Love's Folly
Page 16
He glanced up at the sky that was beginning to darken. “Whip up the horses,” he called to the driver. “I am anxious to reach the inn.”
As the carriage careened along the winding road, Emily tried to collect her senses. When they reached the inn, she would do what she could: throw herself upon the mercy of the landlord, or perhaps some of the guests. Surely someone would listen to her. But reason told her that the people at the inn would care little for her and surely Gilcrest had some convincing story already prepared —a runaway wife or some such thing.
His hand still held her wrist, and as the carriage jostled over the rough road, she considered rising and struggling with him. If they both fell from the carriage, perhaps his grip on her would loosen. She might be able to run off and hide in the darkness.
She sat quietly, gathering her strength, waiting for the right moment to take him unawares. But then, just as she was about to move, he yanked her violently toward him. “I am tired of waiting,” he said as his arms encircled her trembling body. “I shall have a kiss now.”
Emily fought with all her strength to prevent his lips from reaching hers. As she panted and struggled in his arms, she heard very vaguely the sound of pounding hooves. It put no hope in her heart. Anyone passing by would only believe that a lord and his inamorata were resolving a little difference of opinion.
Suddenly the carriage came to such an abrupt halt that Emily was thrown to the floor. Her first thought, when she regained her breath, was escape. Then she heard the sounds of struggle and a muttered oath.
Elation flooded her body! That voice! It had to ... It was—Dunstan!
She pulled herself up onto the seat of the carriage and saw that Dunstan and Gilcrest were fighting fist to fist, while off to one side stood Bersford, one hand gripping the collar of the driver.
Dear God! They had found her. Emily’s eyes filled with tears. How they had done it she could not begin to say, but she offered up a prayer of gratitude for her deliverance.
Then the terrible thought struck her. To be sure, Dunstan had saved her, but he would never know that she had not come willingly. Gilcrest was sure to stick to the story of the elopement. And how could she expect Dunstan to believe her? All the circumstances pointed to her willingness to go with Gilcrest. Her alleged headache, the receipt of the note, her precipitate exit—all this conspired to prove her guilty. And she no longer had the note—the only piece of evidence that Dunstan might believe. Somewhere in her mad rush to reach Sarah she had lost it Tears flowed down her cheeks. No matter what she said, he would not believe her.
Finally Dunstan delivered a powerful uppercut to Gilcrest’s chin that stretched the man lifeless on the ground. Turning, the viscount faced the carriage.
It was growing dusk, but there was more than sufficient light to show Emily the anger on his face. Grimly he reached up into the carriage and dragged her out. “Little fool! How many times did I tell you to be careful?” His chest rose and fell with the exertion of his battle.
Emily could not stop the tears that ran down her face. “It was not my fault,” she cried. “Truly it wasn’t.”
He shook her roughly. “Oh, no?” Then he glared at her. “I talked to you and talked to you. I thought you had a modicum of common sense. But no, you must behave like a ninny and go running off half-cocked over such a Banbury tale.”
Relief made Emily’s knees weak. “You know!” she stammered. “You know he tricked me!”
He nodded. “Thanks to Jeffers who picked up the note when you dropped it. And Sarah who arrived home some half an hour after your departure.”
Now that she was safe, Emily began to tremble violently. “How did you know what road to take?”
He smiled grimly. “This is the best road to Scotland. I thought Gilcrest wanted your inheritance, so it stood to reason he would try to force you into marriage. He went the direct route because he did not think his trick would be discovered so soon.”
Emily shuddered. “He’s—he’s a horrible man. I was so afraid.”
“You should have been,” agreed Dunstan curtly. “You should never have gotten into his carriage like that. That was sheer stupidity.”
Emily looked into the eyes so close to her own. “I know,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry.”
He stared at her in amazement “No more excuses, no more defenses?”
Emily shook her head. “No more, milord. I have behaved very badly and caused you a great deal of trouble.” For the first time she noticed the great bruise on his cheek and without thinking her fingers went out to touch it gently. “I am sorry. I think it best that I go back to Essex now.” She swallowed painfully. “You have your own life to live.”
