell in behind, still clinging to Lord Moreland’s arm, Peter gritted his teeth and followed in their wake. Damnation! Emily was part of his past and he had accepted that long ago. It should no longer matter to him who she spent her time with, who she laughed and flirted with.
    But it did. And as he saw her send the handsome viscount another brilliant smile, a small, undeniable flame of jealousy ignited in his heart.

Chapter 8
    O ver two hours later, as Peter trotted his horse along the road toward the home of Lord and Lady Tuttleston, he couldn’t help studying Emily out of the corner of his eye as she rode beside him.
    She had been strangely silent since they had departed Knighthaven, quite different from the laughing, animated creature who had chatted with