Suddenly, prickles rose on her skin, and her stomach twisted in fear. She slowed her horse. Peering through the shadows, she searched for what had caused her fright. Someone is spying on me.
She swallowed hard and pulled her cloak tighter around her neck. A shadow moved from behind a tree, and she caught her breath. A small animal darted in her path, and she yanked on the reins to stop the horse. Her heartbeat hammered out of control, but she breathed slower, trying to calm her fear. It’s only a cat.
But another danger lurked out there in the night shadows, watching her. It was as if a pair of eyes burned right through to her soul. She shivered. Urging her horse faster, she turned a corner. A single rider came out from the shadows and blocked her path. She tried steering Thunder around the intruder. The large, dark figure reached out and captured her reins, not allowing her to pass. She wanted to scream but didn’t want to draw undue attention, especially if her husband was doing traitorous activities tonight.
Tears stung her eyes while her heart lodged in her throat. She smacked the stranger’s hands, but he managed to slow her horse. Large, strong hands reached out and scooped her off her mount, settling her on his lap. It was then she recognized the red coat of a soldier underneath his black cape, his white periwig absent this time. She gasped. Captain Wilkes. His deep laughter echoed through the night as he tightened his arms.
“My dear, Mrs. Braxton. What an honor it is to run into you this late in the evening.”
She found her voice. “Unhand me, sir.” She pulled at his hands around her waist, but his hold was unbreakable.
“But it is I, the man who holds your heart. No need to fear, my dear.”
Alcohol soaked breath blew across her face. She grimaced, her stomach knotted, threatening nausea. “Indeed, I know who you are, which is why I am afraid.”
His hand moved up and cupped her chin. She slapped at it, but it didn’t budge.
He nuzzled his face against her neck. “But my dear, you have not been to see me in quite some time, and I grow weary of your games.”
“Unhand me, or I will...I will...”
“You will what? Scream?” His laughter rang through the night. Off in the distance, dogs barked. “Are you playing the reluctant maid with me again?”
Her heart lodged in her throat, making it painfully hard to breathe. How could she get out of this mess? William wasn’t around to save her this time, and because she was perched on the soldier’s lap while his disgusting clutches held her prisoner, she had no other choice but to comply. Mercedes must become her sister—the very same woman this drunken fool believed her to be.
Mercedes forced her body to relax against his, and within seconds, his grip eased. He kissed her neck, just underneath her ear. Shivers of disgust ran over her skin and she cringed.
“I have missed you,” he mumbled.
“I have been rather busy of late.” Her voice shook, but she kept it husky, playing his game until he could release her enough for her to escape.
“I want you to come home with me. I have missed you so.”
She gritted her teeth to keep from openly displaying her disgust and losing the contents of her stomach. “Tonight is out of the question.”
“Why? You are wearing the same clothes and you are headed in the same direction as when you previously visited me. What is different about tonight?”
Think, Mercedes. “Uh...I am being followed.”
He stiffened beneath her and his head snapped up as he scanned the area. “Followed? By whom?”
“I do not know. Perhaps my husband, or one of his servants.”
He looked around them once more. “Then we must get you inside somewhere quick.”
“No.” Panic threatened to engulf her sanity. “I must return home.”
He kissed her neck again. “I can protect you, my dear. I am not afraid of your husband or his servants.”
How could she answer that one? Think harder, Mercedes. She cleared her throat. “But my main purpose is to gain my husband’s trust so I have information to report to you. Is it not?”
He stilled. She held her breath, hoping he would see logic. He sighed, his alcohol scented breath blew into her face and she nearly gagged.
“Quite right, my dear.”
She forced herself to smile as she studied his shadowed face. Hopefully, he was too drunk to remember this in the morning. With a shaky hand and a great deal of effort, she reached out and touched his face tenderly. “I am closer to gaining my husband’s trust. Once I accomplish that, I am certain I will have more information for you.”
