“Do you hear me, Princess? I love you. I’m never leaving you. Ever. I love you too much. Damn, it feels so good to say that. I’m going to say it over and over until you realize you’re stuck with me for a lifetime.”
“A lifetime?”
He nodded. “A lifetime.”
Her lips quivered into a smile. “I like the sound of that.”
“Me too.” He slid his hand around her neck and drew her closer, bringing her forehead to his. “I love you, did you know that?”
“I think so,” she murmured with a smile. “Did you know I love you?”
“It’s about damned time.”
“What do you mean?” She went to draw back but he kept her in place with his hand to the back of her neck while he brought up his other hand to push it under her hair.
“I have said I love you at least a half-dozen times now. It makes a pleasant change to hear the words from your lips,” he teased.
“Well, it is true. I love you, Drake.” She dropped a gentle kiss on his lips.
“If you love me, you’ll kiss me better than that.”
“You are not well,” she protested.
“Julianna, I have fought in battles and gone through a lot worse than a mere gunshot and a few broken ribs. I am certainly well enough for kisses.”
She sighed and shook her head but brought her mouth down upon his regardless, slanting her lips across his. Drake savored the warmth and the little taste of sweetness on her mouth that suggested she had been eating honey prior to him waking.
Before she could draw back, he pulled her harder against him, urging her mouth open with his and swiping his tongue into the velvety warmth. She made a tiny gasp then gave herself up to it. He kissed her long and deep until his body ached with need and he was forced to relinquish her. As much as he wanted to make love to her, even he had to concede he was not quite ready.
Besides, there were other matters to be dealt with.
He released her and eyed the plump pinkness of her lips. Perhaps kissing her and leaving her in such a state was not the best idea before confronting Knight, but a man had to remind himself what he’d fought for now and then.
He lifted the sheet and found himself confronted by his bare legs. The journey back to the inn was hazy and a little pain-riddled but he recalled Julianna stripping him down and tending to his wounds now. With the help of Louisa and the physician from the village, Julianna had nursed him almost back to health. Thankfully the bullet had exited out of his side and embedded itself elsewhere or he would have been in trouble. As it was, he’d probably have a small scar to remind himself of the time he nearly lost Julianna. Or perhaps more appropriately, the time he realized he could never live without her.
“I do not suppose my breeches are around somewhere?”
She glanced at a pile of clothing on top of the wooden chest in the corner. “You’re not getting up.”
“I am.” He pushed himself farther up the bed and shoved back the sheets. “I’ll walk around half-naked if I have to so you’d better hand me my breeches.”
She scowled at him. “Why do you even need to get up? I can bring you anything you need.”
“Because I need to speak to your brother, and this will not wait.”
He eased one foot onto the cool wooden floor, then the other, somehow managing to remain expressionless when a twang of pain inched through his side. If Julianna noticed quite how much pain he was still in, she’d never let him leave the room.
“I can have him come here,” she suggested, stepping forward to steady him. “He’s downstairs.”
“It’s humiliating enough having to ask Knight for your hand, let alone having to do it from my bed bare-legged.”
She stilled. “For my hand?”
“I love you, Princess. Did you think I would want anything else?”
“Well, no...” She smiled. “I was hoping to ask for Knight’s approval the morning I was well...taken. To save you having to face him. But you are only just recovered. Perhaps we should wait...”
“I’d rather get it over and done with. If Knight wants to beat me senseless, why not now? A few more injuries will not make much difference.”
Julianna bit down on her lip. “I’m sure he will not want to harm you.”
Uncertainty edged her voice. Drake didn’t care if Knight wanted to punish him for loving Julianna. He could well understand why a man would not want his sister marrying a man like him, but no one could love her better than him, he was certain of that.
“I’ll do whatever I have to to win your hand,” he told her. “I’d take a hundred beatings for you.”
“Don’t say such things.”
“Well, it’s true.”
She gave a little shudder. “I’d rather not think of beatings, thank you very much. I think we’ve seen enough violence recently.”
They had. He had. Now he wanted love and his damned beautiful Julianna. And that was not going to happen until he asked Knight for her hand.
“Come on, woman, pass me my breeches. My legs are getting cold.”
Reluctantly, she moved away and helped him into his clothes. He put a hand to the bed while slipping on his boots and pushed a hand through his hair.
“Do I look respectable enough?”
Eyeing him, she gave a half-smile. “Just about.”
He caught his reflection in the mirror resting against the wall and grimaced. His shirt was askew and creased. His breeches were no better. His hair stood at all angles and his stubble had turned into the beginnings of a beard. Dark circles ringed his eyes, emphasizing the redness of them.
Well, it wasn’t going to get any better. With the help of Julianna, he made his way downstairs to the taproom.
Voices quieted, and movement stilled when he entered the room. No doubt the story of Julianna’s kidnapping had been told over and over since their return, likely becoming more embellished by the moment.
Knight occupied their usual table alongside Nate and Red. Nate spotted him first, standing and coming over to his side. He slapped a hand on his shoulder.
“Good to see you standing, Drake. Though”—Nate ran his gaze over him—“you’ve looked better.”
