Chloe shook her head. “I’m still working it all out in my mind, but I can tell you one thing. Whatever kind it is, it isn’t you,” she said, her voice unwavering.
He started to shake his head. She didn’t know him. Hardly at all.
But she lifted her other hand to hold his extended one. “Whatever impressions I had, I created them from afar. Now, here, looking into your eyes, I see the man you really are. Annabelle has been lacking love. You’re in a position to give her what she really needs. Even more than your protection. Don’t you want to do that for her?”
Bloody hell, this woman was good. “Dryden never stood a chance.”
She winked, her features soft as her shoulders relaxed. “Neither do you, my lord. Neither do you.”
Chapter Twenty
Annabelle swayed on her feet. Her head only had a dull ache, but the aftereffects of the laudanum coupled with the lack of food made her woozy.
Luke had barely said two words to her, but he seemed to sense that she needed him and he pulled her close even as the priest continued his very lengthy homily.
Pressed against his side, her nausea receded. More than she needed words, she had craved this. Just touching him. She’d like to lay her head on his shoulder, but the other guests might find that odd.
Not that there were many. Caroline stood next to Chloe and Fin. On the other side, Marksman openly stared at Caroline, clearly not paying attention to the priest at all. She had no idea how the man had gotten an invitation, but it was a question for later.
She did not need to wonder why her father wasn’t in attendance. He’d only come to see that both parties had arrived at the church and then he’d left again, without even a goodbye.
Though she knew the man had no desire to truly be her father, the absence still left her feeling hollow. The man had no heart.
Not true with her husband, however. He lightly stroked her back as he steadied her against his side. How was she going to prove to him that they belonged exactly like this?
She and Chloe had started a plan as they’d helped her dress for the ceremony. First, because of her head injury, she’d insist he accompany her to Kent. If need be, she could mention the added advantage of additional baby-creating opportunities. Then, the best they could come up with was creating a situation in which he rescued her. He seemed to be at his best when she needed help.
Chloe had suggested she hire actors to pose as marauders. Annabelle had tried not to roll her eyes. “Marauders haven’t roamed England for centuries.”
“Thieves then.” Her friend had sniffed.
It wasn’t until Caroline had arrived that they’d hatched a better plan. “Play to your strengths,” Caroline had said. “What do you know well?”
“The ocean,” Annabelle had answered. “How does that help?”
“Oh that’s good.” Chloe had clapped. “Pretend to drown.”
Annabelle looked to Luke as the priest finally asked them to repeat their vows. She didn’t like the idea of deceiving him, but she had to find a way to make him understand. They were better together.
“Do you, Lord Lucas Harding, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“I do,” he answered, his fingers splaying out on her back.
“And do you, Lady Annabelle Marks, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do,” she breathed.
“You may kiss your bride.”
Luke swooped down, capturing her lips with his own. She could almost forget, joined together like this, that their bond was a tentative one at best.
She didn’t want to build a marriage on a lie, but she needed to strengthen their relationship some way or another.
“Well,” he rumbled as he lifted his head. “We’ve done it.”
She brought her hand to his chest, feeling the beat of his heart underneath her glove. “We did. We’re joined together for the rest of our lives.”
She watched for his wince, but he didn’t give one. Instead, he turned them to face their small party.
“Shall we have breakfast?” he asked, then they started down the aisle toward the church doors. Everyone followed behind them until they reached the steps where they paused.
Chloe grabbed Annabelle, wrapping her in a hug as Caroline joined them.
“You’ve gone and left me all alone,” Caroline said. “I’m the only spinster in the group. We were supposed to do this together you know.” But Caroline was smiling as she said the words.
Annabelle looked to her right to see Marksman staring again. Perhaps her friend wouldn’t remain a spinster for long. “You’ll come to stay with me, won’t you?”
“And miss a summer by the sea? You won’t be able to keep me away.”
“No need to say goodbyes yet. I thought, considering everything, we’d leave tomorrow,” Luke rumbled next to her.
She didn’t miss the fact that he’d said we. She’d been worried that he’d make good on his threat to have Fin escort her. And the more time the better. “Excellent idea. Let’s go eat.”
Perhaps she wouldn’t have to pretend to drown herself. Maybe just being together would be enough to convince him that he shouldn’t leave.
* * *
Luke watched Annabelle laughing and talking with her friends, many of Chloe’s words playing over in his mind. His father had hated being challenged by anyone…ever. He’d drink often and in great quantities. Luke suffered from neither of those defects.
Annabelle’s word echoed back to him. He wouldn’t be his father because he chose not to be. The more he thought about it, the more truth he found. He’d made a great many choices that had led him to this spot. Not the least of which was loving the woman he’d married. Not something his father could ever boast.
The part of him that still niggled with doubt, didn’t want to be wrong. It was Annabelle he was risking if he was.
Dryden came to his right, and Marksman to his left. “Congratulations,” Marksman said as he gave a slight bow.
Dryden raised his brow. “Agreed.”
