“We set out as soon as your letter arrived, your lordship,” Linch replied. “You said the matter was urgent.”
“Indeed it is. Shut the door, if you please.” Ash slid his arm around Maura’s rigid shoulders. “My love, this is Mr. Horace Linch of Bow Street. Linch, this is my betrothed, Miss Collyer.”
Maura winced at his blatant falsehood, but kept silent when Ash got straight to business.
“As I said in my letter, until recently the stallion belonged to Miss Collyer before being sold to Viscount Deering. Two nights ago I took Emperor from his stall at Deering’s London residence as payment for a gaming debt.”
At his second lie, Maura turned to stare up at Ash. So that was his plan: Establishing her innocence by claiming he had been the one to steal the priceless horse from Deering’s stables—and contending that his disagreement with the viscount was merely a civil dispute between two peers.
Maura knew she had guessed correctly when he continued.
“You see, Mr. Linch, I wish to handle this matter privately with Deering while ensuring the stallion’s safety. As you can imagine, my betrothed is exceedingly worried for her beloved horse.” He smiled fondly down at Maura. “I have hired Bow Street to protect Emperor, my love, so you may calm your fears.”
When she remained mute with astonishment, he returned his attention to the agents. “I have sent for my coach and servants. When they arrive later today, you are to escort two of my grooms and the stallion to my estate in Kent and safeguard them, since Deering may take issue with how I chose to confiscate my property. You are well armed, as I requested?”
“Aye, my lord,” both Runners replied at once.
“Good. I don’t expect any serious trouble, but I want you to be prepared. Naturally you will be well paid for your efforts.”
“Thank you, my lord,” Linch said, apparently content with the financial arrangements.
“I trust I can count on your total discretion? I don’t want Deering to know where we have taken the stallion until I tell him myself.”
“Most certainly.”
“Excellent. Then you may wait for my servants downstairs, Mr. Linch. Our good landlord will provide you with dry clothing and a hot meal at my expense. As soon as you are safely off to Kent with the stallion, Miss Collyer and I plan to return to London in my carriage.”
As he ushered the Runners out the door and shut it behind them, Maura shook her head in bewildered awe. Even when Ash turned back to her, she remained speechless.
He stood there eyeing her warily, as if expecting her to explode at any moment.
“I cannot believe your gall,” she finally murmured. “You lied to them about stealing my horse and then bribed them to hold their tongues.”
At her calm tone, his guarded expression seemed to relax a measure. “So I did. But my tale was effective. You saw how they reacted to my confession of guilt … with complete indifference.”
“Oh, I understand your reasoning. They won’t be eager to inject themselves into the middle of a feud between two wealthy, spoiled noblemen.”
“Precisely.”
Maura gave Ash a reproachful look. “Why did you not tell me what you were planning?”
“Because I knew it would alarm you enough to send you haring out of here. I had no desire to continue our ill-advised trek to the wilds of Scotland, especially under such appalling conditions.”
“I could still take Emperor and ride for Scotland,” she warned, even though they both knew her threat was an empty one.
“You will not get far now that Bow Street knows where to find you.”
“You needn’t gloat, you devious wretch,” she muttered.
Ash allowed himself a small smile. “Why am I a wretch? I collect you should be thanking me.”
“Whyever should I thank you for deceiving me so completely?” Maura retorted.
“I had no choice. You wouldn’t wait for me to devise a rescue plan, or listen to reason, no matter how often I tried to persuade you to turn back. Consequently, I needed to come up with some means to force your hand.”
“You … you …” She broke off, devoid of appropriate words to express herself. She was profoundly relieved and grateful that he had actually come up with a good plan. It was the underhanded way he had gone about it that vexed her.
“Traitor?” he supplied helpfully as he ambled over to the table and rested a hip on the surface, as if preparing for a long argument with her.
He wasn’t even pretending remorse, Maura thought with renewed exasperation. “Traitor will suffice. You are utterly without shame. I thought Katharine’s scheming could rival Machiavelli, but you are far worse.”
“I should hope so. I am seven years her senior and a man to boot. Kate must contend with the limits of her gender.”
Noting how pleased Ash looked with himself, Maura crossed her arms defensively over her chest. “Some prince you turned out to be, betraying me this way. I never should have trusted you.”
“Yes, you should have, love. I have just solved your immediate problems, not only protecting your precious horse but saving you from prison or a miserable career as a fugitive.” His voice softened. “I was not about to allow you to be branded a felon and spend the rest of your life hiding from the law, Maura.”
His genuine concern mollified her to a large extent, yet she didn’t want to appear to capitulate too easily. Ash had too much annoying self-confidence as it was.
“But you just gave those officers of the law enough evidence to prosecute you,” Maura countered. “You could be branded a felon yourself.”
“That won’t happen. If my claim of a gaming debt is challenged, I can say I stole the stallion on a lark. We Wildes do such scandalous things all the time. At worst, the ton will engage in another round of tongue-wagging and head-shaking, and one more blot against my character will hardly matter.”