“He is a traitor. I can feel it in my bones.” He relaxed and she sighed, but a deeper fear gripped her heart. Would the soldiers find incriminating evidence to arrest William for what he believed in? She must do all she could to stop it.
From up the road, the clip-clop of horses’ hooves echoed in the silence, the fog shrouding the oncoming rider. She must get off Captain Wilkes’ lap before being spotted. News like this would destroy William, especially now. “Please, let me down,” she whispered.
“One last kiss, my dear.” He leaned forward, lips puckered, ready for what he wished.
There was no other choice. She’d give him one, and hopefully, do it quick enough so she could escape his hold.
* * * *
The meeting went well. The prayer William offered in their meeting was answered and they had devised a plan to rescue Mr. Hoskins, and in addition, get the family out of town. God does answer prayers! Yet, through all of this excitement, guilt ate away at William’s heart. He’d soon have to confess to Mercedes. He needed her to understand and to love him regardless of his activities with the Sons of Liberty. But how could he accomplish such a feat?
Shadows played with his vision while he traveled home, especially when he spotted a couple atop a horse in a lover’s embrace. He narrowed his eyes, not believing what he saw. His heart dropped, shattering as it hit the ground. What was Mercedes doing with Captain Wilkes?
He tightened his grip on the reins and his jaw hardened. They kept their conversation low, but it was the way the Captain’s arms wrapped around her in a possessive manner that made pain, cold as steel, slice through William’s heart. Then she leaned over and bestowed a light kiss on his lips.
William neared, and she quickly broke away, swinging her head toward him. The moonlight peeked through the trees, lighting her wide eyes. Although the pain in his heart caused his chest to tighten, he still held his head high as he rode straight to the couple. She pushed away from the soldier and dropped to the ground. Wringing her hands against her stomach, she hurried to him.
“William,” she cried softly.
“Hold your tongue, woman.” He swallowed the bile rising to his throat. “We will not air our quarrel in front of others.” He gestured to her horse. “Mount and follow me home.”
She inhaled, her hand flew to her mouth. Tears swam in her eyes, but it didn’t matter. His body closed off all feelings but anger, his hands itching to shred something to pieces as his heart was doing this exact moment.
Captain Wilkes didn’t speak, but his self-assured grin said enough. The arrogant man lifted his chin, kicked his horse into a gallop and rode away. When his wife grabbed the reins, her hands shook and there was a slight quiver to her chin. Good. Let her worry about the consequences.
William kicked the horse’s belly, and let out a yell, urging the animal into a run. Wind blew against his face. Each mile closer to home made his chest tighter, threatening to suffocate him. He couldn’t understand why she had done this. She’d charmed him into loving her and he fell fast for her antics. This was the same Kat he’d married, not someone he’d dreamed up.
Reaching his estate, he pulled his steed to a stop and jumped off, throwing the reins to Hyrum. “Mrs. Braxton is not far behind. Assist her.”
He strode to the house, not looking back to see exactly where his wife was. Entering the hall, his heavy footsteps echoed on the floor, and the clamor he made as
he ran up the stairs brought most of the servants out of the rooms in haste. He hurried into his room and slammed the door behind him.
Yanking off his cape, he flung it to the floor. Anger guided his hands as he removed his vest, not caring that buttons flew in all directions. He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled off his boots.
His breath came fast as if he’d run for miles. He stood and paced the floor, raking his fingers through his hair. Unanswered questions swam in his head. Why, had he been so gullible? Why did he allow her to break his heart—again?
The door swung open and his legs rooted to the ground, instantly stopping him. His wife stood still, silhouetted by the moon shining through the window. She held a single candle that gave enough light to see her tear-streaked face. Her bottom lip quivered. Her hand shook, making the flame flicker.
“William,” she whispered, a sob tearing from her throat. “It is not what it looked like.”
He threw back his head and laughed, although he found the situation far from humorous. Once he contained his mirth, he sneered, “If you remember correctly, that is the very phrase you used the first time I caught you in another man’s arms.”
