The Duke's Alliance Book Two: A Dangerous Husband

by Fenella J Miller

  Her eyes opened. 'I'm so cold. I thought I was going to drown and then you hit me.'

  'I did, it was the only way I could get us both out safely. We can't walk about to keep warm but we must devise some other way if we wish to survive…'

  Her fingers clutched at his shirt front. 'It's your grandmother – she's the one who's been trying to murder us.'

  'Your wits are addled, my love, I fear the blow has confused you.'

  'No, you don't understand. She invited me into her bedroom this morning but insisted I climbed in the window. I was half in when I was smothered by a blanket and the next thing I knew I woke up at the bottom of the tower.'

  Everything that had happened now made sense. 'It was her men who made the gargoyles fall. As they weren't strangers, of course nobody reported them. I was always puzzled why she travelled with six outriders.'

  ‘Remember that one of them disappeared and then was replaced by somebody new – that must have been because you shot the other one.'

  Her excitement at this discovery was exactly what she needed to restore her. Her cheeks were less pallid and her fingers a little warmer. 'The woman must be insane to think she could get away with it.'

  Whilst he was talking he continued to rub his hands up and down her arms which was also of benefit to him. 'Why aren't you attracting attention? Someone must have missed us by now.'

  He explained to her his reasons and she shrank back into his arms looking nervously over her shoulder. 'How will your men know to look here?' She shivered violently. 'What if your uncle and cousin are also part of this? They could have everyone murdered.'

  'I'm sure they're not involved. I can only surmise my grandmother so hated my father she didn't want his son to inherit.'

  'I think that Mr Carshalton is more biddable and she wished to remain in command.'

  He smoothed back a wet lock of hair from her forehead and kissed her tenderly. 'We just have to remain out of sight until we're rescued. You’ve been missing for hours and I already had my men searching. I'm sure it won't be long before they find us.'

  The sun would be setting soon and it would become much colder. He had to keep her warm and active until someone arrived. He could think of only one way and he wasn't sure making love in the open air when they could be discovered at any moment was a sensible solution.

  *

  Madeline saw his eyes darken and the telltale flush appear along his cheekbones. An unexpected bubble of laughter escaped. 'Dearest Grey, much as I love you, I draw the line at being intimate with you out here.'

  His smile was wicked. He wasn't to be put off. 'We need to keep warm, darling, and I can think of only one way to do this if we're required to remain on the ground.'

  His arms tightened and he pulled her closer. His head blotted out the light and for a few delicious minutes she almost succumbed. Then she pushed on his chest and immediately he relaxed his grip. Her heart was pounding and she was certainly much warmer.

  'Well, that certainly worked. Don't look so shocked, my sweet, I wasn't going to take things to their natural conclusion.' He settled her more comfortably and resumed his rubbing.

  'What will happen to Lady Carshalton?'

  'She will be incarcerated in an asylum for the insane – we can hardly hang her as she deserves. Although her minions will meet their maker at the end of a rope.'

  'I can't understand why your grandparents hated your parents so much. It's not as though your mother was somebody beyond the pale – a vicar's daughter is perfectly acceptable.'

  'My father never talked about his family and my uncle could shed no light on the matter either. Perhaps she'll explain her motives before she's taken away.'

  He continued to massage her limbs and she wriggled, kicked and waved on command. His intention was to keep them both alive, but as time passed she was finding it increasingly difficult to stay awake and she knew if someone didn't come soon this might be her last hour on this earth.

  'I just want to say that if we are to perish then I'm glad I'm here with the man I love. I don't regret anything…'

  His snort of laughter jerked her awake. 'God's teeth, Madeline, we're not in one of your romances. I've no intention of kicking the bucket today and I'm damned sure I won't let you either.' He surged to his feet and dragged her up beside him. 'It's dark enough now to walk around safely without being seen. Come along – quick march.' He turned her and gave her a sharp slap on her posterior which had the desired effect.

  She shot forward clutching her rear end. 'Don't you dare do that again, sir, or I shall inform my brothers you're a wife beater.'

  His arm snaked around her waist and she was lifted from her feet. 'You’re my property – I shall do what I want with you.' Before she could protest he crushed her to his chest. His kisses were hard, demanding, and she was able to put aside her fears for a few moments.

  Abruptly he set her down. 'I can hear something. Listen.'

  She stilled and sure enough there was the sound of voices approaching. Was it a rescue party or the villains come to finish the job?

  Grey shouted. 'Smith, we're over here man. We can't get across the moat; someone will need to work the sluice gate and drain it.'

  Less than a quarter of an hour later she was enveloped in a warm blanket and being carried through the grounds and back to the house. Grey barked questions at his men and from the answers she gathered that Beau and her brothers were here – and that they had taken care of Lady Carshalton.

  The house was ablaze with candlelight and she was vaguely aware of a circle of worried faces staring down at her. There was a hurried conversation before she was taken upstairs to her new apartment. She'd expected her maid to be waiting for her, but the rooms were empty.

  'There's a hot bath waiting for you, all of the fires are lit, and a supper tray will be sent up in half an hour.' He stood her by the tub and without a by your leave stripped off her ruined garments and lifted her into the lemon-scented water. Tenderly he soaped her limbs until she was quite recovered.

  'You are as wet as I was, my love, you mustn't remain in those garments a moment longer.'

  His smile made her sit up so abruptly the water sloshed over the edge. 'I've no intention of remaining clothed, my darling. What I have in mind requires me to be as naked as you.'

  Her eyes widened as his shirt, breeches and stockings were tossed aside. His intentions were obvious. 'There's no room for two in this bath.'

  His answer was to reach in and lift her out. He wrapped her in a warm bath sheet and carried her through to the bedroom. 'Dry yourself, sweetheart, whilst I remove the filth from my body. I'll not be more than a minute or two.'

  With trembling hands she used the towel and somehow managed to pull on her négligée. Someone was in the sitting room and she pushed open the door to investigate.

  'Madeline, little one, thank God you're fully restored. I'll not stay long.' Beau opened his arms and she ran in to receive his embrace.

  There were sounds from next door – her husband was about to appear. 'I'm so glad you and the twins are here but can we talk tomorrow?'

  'Of course, I'll leave you to your supper.' He strolled out and for the first time in her life she was glad to see him go. From now on the only gentleman she wished to be alone with was her husband.

  THE END

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