“I cannot leave you exposed to the machinations of fortune hunters like him.” He indicated the fallen Gilcrest.
“I do not intend to marry,” Emily began, but Dunstan interrupted her.
“That solves no problem. As long as you are available, the men will be after your inheritance.”
Bersford chuckled. “I can see only one solution to this dilemma,” he observed ruefully. “If you wish to keep the young lady safe, you must marry her yourself.”
Emily gasped. “Bersford! You can’t mean it!”
Her eyes met Dunstan’s and she was surprised to see him smiling. “Capital idea, Bersford. The very answer to our problem.”
“You are mad—both of you,” cried a distraught Emily. “You, Bersford to propose marriage for such a reason.” She turned accusing eyes on Dunstan. “And you! Did you not just tell me that you are enamored of a young woman? What of her feelings in the matter?”
Dunstan grinned roguishly. “I am confident that if you agree to marry me, she will have no objections.”
Emily’s head was spinning. “But love, what of love?”
Dunstan’s eyes looked deep into hers and again they seemed to hold a question. “What of love, Emily? Could you love me?”
The color flooded her cheeks. “Milord! Your question is unseemly—and irrelevant. You love another lady. Why don’t you declare your love to her?”
“I am attempting to do so,” he replied dryly. “But she seems determined not to hear me.”
“I do not understand,” replied Emily.
Dunstan pulled her closer. “Let me tell you a little story. Last winter on a short leave I attended a ball given by Lady Cholmondoley.”
Emily’s heart raced in her breast.
“While there I looked across the room and caught the eye of a most beautiful young woman. I did not seek her out for several reasons. First, she was very young, and second, I had to return immediately to the front. But this spring, the war over, I hurried to London to discover the young lady and offer her my hand in marriage. Imagine my surprise—and chagrin—at seeing her stand beside the road quizzing me and at discovering that I was to be her guardian.”
“But I only stared so long because it was you,” cried Emily. “And I had dreamed of you all winter.”
“I could not press my intention without first giving other suitors a chance, especially when it appeared that you detested me. And you drove me near to distraction with your behavior with Alexander—and Gilcrest. But lately, when you turned down all offers, I began to have hope that my feelings for you were reciprocated.”
“Oh!” cried Emily, happily throwing herself into his arms. “They are! They are! I have loved you all these months. And how I have envied Harriette Wilson and that Castlemain.”
Dunstan stared at her in amazement. “Little Harry? Why, I haven’t been to her establishment for five or six years. And as for Barbara Castlemain, I told you the truth. Her brother was my dearest friend and at his death I felt responsible for her.”
Emily hung her head. “I am sorry for the things I said about her. You were right to reprimand me.”
“There was a certain degree of wisdom in your anger,” he said. “It would be rather foolish to have her in the house, considering her partiality for me. I have found her a place in a
good home where she will be safe from men like Gilcrest.”
“I am glad for that,” replied Emily.
For a long moment they stood, looking fondly into each other’s eyes.
“For heaven’s sake, man,” cried Bersford. “Kiss the girl and let’s get back to London. By this time Sarah will be in a terrible stew.”
With a smile Emily raised her face to the viscount and eagerly he complied. It had really happened, thought the shaken Emily, as he released her. He really did love her!
Leaving his driver to care for the now-moaning Gilcrest, Dunstan swung up into the saddle and helped Emily up behind him. “I trust it will not inconvenience you to ride this way,” he said cheerfully. “Since we shall call the banns at our first opportunity, I do not think it will harm your reputation. Do you agree?”
“Oh, yes, milord,” cried Emily, clasping him joyfully from behind. “Only let us hurry back to tell Sarah the wonderful, wonderful news.”
With that they rode off toward London and a future of love together.
Copyright © 1980 by Nina Pykare
Originally published by Dell (ISBN 0440149592)
Electronically published in 2008 by Belgrave House/Regency
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This is a work of fiction. All names in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to any person living or dead is coincidental.