“You will understand once I inform you of her name. I assure you, I cannot discuss this where I might be overheard. And I do need your advice. I can think of no one who is better situated to offer me assistance.”
Olivia swallowed slightly, then examined the room one last time. The dancers were only half way through their set. But Lord Hartfield was correct, there were too many people near to ever be assured of privacy.
“Of course, My Lord,” she said. “Stepping out for a breath of cool air is perfectly acceptable. Especially if it means I may help.”
He smiled and placed her hand on his arm as shifted his cane to the other.
The night air sent a refreshing ting of energy to her. The room really had been too warm, she realized. The night breeze washed over her with the scent of roses and lavender from Nathanial’s garden.
One of the torches had burned out, she would inform a footman when she went back inside.
Turning, she smiled up at Lord Hartfield and said, “How may I assist you?”
He smiled down at her for a long moment, his eyes staring into hers. Searching.
For the first time, her stomach hitched. “Lord Hartfield …”
“You know it is you, Olivia,” he said as he reached out and took a hold of her wrist.
Olivia’s heart lurched as her stomach tightened up into a small ball of pure fear. It was him. The man who had ordered her kidnapping.
“It has always been you,” he added, his grip tightening against around her wrist. “Everything had been worked out perfectly. We were to be married in Scotland. Your brother couldn’t have stopped it. Everything until Bradford ruined it.
“You are hurting me,” Olivia said as she tried to pull her hand away from him.
It was as if he didn’t hear a word she said, his eyes were looking into some alternate reality. Remain calm, she told herself. She was still close enough to the house that if she screamed someone would hear her.
Bradford, where was James? Her heart raced as she looked into the insanity of the man who held on to her.
“It is all right,” Hartfield said. “We can still be together. We can get an annulment. Even if we can’t we can still live as man and wife.
“Lord Hartfield,” she said as she once again tried to pull away. “I will never marry you. I love my husband. Nothing would ever make me betray him. Certainly not you.”
The man’s cloudy eyes suddenly turned over to full anger as he stared down at her.
“You will do what you are told,” he hissed. “I won’t be denied, not again.”
She looked up into the eyes of a madman and realized there was no reasoning with him. No, her only hope was escape or rescue. Taking a deep breath, she prepared to scream.
But the man had obviously anticipated her, within the blink of an eye he was around behind her, a hand over her mouth, his other arm around her waist, the head of his cane digging into her side. He stepped back, literally dragging her backwards to the garden gate.
No, she mustn’t let him get her away from the house. If he did, she was lost, Bradford would never find her. The sudden thought that her husband might think she had left willingly sent a cold chill through her. No, she couldn’t let him think that. Never.
Twisting, she tried to bring her foot down on his, a trick Jocko had taught her years ago. But, again, he was too quick. Too strong. He held her tight against him. Giving her no room to maneuver.
“You know we were meant for each other. You are mine,” Lord Hartfield said with a nasty hiss. “I don’t even care if he had you already. You will be mine forever more.”
“No, she won’t,” a deep voice said from the patio.
Bradford, Olivia realized as she slumped with relief. He husband was there. Things would be fine. Bradford would never allow her to be hurt. She knew this to her very soul.
Lord Hartfield grumbled under his breath as his hand left her mouth and twisted his cane head. With a swift swish sound, he pulled a sword from his cane and waved it at the advancing Bradford.
“Stay back,” he yelled. “She is mine. I loved her first.”
Bradford continued approaching, glancing at her, he raised an eyebrow. “I do appreciate you keeping him here Olivia, I did not wish another midnight ride.”
Olivia couldn’t help but smile until she realized Bradford had not slowed. He continued advancing towards them. Growing closer. Ever closer.
She could feel Lord Hartfield tighten up behind her as he realized the same thing.
“Get the others,” Olivia yelled. Afraid that Bradford might very well attack the man alone, unarmed.
Bradford ignored her as he stared at Lord Hartfield, all the while, slowly advancing. “Just so the record is correct,” he said with a slight shake of his head. “You didn’t love her first. I have loved her ever since she fell out of that apple tree.”
Olivia’s heart melted. Was it true? Did he really mean it? Had he loved her as long as she had loved him? Or was it a ruse? A way to distract her abductor.
“Bradford,” she whispered, unable to believe how her heart ached for him.
He smiled slightly then smirked as he shrugged his shoulders. As if her apologizing to her. And still he continued advancing to towards them. Lord Hartfield continued to back up with Olivia in his arms until he came up against the fence.
Olivia felt the nervousness and fear rising inside of him. He is terrified, she realized. Like a trapped animal with no escape.
“Really Hartfield, you should have thought this through. How could you ever think I would let you take my wife. The woman I love. No, it was never going to happen.”
Lord Hartfield continued to wave the sword back and forth, desperately trying to keep Bradford from getting closer. He was wasting his time Olivia realized. Nothing would stop Bradford. Nothing would stop her man.
Bradford stepped up, finally stopping when he was close enough for Lord Hartfield to rest the tip of his sword against Bradford’s chest. Olivia held her breath, afraid to move unless Lord Hartfield thrust the blade into her love. Ending his life before she could tell him all she needed to tell him.