“Thank you both.” He cleared his throat. “I wanted to invite all of you to Kent this summer so we can discuss our joint business venture.”
Marksman slapped him on the back, while Dryden cleared his throat. “Well I’ll be damned.”
“An excellent idea.” Marksman bounced on the heels of his feet. “Yesterday we were at such odds. I am surprised—” Marksman stopped. “Not that I am encouraging you to change your mind.”
Luke held up his hand. “I’d like to take this opportunity to start fresh. When it comes to my wife,” the words tasted good on his tongue. “I can be a bit hardheaded.”
“Well.” Marksman shrugged. “You’re in love. It’s a state I am beginning to understand.”
Luke’s mouth fell open. Where to start? “I’m not in—”
“You are,” Dryden answered. “And you know it.”
He did. He’d known he loved Annabelle for a long time, but he didn’t need to share that now. “Who is the lady you’re growing feelings for?”
Marksman looked down. “I don’t think we know each other well enough for me to share.”
Luke relaxed at that. “On this point, I couldn’t agree more.”
Dryden shifted. “I didn’t realize you were planning to stay in Kent for the summer.”
Luke looked across the room, watching Annie laugh with her friends. “My plans have changed.” He needed to discuss them with Annie. But that could wait until they were safely tucked into their new home.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Dryden answered. “And Annie will be glad to hear it too.”
He sincerely hoped that she would. “How long do these breakfasts last?”
Dryden gave him a knowing smile. “Normally, the bride and groom leave, ending the affair. But you’ve announced that you’re staying so…”
“Damn it,” he muttered under his breath.
Dryden chuckled. “Chloe, darling, we should go. The happy coupl
e needs some time.”
Chloe nodded, grabbing Annabelle’s hand. Then she leaned over and whispered in Annie’s ear. A blush spread across his bride’s cheeks. Pride and awareness streaked through him. The color suited her.
Within a quarter hour, their guests had departed. Luke and Annabelle stood on the front steps and waved goodbye. “What should we do now, Lady Harding?”
She gave him a grin. “How about we eat? I’m famished.”
Disappointment made his voice drop low. “Of course.”
“Excellent. I’ll have a tray brought up to my room.” Then she turned and started for the door. Luke followed behind her. He didn’t want to be anywhere else.
Chapter Twenty-One
The carriage rumbled along the road, as Annabelle rested her head on Luke’s shoulder. Her back was stiff from the long ride and her head, which had been feeling better, had begun to ache a bit. The night before had been…beautiful. They’d spent their first night as man and wife, wrapped in each other’s arms.
And while Luke still held her close, little had been said on their journey to Kent.
For Annabelle’s part, she’d started to talk at least a dozen times but somehow, she couldn’t bring herself to interrupt the newfound peace between them. So instead, she held his hand and enjoyed the feel of his body swaying in the carriage next to hers.
“We’re nearly there,” he said, peering through the window.
She looked too but all she saw was countryside. “Where?”
“Kent,” he answered evasively.
“Very funny.” She swatted at his arm as he grinned. “I know the village of Chesterfield and this is most decidedly not it. We’re not staying right by my property?”
“We are.” He grinned. “I’ve a surprise for you.”
“Surprise?” She stopped moving, giving him a long look.
“Marksman has surveyed the area extensively and knew of a small piece of land adjacent to yours with a nice little house on it.”
The carriage turned and Annabelle looked out the window again. “Little house?” Excitement bubbled inside her. It was a lovely estate. A brick front was splashed with ivy, its center door and large windows adding to its pretty façade. Likely small for Luke’s taste, but larger than any she lived in. “It’s ours?”
“It’s ours,” he answered, reaching up to stroke her cheek. “Or it will be. I’ve started the sale and staffed the house. The old owners were kind enough to allow us to move in while the paperwork is being sorted.”
“Kind?” She wrapped an arm about his stomach. She was fairly certain they’d been well paid for their trouble.
“If you do decide to build the cottage, you’ll be very close to the ocean.”
Somehow, discussing the cottage, stole away some of her joy. Funny how much meeting Luke had changed her perspective on what she wanted for her future.
The carriage pulled up to the house and Luke handed her out. “Should we see the inside?”
“Of course.” She placed her hand in his. “And then I think I’ll take a walk. I’d like to see the land and the water again. It’s been so long.”
He nodded. “I doubt there will be much to see inside. The house wasn’t lived in for a few years, so the staff is getting the place back in order. Still, it will be more comfortable than an inn.”
“It will be perfect.” She squeezed his arm. “I love it already. Thank you.” She’d love the place even more with her husband by her side. She couldn’t help but wonder, how long was it until she lived here alone?
* * *
Luke watched her walk out the door, a nervous pit settling in his stomach. He didn’t like being separated from her. The day she’d been in bed with laudanum had been hell.
He gave a short bark of laughter, he’d been deluding himself that he’d walk away. Ever since she’d waltzed into his life, insisting on studying him, he’d been wrapped in her web.
