Love's Peril (Lord Trent Series)

by Holt, Cheryl

  “Why are you not calm?”

  “Because I’ve been waiting for you! Because I’ve been worried sick.”

  “About what?”

  “About you, you miserable snake in the grass.”

  “Why would you worry about me? I’m too smart to get myself in a jam and too tough to die.”

  “Spoken like a clueless idiot who will fall off a cliff when he’s not looking.”

  “Come here,”he said again.

  The poker was heavy, but she couldn’t bring herself to drop it. She felt stronger with it, as if she was making a point, when she couldn’t figure out what her point was supposed to be.

  She was so glad he was back. She was so relieved.

  “Your husband is dead,”he stated, “and I’m not sorry. Are you?”

  She scoffed. “Are you joking? No, I’m not sorry.”

  “You’re a widow.”

  “I am.”

  “So you’re free to marry again. Or to engage in a wild, illicit affair.” His eyes twinkled with merriment, his slow, sexy smile melting her spurt of temper.

  “What are you asking? Are you asking me to marry you? Or are you asking me to engage in an illicit affair?”

  “How about the illicit affair until we’re shackled good and proper?”

  “You want to marry me? Really?”

  “Of course I want to marry you. I was just wondering if you wanted to marry me. Would you consider it?”

  “Would I consider it?”she repeated like a dunce.

  “Life is too short, Caro. I can’t keep thinking I don’t deserve things. I have to grab for what I want.”

  “What things don’t you feel you deserve?”

  “You. I’m so unworthy of a woman like you, but I thought I’d take a chance. Will you have me?”

  He sat up, his legs dangling over the edge of the bed. For the first time in their acquaintance, he appeared flustered and lost, and it occurred to her that he’d been extremely courageous in tendering his brisk proposal.

  He didn’t think he deserved her? He didn’t think he was worthy? Was he mad?

  “Raven, I’m an orphan.”

  “I know. So am I.”

  “I don’t have any dowry or prospects.”

  “I’m rich, though, so I don’t care about any of that. We’d be all right.”

  “My only possession was my house with Archie, but his family swooped in and claimed it. I don’t even have any clothes.”

  “I can retrieve your stinking house for you—if that’s what you want.”

  “I don’t want it. I mention it merely because you should understand that I’m not quite the marvelous catch you imagine me to be.”

  “I disagree, Caro. From where I’m sitting, you’re pretty damn fine.”

  “I’m a ninny who’s scared of her own shadow.”

  “Well, I’ve never been afraid of anything. You’ll always be safe with me, and your silliness doesn’t bother me. I kind of like it.”

  “What sort of life would we have together?”

  “The same as all couples, I guess. Jean Pierre would have to be my top priority, though. You’d have to recognize that. I might have to travel occasionally or be away for extended periods.”

  “Could I travel with you?”

  “No, but I swear I’d always come back.”

  “Where would we live?”

  “Wherever you like. Here at Bramble Bay. Or France. Or China if that would make you happy.”

  “It would have to be forever, Raven.”

  “It better be. I don’t go around proposing everyday.”

  “No, you’re definitely not the type.”

  “Is that a yes? Are we getting hitched or what?”

  She paused, letting the moment last just another few seconds, wanting to be certain she never forgot a single detail.

  “Can we proceed immediately?”she asked.

  “Sure, but you Brits have some fussy rules that might delay us. I figured we could ride to Dover, pay some ship’s captain to take us out on the water. He could marry us in a snap.”

  “We’d wed on a ship?”

  “Why not? A ship’s captain is authorized to perform the ceremony. We wouldn’t have to apply for a license or any of that foolishness.”

  “Could Mr. Sinclair do it for us?”

  “I don’t know his plans. I don’t know if he’ll be back this way.”

  “What about Sarah? She’s not leaving with him again, is she?”

  “No, she’s not leaving.”

  Caroline frowned, flummoxed by his comment. Sarah was in London with Mr. Sinclair, meeting his family and obtaining a Special License so they could wed right away, too. They weren’t marrying? What had happened?

  “Has Mr. Sinclair broken her heart?”she inquired.

  “Not yet.”

  “But he might?”

  “With Jean Pierre and his women, I wouldn’t try to predict what will occur.”

  “But it’s Sarah.”

  “Yes, it is, but I wouldn’t expect he’d rush to the altar. He wouldn’t view himself as a good candidate for matrimony. He’d probably figure Sarah was better off without him.”

  “Did he tell you that?”

  “No.”

  She studied him, wishing she could read his mind. She was positive Mr. Sinclair would have confided in Raven, but where the two men were concerned, Caroline would always be on the outside of their relationship.

  She wondered if she’d ever grow weary of it, but as long as they didn’t drink to excess or carouse with loose doxies, she supposed she could put up with anything.

  “I’d like the wedding to be here,”she said, “at the chapel in the village, after Sarah is home so she can attend.”

  “Then Bramble Bay church it is, Mrs. Patterson.”

  “Don’t call me that.”

  “What should I call you?”

  “How about Mrs. Raven Hook, who is madly and passionately in love with her husband?”

  She tossed the poker on the floor, raced over, and leapt into his arms.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  “Will you take me back to your castle someday?”

