She tilted her head to meet his stare. “Somehow they know I kidnapped you.”
“Yes, they hinted that to me as well. They wanted me to confess that you were the lady who I was with, but I refused to give your name.” He stroked her cheek. “I have done enough damage to your reputation, and I assure you, I won’t do any more.”
Sighing, she cuddled against his palm. “Oh, Tristan. We cannot go on like this, yet if we are seen together, people will become suspicious. They will think the worst.”
She had been thinking what he had, but that didn’t make it any easier to handle. Truth was, if he had to be without her for very long, he feared he would break down and let everyone know his feelings about this kind and forgiving woman.
“Diana, you might be able to go without seeing me, but I’m not that strong.” He cupped her face and brought his mouth down on hers.
She responded quickly, meeting his kisses with a fierce urgency. Her hands clung to the front of his waistcoat before sliding up to hook around his neck as she pulled him closer.
Groaning with happiness, he wrapped his arms around her, keeping her in place against his chest. Her heartbeat thumped the same quick rhythm as his, and her heavy breaths were just as ragged as well.
It thrilled him to think her feelings mirrored his perfectly right now. Although he enjoyed what they were sharing, panic grew inside him and he wondered if he’d ever get to kiss her like this again. Three years ago when they’d been so passionate, something yanked away his happiness and left him in misery. He prayed that wouldn’t happen again.
Yet somehow…he felt the worst was about to happen.
Chapter Fourteen
“Oh, Tristan,” Diana whispered breathlessly against his lips. “I fear if we don’t stop this instant, we might do something very improper.”
Tristan’s body shook with silent laughter, and she withdrew slightly to gaze into his shadowed eyes—eyes that she’d dreamed about for so long now that she still couldn’t believe this was real. Smiling, she fingered the soft hair on his neck.
“My dear, Diana. I’m happy to know your thoughts are as wicked as mine.”
“You were thinking the same thing?”
“I was thinking earlier that if I started kissing you tonight, I would never want to stop. After seeing your beautiful long hair flowing around your shoulders, I realized how I want you just like this, next to me and cuddling so personally.” He leaned closer and rubbed his cheek against hers.
Happiness swelled in her chest. She’d waited to feel this way for so long. Unfortunately, as most of the events in her life, falling in love with Tristan wasn’t right yet. There were too many barriers keeping them apart. Especially now.
“Tristan, whatever shall we do? We cannot see each other until they find the guilty person, yet staying away from you would be impossible.”
“I agree.” He kissed her lips again briefly before pulling back. “But I do have a solution.”
“Please tell. I’m all out of ideas.”
“I propose we return to your grandmother’s cottage. I shall tell my family I’m traveling abroad, and you could tell your staff that you have sick family and you will be gone for a long time.” He grinned. “Nobody would know we were together.”
She sighed and rested her head on his chest, sliding her arms around his middle. “That does sound heavenly.”
“Then do you agree that’s our only choice?”
“Yes, I do. But I still fear someone will find out, and if there is another murder, the magistrate will continue to suspect us.”
“We won’t let that happen. We shall be very careful.”
Diana lifted her head and looked into his eyes. “You are serious about this, aren’t you?”
“Extremely.” He cupped the side of her face. “We have been apart for too long. I refuse to let anyone—or anything—keep us from being together.”
Her heart melted. How could it not from his sweet words? “Then when should we start planning our little holiday?”
“The sooner the better.” He winked. “Actually I was thinking in a few days. You can leave first then I shall leave three days later. That way people won’t suspect we have left together.”
She nodded as calmness settled in her heart. She prayed he was correct that nobody would find out. Still, she must do something to try and discover who was really committing these murders. There was no way she wanted to keep her feelings from Tristan and everyone else.
For once in her life, she could see the end of a dreary tunnel, and she couldn’t wait to get there.
* * * *
The plan was simple. All Tabitha had to do was take a few of Diana’s trunks to the cottage, check on Sally, then return. Yet complications arose and by the time Tabitha was having the last trunk loaded, she was ready to scream with frustration. If it wasn’t one of the horses losing a shoe, it was the footman dropping one of the trunks and breaking it beyond repair.
She’d wanted to leave early enough in the day so that she could return to the manor by nightfall, but now she would have to stay the night. Being by herself wasn’t terribly boring, but conversing with Diana would definitely make time pass quicker.
Tabitha tightened the ribbons of her bonnet under her chin, and climbed into the carriage. Just as she settled herself on the seat, the vehicle jerked into motion. She’d brought a few books to read for her journey, but at the moment, she was too mentally exhausted to think about absorbing anything in the leather-bound novels.
Resting her head back against the seat, she closed her eyes, wanting nothing more to do right now but dream of her future. Or at least imagine what her future could be. Unfortunately, just as she was picturing a different world—one with happiness and solace—a man’s charming smile and intense eyes popped into her head.
Never had she seen a more handsome man before…wide shoulders and chest, muscular legs, and blue-gray eyes that could melt a witch’s heart. Not only that, but his husky laugh had made her heart skip a beat.
