She heard Marks ask for horses and then a muffled response. She slowly scooted over to the door and gently pushed the handle. Pressing, she tried to swing it open but the blasted thing didn’t budge. As she pressed harder, she heard a hissing whisper from the other side. “Don’t even think about it.”
“I have yer horses, sir,” another voice called. “But are ye sure ye don’t want to book a room? That sky’s about tae open up.”
“Just harness the horses,” Lord Marks barked.
Danielle held her breath for a moment. Then she banged on the door with her fist. “Help,” she yelled out. “Please.”
The outside went silent for a moment. “What’s that then?” the other man asked.
“None of your business. Just do your job.”
“Please,” she begged, hitting the door again. “He’s kidnapped me and—”
The door flew open and Marks face appeared in the doorway, twisted with anger as he thumped his walking stick on the roof of the carriage. “Enough out of you,” he hissed in a whisper. “I don’t want to have to use the stick again.”
“What are you doing?” She held her hands in front of her. “Surely you don’t want to go to prison.”
“Husbands don’t go to prison for taking their wives on a carriage ride.” He straightened, his voice growing louder. “We’ll stop soon enough. Stop your complaining.” Then he snapped the door shut again.
Sick dread filled her stomach and she covered her mouth with her hand. He was making her out to be just some whiny wife. Tears stung her eyes again. If the man hitching the horses didn’t believe her, how would she get rescued?
The sound of distant horse hooves caught her attention. They were not the steady clop and jingle of a carriage but a thunder of someone riding like the wind. Odd considering the time of year and the weather. She sat up straighter, hope filling her chest.
Marks clearly thought it odd as well because he yelled out. “Hurry up with those horses.”
“It takes as long as it takes,” the other man answered.
“It takes you an excessively long time.” Then the door gave a little thump. “I’ll do it myself.”
He wasn’t at the door. This was her chance. Wrenching open the door, she hurtled out of the carriage and stumbled a few feet to the side. Spinning about, she tried to decide which way to go as Marks appeared just in front of her, his cane raised again.
She cringed, her heart beating wildly in her chest as her hands flew up to protect her face and she squeezed her eyes shut even as the sound of hooves thundered in her ears.
But the blow never came.
The menacing crack of a whip split the air. Her heart thundered in her ears as she opened her eyes to see what was happening.
Drew sat on his horse looking down at Lord Marks who lay on the ground a large slash across his face.
She nearly collapsed with relief. “Drew?” she gasped, clutching her hands in front of her.
He swung down off the horse and took two steps toward her, gripping her elbow. “Back in the carriage, love.” He opened the door and practically lifted her in.
“Why?” she asked allowing him to place her back inside. She trusted him, she simply didn’t understand.
“I don’t want you to see this.” He reached up and stroked her cheek. Then he closed the door again. She wished to call him back. Or open the door to see what was happening. Nibbling her lip, she reached for the curtain. What was he going to do? A second later, she heard the distinct sound of flesh meeting flesh. She stifled a gasp. Was Drew hurt?
Marks let out a loud cry which was followed by another hit. She slumped against the seat in relief. Drew was the man hitting, not the other was around.
“Stop,” Marks pleaded.
“Stop?” Drew replied. Thump. “Why…” Thwack. “Would I stop giving you what you deserve?”
“You don’t understand. I needed her to choose me. I couldn’t afford to lose her hand to you.”
“Let me guess, you’re in debt. Gambling?” Drew had stopped hitting but his voice was still filled with a low fury.
“Yes,” Marks replied. “How did you know?”
There was another hit. “It seems like the sort of pathetic thing you’d do.”
“What is the meaning of this?” Another voice called from further away.
“My apologies,” Drew said as he snapped the door open once again. “This man kidnapped my fiancée.”
The words made her stomach do a funny flop. Fiancée? Butterflies flitted about her stomach. Is that what she was for real? He reached in and she took his hand as he helped her back out of the carriage.
A watchman stood before them and another gentleman held the horses still. The watchman looked at her. “Is this true?”
She nodded, as Drew pulled her close to his body. Tears welled in her eyes as relief made her melt into him. Everything was going to be fine. “Yes, it’s true.”
The man at the horses came around. “I can confirm it. She was banging on the carriage and calling for help before this one showed up. I was trying to figure out what tae do.”
She rested her head on Drew’s shoulder as she drew in a deep breath. He’d come for her. Saved her life. “Thank you.”
Chapter Eleven
Dropping his cheek onto the top of her head, Drew held her against his side. This was where she belonged. “You’re welcome, love.” Fat snowflakes began to fall around them.
He turned to the watchman. “We’ll be pressing charges against Lord Marks, though I believe he’s also wanted for debts. Can you hold him? I need to get my fiancée and I rooms at the inn.”
The watchman nodded. “Of course. Don’t go to the post inn, no room left with the turn in the weather. There’s another place one street over. Salisbury it’s called.”
“Thank you,” he replied as the watchman and the groom jerked Marks to his feet.
The groom looked over at him. “If ye hitch yer horse to the post over there, I’ll take care of ‘em momentarily.”