She stepped inside the room and closed the door behind her. After setting the candle on the nearby table, she walked toward him. “I am not that woman.”
“Indeed? It certainly appeared that way a little while ago.”
She stopped in front of him, crossing her arms over her bosom. Her brows drawn, her lips pursed. Deep lines of anger marked her forehead.
“And looks can be deceiving.”
“Yes, you have definitely proved that theory.”
“William, will you allow me to explain?”
“Explain what, my dear?” He shrugged. “There is nothing to explain when I can see perfectly with my own eyes.”
“What you saw was a woman pretending—”
“Yes, just like you have clearly pretended with me.”
She huffed. “Will you stop interrupting so I can explain?”
He sighed and folded his arms.
“As I was saying, you saw a woman pretending...pretending to be her sister to protect the man she loves more than life itself.” A tear ran down her face.
He scratched the throb booming in his forehead. “Pretending to be her sister? What are you talking about?”
She took a deep, shaky breath, her hands wringing against her stomach. “I am not the woman who stood beside you at your wedding. I am her sister, Mercedes.”
He chuckled, although humor was still not the emotion running amok through him. “The woman I married was named Mercedes, my dear. Or have you forgotten?”
“I am the twin sister of the woman you thought you married.” She licked her lips. “In my father’s confused state of mind, he absently arranged for you to marry his good, obedient daughter, Mercedes, forgetting I was not living at home but mourning my deceased husband. The rebellious and not so innocent daughter, Katherine, stood in my place as a proxy when we were supposed to marry. Kat was living a lie, William. She was not your wife. I am!”
Through the ache spreading through his body, his mind pieced together what she was saying. He’d wondered if the woman who’d returned from New York not too long ago was the sister instead of the woman he’d married. Apparently he had been correct after all.
She wiped at the tears streaking her cheeks. “William, you know I am different from the woman you thought you had married. You have told me that several times. Would the woman you married have loved your children as much as I? Could the woman you married have been able to make you fall in love with her?”
Good heavens, she made sense. But... No. It was too impossible to believe. Yet he did want to believe her. He did want to know he’d fallen in love with a different woman than the one who’d betrayed his trust a mere month after exchanging vows. “You are telling me we are really married?”
“Yes. I spoke to a Priest not too long ago, and asked him if proxy marriages are legal. He said they were. Kat knew my name was on the marriage certificate, but she went ahead and married you, knowing full well what she was doing.”
“What about that kiss I just witnessed between you and Captain Wilkes?”
She sniffed. “I was protecting you.”
“Protecting me?” He lifted a brow in skepticism. “From what, pray?”
“From Captain Wilkes. He caught me coming back from your secret meeting, and I had to do something to distract him.”
William’s heart lodged in his throat again, and he caught his breath. “Secret meeting?”
“The secret meeting down at the abandoned cottage on Honeybrooke Lane.”
He scowled. “How do you know about that?”
“I followed you.”
“Why did you follow me?”
“Because my husband did not trust me enough to confide his whereabouts this evening.”
He swallowed hard. “And the Captain knew about the meeting?”
“No. At least he did not say he did. Because of the way I am dressed, he thought I was out trying to find him. Apparently, Kat had been meeting him secretly for some time before she traveled to New York. I could not let him think differently and suspect there was more to my midnight tryst. I explained I was on my way home, and I was being followed. He would not let me go.” More tears streamed from her eyes. “The only way I could get him to release me was to give him a kiss.” She sniffed and wiped her eyes. “I am truly sorry you had to witness that, but I was acting. Nothing more.” Her shoulders drooped and she placed her trembling hand on his chest. “You are the man I love—the man I will love until I die. Me, not the woman who deceived you on your wedding day. I am not my sister. I would never hurt you like she did.”
