"Stephen, dear God, Stephen, can you hear me?" She gently touched his face with trembling fingers. He stared at her for several heartbeats, his gaze searching her face, then his eyes slowly drifted closed.

"Stephen!" Hayley shouted, her voice an anguished cry. Out of the corner of her eye she caught a movement. She whipped her head around and saw the madwoman advancing toward her, pulling a small gleaming pistol from the folds in her skirt. A black wave of hatred, like nothing she'd ever felt before, engulfed Hayley. She gently lowered Stephen's head to the ground, then stood and faced the woman approaching her.

"I don't know who you are, but you've made a very serious mistake," the woman said, advancing until only several feet separated them. She aimed the pistol at Stephen.

Hayley didn't hesitate. She lunged forward, pushing the woman backward with all her strength. Hayley's size, combined with her fury, left the woman sprawled on her back in the grass, disarmed once again and stunned. Grabbing the pistol from the ground, Hayley stood above her, and leveled the pistol, fully prepared to pull the trigger if necessary. "I don't know who you are," she said with deadly calm, "but you've made a very serious mistake. If you move, you shall die."

Shouts and the shuffle of running footsteps sounded from behind Hayley. Momentarily distracted, she took her eyes off the madwoman for a split second.

It was enough time.

The woman threw herself forward, catching Hayley off guard. Hayley stumbled to the ground, the pistol flying from her fingers. The other made a desperate grab for the weapon, her fingers curling around the handle. Laughing triumphantly, she leveled the pistol at Hayley's chest.

The sound of gunfire filled the night air.


* * *

Justin crashed through the bushes, panting, his eyes scanning wildly. He surveyed the scene around him and his blood froze in his veins. A woman lay sprawled on the grass, covered in blood. Another sat several yards away, her face buried in her hands. A man lay half hidden by a marble bench.

"What happened?" he asked Weston, the Bow Street Runner who knelt beside one of the women.

"She's dead," he reported in an emotionless voice. Justin knelt down next to Weston and looked at the woman's face. "Dear God," he whispered, shocked. He looked over at the other woman, and executed a double-take. His eyes nearly popped from his head. "Miss Albright?" He could not have been more astounded if God Almighty had appeared before him. "What on earth are you doing here?" He looked again at Weston. "What the hell happened?"

Before anyone had a chance to answer, Nellis, the other Bow Street Runner, called out, "It's Lord Glenfield. He's been shot."

Justin jumped to his feet and ran to Nellis. He took one look at Stephen's bloody face and his heart sank. "Is he alive?"

"Yes, but he needs a doctor immediately."

"Go and fetch Doctor Goodwin at once-he's a guest at the party," he instructed Nellis, who ran to do as he was bid. Justin quickly removed his jacket and laid it over Stephen, praying his friend would live.

Several yards away, Hayley rose shakily to her feet and brushed her hair from her eyes. She saw the madwoman lying on the ground, a man kneeling beside her. The man stood and approached Hayley.

"She's dead," Hayley whispered. An icy chill swept through her and she wrapped her arms around herself.

"She is," the man agreed.

"You shot her." Hayley drew a deep breath and swallowed. Her entire body started to shake. "You saved my life," she said quietly. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Miss…?"

"Albright. Hayley Albright."

"My name's Weston," he said in a kind voice. Taking her arm, he added, "Why don't you let me escort you back to the house, Miss Albright, and-"

"No." Hayley shook her head and turned toward Stephen. "I want to stay." She shook off Weston's hand and moved to Stephen's side, kneeling beside him. "Is he alive?" she asked Justin, terrified to hear the answer.

Justin glanced at her. "Yes. Barely."

At that moment the doctor arrived, followed almost immediately by Victoria and another man. Based on his resemblance to Stephen, Hayley assumed this was his brother, the madwoman's husband, Gregory. The doctor immediately began examining Stephen, and Justin cradled Victoria against his chest.

Gregory stared down at his dead wife, his face pale.

"What the hell happened here?" he asked in a strained voice.

"That is what we are going to determine," Weston said quietly. He instructed Nellis to send the guests home and call for the magistrate. As Nellis went off, the remainder of the group moved a distance away from the doctor, giving him room.

Weston asked Hayley what had transpired in the garden, and she gave a clear account of the happenings. Everyone listened to her, their faces registering shock. When she finished, Weston took up the tale.

"I heard voices on the other side of the hedges. I looked through and saw Lady Melissa pointing the pistol at Miss Albright. I took aim through the thicket and fired." His eyes strayed to the dead body on the grass. "I came through the bushes, followed by Lord Blackmoor and Nellis. We found Lady Melissa dead, Miss Albright stunned, and Lord Glenfield wounded."

"I cannot believe this," Gregory murmured, shaking his head, his eyes haunted.

Victoria turned her tear-streaked gaze to Hayley. "How can we ever thank you?" she asked in a trembling voice. "You saved Stephen's life. Again."

"I pray to God you are right," Hayley whispered in a choked voice. "I pray to God you are right."


* * *

Hayley stared out the drawing room window, watching the sky turn pale with the coming dawn. An hour ago the doctor had finally announced Stephen would survive. The bullet had only grazed him, but he'd lost a great deal blood, thus his lengthy unconsciousness. His family had gone to his bedchamber, but Hayley remained in the drawing room despite Victoria's invitation to join them. She wasn't a member of the family, and she preferred to be alone.

She felt a touch on her arm and turned. Victoria stood next to her. "I've just come from Stephen's room," she said.

"How is he?"