Giving a nod of gratitude, he started to walk Dani down the street. She nearly tripped and he tightened his grip. “What’s wrong?”
“I’ve hurt my leg,” she said taking a halting step.
Anger bubbled inside him. “You hurt your leg or he hurt your leg?”
Her face tightened and he knew that Marks had done it. He hadn’t hit the man nearly enough. “I should have killed him.”
Dani gave her head a little shake. “You were perfect.”
He let out a long breath as he looked down at her. She was pressed against his side, her face turned up to his. He couldn’t imagine a better place for her. But perhaps… He swung her into his arms. “Let’s get you tucked in a room with food and a hot bath.”
She sighed, her head snuggling into the crook of his neck. “That sounds wonderful.”
What was wonderful was the feel of her pressed against him. He quickly found the inn and procured a room. Helping her up the stairs, he settled her on the bed. Without pause, he lifted her skirts to begin untying her boots.
“What are you doing?” she gasped, pushing her skirts back into place.
He tried not to grin. She’d better get used to this. He’d be doing it often. “I want to look at your leg, love.”
“Oh.” She flushed a lovely shade of pink as she once again hiked her skirt up. “It’s fine, I think. Just bruised. He whacked me with his walking stick to get me into the carriage.”
“He did what?” Drew hated that Marks had touched her in any way, but the thought of that wretch hurting her made his blood boil.
He slipped off her first boot and she wiggled her toes. “Well, I wasn’t going to just climb back in the carriage and let him carry me away was I?”
He caught the foot and gently lifted it, placing a soft kiss on the inside of her ankle, through her stocking. He’d deal with his anger at Marks later. Right now, he needed to focus on her. “Good job, love.”
Pulling off the other boot, her r
olled down her stockings. Her left calf held a large black and blue mark that went up under her pantaloons.
He grimaced. “I want to see all of it. Can you take down your undergarment?”
She turned bright red but gave a tentative nod and reaching under her skirt and petticoat, untied the pantaloons and then shimmied them down her legs.
He ignored the desire that zinged through his body, tightening his muscles and swelling his manhood. Or he tried to. He couldn’t help but notice that she was bare under her dress. He gently lifted the skirt again and assessed the rest of her bruise. While it was a nasty, it didn’t appear to affect the bone or muscle. It would heal. Holding her foot in his hand, he feathered kisses along the discolored skin, noting how shapely her calf was. “I’m so sorry he did this to you.”
She brushed her fingers through his hair. “It doesn’t matter. You saved me before he did any real damage.”
His kisses had reached the bend of her knee. “Does this mean you’ll consider being my wife?”
Her eyebrows went up as her fingers massaged his neck. “Are you asking? Last night you were only thinking you might propose.”
“I’m asking.” He kissed the underside of her knee, a good bit of her thigh exposed to his gaze. He’d never thought about proposing before, but he had to confess, if he had, he’d have imagined a scene exactly like this.
In it, the prospective bride said yes, of course.
But Dani licked her lips. “I’m not sure.”
* * *
Danielle wanted to say yes. Drew’s lips danced along her skin and, in truth, she had never been safer than when she was in his arms. “I thought you had a fiancée already.”
“That was never going to happen.” He growled out, his voice vibrating along her sensitive flesh.
She relaxed a bit, though she’d never really been worried about the woman who was an ocean away. Her real fear rose to her lips. “What if…” she started.
“What if what?” he asked, kissing the inside of her leg just above her knee.
Pleasure tingled along her skin as desire pooled between her legs. She swallowed, her throat working. “What if you grow tired of me? Since my father’s death, I’ve been searching for a real home. I want to feel secure in my marriage and—”
“Dani.” His deep voice vibrated through her. “Why do you order me about? I’ve never heard you speak to anyone else like that.” His lips slid higher, caressing the inside of her thigh.
“I,” she whispered. “I don’t know. I guess I feel comfortable with you. I…”
“That’s right, my love. You know in your heart I am your home and you can be yourself with me.” And then he moved his lips even further, so close to the juncture between her legs that she ached to be touched there, her breath coming in short gasps. “And I’ll tell you something else. I am the man I should be when I’m with you. Don’t you see? We bring out the best in each other.” And then he kissed her. At her warm center.
Her insides convulsed with pleasure. “Yes,” she moaned. “Drew,” she paused trying to catch her breath. “I love you.”
He kissed her sex again. “I love you too.” Another stroke. “Tell me that yes was to my marriage proposal.”
“Not fair,” she moaned.
He chuckled, his tongue sliding along her folds. “I swear to be true to you. I haven’t wanted another woman since the day I met you. But I have to warn you, I am a reformed rogue and I have all a rake’s skills at my disposal.”
He licked again as he slid a finger along her opening. “Oh,” she cried. “Yes.”
“Yes?” he asked, deliberately slowing his touch.
“Yes,” she said. “I’ll marry you.”
He chuckled before he increased the pressure.
Danielle arched into the touch. Nothing in the world had ever felt like this. And he was right. She was more herself with him than anyone else. As the pleasure built inside her, she knew she’d made the right decision. Drew was her home…and her future.