Her husband seemed unconcerned as he took his eyes off Lord Hartfield, all the while the sword point began to slice into his coat. Olivia’s heart pounded so hard she was sure it would explode. This couldn’t go on. Surely Bradford would be killed.
“Are you all right, My Dear,” he asked, as if he were concerned about her getting caught in the rain.
Lord Hartfield twisted to look for a way to escape. That was all that Bradford needed. His hand shot out like a striking snake and snapped around Hartfield’s wrist.
“Unhand my wife,” he said calmly as he slowly pulled Lord Hartfield’s arm away. Once it had been moved aside a few inches Bradford began squeezing. As she watched she saw an anger in her husband that she had never imaged could reside there.
His face grew red as his eye bore into Lord Hartfield. “I said, unhand my wife,” he repeated as he gave a quick twist. Olivia heard a sharp snap and the sword fell to the ground with a clink sound that echoed through the garden.
It was all she needed as she twisted out from Lord Hartfield’s grip and scurried around behind Bradford.
“Don’t kill him,” she said to her husband. Suddenly the thought of that sin weighing on her husband for the rest of his life was too much.
Bradford turned to look at her, his glare telling her how much he resented her request. But at last he nodded.
“Very well, Olivia. As always, you are in charge,” her husband said.
She sighed as she leaned herself against his back. Her husband. The man she loved more than anything in this world. It didn’t matter if his words had been a ruse. She knew how she felt and that was all that mattered.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Olivia paced back and forth in the blue room. Her heart raced faster than she thought possible as her entire body trembled with nervousness.
It is over, she told herself. Hartfield and Cooper
were being taken to the king’s men by Jocko and Warwick. Their guests were subtly being urged to leave by Lady Weston. No one knew a thing about what happened. There would be no repeat of the rumors and scandal.
Even Lady Alice had come downstairs to check on her. She had leaned on Nathanial’s arm the entire time. But she refused to be held back and had not relaxed until she realized that Olivia was perfectly all right.
Amanda had stared at her with big eyes, refusing to leave her side until Olivia had gently asked to be left alone so that she could compose herself.
No, it was over. But that was not what made her so nervous. It was Bradford.
She continued to pace back and forth until at last the door cracked and her husband stepped in.
“How are you, My Dear?” he asked, his solicitous tone sending a warm feeling through her that wanted to make her cry.
She stopped in her tracks and studied him for a moment. Handsome, and so brave, she shuddered thinking about that sword pushing into his chest. Dashing and oh so strong. Yet, here he was, gentle enough to worry about her wellbeing. Gentle yet fierce, she realized.
The two of them stood there, both of them looking at the other. Neither willing to make the first move. Neither willing to say the first words.
At last, Olivia could tolerate the tension no longer. “We need to talk,” she said with a heavy sigh.
“Of course,” he replied as he closed the door behind him.
Pausing for a second, she tried to gather her thoughts but couldn’t wrap her mind around exactly what she wanted to say. The ramifications were too critical. The man drove her to distraction. Even now, she wished nothing more than for him to take her into his arms and never let go.
“First off, Bradford,” she began, “thank you. Thank you for once again rescuing me.”
He dipped his head in acceptance of her gratitude.
“As for the words you said to Lord Hartfield. I realize …”
He stepped forward, holding up a quick hand. Silencing her before she could finish.
“I meant every word,” he said, with a regret full look that confused her.
“I realize,” he continued, “that you feel no such thing yourself. But I believe it is best if we go forward with the truth between us. I am in love with you Olivia. I always have been, I realize now. I apologize, but I cannot change the way I feel. You needn’t fear, this will not change our arrangement. But I can no longer pretend otherwise. You control my heart.”
Olivia’s heart slammed to a sudden halt. “Bradford,” she whispered.
He shrugged his shoulders. A man willing to accept his fate.
Olivia’s world had stopped spinning and felt off kilter. How was this possible? Was it true? Yes, she realized, she could see it in his eyes, and Bradford never lied. Never.
Without thinking she rushed to him and threw her arms around him. “Bradford,” she said as she hugged him tightly, savoring his strong arms around her. “I am yours,” she said. “I have always been yours.”
She looked up to see him frowning down at her. “Just so we are not mistaken,” she said with a smile, “I fell in love with you before I fell out of that damn apple tree. In fact, it was the sudden realization that contributed to my falling. The most gorgeous man had entered my world. How could I not fall in love with you?”
A slow smile spread across his lips.
“That is right, she said. “You won before we even knew we were fighting.”
He laughed, his chest shaking. “Oh Olivia, you make life so interesting. I do believe I am going to enjoy sharing it with you.”
She smiled to herself as she laid her head once again on his chest.
“Does this mean that our agreement is no longer in force?” He asked.
Olivia smiled up at him with a saucy grin. “I never want to hear another word about that agreement again. In fact, I expect you take me here and now.”
He laughed, “You are not in charge anymore, remember?”