  “If you wish.”

  “It was a real place, wasn’t it? I didn’t dream it?”

  “No, you didn’t dream it.”

  Sarah smiled across the table at Jean Pierre.

  They were heading to Bramble Bay and had stopped at a coaching inn for the night. Shortly, they’d reach the coast, would turn north and complete their journey. Before riding out, they were enjoying a leisurely breakfast in the dining room.

  She sighed with contentment. She was so happy!

  “Why are you smiling?”he asked.

  “Because you’re with me, and we’re on our way to Bramble Bay.”

  “It doesn’t take much to gladden you.”

  “No, it doesn’t. I’m a simple woman with simple tastes. Bramble Bay is my home, and you are my one true love. I’m lucky to have you both.”

  She knew him well enough now to understand that he wouldn’t voice a similar statement of heightened affection, but still, she waited for it. She was such a romantic person and wouldn’t believe he didn’t love her. He just didn’t realize it yet and would probably never be able to tell her.

  “I like your family,”she said.

  “You would.”

  “You liked them, too. Don’t be surly. Admit it.”

  “They were all right.”

  “Who was your favorite?”

  “Must I pick a favorite?”

  “Yes. I liked Harriet. How about you?”

  “I liked Harriet.”

  “What did you two talk about when you were out on Phillip’s verandah?”

  “She told me how awful I was.”

  Sarah rolled her eyes. “She did not.”

  “She wanted to know if I was sorry for how I behaved toward her and her husband. I said I wasn’t.”

  “Oh, you are the most exasperating man. You are
sorry. Why must you deny it?”

  He grinned a self-deprecating grin. “I suppose I might be sorry, but it happened such a long time ago. It doesn’t seem as if I was actually the culprit.”

  “Trust me: You were,”Sarah scolded. “Now tell me the truth. What did you discuss?”

  “She demanded that I stop pirating.”

  “Of course you’ll stop. Your life of crime is over.”

  “And she wants me to meet Tristan and James.”

  “Will you?”

  “I haven’t decided. She claims I owe her and my meeting them was the boon she requested so we’d be even. But you’re aware of how stubborn I am.”

  “You’ll likely refuse just on general principles.”

  “It’s entirely possible.”

  Sarah didn’t think he and Harriet would ever be even, but she didn’t say so. She was delighted to imagine he would eventually meet his Harcourt brothers.

  “Perhaps we should invite them to our wedding,”she suggested merely to needle him. He was so horrified that she laughed and laughed.

  They had obtained a Special License so they could marry immediately. The ceremony would be held at the church in Bramble Bay village where she’d always attended services. Once they were home, she would spend a few days making arrangements, then they’d proceed.

  He was the consummate bachelor and still chafing at the notion of being shackled, and she received incredible amusement from watching him squirm and fret.

  “James and Tristan Harcourt?”he practically gasped. “At my wedding?”

  “You’d survive it.”

  His scowl was ferocious. “No, we’re not inviting them.”

  She laughed again. “I doubt Harriet realizes the obstacle she’s created with her demand. You’ll be a hundred years old before you’ve calmed enough to speak civilly with them.”

  “I might be a hundred and fifty.”

  “You might be two-hundred and fifty.”

  “I might.”

  She abandoned all manners and placed an elbow on the table, her chin resting in her hand. She never grew tired of looking at him and wondered if she ever would. He was studying her too, as if committing her features to memory.

  Ever since the party with his siblings, he’d been observing her intently. She sensed that he was extremely distressed, as if he was dying to confide a secret, but couldn’t spit it out.

  The past few months had been very difficult for him, even though he pretended he wasn’t affected. He’d been in prison, certain to be executed. But then, he hadn’t been. That sort of experience could definitely warp a person. How did a man come out the other side with any equilibrium? She suspected it would be a long while before he was completely recovered from his ordeal.

  She was taking him to Bramble Bay so he could relax and regroup, so she could gradually get him to ponder the future and how he would carry on. She was eager for him to pick a new path where he could feel relevant and useful in an endeavor that interested him.

  She still owned Bramble Bay, and she’d tried to give it back to him so he’d have a connection to the property, so he could start to plant roots and learn what it meant to belong. But the oaf wouldn’t accept it.

  “I need to explain several things,”he said, and his tone was so serious that she was greatly unnerved. For days, he’d seemed on the verge of confessions. Would they finally be voiced?

  “What things?”

  “First, I bought a house for Mildred in London, and I’ve set up a small trust fund for her so she’ll have an income.”

  “You did that for Mildred? After all the trouble she caused you?”

  “I did it for you. I’m turning over a new leaf, remember?”

  “Yes, I remember.”

  “My mother wouldn’t want me to punish her.”

  “You’re being very kind—when I know you don’t think Mildred deserves it. Thank you. I hope it will bring about a reconciliation between you.”

  He didn’t agree or disagree, but pulled an envelope from his coat and slid it across the table.

  “This contains all the information for her.”

  “Can’t you give it to her yourself?”

  He shook his head. “I have made many concessions for you, chérie, but there are limits.”

