After he was gone, Lexie realized that her legs could no longer support her. Sinking down into a nearby chair, she put a hand to her stomach which was also suddenly queasy. Closing her eyes to gain some of her faltering fortitude, she wondered why the earl’s visit had disturbed her like it had. It certainly had nothing to do with the proposal, which was more of annoyance at this point. It was the fact that he knew about Avalon.
Deciding that she had to warn him of the latest threat, Lexie grabbed her cloak and headed for the front door. She encountered a footman on her way. “If my aunt returns before I do, let her know I stepped out for an errand.”
Without waiting for a reply, she rushed down the front steps and proceeded to hail down a hackney.
Since she had already been told before that most of the drivers knew more than just the streets of London, but where most of the occupants lived, she said curtly, “To the Duke of Cuthbert’s residence,” and then shut the door firmly behind her.
Dominic had beenin his study for most of the morning attempting to work on some sadly neglected ledgers for hiscountry estate when he was interrupted by his butler. “There is a lady here to see you, Your Grace. She doesn’t have a card but claims that her name is Miss Givenwald.”
He immediately got to his feet. Thus far, he’d failed to alert his staff to his upcoming nuptials, but since his focus had been on other things at the moment, he decided it was the best time to alert the servants. “Send her in at once, and alert the rest of the household that she is to be my wife and the next Duchess of Cuthbert. The first of the banns are set to be posted this Sunday.”
The butler’s eyes widened momentarily, and then he bowed respectfully. “Of course.”
As he left, Dominic couldn’t help but wonder what Lexie might have to say. Whatever it was, it surely wasn’t good news, or else she wouldn’t have risked her reputation or her aunt’s wrath by coming to his home.
However, all that concern and doubt fled when she walked in and pushed back the hood of her cloak and revealed those lovely bright curls. He could see the glimpse of a darker orange gown beneath her outerwear, and he was transfixed at once by the desire to slowly peel it from her body. He had lain awake long into the night, burning with need for her after they’d parted. He wanted nothing more than to drag her into his arms now, but the look of uncertainty on her face gave him pause.
He frowned. “What’s happened?”
“Lord Lindley just paid me a visit.”
His scowl deepened.
“He asked me to marry him?—”
A low growl of predatory possessiveness rose from within. “I’ll kill him.”
“I told him I was promised to you,” she said firmly, and some of his anger abated. “What disturbed me was that he said he knew who you really were. He knows about Avalon, the Blue Boys, everything.”
Dominic stilled. “How could he know?”
“I asked him that, and he claimed he has his sources, whatever that means.” She moved toward him and clutched the lapels of his jacket. “I’m worried. What if he threatens to send this information to the papers? Or worse?—”
He put his hands over hers. “Don’t concern yourself. All the earl wants is you, and if he thinks he can drag me down to get to you, he will. I think it is more imperative than ever that you leave the city so that he cannot disturb you with such threats any longer.”
She lowered her gaze and exhaled slowly. “I am starting to think you might be right. I haven’t yet discussed his visit with my aunt, but I have the feeling I already know what she will say.”
“Then it seems you have your answer.”
She returned her blue gaze to him, and he could feel a pang in his chest, as if he were shot with Cupid’s own arrow. “I dread the thought of leaving you.”
“I told you this is not the first time I’ve faced a challenge and I’ve never backed down from one before. I will prevail over this one too.” He shrugged. “If things get too heated, I will petition the king for his assistance. He is my cousin. Surely a family tie should count for something. But that is a last resort and only if it means keeping you free from harm or the damage Lord Lindley could cause. Anything I might suffer would pale in comparison to an injury to you.”
She leaned toward him, until her head was just beneath his chin. He inhaled deeply of her scent, the floral perfume of her hair, and vividly recalled the smooth feel of her as his mouth had moved across her skin in the carriage. She was intoxicating and he couldn’t seem to get enough of her.
“I will tell my aunt that I am leaving her house after the first of the banns are read.”
Dominic closed his eyes in relief. He hated to wait two days for her to head for the country, but since it was likely the best he could ask of her, he murmured against her hair, “I will contentmyself with that.” He pulled back slightly. “I have to return to Whitechapel tonight. Amos sent an update and it’s time I joined the efforts whether anyone wants me to or not. I need this bastard off of the streets and out of my life.”
She swallowed visibly. “I understand even if I don’t like it,” she whispered.
He bent down and kissed her long and slow. It still made his body burn with unrequited need when they parted, but he couldn’t resist tasting her, no matter the cost. “Thank you for warning me about Lord Lindley. I will continue to keep watch over his movements. I hired a private investigator to delve into his past. There is something about him that bothers me but I have to discover what it might be. I will send you back in my coach so that you will have adequate transportation to the country.” He moved to his desk and penned a quick missive before folding the paper and handing it to her. “Give this to my mother. I should offer her some sort of explanation, and you will arrive before I have the chance.”
“She won’t mind that I’m descending on her without warning?”
He shook his head. “Not at all. She might not move about in society any longer, but she will be thrilled there will be a new duchess to take her place.”
She couldn’t resist embracing him once more before she moved away and walked to the door. Pausing at the frame, she turned back to say, “I know you will figure out what troubles you about the earl. After all, you found a way to change my mind about marriage and I thought that was an impossible task.”