He slid his finger inside her slick warmth and she spasmed around him, her fingers digging into his hair.
She was going to marry her rogue.
Chapter Twelve
Dani was about to tip over the edge. Drew could feel her insides clutching his finger, her thighs trembling around his head. His manhood throbbed with need. She raked her fingers down his scalp, pulling his hair which only made him hungrier.
She was so tight and wet about him. Never had a woman felt this good. Her head thrashed and she let out a loan moan as her body convulsed.
Need pulsed like waves as his cock strained against the falls of his breeches. As her body went limp he stood, pulling at the button to yank them down. He gave a growl of frustration as he tried to pull at his boots.
“Leave them.” She lifted her arms to him, her dress pooling about her waist. He wanted this to be different. He’d started off tenderly enough but somewhere along the way, a rushing need had overtaken him. Getting his pants down, he came down on top of her, his boots and shirt still on, his breeches about his knees.
But his cock met her soft, wet folds and they both groaned. “I should undress you and kiss every inch of your top half.”
“You already kissed the bottom half. We’ll save the top for next time,” she said as her legs came about his waist.
“Yes.” He slid inside her, just a little. “And the time after that and the time after that.” Bloody hell that sounded too right.
“Make me yours, Drew.”
He trembled, the effort of holding back making his limbs shake. He couldn’t deny the invitation and he pressed into her, feeling the moment he broke her maidenhead.
She stiffened and he stopped, just glad to be inside her warmth. “Are you all right, love?” He kissed the spot just behind her ear.
Dani gave a little nod. “What next?” she asked.
In response he slowly moved out of her again and then back in.
She winced. “Keep going.”
“Dani,” he started, worried he was hurting her. “Are you sure?”
“I want all of you, Drew.” She slid her arms from his neck and down his back. “Every bit.”
He loved her so much, in this moment it overwhelmed him. He kissed her lips, breathing in her scent as he slowly moved in and out of her. “I want all of you, too. Dani, I swear, I’ll be the man you deserve. The man you need.”
“I know you will.” She kissed him back, arching into him. “You were right, we’re perfect together.”
As the tempo increased, her hips began to meet his until they were both gasping for breath, moving together. She tightened around him again and this time, he didn’t hold back. As her body convulsed around his, he let himself go, his own climax rocking through him.
Rather than being spent, however, he tingled with energy, with life, and with love. Dani would be his forever.
* * *
Danielle woke the next morning feeling decidedly sore but deliciously content. Last night had been magical. As snow had fallen, they’d eaten, bathed, and then made love again. Drew had, in fact, kissed every inch of her top half and she’d been forced to admit that there were certain advantages to marrying a reformed rogue.
“Good morning,” he murmured, close to her ear.
She smiled. “Good morning.”
“It’s two days until Christmastide.” He snuggled her backside closer to his front as he kissed the back of her head.
“Do you think we’ll make it back in time to be with everyone else?” She suddenly realized that their family and friends were likely worried.
“I think we’ll be able to return today.” He smiled against her hair. “But there is something else I’d like to discuss with you.”
“What?” She turned toward him, but his answer was interrupted as a knock sounded at the door.
“Beggin’ your pardon, but someone is looking for a Lord Andrew Maddox,” the innkeeper’s wife called out.
“Who is looking?” h
e asked, sitting up in bed.
“I am,” Bar’s deep voice called from the other side. “Open the door, Drew.”
“Did you find Dani?” Harry called, worry making his voice higher than normal.
“I’m here,” Danielle replied. Her response was met with silence.
Drew stood and began to dress and she followed suit. He turned toward her and began tightening the strings of her corset. “Don’t worry. I’ll do the talking.”
“I’m not worried.” She gave him a smile. “We’re going to be married.”
He gave her a wide smile as he helped her into her dress. “Very true.” Taking her hand, they crossed the room and opened the door.
The innkeeper’s wife had left, but Bar and Harry stood in the doorway with their arms crossed and their faces set in matching looks of stern disapproval.
“How did you get here in the storm?” Drew asked as he swept his arm in invitation to enter.
Bar stepped into the room, his eyes making a quick sweep of the single bed. “Through great pain and sheer determination. We were worried about you both.”
Heat infused Danielle’s cheeks thinking about how safe she’d been last night as they’d searched for her in the storm. Drew pulled her closer. “Before you say anything, we’re getting married.”
“Damn right you are,” Bar rumbled.
“When?” Harry’s eyes narrowed.
Drew looked over at her and gave her the tiniest wink. She relaxed, seeing him so calm. “Actually, if we stop to acquire a common license, I was thinking we could have the ceremony on Christmastide. What do you think, my love?”
She gave a nod, joy bubbling inside her. “That sounds wonderful.” Then she turned to her future brothers’-in-law. “Thank you for looking for me. It might be of little consolation but I’ve had so little family and it means a great deal to me that you cared enough to search.”
Harry’s shoulders relaxed. “Of course, Dani. You were family to me before you decided to marry my lug of a brother. You know that, don’t you?”
A Lady’s Christmas Rake Page 6
