"What's that? Speak up, girl." He cupped his ear.
"I said I was just on my way," Harriet said loudly.
He waved her off impatiently. "Go on, get out of here. I've got important work to do. Much too late for any damn visitors. If it wasn't for the fact that I need the money to buy more fossils, I would never let anyone at all into this house. Bunch of amateurs and curiosity seekers. Fools, the lot of 'em."
Humboldt turned around and stomped back into his study. He slammed the door behind him.
Harriet realized she was trembling. She brushed what dust she could off her skirts. When she opened the front door of the museum and stepped out into the street she saw Beth waiting for her near the carriage. The girl was laughing at something the coachman had just said. The lad who had taken the admission fees was with them. All three of them turned to look at her.
"Ready to leave, ma'am?" The coachman asked politely.
"Yes, I am." Harriet marched to the carriage. "Let us be off. I am late enough getting home as it is."
Beth's eyes widened at the sight of her dusty yellow gown and pelisse. "Dear me, ma'am, yer lovely dress is ruined. All those dirty old bones and such. I should have brought along an apron for you to use."
"Never mind, Beth." Harriet seated herself in the carriage. "Kindly hurry. I am anxious to get home."
"Yes, ma'am."
The lad who had taken the tickets stared at her. "What happened to the other gentleman? The one who said he wanted to study fossils in private?"
Harriet smiled coolly. "I have no notion. I did not see anyone else about when I left."
The lad scratched his head. "He must have come out when I wasn't lookin'."
"I daresay." Harriet gave the signal to the coachman to be off. "I am certain it is none of our concern."
Twenty minutes later, Harriet was handed down from the carriage in front of Gideon's townhouse. She still could not decide how much to tell her husband.
On the one hand she wanted to throw herself into his arms and tell him everything. She needed to talk to someone about the dreadful events in Mr. Humboldt's Museum.
On the other hand, she was terribly afraid of what Gideon might decide to do. He would not let such an affront to his wife pass without vengeance.
Gideon was lounging in the doorway of the library when Harriet walked into the hall. He smiled at the sight of her dusty clothes.
"From the dirt on your gown, it would appear you had a most enjoyable time at Mr. Humboldt's Museum, madam."
"It was a very interesting experience, my lord. I cannot wait to tell you all about it." Harriet's fingers shook as she stripped off her gloves.
She realized she was experiencing some sort of physical reaction to the awful events in the museum. Her whole body felt unnatural. She could not seem to stop the fine, almost invisible shivers that were rippling through her.
Harriet walked straight past Gideon into the library. His perceptive eyes rested thoughtfully on her face and his indulgent smile vanished. He closed the door of the library and turned to confront her.
"What has happened, Harriet?"
Harriet turned toward him, struggling for words. She felt torn apart by her body's reaction to the violence. She could no longer control herself.
With a soft cry she ran to Gideon and threw herself against his solid frame, seeking the comfort of his reassuring strength.
"Oh, Gideon, the most terrible thing has happened. I may have killed Mr. Morland."
Chapter Sixteen
It was not easy getting the whole tale out of her. Gideon summoned his patience and held Harriet close while she gave him a disjointed explanation that involved forged fossils, a stone with a fish embedded in it, and Bryce Morland.
It was Morland's name that sent cold rage surging through Gideon.
"So I threw the stone down at him." Harriet lifted her head from Gideon's shoulder. "And it struck him. There was blood, Gideon. A lot of it. And then he fell to the floor and I cannot be certain, but he may have hit his head on the cabinets. When I went to get the key out of his pocket he did not move. Gideon, what are we going to do? Do you think I will hang for the murder of Mr. Morland?"
Gideon controlled his fury with an effort of will. "No," he said. "You most certainly will not hang for murder. I will not allow it."
Harriet's shoulders slumped in relief. "Thank you, my lord. That is very reassuring. I have been so worried." She grabbed the huge white handkerchief he held out to her and blotted her eyes. "Will we be obliged to go abroad to avoid the scandal, do you think?"
"No, I do not believe that will be necessary." Gideon's gut twisted. Morland had gone too far this time.
"Thank goodness." Harriet sniffed into the handkerchief. "I would hate to have to go abroad at this particular moment. I am so anxious to get back to Upper Biddleton so that I can continue my work. And I expect it would be rather difficult for you to supervise your family's estates from abroad."
"No doubt." Gideon gripped her shoulders firmly. "Harriet, are you quite certain he did not hurt you?"
She shook her head impatiently and blew into the handkerchief once more. "No, no, I am fine, my lord. Except for this gown, of course, which is no doubt ruined. But I cannot blame that entirely on Mr. Morland. In truth I had already gotten it quite dirty by the time he showed up."
She really was all right. He had to keep reminding himself of that. Morland had not gotten his lecherous hands on her. Leave it to Harriet to save herself with some ancient fish embedded in a chunk of stone. Gideon's hands flexed gently on her shoulders. He had failed to protect her.
"My brave, resourceful little Harriet. I am very, very proud of you, madam."
She smiled tremulously. "Why, thank you, Gideon."
"But I am very angry with myself for having done such a poor job of caring for you," Gideon added grimly. "You should never have been in the danger you were in today."
"Well, it is hardly your fault, Gideon. You could not possibly have guessed that Mr. Morland would go to Mr. Humboldt's Museum." Harriet paused and then continued earnestly. "It really is a most excellent museum, sir. I do not believe I have had an opportunity to tell you about it because I have been so busy explaining how I may have killed Mr. Morland. But I did not find any teeth which resembled mine."
Gideon smiled wryly. Trust Harriet to be more interested in her giant reptile tooth than in the close call she had had. He put his fingers on her lips, silencing her. "You may tell me all about it later. Now I think it would be best if I go find out exactly what we are dealing with here."
Harriet looked alarmed. "What do you mean?"
"I am going to Mr. Humboldt's Museum and see if Morland is dead or alive." Gideon kissed her on the forehead. "Once I know his present condition I can make further plans."
"Yes, of course." Harriet chewed on her lower lip. "What if by some chance he is alive? Do you think he will accuse me of attempted murder?"
"I think," Gideon said gently, "that the very last thing Morland will do is accuse you of murder." He will be too busy trying to save his own hide, Gideon promised himself silently.
"I would not be too certain of that." Harriet frowned thoughtfully. "He is not a very nice man, sir. You were quite right when you told me that he is not the angel he appears."
"Yes." Gideon released her. "Go on upstairs, my dear. I shall return when I have seen to Morland."
Harriet touched his arm, her eyes anxious. "You will be very careful, will you not, my lord? I would not want anyone to see you near the body. Assuming he is dead, of course. And if he is alive, he might be dangerous. You must not take any chances."
"I will be careful." Gideon crossed to the door and opened it. "I may be gone for some time. You are not to worry about me."