by Meara Platt
“Come into my arms, love. I want to hold you.” He kissed her when she did so and wrapped his arms around her to hold her tightly to his chest. His heart was pounding a steady beat, but he was quite broken up inside.
“Careful, my handsome captain. I could get used to this.”
“I hope so.” He kissed her again, the touch of his lips light and gentle against hers, for he worried she was still too fragile in spirit after today’s scare.
Anyone would be scared to know such a fiend was after them. If the possible romance between a big, redheaded Scot and a sweet, Harwich tea shop maid helped ease her turmoil, all the better.
As the sun was beginning to set on the horizon and the tide rolled in, they were finally able to sail. Once they were away from land, Joshua escorted her on deck to watch for whales and seals. They saw a pod of whales, perhaps the same ones following their boat when they had first arrived at Harwich.
Holly was as excited as could be. “What splendid creatures they are. Look at that little one keeping close to its mother.”
Birds circled above the whales, no doubt expecting to find food as these leviathans churned the sea.
Holly’s near abduction this morning seemed like a bad dream, that moment of terror so removed from the natural beauty now surrounding them.
Joshua stayed close to her, his arms around her all the while. They were in paradise again, and both of them felt it, even if only for this brief time.
Holly removed the pins from her hair and allowed her long strands to blow wild and free in the wind. She closed her eyes and tipped her head toward the sun, while her hair tossed and whipped about her body like a magnificent, golden sail.
He hoped she would remember these moments of heaven once they were back in London and grim reality set in. They had a hard task ahead of them.
But for now, they would enjoy the sea and salty air.
As night fell, Archie sailed the yacht into an inlet just south of the Thames and dropped anchor. They were still in the North Sea, far enough away from land as to be unreachable.
Joshua spent a while going over procedures for their docking with Archie. He also wanted to arrange for a carriage to bring them to Lady Miranda’s home first. He’d explain later to Holly. She was eager for them to settle in their new home but would understand it was safer not to do so just yet.
They needed to hire staff and acquire those dogs. Most of their furniture had yet to be purchased, and of those items that had been purchased, only a few pieces had been delivered. The others would take several more days, some even weeks or months, to arrive.
Holly was peering out the porthole when he returned to their cabin. He hoped she was gazing at the stars or looking for whales again. He did not want her staring blankly and dwelling on thoughts as ink-dark as the night.
“Ready for bed, love? Shall I help you unlace your gown?” He’d asked merely as a protective husband, having no intention of behaving like a randy goat. He would do no more than hold her in his arms unless she was the one to initiate something more.
“Yes, this day has drained me. I know the next few days will be tense as well. We can never let down our guard until Lord Rawling is in custody.” Her lips were pursed in thought as she turned to him. “I was wondering…”
He approached and began to undo her gown. “Yes, love?”
“His little cat-and-mouse game could go on for months unless we take action.”
He did not like the sound of that. “What do you mean?”
“What if we set a trap for him.”
His hand froze on her lacings. “And use you as the bait? Out of the question. I will not put you at risk.”
“But I’m already at risk, aren’t I? He is a wolf on the prowl, and he won’t stop hunting me until I am in his jaws again.”
Joshua shook his head. “You are asking me to hand you up to him on a silver platter. Forget it. What if he grabs you and still eludes our trap? He’s done it already, escaping the best investigators London has to offer.”
“It won’t be the same. If he has me, I’ll be there screaming and clutching onto any object I can find to slow him down. It would take you no time to catch up to us.”
“Assuming you are conscious. A man like that…” He ran a hand roughly through his hair. “If what his father told Mr. Barrow is true, then his mind has snapped. And with it, he has grown more cunning and diabolical. When he comes for you, he will be prepared to silence you. After this morning’s episode, he knows you will fight him. You were fortunate he was only at the shop to seek information. You probably surprised him by showing up when you did. He wasn’t prepared.”
“Even so, I need this to end, Joshua. I will snap if I must spend the rest of my days frightened of this man. I’m not saying we must do it tomorrow. But I think it is a workable plan. Let’s talk it over. Teach me to use a pistol. Or I can ask your mother to teach me.” She cast him a wry smile. “I’m sure she won’t mind. Indeed, if Miranda is half as wild as you make her out to be, she’ll take great pride in it and probably show me a few tricks that she’s never told any of her sons about.”
He groaned. “Gad, do not listen to anything my mother tells you. She will lead you down the path to ruin.”
Holly sighed. “I know you are mad with worry for me. That is all the more reason why I must be as fierce as Miranda about this. I want to become a crack shot. I want those dogs. I want us to set that trap. I want me back. I don’t want to be the sad, easily-pushed-around wife I used to be. The Holly, who was Walter Gleason’s widow, is a thing of the past.”
Nor did he wish this for her.
Perhaps there was some merit to what she was saying, but the mere thought of throwing her in the path of danger had his guts in a roil. “I’ll think about it.”
She slipped off her gown and set it neatly aside, then curled up on the bed. She still wore her chemise and stockings, but he could remove those quite quickly if necessary. “Come to bed, Joshua.”
He did not need to be asked twice.
