Weddings of the Century: A Pair of Wedding Novellas(17)

The innkeeper bustled off, and within five minutes Sir William emerged from a private breakfast room. "Searchers have been scouring the countryside without result," he said brusquely, "yet you claim to know where my daughter is?"

"Won't swear to it, but yesterday afternoon I caught a glimpse of a shaggy, naked brute riding with a lady in front of him." Wussell pondered. "She had red hair. Right pretty she was."

"A pity you didn't come forward yesterday, when there was still time to save her virtue!" the baronet snarled. "Heaven only knows what that savage might have done with her last night. She might be lying dead even as we speak."

Wussell shrugged. "Didn't know he was a savage. Thought he was just a member of the gentry being odd. There's no accounting for the gentry. Wasn't till this morning that the milkmaid told me about your daughter being abducted. Came as soon as I could."

"We must collect a party and rescue her," Sir William said. "Where is she being held?" Correctly interpreting Wussell's vague expression, the baronet dug into his pocket and produced his purse. "Will five pounds help your memory?"

"Reckon it would." Wussell accepted the money. "They were riding down the lane that leads to Orchard Cottage. This morning after I heard, I went to take a look. It's supposed to be empty, but there was smoke coming from the chimney, so I came here."

Sir William bellowed, "Innkeeper, find me some men! And make sure they're armed!"



*

To go to bed with passion and wake up with laughter was even better than Roxanne had imagined. Dominick's head was pillowed on her shoulder and his arm draped over her waist. His face relaxed and peaceful, he was a bonny sight. It awed her to think that, God willing, they would be waking up like this for many years to come.

When she stretched lazily, trying not to disturb him, his eyes opened. There was wariness in the depths, as if he feared that she regretted what she had done.

Wanting to eliminate that doubt, she said teasingly, "I had no idea that it was so delightful to be ruined."

His tension disappeared and he gave her a smile that took her breath away, his gray eyes lucent with joy. "You're not ruined. You're better than ever. And so am I." His arm tightened around her. "I have trouble believing this is real, not just another dream. That finally we're together as we were always meant to be."

"In a dream, one isn't hungry, so this must be reality," she said pragmatically.

He laughed. "We'll have the rest of the eggs for breakfast. Then it's off to London for that special license. "

She made a face. "My father must be half out of his mind with worry. I really can't leave without telling him."

Dominick sighed. "I suppose you're right, but there will be hell to pay when he recognizes me."

She gave him a light kiss. "I don't expect that Papa will be best pleased, but he has no power to forbid me from marrying where I choose."

He kissed her back, not at all lightly. One thing led to another, and half an hour passed most enjoyably. Making love in the daylight had a special kind of intimacy. As he held her gaze with his, she breathlessly decided that she could grow very fond of it.

As they sprawled together in a tangle of damp, naked limbs, a shotgun blasted outside the cottage and a deep voice bellowed, "We know you're in there, Chand-a-la! Send Miss Mayfield out right now. If she's hurt, you're a dead man!"

Roxanne squeaked and sat bolt upright while Dominick rolled from the bed and grabbed for his scattered clothing. "Bloody hell, now we're in for it! I'm sorry, love, I didn't mean to pitch you into the middle of a scandal. We'll have to take that tropical honeymoon until the gossip dies down."

She dived from the bed and began yanking on her own garments, her heart pounding in panic. As soon as they saw her, every man out there was going to know exactly what she had been doing! Not that she was ashamed of her actions, but she would rather that all Devonshire didn't know.

Shotgun pellets rattled against the cottage wall, shattering a window. "Damnation!" Dominick swiftly pulled Roxanne to one side. "You'd better tell them you're all right, but don't stand in front of the window to do it."

Frantically she yelled, "Don't worry, I'm fine. I'll be out in a moment."

A familiar voice bellowed, "Is that really you, Roxanne?"

"My father!" she said with horror. Raising her voice, she replied, "Yes, Papa, it's really me."

Wordlessly Dominick fastened the back of her gown. His touch helped soothe her fear. She gave an unhappy thought to her hair, but if she delayed to fix it, the men outside might come in after her, and that could be disastrous.

She headed toward the front door. Before she could open it, Dominick took her hand. "We'll go out together."

She tried to disengage his clasp. "They might shoot you."

"They're looking for the Wild Man, not an English gentleman, so I'll be safe enough," he said reasonably. "Besides, I don't want to let you out of my sight ever again." He accompanied his words with a quick kiss.

Certainly he looked every inch a gentleman, not a savage. She was foolish to be so concerned. Yet she could not escape the fear that her newfound happiness was about to be shattered forever. Raising her chin, she led the way outside.