He frowned and considered, but then sighed and said, “Accidents do happen and drivers lose control of carriages. It’s possible it was just an accident and we put it down as a murder attempt because George was poisoned.”

Christiana frowned, not convinced. “We shall have to be careful and alert for a while until we are sure.”

Richard smiled and drew her against his chest with a sigh. “I love you too.”

Christiana glanced up sharply. “What?”

Taking her face in both hands, he said firmly, “I said, I love you too.”

“You do?” Christiana breathed with wonder, and then realized he’d said I love you too and smiled wryly. “You did hear what I said to Father outside then?”

Richard nodded and then asked, “You did mean it, didn’t you? You weren’t just saying it to ease your father’s worries and—?”

“I meant it,” she interrupted, covering his hands with her own.

“Thank God,” he breathed, and lowered his head to kiss her.

Christiana sighed, her body melting against his and arms sliding up around his neck. She did love his kisses, they stirred her like nothing she’d ever before experienced, and apparently stirred him too, she realized as she felt him hardening against her.

“Richard?” she whispered, tearing her mouth from his.

“Yes?” he murmured, kissing her ear in lieu of her lips.

“Why do we not go upstairs?”

“Upstairs?” He stopped kissing her to pullback and peer at her face uncertainly.

Christiana nodded, pressed more tightly against his growing erection, and murmured, “I should like to discuss our feelings further . . . in the bedroom,”

she added shyly in case he was misunderstanding her meaning.

Richard’s eyebrows flew up, and then he caught her hand and turned to start toward the stairs, only to pause abruptly as the parlor door suddenly burst open and Daniel and the others hurried out.

“Richard,” Daniel said spying them by the stairs and heading their way. “Now that the blackmailer is caught and the identity of the murderer found there is no reason to delay. We are heading for Gretna Green at once.”

Christiana heard Richard groan, and could have groaned with him, but then he suddenly straightened and said, “Certainly, we shall leave first thing in the morning.”

“The morning?” Daniel frowned.

“Well, the women will have to pack and—” he began, but Suzette interrupted him.

“The chests are still packed from this morning. At least mine is,” she added with a frown and glanced to Lisa in question.

“Mine too,” Lisa said.

Suzette glanced to Christiana next and she hesitated briefly, but then nodded. “So is mine.”

Richard ducked his head to her ear and muttered, “You could have lied.”

“I am a terrible liar. Besides, all is not lost. Trust me,” she whispered back.

“Richard, is your carriage still out front?” Daniel asked. “I don’t recall you sending it to the stables.”

“I didn’t,” Richard answered. “I wasn’t sure we wouldn’t need it again.”

“Mine is still out front as well,” Robert announced. “They just need to be loaded.”