A Rogue's Surrender: Regency Novellas

by Lauren Smith

  Marcliff nodded slowly but she could see his slow, creaky wheels turning in his alcohol-addled brain.

  “He’s a bit dull, you see,” she whispered to Marcliff, loudly enough for Gabriel to hear. “Which is why I need your help.”

  Marcliff sat up straighter. “Of course, miss. Anything you need.”

  She looked down at her hands then up from beneath her lashes. “What do you know about Vancleef’s situation?”

  “His…situation?” Marcliff repeated.

  She nodded. “I recall Daniel mentioning that, unlike his father, Vancleef was a friend to the workers here in the north. That he’s even invested in some of the textile warehouses in the area.”

  He nodded. “That’s right. He’s a right fella, if you ask me. A friend to the working man, not like his crook of a father.”

  She made a sound of agreement. “Do you suppose you could tell me the locations of the companies he’s invested in?”

  He frowned and for a moment she feared he wouldn’t comply. Or worse, would start asking questions. But then he shrugged. “Sure. I can do that.”

  Chapter Nine

  He watched the drunken fool rattle off a list of places as Lydia hurriedly made notes with the pencil and paper she’d tucked into a pocket.

  He was impressed. She’d played that man like a fiddle, using his misconceptions about her to her advantage. To think that anyone in his right mind would suggest that she needed to be taken care of. As if this man or Rothmore or his smarmy son could hold a candle to her intellect.

  He pitied the man who underestimated her physical prowess. Aside from fencing, he’d seen her train with daggers and in hand-to-hand combat. The woman might be slight but she was wily. She could weave, duck, and strike before most men could finish blinking. And she knew how to play on a weakness, emotionally but also physically.

  Daniel and Madeline had done their jobs well. This was a woman who needed no one. She could stand on her own two feet.

  So then why had he come rushing to her rescue?

  Because she shouldn’t have to do it on her own. No one should, but least of all her. Besides, everyone needed help at some time, didn’t she? Look at Daniel and Madeline. Wherever they were, they were clearly in need of help, and one day the same might be said for Lydia.

  Panic, pure and simple, made his chest tighten and his hands clench on the back of her chair.

  What if he hadn’t arrived when he had the day before? What if she’d been forced to bed that lecherous cretin he’d met this morning? She could have fought him off if she’d had to but if she’d been forced into intimacies to keep her cover, she would have done what needed to be done. She would do anything for the people she loved.

  It was what made Lydia who she was. And it was also why she still needed him, whether she knew it or not. Someone needed to be there, willing to do anything for her.

  Besides, she might be willing to do anything, but there was no way in hell Daniel and Madeline would want that. He’d never forgotten his promise to Daniel and while he no longer needed to play the role of guardian, she still needed him.

  Though it would be a cold day in hell before she’d admit as much.

  Lydia was almost finished, her attention solely focused on the piece of paper in her hand as she finished writing the last address, when Gabriel’s attention was caught by the front door opening and two men walking in.

  He recognized Vancleef instantly but luckily the other man was greeting friends near the front of the pub and hadn’t spotted them. Gabriel moved forward so his back was to the door and his body stood between Lydia and the rest of the room, effectively blocking her from view. She glanced up with a questioning look and he jerked his head toward the front. He saw her peer around him, her eyes going wide before she returned to normal. Turning to Marcliff she gave him a rueful smile. “I don’t want Vancleef to know I was asking about him. If he asks…”

  “You were never here,” Marcliff finished with a besotted smile.

  She stood, being careful to stay hidden behind him. “Come, Gabriel, let’s go.” She headed toward a door in the back, but the path was blocked by a rowdy group of men who would no doubt grow rowdier at the sight of Lydia.

  He had to give her credit for attempting to blend in, but the woman was too beautiful for her own good. In her attempt to downplay her looks, she’d merely managed to highlight her natural beauty.

  Or at least, that’s what he’d thought. He couldn’t be the only one who noticed the way her hair draped over the swell of her breasts. Or the way her fresh-scrubbed skin seemed to glow with an ethereal luminescence.

  Oh hell, they were seconds away from being discovered and he was daydreaming about her ethereal glow. What the hell had gotten into him?

  She turned back to him, apparently coming to the same conclusion. “We’ll just have to slip past him,” she said softly. She pulled up her hood and looked down at the dowdy cloak. “He won’t recognize me like this.”

  She might have been right, but just then Vancleef caught sight of Marcliff and they heard him call out, “What are you doing here?” His voice grew closer as he spoke.

  He was headed straight toward them.

  Gabriel acted on instinct—and instinct required that he keep Lydia safe from harm at all costs. Even at the expense of his sanity.

  He pushed her back into the corner and pulled her up against his chest as though he was just another patron looking for some paid pleasure from one of the tavern’s wenches.

  Lydia froze against him, her spine rigid beneath his hands as he held her to him. He stared down at the top of her head, trying not to notice her sweet, floral scent or the way her body fitted against his—soft flesh pressing against hard muscles in all the right places.

