A Kiss With Scandal (Scandals & Secrets 4) Read online

  Gathering the purple and blue jars, she hugged them to her chest so tightly she thought they might burst. She couldn’t afford to have one of them break, but she didn’t dare slow her pace. She had to get to him, had to administer the correct antidote.

  Flying into the library, she gasped. Derek’s shaking had stopped, but his skin was ashen. He’d vomited. He was still breathing, though his lungs heaved, sucking in air faster than normal. She placed her hand on his chest, feeling his heart pumping too quickly to sustain him for long.

  She stared at the purple and blue jars. “Seizing, vomiting, rapid breathing and heartbeat…”

  The two poisons acted similarly from what she could remember, but it had to be cyanide. It had to be. Unstopping the purple bottle, she lifted his head, opening his mouth and prayed as she poured the liquid between his lips. She closed his mouth and rubbed his throat to help him swallow.

  “Please, Derek. Please,” she cried, cradling his head in her lap. He had to wake up. “Don’t leave me.”

  “What the hell happened?” Henry cleared the French doors from the patio.

  She struggled for breaths through the sobs. “The knife was poisoned.”

  He cursed. “How long has he been like this?”

  “Five minutes?”

  He glanced at the colored jars. “Which did you give him?”

  “The purple.”

  His shoulders sagged in relief. “Good. Good. You did very well, my lady.”

  Her breath clogged. “He’ll be all right?”

  He didn’t speak for a moment, measuring Derek’s breaths and heartbeats. He finally nodded. “Yes. He’ll recover.”

  Charlotte sobbed once before losing it. Derek was going to be okay.

  He would live.

  * * *

  The light shifted in and out as Derek blinked to clear his vision.

  “Derek?”

  The voice, her voice, seemed far away, but he clung to it, using his connection with her to pull free of the mire. The light grew brighter.

  “Derek? Can you hear me?”

  He blinked a few more times as his bedroom came into focus. The canopy above, the dark, thick posts standing guard around him. He tilted his head toward Charlotte.

  “I love you,” he whispered, but no sound came out of his scratchy throat.

  “Shh. Don’t talk just yet,” she crooned. “Have a sip of water if you can manage.”

  He slowly lifted his head for the offering. He managed a few small sips. “What happened?”

  “You were stabbed. Poisoned.”

  The confrontation with the Black Dahlia flooded his mind. His jaw clenching at the jeopardy Charlotte had faced. “How long have I been out?” He mentally checked his body. Heavy limbs, weak muscles, clammy skin. It must have been a large dose of poison.

  “A few days. You had a fever, too.” Tears gathered in her eyes. “I was so scared.”

  Using every drop of energy he possessed, he brushed her tears away. “Shh.”

  She gripped his hand, holding it to her cheek. “I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you.”

  He caressed her, gliding a thumb over her smooth cheek. “I love you.” Her eyes rounded, and he said it again. “I should have told you before, the minute I knew the truth of my feelings.”

  Fresh tears tracked down her beautiful face, but she smiled. “Derek, I’ve been halfway in love with you since my coming out.”

  Joy filled his chest, and he squeezed her hand. So her mother had spoken the truth that day he’d hidden beneath her bed.

  “I love you so much. And you better not ever leave me.”

  She leaned toward him, and he took full advantage, throwing her off balance and tumbling her into bed with him. The knife wound in his arm complained loudly, but he ignored it. He kissed her with every ounce of love he had pouring through him. “I love you, Charlotte. I love you. Marry me.”

  “I am marrying you.”

  “I meant today.”

  She leaned back, chuckling. “I don’t think you’re quite up for that, but as soon as you’re strong enough, I’ll chase you down the aisle myself.”

  “It’s a promise.” He kissed her again slowly, relishing the softness of her skin. She was his. She would never part from him. Nothing stood in their way. He broke the kiss, jerking upright. “Did Henry catch her? Is she locked up?”

  Charlotte pressed a hand to his chest, but he wouldn’t lie back down. “Yes. She got away that night, but runners found her in the next town over. She also told them who the leak in the War Office was.”

  Relief pumped through him. It truly was over. “I haven’t thanked you yet. For saving my life. You chose the right antidote.”

  Her smile wobbled. “I’m glad someone took the time to give me the knowledge. Without it, you would have died.”

  He enclosed her hand in his, kissing it. “But I didn’t. I’m here. I’ll always be.”

  “There’ll always be danger in your job.”

  He shook his head. “I’m out.”

  “I don’t want you to do that for me. I’d never ask that of you.”

  “You aren’t.” He tucked a honeyed curl behind her ear. “That was always my plan. This was my last job before retirement.”

  “Are you certain?”

  He nodded firmly. He’d never been more certain of anything more in his life—other than his love for Charlotte.

  Her eyes softened. “That eases my mind.” She placed a soft kiss on his lips. “I love you so much.”

  “I love you too. You aren’t getting rid of me anytime soon.”

  She grinned. “Promise?”

  “Promise.”

  Epilogue

  Derek hadn’t been kidding about marrying her the moment he regained his strength. The day after the doctor cleared him, they put their wedding plans into action.

  Flowers overflowed from vases, their tantalizing scent weaving a spell over the magical day. And now, sitting amongst friends and family at their wedding breakfast, Charlotte was overwhelmed with happiness.

  “Is everything all right?” Derek whispered, helping her rise from the table. “You didn’t eat much.”

  Her cheeks ached as she smiled brightly. “Yes. Just happy.” Her voice lowered a hair. “And very excited.”

  His hand tightened on her waist in agreement. “We can leave now. No one will miss us.”

  Charlotte laughed, and their friends and family smiled. “We have to mingle for a little longer. What would people think?”

  They led the way outside where festivities were set up for the celebration. “They would think we couldn’t keep our hands off each other a moment longer. They’d be right.”

  She snorted as they stepped onto the sunny terrace. It was a perfect day. The sun shone brightly between clouds, and a light breeze kept the air a perfect temperature. That’s how she’d always remember the day. Perfect.

  After thirty more minutes of accepting congratulations, her eyes met Derek’s across the courtyard, and she knew. It was time.

  A thrill zinged through her.

  He met her halfway, taking her hand in his. “I can’t wait a moment longer.”

  “Me either,” she said quickly. He chuckled. “How can we escape without everyone noticing?”

  He smiled devilishly and whispered hotly in her ear, “The tunnels.”

  Laughter floated on the air. Only he’d think to use the passageways to escape on their wedding day. “I love you, husband.”

  “And I you, wife. After tonight, you’ll know just how much.”

  Grasping his hand, she didn’t care about appearances anymore. They ran for the nearest door.

  Life with Derek would never be ordinary. And she’d love every moment of it.

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  Titles by Janelle Daniels

  Scandal of Love (Scandals & Secrets - Book1)

  Masquerade Secrets (Scandals & Secrets - Book 2)

  Secrets in Mourning (Scandals & Secrets - Book3)

  Sunkissed

  My Only Wish

  The Witching Moon (The Witches of Redwood Falls - Book 1)

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