Dear God, how difficult was it to say? Perhaps he could understand if he didn’t mean what he was expressing, but everything within him claimed that it was true. He loved Lexie with all of his heart and soul. And yet, he couldn’t manage to speak three little words that carried so much meaning. Was he scared to speak his heart’s desire? Surely maturity and the confidence inwhat he felt toward Lexie would push aside any lingering doubts that he’d endured thus far.
And yet…
The words wouldn’t form.
As he left the cottage intent on doing as he’d promised and secure some gowns for Lexie to wear, he decided that his hesitancy was due to the current danger he’d embroiled them in. Until the threat to his life was abolished, he couldn’t do anything further to secure his love for her. Unfortunately, time was running out. He had wanted to do right by Lexie and have the banns read properly and with no doubt as to the legitimacy of their promise to marry. However, now that they had shared a bed, and it was unlikely they would be able to make their claim in person at church as they’d planned, it seemed he would have to procure a special license to wed as soon as he was able to appeal to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The thought wasn’t unappealing in the least. That just meant she would be his duchess sooner than originally anticipated. Thinking of her in his bed, stretching out along the sheets in all her glorious naked beauty made him eager to return to her side and perhaps spend this soggy day inside wrapped in each other’s arms.
The end of a knife abruptly pierced the side of his throat. “Where do ye think ye’re goin’, guvn’r?”
Dominic inwardly cursed his inattention. It was becoming more frequent. And more bothersome. Without turning toward his captor, he drawled, “I’m afraid I don’t?—”
“I know ye’re not who ye claim t’ be.” The other man spat on the ground at his feet. “I know th’ truth, Avalon. Or should I call ye, Yer Grace?”
Dominic instantly stilled. Was this the man who had been creating havoc in his life? If not, he was certainly working for the man responsible. Lifting his chin as much as the weapon wouldallow, he returned in his best ducal tone, “You seem to be well informed. I would have the name of your source.”
“Not so fast, guvn’r. I think I’ll lighten yer purse an’ then?—”
Taking advantage of his slight inattention, Dominic spun around and had the assailant pinned against the brick wall of a nearby building, the knife wrenched from his grasp and placed near the bottom of his scruffy chin. He looked as though he’d crawled out from the gutter, his clothes rumpled and dirty and the stench coming from him nearly made Dominic retch. “Now, I am going to tellyouwhat is actually going to happen unless you want this blade to slide into the lower half of your jaw and make it impossible for you to threaten anyone ever again.” He narrowed his eyes and nicked the flesh enough that a trickle of blood slid down his throat. “Then again, that idea holds quite a bit of merit on its own.” When the man didn’t beg for his life or plea for his release, Dominic wondered if he was losing his power of intimidation. He allowed the tip of the blade to go a bit deeper, until the man winced in pain. “Tell mewho wants me dead or you will soon find yourself in the same state.”
This time, there was a flash of fear in the dull brown eyes that faced him, and Dominic realized that the reason for his delayed reaction was the glossy effects of opium. It dulled the senses and turned the most reputable men into scoundrels. He’d witnessed it too many times to count.
“I don’t know ’is name,” muttered the man.
“Perhaps not,” Dominic said smoothly. “But you do know how to contact him.”
Blinking, the man nodded.
“Then that is sufficient for me.” He pocketed the knife and grabbed the man by the collar. “Don’t try anything stupid.” He proceeded to drag the assailant behind him. Finally, he had the lead he’d been searching for. Sadly, this meant his daydream of spending time with Lexie would be delayed, but he vowed thatonce this nightmare had concluded, he would have plenty of lazy days to spend in her arms.
Lexie pacedthe length of the cottage several times over. She was forced to wear her ruined gown for lack of anything else, as Dominic had yet to return.
He’d departed hours earlier.
While she’d eaten a hearty breakfast earlier that morning, her stomach was churning, threatening to empty what might be left inside of it.
Something dreadful had happened. She was sure of it. Otherwise, he would have returned. Naturally, she feared the worst, that the assailant had managed to succeed where he’d failed before and Dominic was lying in a deserted alleyway somewhere breathing his last.
The image was terrifying and not something she wished to dwell on, but as time passed and he didn’t return, she couldn’t help but think the worst.
When there was an abrupt knock at the door, Lexie immediately rushed over, expecting to see Dominic standing there with blood covering him and barely clinging to life, but instead, it was Amos. His eyepatch hadn’t really bothered her before, but for some reason, it looked more ominous now. “Dominic…” She reached out and grasped the lapels of Amos’s jacket, barely able to breathe her lover’s name.
“He sent me to collect you.”
Relief flooded her but was quickly replaced with anger. Releasing Avalon’s trusted confidante, she accused, “I have been out of my mind with worry! He better have a good explanation for not being here on hands and knees.”
His mouth kicked up at the corner as he brought forth abrown wrapped parcel. “How about you put this on and you can ask him the reasons yourself.”
Lexie snatched the gift and opened it to reveal— “He expects me to wear this?”
Amos lifted a brow. “He said it was the price to pay for allowing you into Avalon’s inner sanctuary.”
She blinked. “You’re taking me to the Crown & Sceptre?” She never thought Dominic would allow her to step foot past the threshold. Whatever must have occurred must be very important indeed. Perhaps he’d finally discovered the identity of his assailant.
She suddenly forgot about the ridiculous gown she was about to don and quickly changed into the nun habit. Rather ironic, considering she wasn’t Catholic. But she would play along with Dominic’s rules for the game if it meant learning what had happened.
Amos was careful to survey the area beyond the cottage before he allowed her to follow him the few blocks to the popular East End pub. For a Saturday night, it was relatively busy inside, the noise almost deafening as Lexie followed respectfully behind her host, careful to keep her head down and portray the modesty of her costume.