“I could say the same for you.”
Nate chuckled. “Believe it or not, we were worried about you. We’ve been taking shifts at your bedside. You kept muttering something about...naked...and a beautiful woman.” Nate gave him a knowing look.
When Drake glanced at Julianna, he saw a blush appear on her cheeks. Drake straightened and eased his arm from around her shoulders. “I have no idea what you are talking about. Now if you will excuse me, I need a word with Knight.”
He hobbled over to the table. Knight ignored him while Red offered to get him a drink.
Drake thanked him. “A whiskey would do nicely.”
“Glad to see you alive and well, Drake. We’d be lost without you,” Red said before heading toward the bar.
Julianna lingered behind Drake while Knight continued to ignore him, staring into his ale. Drake gave a cough and Knight finally glanced up at him. “What do you want?”
“I think you know what.”
Knight gave a grunt and stood slowly, bringing himself to full height and puffing out his chest. Drake lifted his chin and stared the brute of a man down.
“Am I supposed to be glad that a man like you wants my sister?”
“All you need to know, Knight, is that I love her. More than life itself. If I had to die for her, I would. So long as there’s breath in my body, I will protect her, I will make sure she never wants for a thing. I swear it.”
Knight eyed him for several heart-stopping moments before his expression relaxed. It wasn’t a smile, but it was quite unlike anything Drake had ever seen before. His lips curved just the tiniest bit.
“I’d wanted a duke for her, but you’ll have to do I suppose. You have my blessing.” Knight dropped back onto his chair and went back to nursing his ale. “I bloody knew Drake loved her,” h
e muttered to Red who had returned with a fresh round of drinks. “Why do I always have to be right?”
Drake ignored the men and turned to face Julianna. She beamed at him and hurried forward, flinging her arms around him.
“Oof.”
“Forgive me.” She tried to draw back but he latched his arms around her and held her close.
“You are not going anywhere, Princess. Never again. You’ll stay by my side always.”
“Always,” she promised.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“He cried like a baby,” Red told Drake with a grin.
“I always knew John was not as tough as he liked to pretend.” Drake leaned back in the chair and let the warmth from the fire ease into his aching bones. His side still twinged every now and then, but it was healing. He just needed to regain his strength, and quickly. With the wedding tomorrow, he would be expected to...uh...perform.
And he’d be damned if he was leaving Julianna unsatisfied on their wedding night. Not after far too long waiting for the banns to be read. And far, far too long being unable to take her to bed.
“He probably won’t hang,” Red warned. “He’s already tried to bribe his way out of prison.”
Drake lifted a shoulder. His need for blood had waned. Julianna was safe and well and that was all that mattered at this point. “I think we already knew he would.”
“Of course, our wealth combined is far greater,” Nate pointed out. “We could make his life miserable if we wanted to.”
Drake shook his head. “I should imagine life in prison is miserable enough.”
Red took a sip of ale and eyed Drake. “You are a better man than I. If someone tried to kidnap Hannah, I’d have killed him easily.”
“I nearly did,” pointed out Drake. “But I’ve seen enough blood to last several lifetimes. I’m certain he’ll suffer enough in prison.” Not to mention he was grateful Julianna had not seen him beat a man to death.
Knight gave a grunt. “Shame my father won’t see the inside of a prison cell.”
“He claimed he had no idea what John intended to do,” Red pointed out.
Knight gave Red a dour look. “My father is not stupid.”
Nate leaned back in his chair and grinned. “You know, you kept being the heir to a title rather secret. Should we address you as ‘my lord?’”
“I will inherit nothing but the name. It means nothing.” Knight shot a warning look at Nate. “Nothing.”
Nate held up his hands. “I heard you. Nothing.”
Julianna had explained that their father had run the estate into debt and was living off borrowed money. The money had been the source of Knight’s argument with his father though Julianna still did not know the full extent of what had happened between them, save that Knight had left one day after her father had declared he had disowned his son. Drake knew better than to push Knight for answers, but he could not help but be curious. If anyone was less like a viscount, it was Knight.
“What of the vicar?” Drake asked. “You had plans for him, did you not, Red?”
“Indeed.” Red’s lips quirked. “He has gone to spread the word of God in a hot, unforgiving country.”
Drake chuckled.
“And John’s man shall see the inside of a prison too. Likely on the wrecks. All in all, we did a fine job of serving justice for a group of smugglers,” Red continued.
“You may wish to talk a little quieter.” Louisa leaned over their table to clear the empty mugs. “There is a rumor there have been customs men frequenting the local inns in disguise.” She put the mugs on her tray and eyed Drake. “You’re looking well. All ready for the wedding?”
“Never better.” He peered around the busy taproom. “Did you give Julianna the night off?”
“Do you think me that cruel a mistress? She is under strict orders to rest and stay away from you. Cannot have her seeing you before the big day. Of course, I imagine she’ll need her rest.” Louisa gave him a wink.
“I expect to see you in your finest gown tomorrow.” Drake caught Knight’s expression darkening as he grinned flirtatiously at the innkeeper. “Though you always look beautiful no matter what you wear.”