Hell, he didn’t even want to be parted from her while she took a bloody walk. He stomped toward the door, wishing he’d changed when she did. But he hadn’t planned on going with her. It was more a feeling. When they’d been talking in the carriage, she’d grown sad. He couldn’t explain why, but he was sure it was about their future and it was time to discuss the matter. Frankly, he couldn’t think of a better place than by the waves.
He’d likely have to beg. He wasn’t normally a groveling sort of man, but love did that to a man, he’d reckon.
Taking several long strides, he started down the path toward the beach. This property was just a narrow strip against hers. The previous owners had kept the house but sold most of the land years ago. It hadn’t suited Marksman’s needs, but it was perfect for him and Annie.
He reached the top of the bluffs and saw Annabelle picking her way toward the shore, her nimble legs carrying her easily over the rocks. For a moment, he just watched her and her fluid movements as she easily scaled the path.
Then he started after her. But he hadn’t made it a quarter way down the path when she reached the beach and headed straight toward the water. He kept going for ten more paces but then stopped again as she bent down and scooped something up into her hands, clearly inspecting whatever the object was.
That was when he noticed the wave. Larger than the others before or after it, it grew in size barreling toward the shore as Annie continued to stare into her own palm.
“Annie,” he yelled, cupping his hands about his mouth as fear raced down his spine. She looked up at him and he realized his mistake, she faced away from the wave.
Springing to action, he raced down the path just as the wall of water swallowed her whole. His heart jumped in his chest and he sped faster down the path. Just as he hit the beach, he saw her pop up and then sink back under again.
Without thought, he jumped into the water, ignoring the frigid temperature that near stole his breath, and swam toward her with strong strokes, praying that he’d make it in time.
He slowed for a moment to try and spot her when she popped back out of the water, almost directly in front of him.
“My dress. It’s dragging me down,” she gasped, nearly submerging but managing to keep her head just above water.
He reached for her and pulled her close. In one motion, he ripped the front of her dress and began tugging at the sleeves. The force of his motion pulled her under again and he thrust her back up, his own head dipping into the frigid water. “Annie,” he said hoarsely as he crested the top of the water again.
“I’m all right.” She reached for him. “And I’m a strong swimmer. Let’s kick.”
He reached an arm about her and they kicked together, pushing through the water. Another large wave came but they were past the break, so they rolled over the top, pushing toward the shore.
Her stomach pressed to his as they heaved themselves toward the shore. The moment his feet touched solid ground, he wrapped his other arm around her, kissing her cheeks, her nose, her forehead. Any part of her skin that he could reach even as he lifted her to drag her out of the water.
Finally making it to dry land, they collapsed onto the sand, his body pressing over her shivering cold form as he held her cheeks and kissed her lips. She kissed back, her lips cold to the touch. “Th-thank y-you,” she managed to stutter out between trembling lips.
He hauled her up again. “Let’s get you inside, out of this wet clothing.”
“I have a confession to make,” she said as he fitted her into his arms.
“A confession?” He started up the path again, his freezing limbs stiff with cold. Right now all that mattered was getting her warm and dry.
She nodded. “I had this crazy plan to swim out and pretend to need a rescue.”
Surprise pushed him back on his heels. His frowned as he stopped. “That was pretend?”
“No.” She fisted his wet shirt in one hand while the other snaked about his neck. “And it was an awful idea.” She pulled his face down so that their foreheads pressed together. “I just wanted
you to see that…” She paused, her face spasming.
“What?” he asked, his feet stopping halfway up the trail.
“I love you,” she said. “And I don’t want to be without you. And I wanted you to see that I need you here with me, not off in some other part of the country.”
His heart hammered in his chest. “I love you too. That’s why I have to go. It’s best for you that—”
“Is it best for me that I drown?” She tangled her fingers in his hair. “Is it best for me that I deal with the Marksmans of the world all on my own? I need you, Luke.”
He swallowed, emotion clogging his throat. “I need you too. But I also need to know that you’ll be safe.”
“I’m safest with you,” she whispered. “And honestly, my heart needs to know that you can love me. No one ever has before. Or if they did, they didn’t stay.”
Her confession, her vulnerability, made him stumble back before he started up the hill again. How had that not occurred to him? If he left, he was abandoning her in his own way. “I want what’s best for you, Annie.”
“Then let me make this decision. You’re best for me.” She kissed him then. Long and slow. “And I’m best for you. No man has ever been more patient or kind to me. Let me prove to you that you are capable of loving me. That you are different from your father.”
Bloody hell, Luke wanted that. The words sliced through him like a hot knife in butter. How had he not known that’s what he’d wanted all along? “What if you’re wrong?”
She gave him a wide smile. “I’m rarely wrong. I use observation to draw logical conclusions.”
They reached the top of the path and he began sprinting toward the house. “That is a most excellent point.”
She tucked her head in the crock of his neck. “You’re going to have to get these clothes off me.” Then she kissed him at the base of his throat. “And find a way to warm me very quickly.”
The Wicked Wallflowers Page 30