Tears stung his eyes and his throat dried from the sob of relief he held back. She seemed truthful. Dare he hope? During their stay at the Burwell’s, he’d wanted her to be a different woman—the woman of his dreams. Could this be real?
“Who is in the asylum?”
“Kat, the woman you thought you had married was in the asylum.”
“What do you mean?”
“She died before I traveled here.” Her voice broke. “William, I planned on coming here to beg for your help. I did not have the funds to pay for Kat’s stay at the asylum, nor her burial. Since you were her husband, I thought it was only right you pay for it.” She took a deep breath. “But when everyone mistook me for my sister, that was when I decided to play along. Then when I saw my name on the marriage certificate, I knew what had really happened.”
She stared at him with huge watery eyes. He said nothing, trying to absorb her confession. The pain on her face told him what he needed to know. Kat would have never been this saddened by being caught in another man’s arms.
“William, if you do not believe my story or my true identity, I can take you to England and have you meet my aunts and uncles. They know the difference between Kat and myself. They can tell you I am Mercedes Maxwell who had married an earl. Even my servant, Timothy, knows the truth.”
William continued to stare at her in silence. He couldn’t react. The shock was still too real. Mercedes covered her face with her hands and sobbed. Her whole body shook. Seeing her like this tore at his heart. Definitely, Mercedes was not her sister. The woman he’d married never would plead for forgiveness. The woman he married never had any kind of feelings. Mercedes did.
His heart soared with relief. Mercedes was a different woman! But, he’d been so quick to judge, and now the woman he loved was in pain because of him. He gathered her in his arms and pressed her face against his chest. He squeezed his eyes closed and breathed in her flowery scent. He’d been a fool. Why hadn’t he had more faith in her? Then again, he hadn’t known the truth. Now he did, and he’d make up for his horrid treatment.
“Oh, Mercy, forgive me.” His voice broke as he held her tight. He buried his face in her hair, his eyes filling with tears. Without holding them back, they slid down his cheeks. “I love y
ou so much. I am so grateful you are not Kat. I want you and none other.”
“You shall always have me,” she muttered into his shirt.
Her warm breath brushed his skin, stirring awareness inside him once again. “Mercy, forgive me.” He kissed the side of her face and she turned and met his mouth with her lips. Holding her head, he devoured her mouth, hoping his love would show with every touch. She clutched his shirt, pressing against him. He picked her up and carried her to the bed. He ravished her mouth, trailed his lips over her tear-streaked face and down her neck.
He pulled away and gazed deep into her eyes. “Are you truly my wife? Are we indeed married?”
She nodded. “My name is on the marriage certificate. The man of God confirmed my belief, that proxy marriages are legal.”
“Please, Mercedes...let me love you the only way a husband can. Now.”
She held him closer. Love burst in his chest, and hope for a new beginning was finally within grasp.
Chapter Sixteen
Brandon Kennedy stalked across the office floor, his hands bunched into fists at his side. He kicked his chair from under the desk and it toppled and landed on the floor. Yanking off his overcoat, he cursed. He tossed it toward the coat rack, missed the mark, and it slid to the ground. Kennedy exploded with another set of curses as he marched over, picked it up and latched it on a hook.
William leaned back in his chair, holding back the grin that threatened to sneak across his mouth. Kennedy, along with all the Loyalists, had every reason to be upset today. Last night a prisoner escaped from the jail. Early this morning soldiers searched all of Philadelphia, but neither Mr. Hoskins nor his family was found.
William grinned, then rubbed his hand over his face, trying to wipe off his smirk. Now was not the time to gloat. “What ails you, Kennedy?”
Kennedy spun around, his eyes dark with fury. “You heard about the jail-break, did you not?”
“The jail-break? Oh yes. Mr. Hoskins, correct?”
Kennedy grumbled and fell into his chair. He balled his hands into fists and slammed them on his desk. “Yes. Those men who call themselves Sons of Liberty. Curse them, every last one.”
Take My Heart (Heroic Rogues Series) Page 19