She growled and snapped her eyes open. Why was she thinking about him? The scoundrel shouldn’t even be worth her time or worth daydreaming about. Men like him didn’t have hearts.
From outside the carriage, someone whistled and the vehicle slowed. Mumbling voices were heard. Someone was talking to Mr. Coggins, the driver. Seconds later, the door opened and in jumped a man. She gasped and braced herself on the seat. In a split second, he had closed the door and sat next to her as the vehicle picked up speed. Familiar blue-gray eyes twinkled when he smiled.
“Where are we going, my lovely?”
When it finally sank in her head that Lord Hawthorne had invaded her space and privacy, anger overrode the shock pumping through her. She bunched her hand into a fist and punched his arm. “You cannot be serious. What in heaven’s name are you doing here?”
“I’m riding with you.” He motioned his head toward the front of the carriage where the driver was. “Did you not hear me asking the driver if I could get in?”
“Of course not. If I had, I would have blocked the door to keep you away from me.”
Sitting back in the seat, he stretched his long legs in front of him as he raked his fingers through his wind-blown hair. “You didn’t answer me, my lovely. Where are we going?”
“We are going nowhere! You, however, will be getting out any moment or else I’ll personally push you out myself.”
His gaze skimmed over her arms then traveled down her dress. Chuckling, he shook his head. “I wouldn’t bet on that. You do not appear to be that strong.”
She rolled her eyes. “Are you sure?”
He shrugged and held his hands out, palms up. “Give it a try. I dare you.”
Oh, the infuriating man! “Fine, you win. I cannot possibly throw you out, so I’ll politely ask you to leave,” she said, grinding out each word.
“All right. Go ahead.”
“Go ahead? What are you talking about, sir?”
“You said you would pol
itely ask me to leave.” His grin stretched. “I’m still waiting for the polite part.”
“Augh! What have I ever done to deserve this?” she muttered.
He leaned closer, gazing deep into her eyes. “You know, I don’t believe I have ever seen such a vivid color of eyes in my life.”
She arched an eyebrow. “You have never seen blue before?”
“Yes, but your eyes are more than that. In fact, I believe we shall name a new color right now—just for your eyes and your eyes alone.”
“And pray, what would that name be?”
“Amazing.”
Inwardly, she groaned. “You have got to be jesting.”
“About your eye color?”
“Not that—about your choice of words. I believe, my lord, that you are repeating memorized phrases specifically used to charm a woman senseless.”
He hitched a breath, placing his hand on his chest. “You wound me deeply, my lovely.”
She growled. “Will you stop calling me my lovely?”
Leaning closer, his gaze rested on her mouth. He lifted his hand and gently stroked her cheek. Heat slipped from his fingertip and melded into her skin. Good heavens this is wrong!
“I fear I cannot,” he said deeply. “The sentiment merely rolls off my tongue, and stopping is furthest from my mind.”
He was too close. Inhaling deeply only made her that much more aware of his intoxicating scent of leather and musk. Silently, she groaned, knowing she could not be taken in by this man.
She pressed her palms against his chest—a hard frame, no less—and moved him away. “Lord Hawthorne, what have I ever done to make you want to pursue me like this?”
“I have not stopped thinking about you. In fact, you look very familiar to me, but I cannot think how I know you.”
“You don’t know me. So go away.”
“But it’s more than that,” he continued without acknowledging her request. “I find you intriguing, and well…when I rode by Lady Hollingsworth’s estate and saw you out front instructing the footman to load the trunks, I became curious. Especially when I never saw the lady of the home actually board the carriage.”
“Lord Hawthorne, has anyone told you how insufferable you are?”
“Not at all, which is another reason why you intrigue me.”
“Because you’re not used to women shunning you?”
“Exactly.”
She rubbed her forehead as the pounding that started when he flew into the carriage grew worse. “Please tell me what I can say to make you leave.”
“What is it that you don’t like about me?”
“You mean you don’t know?”
“Humor me.”
“Well, for one, I don’t enjoy forward men. You are far too bold for my tastes.”
Nodding, he scratched his chin. “And this coming from the woman who kidnapped my friend?”
Heat climbed her face that had nothing to do with her anger. “And secondly, I do not like that you have ignored every hint I’ve given to discourage you, yet you continue to pursue me.”
“What can I say? I find you fascinating.”
“And lastly, I do not like men who think that just because I’m a maid, that I’m a willing participant in their lusty adventures.” Memories crashed through her head of Lord Elliot. Hatred for men like him made her so angry she could spit nails!
“You think that’s what I’m after…a willing maid? Did you not hear me when I told you how interesting you are to me?”
She folded her arms. “Oh, I’m quite certain you find me interesting, but only for the bedroom. In reality, men of your station would never think of marrying a woman like me.”
His eyes widened and he lifted his hands in surrender. “Stop right there. All I want to do is get to know you, and suddenly you are talking marriage?”
“Tell me I’m wrong, Lord Hawthorne. The only reason you want to get to know me is to charm me into having your wicked way with me.”
He didn’t speak, and silence stretched between them as the seconds ticked by. She knew she was right, and deep inside she wished for once she had been wrong. But she was old enough by now and been taught too many of life’s lessons to know that fairytales never came true.
