“I’m almost finished,” she said. “I have to get this floor done, dustthe side tables, clean the kitchen, and hang the bedding out to air. Then everything will be tidy again.”
He stepped close. His quiet, unblinking gaze caught her, held her still, so that he could take the broom uncontested from her grip. He set it against a wall that was actually nowhere near, and as it clattered to the floor he put his arms around her.
For a moment he thought she would protest. But she only sighed and relaxed against him. He whispered nothing in particular, kissing her hair. She nestled closer, and then he was the one to sigh. He was on the verge of begging her to marry him when a sudden knock on the door prevented it. Cecilia moved away, leaving him oddly bereft, and crossed to open the door.
“Yes?” she said.
Two dozen armed soldiers stood at the threshold.
“Good morning,” said the man in front. “Could we interest you in an unconditional surrender?”
“By all means,” Cecilia replied. “I do not know who you are, but I am most happy to accept your surrender.”
“Er.” The man grimaced with embarrassment. “I referred to your surrender, madam. I am Lieutenant Fluthian of Her Majesty’s Special Service. And you are under arrest.”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake, Fluffy.” Ned opened the door wider and scowled at the lieutenant. “Don’t be such a twit.”
“M-Major Candent.” The lieutenant flushed scarlet. “I did not realize.”
“Major?” Cecilia echoed, raising one eyebrow.
Ned shrugged.
“You outrank us all,” she said, amused.
“I’m also a colonel somewhere or the other. It doesn’t signify. Get out of the way, Fluffy. We’re going to talk to the Queen.”
“Oh. I—well—I—can you—well, yes—certainly, sir.” LieutenantFluthian stepped aside, and his troops echoed the movement with flawless synchronicity. Ned offered Cecilia his arm, she took it, and they exited Darlington House.
They had gone two steps when Cecilia stopped. “Just a moment,” she said, and with a meaningful glance at Lieutenant Fluthian she returned to lock the front door.
Ned grinned. “Her Majesty’s Special Service are not prone to thieving,” he chided.
“Then return my amethyst ring,” she replied.
Laughing, he drew the ring from his jacket pocket. Cecilia reached for it but he clasped her hand and held it steady as he slipped the ring onto her middle finger. The slow, heavy slide of it made his heart stir. Looking up through his eyelashes, he smiled as he watched a blush color her lovely face.
“Are you ever going to return my heart?” he asked softly.
She shrugged. “Maybe for a ransom. Good heavens, is that Constantinopla Brown?”
The young pirate girl was running toward them, her dress a maelstrom of flounces, her massive hair bow flapping as if she was attempting personal liftoff. “You’re here!” she cried happily. “Do you see what I did?”
“Is my aunt Darlington safe?” Cecilia asked at once.
Constantinopla waved a hand at the question. “Of course! Master Luxe, do you see I brought the Queen to your rescue?”
Ned nodded with mild amusement. “I do see, Miss Brown. I also recall telling you to stay in Ottery St. Mary.”
She flushed, but her smile did not falter. “Oh, that was Tom’s fault. He practically dragged me to Windsor.”
“Where is my aunt?” Cecilia asked.
“Somewhere,” Constantinopla replied, not taking her shining gazefrom Ned’s face. “In the castle or somewhere. A doctor is attending her. Look at the dress the Queen gave me!”
“A doctor?” Cecilia almost shouted, and Ned squeezed her hand in comfort.
“It’s nothing, just a scratch,” Constantinopla assured her blithely. “You should have seen the other fellow! Master Luxe, the Queen herself let me help fly her castle! I finally have my wings!”