Maura shook her own head at his prediction. No doubt Ash’s rank would shield him from any legal punishment, since a nobleman could literally get away with murder unless convicted by a jury of his peers. “You are awfully sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
“I have faith this is the best way—and that you are wise enough to realize it.”
She hesitated. “Can you promise me that Emperor will be completely safe at Beauvoir?”
Ash gave a firm nod. “I’ll swear to it, Maura. Deering won’t dare trespass on my lands.”
After the trials her poor horse had been through the past fortnight, she was loath to let Emperor out of her sight. Yet she knew Ash’s trusted stablehands could be counted on to take the stallion safely to Kent, certainly if he was escorted by two armed Bow Street Runners.
“Very well, then.… Thank you.”
Apparently, though, Ash wasn’t finished. “We still have a serious problem. Deering will never believe that you had no hand in the theft, which leaves you vulnerable to his retaliation. Unless you have me by your side, that is.”
His statement puzzled her. “What do you mean?”
“My plan is simple. You return immediately to London as my betrothed, under my protection.”
Maura felt a strange flutter in her heart at Ash’s suggestion of a betrothal. “You are not actually proposing marriage, are you?” she asked warily.
His half smile was wry. “No, love. Neither of us is ready for that drastic a step. I am only proposing the pretense of a betrothal.”
“Even that seems rather drastic. I see no need for us to pretend an engagement.”
“There is every need. For one thing, a betrothal will help mitigate the gossip if it gets out that you shared my intimate company for the past two days. But more to the point, if we’re betrothed, I can keep you safe. Deering will have to deal with me directly, and he will think twice before taking me on, I assure you.”
“Perhaps, but you needn’t go to such lengths as a sham betrothal.”
“But I wish to, sweetheart. I can handle Deering far better than you can, by mere virtue of my rank a
nd fortune if nothing else. You know I am right.”
It was frustrating but true, Maura admitted reluctantly. Being affianced to the Marquis of Beaufort could indeed offer her significant protection.
She glanced down at the signet ring on her finger as she stood debating. The trouble was, a betrothal would expose her to another, more seductive danger. Namely, Ash himself.
When she remained silent, he pushed away from the table and began walking slowly toward her. “I realize you have difficulty swallowing your stubborn pride, vixen, but I am already up to my neck in your affairs. And you should know by now that I won’t give up. You might as well concede gracefully.”
That was also true, Maura acknowledged as he slid his arms around her waist and drew her close. He was determined to take on her battles for her, despite her objections.
“Your practiced charm will not sway me, Ash,” Maura declared, making one last effort to hold her own with him.
“No?” He gazed down at her, giving her the full effect of his lazy smile. A smile that sent a sweet, treacherous stab of longing straight through her body to her heart. “Shall we put it to the test? I calculate that we have at least two or three hours until my coach arrives. I have until then to convince you.”
Before she could reply, Ash lowered his head for an unhurried kiss, reminding her of the passion they had shared last evening.
He was using his ruthless charm to seduce her into accepting a betrothal, Maura knew. And he was completely succeeding. His mouth was hot and open on hers, compelling her response, and in only a heartbeat she felt herself melting.
She had to be stronger than this, Maura thought dazedly, even as he sent hot shivers through her body. With supreme effort, she pressed her hands against his chest and made him break off his bewitching kiss.
“We need to discuss this further,” she said breathlessly. “I cannot possibly think when you are rushing me this way.”
“Very well, but if we are to have a long conversation, we should make ourselves comfortable.”
Taking her elbow, Ash guided Maura to the bed and drew her down to sit beside him with their backs against the pillows. Then he slid his arms around her.
“I like holding you,” he explained when she started to argue. “Now, what do you wish to discuss?”
“To begin with, your notion of needing to protect me from Deering,” Maura said. “Surely I will be safe enough on my farm.”
“I am not taking that risk. And you won’t be returning to your farm just yet. You will travel with me to London today instead.”
Her puzzlement resumed. “Why must I travel to London at all? Especially when I should be home helping Gandy with the spring foals.”
“Two reasons,” Ash said. “First, to dispel any suspicions of your being a horse thief by showing yourself in public. If there are rumors connecting you to Emperor’s disappearance, you can refute them and laugh them off.”
His suggestion made sense, but dispelling rumors was not a high priority for Maura. “What is the second reason?”
“You will have to face Deering if you want to restore your father’s honor.”
She went very still. “I don’t understand.”
“You blame Deering for your father’s death, isn’t that so? He accused Noah Collyer of cheating and deliberately ruined his reputation.”
“Yes.”
“Well, I should think you would want to prove your father’s innocence.”
Maura felt her heart give a painful leap. Her most heartfelt desire—one she never would let herself consciously acknowledge—was to clear her father’s name and restore honor to his reputation.
“I would give anything to prove his innocence,” she said in a shaken voice. “It is my greatest wish. But I don’t believe there is any chance of it.”
“There is if I help you.”
Maura stared at him, her mind awhirl. “You are actually serious.”
“Utterly serious. This is your chance to change your father’s legacy, Maura.”
She was already weak with relief, knowing her stallion would be safe for now, but she hadn’t dared let herself hope for more.