She looked up at him and cocked an eyebrow. “Does that mean, No?”
He laughed again, “Of course not. I just wanted to make sure you realized that I want you as much as you want me. This is both of us surrendering.”
Olivia shook her head and reached up to kiss him.
“Shut up, James, and hurry,” she said as she pulled him to her.
Bradford laughed as he acceded to her wish.
Epilogue
The fresh summer breeze brushed against her cheek as Olivia made her way through the garden and around the hedge. There they were just as she suspected. James and their four-year-old son Anthony. Her heart melted just as it did whenever she saw them together.
Anthony’s face screwed up in concentration as he tossed the bread to the ducks.
“What are you two doing?” she asked as she passed baby Arabella to the nurse.
Anthony turned and frowned at her. “We are feeding the ducks, Mommy.”
She smiled to herself. The look on his face was the same one his father gave her when she asked a ridiculous question.
“Does Cook know you took some bread from the kitchen?”
Anthony’s eyes grew big with fear. The only person in this world he was truly afraid of was Cook. She had the power of the raspberry tart. Upset her, and he might very well never see one again.
“Daddy did it,” Anthony said quickly, discarding his father. Nothing could be allowed to threaten his continued consumption of raspberry tarts.
James laughed as he tossed another piece of bread to the mallards in the center of the pond.
Reaching over, she pulled Arabella’s bonnet down to protect her face from the afternoon sun, then smiled when the baby grinned at her, flashing a brand new tooth. Oh, how she loved her children, she thought. The reason for this life.
“I need you to go with Nurse,” Olivia told her son. “It is time for your afternoon rest. I need to talk to your father.
Anthony glanced up at his father to see if he really had to go. He was doing that more often, she realized. Looking to James for guidance. Already breaking away from her.
James nodded his head, “Listen to your mother,” he said as he shot her a quick glance, obviously curious what they needed to discuss.
Anthony’s shoulders slumped with resignation as he turned and took nurse’s hand.
Olivia watched as her children departed. Her heart swelled with love. They were such a joy. Turning back to her husband she let her eyes roam over his body. The man was so male. So heart aching attractive that her body constantly craved his touch.
James threw the last piece of bread, dusted off his hands, then turned to his wife, raising a single eyebrow. “Lady Bradford?”
She sighed heavily as she gestured towards the bench. Their bench. She would always view it as just theirs.
James waited until she was comfortable then sat down next to her, his leg resting next to hers as he took her hand in his.
She studied him for a long moment then said, “James, I have been thinking, perhaps it is time for me to have another child. Don’t you think that Anthony would like a little brother?”
James studied his wife for a long moment then leaned down to kiss her, his hands roaming possessively over her body.
“Not here,” she exclaimed as she held his hand, stopping it from going where he wanted.
He looked deep into her eyes and smiled. “Yes, here. I need you now.”
Her insides melted as her body reacted. How could she ever refuse him? The man controlled her with but a word.
Smiling to herself, she pulled him into a deep kiss. He didn’t need to know that this was exactly what she wanted. What she would always want.
The End
Author’s Notes
Thank you for reading ‘Catching a Rake.’
I would love to know what you think of it. My readers make it possible for me to do what I love so I am always grateful and excited to hear from you. Please stop by my website GLSnodgrass.com or send me an Em
ail at [email protected]. Feel free to sign up for my newsletter. I use my newsletter to announce new releases and give away free books. I also post on my Facebook page.
As always, I would like to thank my friends for their assistance with this book. Sheryl Turner, Anya Monroe, Eryn Carpenter, and Kim Loraine. I couldn’t have done it without them.
If you enjoyed ‘Catching a Rake’ please tell a friend or two. And please help out by rating this book at Amazon or Goodreads. Reviews from readers make a huge difference for a writer.
I have also included the first two chapters to my book The Reluctant Duke, the first book in the ‘Love’s Pride’ series. And keep an eye out for the next book in the “A Rake’s Redemption” series. “Challenging a Rake” The Amanda and Lord Warwick story.
Again, thank you.
The Reluctant Duke
Prologue
Wet cobblestones echoed with the slap of her bare feet as the cold night air bit through her thin cotton nightgown. Turning and peering through the fog the young woman searched to see if she was followed. Her heart raced, beating so loud she was sure they would hear.
Was that movement, had they found her already? With a stomach turned to stone, she fled. Where in this town would ever be safe? How truly alone she was flashed through her mind as she tried to think of someone to help.
There was no one. No one powerful enough to stop him. London was lost to her.
Chapter One
Duty is like a double edged sword hanging over a man’s neck. It dictates everything.
Major Thomas Marshal’s horse slowly walked up the long path towards his new home. It had been a long ride from London. His back ached, and his leg screamed in protest.
“God, it’s worse than I thought,” he said to himself as he looked over the dark and imposing building.
Dead flower beds and fallen tree limbs made the area look like a neglected step-child. Chipped bricks, a broken window on one of the upper floors, at least a dozen little things showed significant neglect.
Catching A Rake (A Rake's Redemption Book 3) Page 16