“You don’t have to answer that, my lord, but please leave. I did not invite you to ride with me, so please be kind enough to go.”
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“Away with Lady Hollingsworth to take care of her ailing relative.” She lifted her chin. “That’s all you need to know.”
“Then where is Lady Hollingsworth? If you are traveling with her, shouldn’t she be here?”
Tabitha fisted her hands, hoping he’d leave soon before she hit him. She moved her arm and pounded on the wall of the carriage and shouted, “Driver, stop the vehicle now.”
Lord Hawthorne narrowed his eyes as the carriage came to a stop. She motioned toward the door. “Please leave now before I summon the watch.”
He nodded. “As always, Miss Tabitha, it was a pleasure conversing with you.”
He opened the door and climbed out. When he shut the door, she released a sigh of relief. Hopefully, from here on out, that man would stay far away from her.
* * * *
Diana decided to hold a dinner party for just her close friends. This would be her last appearance before she went away to help her sickly aunt—so her story would be. If she stayed completely away from her friends, they might suspect she had killed her husband. If they knew what had really happened, they would have hailed her a heroine because of what she had suffered being married to him.
Nevertheless, this evening she sat at the head of the table as she and six of her friends ate their dinner and chatted about useless topics. It was all Diana could do to keep the faux smile on her face as she sipped a glass of sherry.
After dinner, she led the ladies into the parlor where she’d previously had tables and chairs set up for a game of whist. It was hard to pretend to be enjoying herself, when all she wanted to do was leave this place and go to her grandmother’s cottage…to be with Tristan. Concentrating on the topic of conversations was also difficult, and she found herself glancing at the clock in the room more times than she should have.
Once, she thought she’d heard a man’s voice at the front door, and her heartbeat thudded faster in excitement, hoping…praying it wasn’t Tristan for fear people would speculate about their relationship. When she realized she’d been hearing things, her spirits dropped and it was even more difficult to smile.
She really needed to snap out of this melancholy mood before one of her friends noticed. Diana wouldn’t put it past Lady Dashwood to actually say something, either.
Finally, when she could stand no more, she excused herself to visit the ladies retiring room. Up the smaller corridor was the room. A few maids were there, ready to assist. Diana wished to be alone, yet that wasn’t proper without causing suspicion.
She didn’t spend a lot of time in the room before she was presentable again, and when she walked out, she took slow steps, not really wanting to pretend to enjoy her friends’ company. She must make some excuse to end the evening. Perhaps she would tell them that she had a long journey on the morrow, and she needed her sleep.
Shrugging, she rolled her eyes. At this point in the evening, she’d say anything to get her friends to leave. As she passed one of the empty rooms, the door was ajar and she could tell someone was inside. Curiosity had her stopping to take a peek inside.
Before she had time to think, the door widened and out from the darkness shot a man’s hand, grabbing her and yanking her into the room. Her feet moved obediently—it was either that or fall on her face—and soon she was pressed up against a muscular body. Immediately, she knew his scent, and the way her body cuddled so well with his.
Diana glanced up into his shadowed face. “Tristan, what are you doing?” she whispered.
“How did you know it was I?”
She chuckled. “I
assure you, there is no other man who wants to grab me and pull me into a room for some privacy.”
He cupped her face with one hand. “Then indeed, I am the most fortunate man. I do not want any other man paying attention to you.”
“You are too kind. But I think the other men will stay far away because they believe me to be a murderess.”
“Good.” He grinned.
“Good?” she gasped in shock.
“Yes. If they think that way about you, then I won’t be competing with any other suitor this time.”
She shook her head. “You were not in competition with anyone last time, either. If you recall, I was being forced to marry Ludlow.”
“I do recall very well now, and I’m vastly relieved there is no other man in your life.”
“You are the only one I want. Now and always.”
She didn’t allow him to make the first move. Lifting on her toes, she reached up to capture his mouth with hers. Thankfully his mouth had begun to descend and so she didn’t have to reach very high.
His arms wrapped around her and held her tight as she slid her palms up his chest and hooked her hands around his neck. His lips moved perfectly with hers, so soft and gentle at first then a little more urgent. Her heart burst with love and acceptance, and she loved this feeling that hadn’t been part of her life before.
She wanted more—much more. Never did she want to be separated from him again. If only fate would lend a helping hand this time. If only the real killer out there would get caught.
“Oh, Tristan,” she sighed and broke the kiss. “We should not be doing this here. My guests are waiting for me to return.”
He blew out a frustrated breath and leaned his forehead against hers. “I know, my love, but I couldn’t keep away from you. I knew you had visitors this evening, and when I arrived, I begged Tabitha to let me see you—if even just a glimpse.”
“Really?” Surprise jolted through her. “I thought I’d heard a man at my door, but then I realized it was only my imagination.”
“No, it was I. When I saw you sitting in with your guests, I knew I had to steal a private moment to take you in my arms and share a passionate kiss.”
The Sweetest Love (Sons of Worthington Series) Page 16