  She sighed, recognizing that she’d be walking a long road with him, but she was an optimist, and any conclusion might occur. Mildred was his aunt, and they should resolve their differences. Sarah would always expect it to transpire.

  “All right,”she said.

  “Mildred may have these gifts from me—with my blessing—only if she leaves Bramble Bay. She can’t ever come back.”

  “I wouldn’t mind.”

  “I would. If she tries to return, it will all be revoked, and she’ll have nothing. I need to be sure you’re safe from her.”

  “I have you to protect me now.”

  He nodded, but didn’t reply. “Please also apprise her that Hedley has left England. She’ll worry, and she shouldn’t.”

  Sarah frowned. “Left England? Where did he go?”

  “He’s joined the merchant marines.”

  “He’s on a sailing ship?”

  “Yes.”

  His expression was completely blank, the one he was so good at displaying when he didn’t want her to guess his mischief. She hated seeing it.

  “What have you done to him?”

  “I’m giving him a chance to grow up. That’s all.”

  “So you forced him to work on a ship?”

  “It seemed better than killing him. If I’d murdered him, I thought you’d be upset.”

  Her temper sparked. “You can’t just kidnap someone off the street and toss him in with a crew of sailors. Hedley has never worked a day in his life! He’ll likely perish from the pressure of it. What were you thinking?”

  “You have to be safe from him, too.”

  “Oh, for heaven’s sake, I’m not afraid of Hedley. You should have asked me to—”

  He laid his hand over hers, the gesture quieting her complaint. He looked so grave, so somber.

  “Reggie Thompson has been reviewing the estate ledgers at Bramble Bay.”

  “What has he found?”

  “Your father bequeathed you an inheritance and a very fine dowry.”

  “No, he didn’t.”

  “He did, Sarah.”

  “Mildred and I discussed it on numerous occasions. There was no mention of me in the will.”

  More firmly, he insisted, “Your father provided for you. He was very generous.”

  “Then what happened to the money?”

  “Hedley squandered it.”

  There was a lengthy, excruciating silence as she digested the news, the ramifications.

  “Did Mildred know?”she eventually asked.

  “Yes. She spent quite a bit of it, too.”

  “I see…” His hand still covered hers, and she glanced down at it, liking how it seemed to shelter and bolster her. She gave a futile laugh and tears filled her eyes. “She told me my father didn’t care about me.”

  “She lied, chérie.”

  “She said I was a disappointment to him, that he hadn’t been proud.”

  “She’s a hard woman, Sarah.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  “So this is why you must swear to me that you won’t let her prevail on you. Even if I’m around to protect you, she might go behind my back to pressure you, and I wouldn’t know. I’ve made arrangements for her specifically so there’s no reason for you to bother with her.”

  “I understand.”

  “Do you?”

  His sharp question had her fuming.

  “Yes, I understand.”

  “Promise me that you won’t ever permit her to live at Bramble Bay and that you’ll allow me to support her—so you never have to.”

  “I promise. I won’t let her back.”

  “Good.”

  He studied her for another long while, the tense moment fes
tering, and she hated that they were quarreling. Over Mildred again! It was so exhausting, and Sarah loathed how family issues bubbled up to plague them.

  She smiled, desperate to ease over the awkwardness. After the previous stressful weeks, she only wanted him calm and content.

  “How many children do you think we’ll have?”she asked.

  “Me? A father? Are you mad?”

  “Children are usually the end result after a marriage. Didn’t anyone tell you?”

  “But children. Gad.” He shuddered. “Besides, I can’t sire any; you know that. Why you’d wed a man who can’t fill a nursery is a mystery to me.”

  She ignored the comment. “If our first is a girl, shall I name her after your mother?”

  “And curse her? No. Give her a pretty name that will notify everyone she is beautiful like her mother.”

  At the compliment, she preened with delight. “You can be so charming when you wish to be. What if it’s a boy? Should I name him after your father?”

  “Absolutely not.”

  “How about after you.”

  “Again, why would you curse him? Give him a name that will warn the world he is a force with which to be reckoned.”

  “I’ll make a list, shall I? Or shall I surprise you with my choices?”

  “Surprise me, chérie.”

  “I will.” She assessed him, afraid for their future, but excited for it, too. “Will you be happy at Bramble Bay? I want you to love it there—as I have always loved it.”

  His thoughts unreadable, he said, “I don’t know if I’ve ever been happy.”

  “Then you’ll be very happy with me, for I intend to spend my life spoiling you.”

  “You’re kind to me, Sarah. Kinder than I deserve. I’m lucky to have met you.”

  “Yes, you are.”

  He gazed at her, brimming with affection, then he rose and stepped around the table.

  “I must settle our bill. Finish your breakfast. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  “I can’t bear to be parted from you even for a short time.”

  “I’m sure you’ll manage.”

  He leaned nearer, as if he might kiss her, right there in the inn’s dining room while they were surrounded by other customers. But in the end, he didn’t.

  He drew away, and she watched him go, gaping like a smitten ninny. She pulled her eyes away from the door and began eating again. With her recent tribulations, she was constantly hungry. She gorged like a field hand, cleaned her plate, then cleaned Jean Pierre’s, too.