“My love”—he pulled away—“we must stop before I carry you right back in that room and have my wicked way with you.”
She chuckled and pressed her face against his chest. “Forgive me. I just couldn’t help myself.”
“I couldn’t either.” He kissed the top of her head. “But your father is downstairs. He came here seeking my help to find you, so I told him what happened last night.”
She snapped her head up, her wide-eyed gaze locked with his. “You told himeverything?”
“No. Just enough to satisfy his curiosity. All I told him was that you were staying in the guest bedroom.”
Her body shook with a silent laugh. “How very cunning you are, my lovely man.”
“He is going to take you home. I suggest you tell him everything about your stepmother and Lord Stone. I think he will listen now.”
She nodded. “Did he say anything about our wedding?”
“Yes.” Excitement jumped inside of him. “We will get married tomorrow.”
She released a little squeal and threw her arms around his neck. He held her tight, just to feel her supple body against his one more time.Tomorrow.It would seem like forever before they were together again.
Taking her by the hand, he walked her down the stairs to her father. When she saw him, she moved to him and hugged him.
“I’m sorry, Father.”
“No, I’m the one who is sorry. I didn’t realize that Augusta was making your life so miserable.” He kissed his daughter’s forehead. “But between the two of us, we will make things right.”
She peered up at him with teary eyes. “Promise?”
“Yes. For you, I’ll do anything.”
Vincent’s heart softened as he watched father and daughter. Within a few years, he’d be a father, too. He hoped that he would be understanding and loving, just as the duke was.
Ellie turned back to Vincent. “I shall see you later.”
“In fact,” the duke quickly added, “you will come over for dinner tonight.”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
Vincent walked them to the door. The duke and Ellie climbed in the family-crested coach, and it drove away.
Sighing, Vincent leaned against the doorframe. This time tomorrow, he hoped to be married. Well, probably not this early, but no later than midafternoon. Then he’d be able to keep her in his arms forever, just as he had promised her.
Yawning, he realized how exhausted he still was. That wonderful, passionate woman had kept him up most of the night. He stretched his arms and turned to go back inside the house, but something in the yard caught his attention.
He blinked and rubbed his eyes. Was he seeing correctly? Was that someone sneaking around the thicket of trees—the same trees where his horses had been when the stable caught fire? Irritation festered inside of him, ready to explode. Was someone trying to destroy his new stable?
Growling, he marched out of the house and bounded down the porch steps, heading for the trees. A movement flashed inside. Whoever it was wore a long black coat—just like the one who’d entered Ellie’s house last night. That color would be difficult to see at night, but this morning it shone like a beacon in the sunlight. Vincent wouldn’t lose the imbecile this time.
He quickened his steps until he’d entered the area. He stopped and listened for any sounds. The person was still here. He just knew it.
A scent wafted through the air. It smelled as if someone was sweating profusely and hadn’t taken a bath for a few days—mayhap longer. Vincent crinkled his nose. This person should be easy to find now.
From behind him came the rustling of bushes mere seconds before something hard struck him in back of the head. Dizziness assailed him and darkness entered his vision. All the sounds around him echoed—like he was in a cave. He fell to the ground and his world turned black.
Chapter Twenty-One
Pain slashed throughVincent’s head as he struggled to open his eyes. With his blurred vision, he ascertained two things. It was still day, and he was in some kind of makeshift hut. The strong scent of hay, mixed with the smoke from a fire, burned Vincent’s senses. His head throbbed, but as he tried to lift his hand, he also realized both of his hands were bound together behind his back.
What the devil is going on?