"He's sleeping. The doctor dosed him with laudanum."

Hayley squeezed her eyes shut and exhaled with relief. "Thank God."

Victoria smiled. "And thank you. He would be dead if not for you."

Hayley looked down, her fingers nervously clutching the folds of her plain brown gown. She'd brought a change of clothes since she'd planned to spend the night after the party. "Thank you for allowing me to stay, Victoria, but I really must go home."

"You cannot be thinking of leaving now? Why, it's only just dawn. You haven't slept."

"I must get back to my family." I must get away from here.

Victoria gave her a searching look, but Hayley stood her ground. Finally Victoria said, "If that is your wish. But wouldn't you like to see Stephen? Everyone else has visited him."

"No," Hayley said quickly, shaking her head. "That's not necessary."

A puzzled frown creased Victoria's face. "Why don't you want to see him? Did something happen in the garden you haven't told me?"

Hayley dropped her chin and stared at the carpet. I am the Marquess of Glenfield… I have neither the desire nor the inclination to continue this discussion. Any association we may have had in the past is long over. Hayley blinked back the tears hovering close to the surface. "No. Nothing happened."

"Go see him," Victoria urged, squeezing Hayley's hands. "He needs you."

If only that were true. "No, he doesn't."

"Hayley. He does. You know he does. Come. I'll go with you."


* * *

Standing next to the bed, looking down at Stephen, Hayley experienced a strange sense of history repeating itself. A white bandage swathed his head, a lock of raven hair falling over it. His features were relaxed, his breathing even. He looked exactly like the man she'd rescued and nursed in her home. Was it only a few short weeks ago? It feels like a lifetime.

In less than a month her entire world had changed, lifting her to the heights of ecstasy, only to drown her in the depths of despair. She'd fallen deeply, madly, irrefutably in love with a stranger, a man she'd discovered she didn't know at all. A man who'd made it abundantly clear tonight that she meant nothing to him and he wanted nothing to do with her. If only you were the person I thought you were, a simple tutor, a man with no family who needed me. Who wanted me. As I wanted and needed you. A single tear escaped her, slipping slowly down her cheek. Don't wish for what you can't have.

Hayley turned from the bed and walked to the door. She paused for a moment, looking back at the man who lay there. She mourned the loss of Stephen Barrettson, the man she'd loved. She wished the Marquess of Glenfield a long and happy life. Whoever he was.

She closed the door softly behind her.

SHAPE \* MERGEFORMAT

Chapter 28

A full week passed before Hayley started to feel a bit like her old self again. She didn't exactly feel good, but at least she didn't feel quite so bad. Her chest still ached when she thought of Stephen, but she resolutely forced her mind away from him.

Fortunately, there were many things to keep her occupied, the most important of which was Callie's seventh birthday. Hayley went to a great deal of trouble planning the party, in part to make the day memorable for Callie, but also because the event gave her something to focus on. The whole family was busy making gifts and finding inventive places to hide them from Callie's inquisitive eyes.

"I can't find any of my presents," Callie complained the day before the party.

"You're not supposed to find them," Hayley said with a smile. "No presents until tomorrow."

"I've searched everywhere. Even in Winston's quarters." Callie leaned close and whispered, "He keeps sketches of half-dressed ladies under his stockings."

Hayley's smile faded. "Callie. It's very impolite to look through other people's belongings. I'm sure those ladies are, er, friends of Winston's."

"Oh, I don't think so. They looked very naughty and-"

"Why don't we find Pamela and the boys and give Winky, Pinky, and Stinky a bath?" Hayley suggested in a desperate voice. "They cannot attend the party if they're all dirty."

"Indeed not," Callie agreed, her attention diverted. "Especially Stinky."

"Especially Stinky," Hayley echoed.

Less than half an hour later, the Albrights descended en masse at the lake, buckets and soap in hand. They whistled for the dogs, and moments later the three huge beasts barreled out of the forest. The boys filled the buckets and dumped water on the dogs as they ran by.

Winky, Pinky, and Stinky knew this game, and with tails wagging they barked loudly, splashing in the water, trying to eat the soapsuds. Everyone was laughing, breathless, and soaking wet when an amused voice broke into the gaiety.

"It seems I find the Albright ladies in the most appalling condition every time I call."

Everyone turned around. Marshall Wentbridge stood about twenty feet away, smiling broadly.

Pamela's face turned bright red and she sent Hayley a look of agonized chagrin.

"Hello, Marshall," Hayley called, waving to him. She shot Pamela a quick sideways wink. "Would you care to join us?"

Marshall approached them, removing his jacket as he walked, his eyes fixed on Pamela. After setting his jacket on the grass, he waded into the water up to his knees without the slightest hesitation. "What can I do?" he asked, a devilish grin on his handsome face.

Hayley tossed him a wet rag, which slapped against his shirt, soaking him. "Catch a dog, any dog, and try to clean it." She shot him a jaunty salute. "Good luck."

It took the six of them over an hour to see any improvement in the dogs' appearance. No sooner would they catch one dog and clean him than the blasted beast would run into the forest and return covered with mud and leaves.

But finally, the animals quieted down, and amid much laughing and frivolity the dogs were bathed. Once the deed had been completed, Hayley sent Callie and the boys on ahead to clean up and change their clothes. She bent down and gathered up the rags and buckets and remnants of soap. When she stood, she saw Pamela and Marshall standing a short distance away. They stood very close to each other, their hands joined. Hayley quickly looked away, not wanting to interrupt their privacy.