He undressed and slid under the covers, intending only to take her in his arms. But all his good intentions were cast to the wind the moment Holly touched him. He made love to her slowly and gently, sensing she needed the touch of his hands and lips and the joining of their bodies.
Her body was warm and sweet as he spilled inside her, and her skin held the scent of lavender. He kissed her throat and shoulder, and further down to her breast, tasting and teasing the creamy mound as she soon followed him in her release.
He watched her.
Nothing was more beautiful than Holly lost in passion, her eyes closed and her lips slightly parted.
And yet, his heart was still in pieces.
He could not lose her.
Did Holly have the right of it? Should they set a trap?
And use her as the bait?
Chapter Sixteen
Joshua and Holly arrived unannounced at Lady Miranda’s home in the early evening. Joshua took a moment to see that their bags were brought up to his old room, and then he escorted his wife into the parlor where his mother was entertaining family. His older brothers and their wives were there. Ronan was there, too.
In truth, he was relieved. It was easier to tell them all at once rather than have to repeat the story ad nauseam.
Miranda rose to greet them. “My dears, what a lovely surprise. It is so good to see you. Did you have a nice trip?”
Joshua cleared his throat. “For the most part.”
“Oh, hell,” Finn said, immediately catching on. He left his wife’s side to approach them, his brow furrowed. “Have you eaten? Would you like a drink? Tell us what happened.”
That Finn took command as host was not surprising. Miranda’s elegant townhouse was owned by Finn. Joshua suspected his brother owned half of London by now since he was that brilliant when it came to financial matters. Would he be as good at tactical matters? This was Joshua’s area of strength, but his heart and soul were too involved to allow hi
m to look at the problem impartially.
“I’ll have a glass of port. Holly, what would you like?” he asked, settling beside her on the settee.
She turned to Finn. “Mint tea, if you have it.”
Finn cast her a warm smile. “Miranda’s favorite. We have it stocked here by the barrels.”
“We’ve just finished our supper,” Miranda said, “but we’ll have something prepared for you if you are hungry.”
He and Holly declined. “We ate with Captain Hume before disembarking.”
He took hold of Holly’s hand as he proceeded to relate all that had happened. He wanted the opinion of his brothers before finalizing any plan that would involve putting Holly at risk.
Money was no object, either. All the Braydens had wealth of their own. None of the Brayden men were spendthrifts or reprobates; it simply wasn’t in their blood. But they’d achieved their wealth mostly because of Finn’s brilliance. He had a knack for investing, for taking a shilling and somehow turning it into ten.
For this reason, with a madman attempting to steal Holly, Joshua was never more glad to have the funds at hand to hire an army of Bow Street runners or buy a hundred dogs, if that proved necessary to protect her.
“This is indeed serious,” Finn muttered as Joshua ended his story.
“You can count on us, Josh. We’ll help in any way we can,” Tynan added. “I know Rawling is heir to a duke, but his title as marquess is still just a courtesy title. Whereas I am an earl in my own right. So are James and Marcus. If it helps to toss the weight of our ranks around, don’t hesitate. And Caleb is still a general in the army. I know you’re also in an important position, but you know he won’t hesitate to back you up on any fighting forces you might need.”
Ronan nodded. “Count me in, of course. If Romulus were here, he’d offer his frigate up as well. The Royal Navy is at your service.”
Joshua grinned. “I’m not sure what the Lord Admiral will have to say about that.”
Miranda, not to be outdone by her sons, huffed. “Leave that odious Lord Rawling to me. I’ve handled worse scoundrels in my day.” She reached over and patted Holly’s hand. “I’m glad Joshua brought you home to me. That wretch won’t know what hit him if he dares approach you while you’re here. I’ll have his bollocks for breakfast if he tries it, sautéed in a wine sauce.”
“Miranda!” Joshua groaned.
His brothers laughed. So did their wives.
Well, despite being beautiful and genteel, Belle and Abigail each had spirit. They’d been through their own hardships and would not shrink back or beg their husbands not to get involved. He liked that they were fighters.
Belle was Holly’s cousin, and they’d always been close.
It did his heart good to see Holly smiling.
“I’ll help you pour that wine into your frying pan, Miranda,” Holly said.
Abigail smirked at her husband. “I think you ought to roast them.”
Belle nodded. “Like chestnuts tossed on an open fire.”
Finn groaned. “Enough, ladies. That is a tender subject for those of us who happen to be so equipped.”
Joshua returned the discussion to their plans. “I hope you don’t mind if we stay with you, at least for the next few days,” he said to his mother. “I didn’t want us returning to our new home as darkness fell. We have no live-in staff yet, and the house is empty. It would be easy enough for anyone to break in and hide in one of the rooms. I plan to go there tomorrow.” He glanced at his brothers. “Ronan has to report to work, but I was hoping Finn or Tynan could come with me.”
Miranda nodded. “And Holly will stay here with me.”
“Yes, at least for now. I don’t want her anywhere near the house until we have secured it.”
“I’ll come with you,” Finn said.
“So will I.” Tynan turned to his wife. “Abby, you don’t need me for anything tomorrow, do you?”
