Wanting to eliminate that doubt, she said teasingly, "I had no idea that it was so delightful to beruined."
His tension disappeared and he gave her a smile that took her breath away, his gray eyes lucent with joy. "You're not ruined. You're better than ever. And so am I." His arm tightened around her. "I have trouble believing this is real, not just another dream. That finally we're together as we were always meanttobe."
"In a dream, one isn't hungry, so this must be reality," she saidpragmatically.
He laughed. "We'll have the rest of the eggs for breakfast. Then it's off to London for that speciallicense. "
She made a face. "My father must be half out of his mind with worry. I really can't leave withouttellinghim."
Dominick sighed. "I suppose you're right, but there will be hell to pay when herecognizesme."
She gave him a light kiss. "I don't expect that Papa will be best pleased, but he has no power to forbid me from marrying where Ichoose."
He kissed her back, not at all lightly. One thing led to another, and half an hour passed most enjoyably. Making love in the daylight had a special kind of intimacy. As he held her gaze with his, she breathlessly decided that she could grow very fondofit.
As they sprawled together in a tangle of damp, naked limbs, a shotgun blasted outside the cottage and a deep voice bellowed, "We know you're in there, Chand-a-la! Send Miss Mayfield out right now. If she's hurt, you're adeadman!"
Roxanne squeaked and sat bolt upright while Dominick rolled from the bed and grabbed for his scattered clothing. "Bloody hell, now we're in for it! I'm sorry, love, I didn't mean to pitch you into the middle of a scandal. We'll have to take that tropical honeymoon until the gossipdiesdown."
She dived from the bed and began yanking on her own garments, her heart pounding in panic. As soon as they saw her, every man out there was going to know exactly what she had been doing! Not that she was ashamed of her actions, but she would rather that all Devonshiredidn'tknow.
Shotgun pellets rattled against the cottage wall, shattering a window. "Damnation!" Dominick swiftly pulled Roxanne to one side. "You'd better tell them you're all right, but don't stand in front of the window todoit."
Frantically she yelled, "Don't worry, I'm fine. I'll be out in amoment."
A familiar voice bellowed, "Is that really you,Roxanne?"
"My father!" she said with horror. Raising her voice, she replied, "Yes, Papa, it'sreallyme."
Wordlessly Dominick fastened the back of her gown. His touch helped soothe her fear. She gave an unhappy thought to her hair, but if she delayed to fix it, the men outside might come in after her, and that could bedisastrous.
She headed toward the front door. Before she could open it, Dominick took her hand. "We'll go outtogether."
She tried to disengage his clasp. "They mightshootyou."
"They're looking for the Wild Man, not an English gentleman, so I'll be safe enough," he said reasonably. "Besides, I don't want to let you out of my sight ever again." He accompanied his words with aquickkiss.
Certainly he looked every inch a gentleman, not a savage. She was foolish to be so concerned. Yet she could not escape the fear that her newfound happiness was about to be shattered forever. Raising her chin, she led the wayoutside.
There was an instant of silence. Then her father roared, "Damn you to hell, Chandler! What are you doing with mydaughter?"
When Roxanne flinched, Dominick murmured, "How nice to know that one hasn't been forgotten." Raising his voice, he said, "I've come to claim my bride after too long a betrothal! I hope you will wish ushappy."
Face red with fury, Sir William stormed out of the shrubbery, several men behind him. "Wish you happy! You, youcriminal! Did you hire that filthy savage to kidnapRoxanne?"
"Not at all," was the calm reply. "Iamthat filthysavage."
The baronet's jaw dropped as he stared at Dominick's face. When he recognized the eyes and features of Chand-a-la, he gasped, "You imposter! How dare you mock the scholarly pursuit ofknowledge."
One of the searchers said with interest, "Well, I'll be, this gent here is the Wild Man." A murmur rose from theothers.
Sir William snapped, "You lot get out of earshot. We have private matters todiscuss."
With obvious reluctance, the other men withdrew and settled down to watch the show. Dominick waited until they were out of range, then said, "No subterfuge would have been necessary if you hadn't separated us for your own selfish reasons. But this time you will fail. My mother is dead, and there is nothing you can say to make me giveRoxanneup."
Sir William appeared on the verge of explosion. Turning his attention to his daughter, he said, "Have you no shame? Allowing yourself to be seduced by this fortune hunter! Not only did he viciously extort money on the promise that he would leave you alone, but he has broken his solemn word never to see youagain."
"A vow extracted under duress is not valid," Dominickpointedout.