Louisa rolled her eyes and didn’t seem to notice Knight’s hand curling tight around his mug of ale. “Save your flirting for your wife, Drake.” She spun on her heel and headed back toward the kitchen.
Nate caught Drake’s eye and swung a look at Knight with a knowing grin. “As of tomorrow, you shall be the last unmarried one, Knight.”
“And that’s the way it shall stay,” Knight grunted.
“Are you certain?” Nate made a show of studying the room. “There are many pretty women to be found here. I’m sure one of them would make a good wife.”
“Well, I would make a terrible husband.”
Drake tutted. “Nonsense. There must be at least one woman around here who would have you. Louisa perhaps? She’s attractive. Great b—”
Knight stood swiftly and grabbed him by his collar. Drake held up his hands as the man glowered down at him, his breaths hot on his face.
“Need I remind you, you are marrying my sister tomorrow. How do you think she would feel if she heard you talking of Louisa’s...breasts?” He whispered the last part.
“Beer. I was going to say beer!”
Knight loosened his grip and eased back into his chair, but not before shooting a stony glare Drake’s way. Drake straightened his cravat. “All I meant was that you’d have an endless supply of great beer. My days of looking at other women are over, I swear.”
“Plus, Julianna would have his head if he did,” added Red.
Drake lifted his mug of ale. “I can drink to that. Farewell and good riddance to my days as a bachelor.”
The other men lifted their ales in response and took a long drink.
“You are not going to make her live on your ship forever are you?” asked Knight, his brow furrowed.
“Of course not. She is a lady after all. But I’ve yet to find an appropriate house. This village is too damned small, and I can hardly put her up in a fisherman’s cottage.”
“You should come and live with us at Whitechapel,” Red suggested. “Hannah would welcome the company.”
Drake chuckled at the idea of living in a stately home. He might have once had a decent estate, but it had been a long time since he’d lived anywhere luxurious. Perhaps once he was older, he would buy back his land and home, but for now, he was content in Penshallow and he knew Julianna would not want to leave.
Drake shook his head. “I think we shall just have to hunt a little harder. Julianna wishes to be near the inn.”
“You should make her quit,” Knight grumbled. “No sister of mine should be working in an inn.”
“Careful, I think Louisa heard you.” Nate nudged Knight’s arm.
Knight snapped his gaze around, but Louisa was nowhere to be seen. All of them chuckled apart from Knight whose glower deepened.
“Have you met your sister lately?” Drake asked. “I do not think I could make her do anything she did not wish to do, and nor do I intend to. Julianna has a mind of her own and that’s the way I like it.”
Nate nodded. “I have one of those. It’s much easier just to smile and go along with it. Patience is insisting she wants to help out with our next mission.”
Red nodded. “Hannah is the same.” He paused and frowned. “Not quite sure how we ended up with such damned stubborn wives. Though she will not be going on any missions anytime soon or doing any more travelling to London for a while. For once, I’m going to have to put my foot down.”
“Ha, I’d like to see that.”
Red shot a look at his brother. “Hannah might actually agree for a change. You see...she’s expecting.”
Knight scowled. “Expecting what?”
Drake shook his head. “A baby of course. Congratulations, Red. You’ll make a damned good father.”
“Of course, I shall have to think carefully about my role
in future missions now I’m going to be a father.” A grin spread across Red’s face, the sort that Drake rarely saw from Red. “I’m going to be a father,” he murmured, a look of wonder coming across his face. “It’s hard to believe.”
Nate leaned back in his chair and grinned. “Who’d have thought two years ago that any of us would be married or having children? Things have changed. And for the better, I like to think.”
“I haven’t changed. And I have no intention of changing.” Knight motioned to one of the barmaids for another drink.
Drake snorted. “We’ll see.”
Knight glared at him. “Trust me, Drake. I have little intention of changing. I like my life just as it is.”
Drake could not help notice Knight’s gaze latching onto something. Or more likely someone. Peering over his shoulder, Drake spotted the object of Knight’s attention. He shared a look with Nate. If Knight kept mooning after Louisa, things might change once more, sooner than any of them anticipated.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Drake moaned. Julianna rolled and eyed him. But a few minutes ago, she had been wrapped in a lovely dream that involved Drake moaning—but in a very different way. Her body still ached from the memories of that all too real dream.
Dawn cast its gray ribbons of light into the cabin, illuminating the creases etched into Drake’s forehead. Despite the scowl on his face, her mouth dried at the sight of her husband. Sinew and muscle stretched out before her. The sheet and blankets barely covered him, lying lazily over one leg. She traced the lines of his stomach with her gaze, pausing at the track of hair that led down...and down...
Julianna smiled to herself. Perhaps he was not having a bad dream after all.
Curling up closer to him, she ran a hand down his arm and linked her fingers with his. The crease between his brows eased, and he murmured her name. She closed the gap between them and kissed his forehead and then his nose. He stretched, the sheet slipping to reveal the scar from the pistol shot. It had been many months since Drake had been shot but it still made her heart freeze when she considered what might have happened had the pistol shot hit true.
Waiting for a Rogue Like You Page 15