  He bit back a groan. He needed to stop thinking about her body or how hard his was pressed against her. He was supposed to be focusing on keeping her safe and them both hidden.

  But he could hear Vancleef talking to Marcliff and his friends who had joined them once he and Lydia left. The chatter was benign and no one seemed to be suspicious of the couple embracing in the corner.

  Which meant they were stuck there until the chit chat ended. She shifted against him and he held his breath. He could think of worse places to be. It was sweet torture, having her in his arms but not kissing her.

  He braced himself against the onslaught of desire. Yes, he was tempted, but he could be strong. This was Lydia, for God’s sakes. She was his to protect, not to devour. And that was exactly what he craved—he wanted to feast on her. Taste her—her lips, her skin. He wanted to feel every part of her and let himself be consumed by the raging inferno she ignited whenever she was near.

  She tipped her head back to look up at him and he was lost. He was only dimly aware of the men talking nearby. Instead, his attention focused on her lips, on the way they parted for air. On the way her eyes met his, steady and intense. On the short distance that separated them. Not much at all. Just a few inches and he could claim those soft, pink links.

  He felt her breasts brush against his chest as she sucked in air. That was when he knew—she felt it too. There was no way she could deny it.

  That knowledge was heady and nearly knocked him off guard. It was only with the strongest sense of willpower that he kept himself alert and ready to move lest Vancleef discover them.

  If they were caught together in public like this there was no way they could avoid marrying one another.

  And would that be so bad?

  The voice taunting him sounded suspiciously like Lydia’s. And the answer came to him clearly. Marriage to Lydia would be a dream come true…but only if she wanted a real marriage.

  Oh holy hell. Where had that thought come from? He didn’t want marriage with anyone, least of all Lydia Ashford. She was Daniel’s little sister, for God’s sake. And she didn’t think of him that way, she’d made that clear when she’d asked for a marriage in name only.

  But her rapid breathing and dilated pupil
s as she stood frozen in his embrace told another story. Maybe she wasn’t so immune after all.

  He shook his head slightly. What did it matter? Whether she found him attractive or not, that didn’t change the fact that he’d never planned to marry. He was a soldier through and through. He’d never wanted a wife and family. That was for other men. Men who knew how to speak gently and woo a lady. Not a gruff, burly brute like him. He was best suited to commanding men, not romancing innocent young women.

  As if Lydia was just some innocent young woman.

  Damn that traitorous voice. It taunted him with possibilities he’d never let himself consider. Ones he had no right thinking about, particularly not when the innocent young woman in question was currently locked in his arms, depending on him to get her out of this situation.

  Her lips were moving. Hypnotized he watched and it wasn’t until a second later he realized she had whispered something.

  His brow furrowed. “What?”

  Her lips twitched as she clearly tried to hold back a smile, her eyes alight with laughter. “I said you can let me go now,” she said softly. Her eyes darted past him to Marcliff’s table and Gabriel glanced over his shoulder. Sure enough, Vancleef had moved on and was standing on the other side of the tavern with his back toward them as he flirted and laughed with the woman serving him his ale.

  How long had he been over there? How long had he been standing there, holding on to Lydia needlessly, just to enjoy the feel of her in his arms?

  He dropped his arms quickly. Ah hell, he needed to get his head on straight. He’d always known that too much time spent alone with Lydia would be dangerous to his health, but he hadn’t realized it could be quite so perilous to his mental state.

  Or his heart.

  He cursed under his breath as he caught her arm and tugged her toward the door, her cloak effectively covering her face until they stepped out into the cool night air and she thrust it back. Her face was lit with a smile of triumph.

  “Why do I feel like you enjoyed that a little too much?” he mused.

  Her lips curved up in a smile that was mischievous and utterly, artlessly seductive. “Because I did.” She hurried ahead of him toward the carriage that they’d ordered to wait for them for their return.

  He helped her inside and once they were seated, he turned to face her. “What now, captain?”

  His teasing words made her smile broaden. “Captain,” she repeated. “I like that.”

  He tried not to smile in return and failed. Bloody hell, he’d gone most of his life keeping a stoic expression—being the man his father had reared him to be. But two days in her company and he was starting to smile like a lunatic. Worse, like Wren.

  He had to get out of this town and away from this woman before she ruined him for military life. No one feared a jovial commander, and fear was what kept his men in line.

  She leaned forward, her face alight with excitement, and held out her list. “Where shall we start our search?”

  He hesitated before taking the note from her hand. He’d thought briefly of telling her she should not come—it wasn’t safe for a woman to be out in the middle of the night, snooping around a possible villain’s properties. But before he opened his mouth he realized how futile it would be. It would only lead to an argument and there would be no stopping her. Hell, tying her up and locking her in her room hadn’t worked, there was no point but to stay by her side and make sure she stayed safe.

  He snatched the list from her hand and read through the addresses, mentally mapping their locations. “We’ll start with this one,” he said, pointing to a textile factory on the outskirts of town. “It’s furthest from home. From there we’ll work our way back.”

