Page 60 of Almost a Countess

“Phineas Macdonald, you’lldo no such thing!” Dora sat up and glared at him. “A second offenceand they would transport you to the colonies for seven longyears.”

“Would ye no’ wait forme?” He smiled at her beguilingly. God, he loved to teaseher.

“I would not.”

“Nae?” Hefrowned.

“Nae.” She pulled his headtoward her and touched her lips to his in a swift, fierce kiss.“I’d make them let me go with you.”

Chapter 25

After a cold night, during which hewas especially grateful to Mr. Perry for the two blankets, Finnrose as soon as light began to filter down into the cellar. Thelantern had burned out during the night, so the early light wasquite welcome. He just hoped someone would remember to bring hisproper clothing down to him.

Pacing and rubbing his arms to stir upsome heat, Finn couldn’t help but remember his private interludethrough the bars with Dora last night before she was whisked awayby the arrival of the barmaid, Mattie. If merely the presence ofhis soon-to-be wife could bring out a heated longing in him, evenin absolutely dismal surroundings, he suspected they would have afull, passionate marriage.

The scrape of shoes on the stone aboveand the clink of silverware made Finn’s ears perk up. It sounded asthough Mattie would tend to him as well this morning. The strappingmaid appeared, bearing a tray containing a plate covered with anapkin, a cup, and a blessed pot of hot tea.

“Bless ye, Mattie. I’m saecold a cup o’ hot tea is a godsend.” He wanted to reach through thebars and snatch the pot off the tray.

“I’m sorry, milord, but Idon’t have a key.” The girl set the tray down on the bottom stepand poured tea into a smallish mug. “This was the only mug I couldfind that might fit through the bars. She looked at him, teapotstill raised. “Milk or sugar, milord?”

“Both, please, and thankyou, Mattie.”

She added the ingredients and held thecup out to him, but it was too round to go through the bars. “Mypardon, milord.” She looked so distressed, Finn reached through thegate and patted her arm.

“Never ye mind, Mattie.There are more ways tae kill a dog than hanging.” Finn took the hotcup, pressed his face to the bars, then brought the cup to hislips. The sweet, hot tea warmed him instantly. “The best tea I everhad, Mattie.”

“Thank you, milord.” Sheset the tray down within his reach and lifted the napkin from thefood. The plate held sausages, eggs, kidneys, toast, butter andjam, and a thick slice of ham.

Finn’s mouth watered.

“Best eat while it’s warm.’Twon’t stay that way long down here.”

He didn’t need to be told twice.Dropping to the floor, Finn sat cross-legged on his voluminousskirts. He speared a sausage and bit into it with gusto.

“If that’s all, milord?”Mattie turned to go.

“Could ye have Miss Harperor her maid send down my real clothing? My disguise is nae longerneeded, sae I’d just as soon appear as Lord Aberfoyle as Mrs.Devereaux.”

“Of course, milord.” Shedipped him a curtsy then started up the steps.

“And a jug of washingwater, if ye dinna mind,” he called after her. Not only would itclean him up but would help warm him as well. He shivered andcontinued with the hot food.

The coming ordeal with Scarlet weighedon Finn’s mind, though he refused to allow it to deter him from hisbreakfast. The lieutenant had demonstrated yesterday that he wasunbalanced, his judgment impaired by his utter detestation of Finnso much Finn doubted the man would be able to relinquish Finn toanother authority. When that scene played out in Nottingham beforethe major, it might very well be Scarlet behind bars before the daywas done.

As Finn finished up the toast and jam,a light step above made him rise. With luck, Mattie had acquiredhis suit of clothes and a jug of warm water. He gazed up the stairseagerly, so his jaw dropped open when a smiling Dora, not Mattie,appeared, clothes and jug in hand.

“Dora! Och, my love, theone person I most wanted tae see.” He reached through the bars toher, wanting nothing more than to touch her again.

She set the clothes and water downthen ran to him, pressing her face to the bars, seeking his lipseven as he searched for hers. Their mouths met in a blissful tangleof tongues as he strained toward her, wrapping his arms around heras best he could.

“My love, my love.” Shepelted his face with kisses, such a sweet rain he grew giddy withit. “Oh, Finn, I cannot stay long. Aunt Mimi agreed to allow me tobring your things, but I have to return immediately.” She leanedher forehead against his. “I simply had to see you before they tookyou away.”

“More than anything Iwished tae see ye as well.” He stilled her mouth by kissing heragain, so long and hard they both panted when he reluctantly pulledaway. “But ye must go quickly. I need tae wash and change afore Mr.Perry comes tae unlock the cellar and ye shouldna be here while Idae that. Has anyone said how I am tae travel t’Nottingham?”

“In the carriage with us,of course.” Dora looked indignant that he would even suggestanything else.

“Scarlet may no’ wish taeagree with that,” Finn shook his head, “although I suspect I couldescape easier riding a horse alone than in yer aunt’s carriage.Five men on horseback could easily stop such a conveyance, while Imight be able tae elude them if I were riding. Hopefully, Scarletthinks o’ that.”