Jonathan St. Laurent held Audrey in his arms, placing teasing kisses on her lips as she finally fell into sleep. He tenderly placed her beneath the covers and blew out the candles. She caught hold of his hand as he started to rise from the bed.

"I'll be back, sweetheart," he said, and her hand dropped to the sheets.

He left the bed and donned his clothes in the dark, then exited the bedchamber and headed down the stairs, hoping to find himself a glass of brandy. He was ...