Ellie moved slowly away from the house, her gaze darting all around. She inhaled deeply, trying to detect Vincent’s scent. His intoxicating smell was unlike anything else, and it would be branded in her memory forever. Unfortunately, the wind wouldn’t let her detect anything.
She didn’t dare stay by the house, just in case Edgar stumbled across her, so she stepped toward the stable located down the slope of the yard. As she passed some bushes, a rustle came from behind. Before she had time to react, a man’s hand clamped over her mouth.
Fear rushed through her.Edgar caught me!
Chapter Nineteen
Ellie struggled againstthe man’s strong grip. As he dragged her behind some tall hedges, she tried to pull his hand away from her mouth.
“Ellie, it’s me,” Vincent whispered in her ear.
Relief swept over her, and she relaxed.
Slowly, he removed his hand and looked deeply into her eyes. “Edgar is out here. I saw him not too long ago.”
She nodded. “I was almost caught by Augusta when she unlocked the door. I thought they’d talked about Edgar going to the east door.”
“That’s where I saw him,” Vincent explained. “However, we aren’t alone. There is another man out here.”
She hitched a breath as fear raced through her again. “Who is it?”
“I don’t know. I’ve just seen a shadow of a man.”
“Do you think he saw you?”
“I pray he hasn’t.”
She pulled her attention away from Vincent and scanned this side of the yard. “You don’t believe he’s after me, do you?”
“That, I couldn’t say, but I think we need to be careful, just in case.”
She blew out a frustrated breath, turned, and buried her face against Vincent’s chest. “Why can’t this just stop? I want a normal life again.”
“Don’t fret, my dear.” He kissed the top of her head. “I will protect you.”
Being close to him like this was so comforting. She never wanted to leave this man’s side. It was strange how quickly she’d thought of him as her protector. “I know you will.”
With her face against his chest, she could finally inhale his manly scent—the smell she loved. Smiling, she slid her arms around his waist, cuddling closer to him. Immediately, his arms wrapped around her, holding her tightly.
Ellie loved this. She loved…him. Always, and completely. Her heart soared from the knowledge.
There, for a while, she thought she’d been in love with Adam, but now, after being with Vincent for these past few weeks, she realizedthiswas love. What she had with Adam had already disappeared from her heart, and her memory.
She released a quiet moan. “Vincent, you are so wonderful.”
His chest rumbled with a laugh. “Why did you say that?”
She tilted her head back to meet his gaze. “Because I feel so safe in your arms.”
A serious expression took over his face. “Then I shall never let you out of them.”
Her heart melted. How could it not? His words had always stirred such passion inside her heart.
“Will you tell me something?” she asked softly.
“Of course.”
“Now that you are a wealthy man, are you…do you…” She paused, wondering how to say the doubts that had filled her mind lately.