“No. I’ll come over here with you in the morning and pass the time with your mother and Holly until you return to fetch me.”
“Oh, that’s an excellent idea. I’ll do the same,” Belle said.
Ronan began to pace. “Blast, I want to go with you. They won’t miss me if I report late, Josh.”
Miranda frowned at Ronan. “No, you’ll report to work.”
He rolled his eyes. “Miranda, I am no longer an infant. You cannot tell me what to do.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Are you married yet?”
“Oh, here it comes.” Ronan already had that help, get me out of here look upon his face. “Don’t start on me.” He turned to Joshua. “This is your fault. She used to have the two of us to harass, but now you’ve abandoned me to face her on my own. And you, Finn. A few months ago, there were three of us against one of her. I’m not liking this situation at all.”
Tynan laughed. “Holly, I understand you have The Book of Love now. Which explains why Joshua took about a minute to fall in love with you. Not that it was any different for Finn with Belle or Romulus with Violet. Slip it under Ronan’s pillow while he’s at work tomorrow. His bride will probably fall out of the sky and land on his head within an hour after you do.” “Gad! You, too? Shut up, Ty.” Ronan poured himself a brandy and ignored their mother’s reprimand as he guzzled it down. “Leave me alone, Miranda. I’m not getting married anytime soon. I’ll see you all tomorrow.”
Miranda followed him out of the parlor. “Where are you going?”
“Out. Don’t ask questions. You don’t really want to know. It’s nowhere suitable for ladies.”
She returned to the parlor, looking not at all happy as her gaze took in all three of their wives. “Don’t have sons. They are irascible, inconsiderate, and nothing but a bother.”
Joshua winked at Holly. “You still like me, don’t you, love?”
She blushed, and he realized he’d called her love in front of everyone. Not that he cared, for even he knew he was a doting fool around her. His brothers had all made love matches and knew exactly what was going through his mind—the worry for Holly’s safety as well as the way his blood turned to fire whenever he was near her.
“Yes, Joshua. I find you quite tolerable.”
He grinned. “Well, look at that. Four days married, and she still loves me.”
But their light banter soon ended, and they spoke of their next steps in finding Lord Rawling. Serving Holly up as bait was ruled out for the moment, not that Joshua would ever permit it, even if everyone thought it was a good plan.
Things would have to be quite dire for him to change his mind on that.
“I’ll meet with Homer Barrow tomorrow and fill him in on what happened in Harwich,” he said. “Finn and I know from helping Belle and her sister when we were in Oxford that he and his Bow Street runners are men of many talents. I’ll have him place two of his men in our house as footmen. It will ease my mind greatly to have them in the house once we settle in there, especially since I have to return to my post in a few days.”
Tynan nodded. “As for dogs, I can bring one or two of ours down from the country. Sheba is my best scent dog, a beagle. She’s too friendly to be a good guard dog, but her bark should be enough to alert everyone in the house if Rawling somehow makes his way in.”
Joshua turned to Holly, curious as to how she was taking it all in. Her lips were pursed in thought, but she did not appear to be fretting so much as taking in the discussion. He placed his hand over hers, needing simply to hold on to her. His brothers certainly understood what he was feeling, and his mother, who was never known for holding back her feelings, would be the last one to complain. Quite the opposite, she was in raptures over her new daughters-in-law. “Miranda, the last item to discuss is what needs to be done for Holly to defend herself. Will you loan her one of your pistols and show her how to use it?”
His mother was surprisingly gentle when she turned to Holly. “My dear, I know you are not comfortable with this, but my son is right. We all will do everything in our power to p
rotect you, but you also must be able to protect yourself.”
Holly nodded. “I know. I was unwilling before, but I see there is no way around it.”
When he and Holly retired to his old bedchamber later that evening, he studied her more closely as he helped her out of her gown. “What are you thinking, love?”
“I like the idea of protecting myself.” She donned her nightrail and unbound her hair to brush it out before working it into a loose braid. “That ability is what will set me free, especially if Lord Rawling remains on the loose for months. I appreciate everything your family is doing for me, of course. But I will never have a normal life until I am confident enough to stop falling into panic at the sight of every moving shadow.”
He disrobed as well and climbed into bed beside his wife, who had scrambled in as soon as she’d finished braiding her hair. “There are also ways to fight back when you are overpowered by someone larger than you. Our bodies have vulnerable spots. The throat, the eyes. For men, their…parts.”
She grinned and raised the covers to glance at his. “You need never worry. I shall always treat yours delicately.”
He shook his head and laughed. “As I shall always worship and adore yours. Come into my arms, love. We’ll need a solid night’s sleep. Tomorrow will be a busy day for us.”
“Are we just going to sleep?”
“Mother in heaven, no. We can do whatever you wish to do. As you well know, when it comes to you, my low brain never turns off.”
He silently resolved to claim her only the once because they would never sleep otherwise. But her body was the sweetest thing he’d ever tasted, and that resolution was quickly forgotten when she touched him a second time during the night. He buried himself in her sweet warmth and felt the fullness of her breasts against his chest, the softness of her lips on his, and lost himself in this beautiful girl he loved with all his being.
“I love you so much, Joshua.”
