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would start screaming mindlessly, the corridor dead-ended in a solid wall of stone.
    “Dear heaven,” she whispered, slamming to a stop. “I had better warn you that I do not think I can make a return trip through that dreadful tunnel.”
    “There is no need to go back,” Gabriel said. “We have arrived at our destination.”
    He reached out and grasped a heavy iron lever embedded in the stone. When he pulled it down a section of the wall slid aside.
    Cool night air flowed into the passageway. Venetia breathed deeply, shivering with relief.
    Gabriel stepped through the opening, gun in hand.
    “Willard?” he called softly.
    “Here, sir.” A bulky figure loomed in the shadows.
    Venetia recognized the coachman who had collected her from the train station and driven her to Arcane House. She had seen him several times during the past few days.
    “Excellent,” Gabriel said. “Do you have your pistol?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Mrs. Willard is safe?”
    “She is in the carriage, sir. Scanton and Dobbs are waiting for you at the entrance to the Great Vault, according to the plan you gave us.”
    “You will take Miss Milton and Mrs. Willard to the village. Stay with Miss Milton until she boards the morning train.” Yes, sir.
    Gabriel turned back to Venetia and lowered his voice. “Goodbye, my sweet. I will find you when this business is finished. Remember what you said to me tonight when you lay in my arms. You are mine.”
    She could scarcely believe her ears. He intended to see her again? Dumbfounded, she opened her mouth to ask when and where they would meet.
    But Gabriel did not give her an opportunity to speak. He kissed her once, very hard. It was the kiss of a man who is staking a claim.
    Before she could recover, he was turning away, heading toward the blackness of the tunnel entrance. She concentrated briefly. The world became a negative image. She caught one last glimpse of Gabriel’s dark, powerful aura, and then he was gone.
    Before she could collect herself, the wall of stone resealed itself, leaving her alone with Willard.
    “This way, Miss Milton,” Willard said.
    She looked at the solid stone wall. “Will he be safe?”
    “Mr. Jones knows how to take care of himself.”
    “Perhaps you should accompany him.”
    “Mr. Jones doesn’t like it when folks fail to follow his orders, Miss Milton. I’ve worked for him long enough to know that it’s best to do as he says. Come along now. It’s a long drive back to the village.”
    Reluctantly she allowed him to assist her into the sleek carriage. The housekeeper was already inside. She did not speak when Venetia sat down across from her.
    Willard slammed the door shut and bounded up onto the box. The vehicle swayed beneath the weight of his bulk. She heard the slap of the leathers.
    The horses leaped forward, jolting Venetia back into the depths of the cushioned seat. Pulling aside the curtain, she watched the stone wall through which Gabriel had disappeared until it was lost from sight. It was not long before the carriage rounded a corner, cutting off her view.
    Some time later it dawned on her that she was still wearing Gabriel’s coat. She sank deeper into it, comforting herself with his lingering scent.
     
    Talk about extraordinarily poor timing, Gabriel thought. Irritation compounded the icy anticipation of the hunt as he moved back through the ancient tunnel. The evening had been going very well, indeed. He had enjoyed his seduction enormously, even though there had been a few surprises in the course of events. If there had been even a modicum of justice in the universe, he would have been escorting Venetia Milton upstairs to a cozy bedroom about now.
    He regretted having to send her away, but given the seriousness of the situation, he’d had no choice. He did not know yet what the intruders were after or just how dangerous they might prove to be. But the very fact that they had found Arcane House and seemed to know their way around was a very