Chapter 265

The night was still and cold, no breeze to stir the mane of Cedric Sheridan's horse as he reached his home. Tucked safely in his coat was a carefully wrapped package containing a set of ruby earrings for Anne. An early Christmas present he couldn't help but get when he'd seen them earlier that day in a little shop on Bond Street. He grinned rakishly as he thought of how she would thank him, hopefully with ecstatic kisses, and he could then sweep her into his arms and carry her off to bed.

He dismounted just as the darkness deepened and clouds swept over the stars above. No lights could be seen from the windows, which meant Anne had gone to bed early. Given her condition, it was for the best. She needed more sleep. Cedric looked around, expecting his groom, Joel, to see to his horse, but the lad was nowhere in sight.

With a sigh, Cedric led the horse around the side of the house himself to the small stable he kept for his and Anne's horses. He saw to the gelding's needs, ensuring that