  He glanced up to see her nodding. Her smile stunned him. To be the object of her attention was always overwhelming. Even as a child, she’d had that sort of intensity that could make people around her feel like she was the sun shining upon them. Lit up by her radiance. Now that she was older, the effect had multiplied and taken on new dimensions. Now it was no longer just the feeling of being the center of her world, it was a heat. A passion. A ferocity of emotion that was humbling when it was aimed in one’s direction.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?” he growled.

  Her smile only broadened. “Because you didn’t try to make me stay home. Most people would have, you know. Probably even Daniel and Madeline. Thank you for trusting me.”

  He scowled at her despite the fact that her words warmed him. “Would it have made any difference if I’d told you to go home?”

  She lifted a brow. “Of course not, I would have come right back out and searched on my own.”

  He nodded. “That’s what I thought. I don’t have time to waste arguing or chasing after you”

  She let out a loud exhale. “I love that you’ve succumbed to the inevitable.”

  His gaze met hers and he couldn’t look away. Succumbed to the inevitable. Is that what he’d done? That’s exactly what it felt like with her. Like he’d been battling against a force that was larger than life for years and now…well, now he could no longer resist. He was growing weaker the longer he was with her. Even now, with Daniel and Madeline’s safety on the line, it was difficult to focus on the task at hand when all he wanted to do was pull her over onto his lap and pick up where they’d left off with that kiss earlier today.

  Before he could cave and do just that, he reached up and banged on the carriage roof. When they came to a stop he gave the driver new instructions and they were on their way to the first destination.

  Chapter Ten

  Lydia made a very important life decision on the way to their first stop. She was going to marry Gabriel Wainwright—whether he liked it or not.

  Of course, she’d prefer it if he liked it. But one thing became abundantly clear back at the tavern. He desired her. Just thinking of the look in his eyes as he’d gazed down at her, all rigid and stern with self-control…it was enough to make breathing difficult. She’d realized it then. He wanted her the way a man should want his wife.

  He may not love her—hell, he might not even like her all that much—but he wanted her. She could work with that. It wasn’t like she was looking for a marriage based on love, anyway. She merely needed someone who understood her, and after these last couple of days she was more certain than ever that no one knew her better than Gabriel. He might not always like her decisions, but he supported her. Like now. Anyone else would have sent her home with a pat on her head, but Gabriel was smart enough to know that doing so would be pointless.

  Yes, she could definitely work with this. She’d have her comfortable marriage, after all, and she’d have it soon.

  Excitement and a new determination were a welcome relief from the anxious worry she’d been feeling all night. It was the same fear she’d been battling for weeks. It wouldn’t go away until Daniel and Madeline were safe. But at least now they had a lead—her gut was screaming at her that Vancleef was their villain. She’d had a bad feeling about him from the start but that slip up earlier today had cinched it. He knew more than he was letting on.

  And when this was all over, she and Gabriel could talk. Her mind flashed back on that life-altering kiss earlier that day. Or maybe they would not talk. Not talking seemed to work well for them.

  “What are you looking so smug about?” Gabriel asked as he led the way through a thick row of hedges to come around the back side of the now-closed factory.

  She shrugged. “I have a good feeling about this. They’ll be at one of these locations, I just know it.”

  He gave her a grim look that she could easily read. He didn’t want her to get her hopes up.

  Too late.

  She tried not to acknowledge the disappointment when they trudged back to the carriage after thoroughly searching the grounds for any sign of a hiding spot where Vancleef could keep prisoners.

  “Are you all right?” he asked as he helped her back into the carriage.

  She forc
ed a smile. “Of course. I’m always all right.”

  Instead of taking the seat across from her, he wedged his large frame onto the seat beside her. “You don’t have to pretend with me, Lydia.”

  He was so close, she was overwhelmed by the heat coming off of him. His strength was temptation itself. All she would have to do was lean forward and she would be in his arms.

  Temptation won out. His arms wrapped around her as she sank into his embrace.

  Heaven.

  His scent enveloped her as his hands stroked her back. She was sure he meant to be comforting but it had the opposite effect. After a few seconds of snuggling, his hands touching her back, her waist…she was thoroughly uncomfortable.

  Her body was aching in ways she couldn’t describe, not even to herself. There was a heaviness in her limbs and her lower body. Her senses sharpened, heightened to a new intensity. She was aware of him, of herself, of the places where their bodies touched.

  She felt his chest rise and fall beneath her cheek but her own breathing was labored. She couldn’t seem to draw enough oxygen into her lungs.

  One of his hands moved up to her neck and into her hair, holding her to him. She closed her eyes and breathed him in, letting the air out on a sigh.

  He growled in response, the sound a low rumble as she rested her head against his chest. She lifted her head to see why he’d made the sound but never got the chance to ask. The moment her head tipped back, he kissed her.

  The kiss was hard and sure. The hand that was buried in her hair held her to him so she couldn’t escape even if she wanted to.

  She didn’t want to.

  In fact, there was nowhere she’d rather be. This time the shock of it wasn’t as intense and she was able to enjoy. Savor. When his tongue slipped between her lips she opened for him and tentatively mimicked the action.