“I never dreamed it could actually happen,” she murmured almost to herself.
“It is no dream. I intend to make Deering pay for what he did to your father.”
“But how?”
“One step at a time, love. Once I make clear to Deering that your horse is safely in my possession and that we are affianced, we can determine what comes next. In any event, our betrothal will provide the perfect excuse for me to confront Deering on your behalf. Don’t fret,” Ash added when he saw her frown. “Our engagement is only temporary. You can cry off as soon as we declare victory over him.”
Maura bit her lower lip in doubt, and yet … If there was even the remotest chance of erasing the black stain on her father’s reputation, she had to take it.
At her continued silence, Ash prodded her. “If you don’t return to London with me, you will be letting Deering win. You don’t want him to win, do you?”
“No, of course not.”
“Then you need my help.”
She did need him, Maura admitted. And in truth, it would be an enormous relief not to be alone in her fight against Deering any longer.
“Thank you,” she murmured gratefully, gazing up into Ash’s green eyes.
His expression softened. “You shouldn’t thank me just yet. You need only agree to a betrothal.”
“Then I agree.” She drew the signet ring off her finger. “But I had best return this. It is so loose I fear I will lose it.”
He took the ring and slid it onto his finger, then turned her face up to his. “Now give me a kiss to seal our bargain.”
Maura complied willingly—and instantly felt her senses start swimming again. When Ash’s caressing mouth moved to the side of her neck, trailing light kisses along her skin, she arched to give him better access and threaded her hands in his hair to draw him closer.
When he pressed her down among the pillows, however, she managed a half-hearted protest. “Ash … I have already agreed to your plan. I don’t need any more persuading.”
“I know.”
“Then what are you doing?”
“Kissing you. What better way to while away the time until my carriage arrives?”
Agreeing fully, Maura closed her eyes in surrender as he nibbled tenderly at her throat, until his next comment came:
“This could be our last chance for lovemaking for some time. Once we return to London, there may be little opportunity.”
Indeed, it might, Maura thought with regret. She wanted this time together with Ash. Perhaps too much.
Recalling her resolve to maintain her defenses, Maura found the strength to untangle herself from his embrace and sit up. “This is extremely unwise, lying in bed with you, kissing you.”
Ash followed suit, although more reluctantly. “Come now, sweetheart. You need some pleasure in your life. You’ve had so little of it recently.”
Brushing a disheveled tress back from her face, she raised an eyebrow at him. “Oh, so you are only thinking of me?”
“For the most part. Although easing my own ache is also a consideration.”
Seeing the wry glimmer of humor in his eyes, Maura laughed softly. After the stress and turmoil of the past weeks, it was good to be able to share a lighter moment with him.
“I think you are cruel to deny me,” Ash added in a plaintive, clearly teasing tone. “As your betrothed I ought to have some special privileges.”
“Oh, and what privileges might those be?”
“If I could, I would spend the rest of the day exploring your delectable body.”
Maura shook her head in reproach. “You are wicked.”
“What is so wicked about wanting to make love to you? If we were in Scotland, we would be legally wed by now, since we declared ourselves to be husband and wife before witnesses.”
“But we are not in Scotland, nor
are we wed. We are not even betrothed for real. And now that I consider it, just pulling off such a sham will be difficult. No one in your elite circle will believe you actually wish to marry me.”
“Why not?” Ash asked.
“I am a horsebreeder by profession. That disqualifies me to be your marchioness. And I am most definitely not cut out to be your fairy-tale princess.”
“Certainly you are.”
Maura disagreed. “No, my Lord Beaufort. You have long been a prize on the Marriage Mart and the bane of every matchmaker’s aspirations. No doubt the ton will be shocked to hear that you chose me for your bride.”
“It will be no more shocking than anything else I have done. For that matter, no one would be surprised if I eloped with you. My own parents eloped to Scotland many years ago, although there was a little matter of an abduction beforehand.” Ash chuckled. “The bride—my mother—was more than willing, but her papa didn’t approve of the union, so the groom had to force the issue.”
Maura’s eyes widened. “I knew about your parents’ elopement, but not that it was an abduction.”
“It’s true. But my parents were actually fairly tame compared to some of my aunts and uncles. Jack’s mother—my Aunt Clara—caused a great scandal in her time, falling in love with a foreign prince and bearing a child out of wedlock, then living abroad alone. And Quinn and Skye’s parents caused their own scandal. Angelique was a French noblewoman engaged to wed a wealthy count when my Uncle Lionel stole her affections and married her himself. And then there was the Wilde ancestor who had to decamp for America because he killed a rival in a duel. It started a bitter feud between our families that continues to this day.” He smiled a bit. “See, I told you our current generation of Wildes have a legacy to uphold. Our love lives are varied and interesting, to say the least.”
“Apparently so,” Maura observed wryly.
Ash went on as if she hadn’t interrupted. “You may trust me when I say that pretending a betrothal will merely add to the exciting annals of our family history.”
Maura hesitated again, wanting to give him one last opportunity to change his mind. “Beaufort …”
“I asked you to call me Ash.”
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