by Ari Thatcher
The rocking of the carriage lulled him to sleep with a smile on his face. He dreamed of having Agnes in his bed, of finally seeing the curves he’d fondled in all to brief stolen moments.
Shouts wakened him. The carriage was slowing. Ewan drew back the curtain to see what was amiss. Unable to see what was on the road ahead, he looked behind the carriage for his outriders. He’d hired an extra two men due to Walters still being unaccounted for.
The outriders were instructed to lag behind just far enough to not frighten Walters away, should he attempt to overtake the carriage. They should be within view by now, but Ewan was unable to see the road behind him. He opened his bag and loaded his pistol, tossing the second to Bellows.
The shouting continued. Several horses drew near. Ewan dropped the curtain to avoid being recognized.
“What is it, my lord?” Bellows, Ewan’s valet, had been with him long enough to not become over-concerned when something altered from their plans.
“I’m not certain. Since the Riley hasn’t hopped down to inform me, my guess is highwaymen.”
“Your men will dispatch them soon enough.”
Ewan hoped Bellows was right.
The crack of a rifle being fired split the quiet. One of the men atop the carriage grunted and hit the ground with a thud. The other fell immediately after. The carriage rocked when the horses danced in fear. Someone or something must be blocking their path or they’d have bolted.
Listening any shift of movement from the horses or men, Ewan kept his pistol aimed at the door. It went against every fiber of his being to not jump out shooting and control the situation, but he had no idea how many men awaited him.
Bellows posture tensed, his eyes narrowed, but he remained silent.
Without warning, the door flew open and shots flew wildly into the carriage. Ewan fired back, but had no time to reload. One ball grazed his leg. Another struck him in the gut.
He was trapped.
Yells and the thundering of hoofs approached from the rear. Thank the lord his men had arrived.
They highwaymen kicked their horses to a run and fled. Ewan’s men rode past the carriage, with one halting to jump off his mount.
“My lord, are you badly injured?”
“I’ll survive.” I think.
Opposite him, Bellows lay crumpled on the bench. “Damned thieves! Check him.”
The outrider climbed aboard and rolled Bellows onto his back. Blood covered his forehead from single hole. “I’m sorry sir.”
Sorry didn’t cover it. “The coachman and groom?”
“They appear to have been killed, too.”
Anger roused Ewan to action. “Bring me your horse.”
While he disembarked the carriage, the man argued. “You are gravely injured. You shouldn’t ride. The others will capture these men.”
That wasn’t good enough. “Stay with the carriage until I or one of my men returns.” His left leg was uninjured, allowing Ewan to mount, one hand pressed against his gut wound.
He couldn’t see the others, nor hear shots or hoofbeats. He kicked the horse into a run.
How far had they given chase? His outriders had passed the carriage only moments after the highwaymen left. Why hadn’t they been able to capture—or kill—the highwaymen?
After an eternity, Ewan saw figures on the road ahead. As he drew near, he saw bodies on the ground and three of his men still standing.
His longtime outrider, Billy, approached. “You need to see who this one is.”
Dismounting, Ewan shook his head as he doubled over in pain. Balancing himself with a hand on the horse’s side, he said, “No need. Walters is behind this, just as he was the other attempts.”
He was right. Walters and his men lay dead, along with one of the newly hired outriders. Ewan prayed the young man didn’t have a family.
Swiping his mouth with the back of his hand, Ewan swallowed the bitterness in his mouth.
“One of Walters’ men got away,” Billy said.
“He won’t try anything on his own. There’s no one to pay his reward.” Surveying the bodies, he considered the best way to proceed. “Bring the carriage here, load the bodies in it and take it back to Newcastle. You—” he pointed to the surviving new hire. “Drive the carriage and leave your horse for me.”
“My Lord, you should return to Newcastle and see a doctor.” Billy followed Ewan to the horses.
“I am well.” He hissed and bent when a pain stabbed through him. “The bleeding will stop soon. It’s urgent I reach Ravenscliffe quickly.”
He wasn’t going to delay the preparations for his marriage to Agnes.
Swinging his leg over the saddle made Ewan’s head spin. He nearly toppled over the other side of the horse. Billy grabbed Ewan’s coat and kept him from falling.
“We’ll take you to Newcastle in the carriage, then return with a wagon for the dead men.”
Not having the strength to argue, Ewan slid off the horse, clinging to the saddle until he was certain his legs still worked. “Not Bellows. He deserves better than to be thrown in a wagon with a bunch of swaddles. Your friend, too. What is his name?”
“Mitchum, sir.”
“Put Mitchum in the carriage with Bellows. Then you may take me to Newcastle.”
***
Growing more irritable by the day, Agnes was frustrated by being made to wait a week after Ewan left Town before her family departed. They traveled slowly due to Mama’s weak constitution when riding.
The morning after they’d arrived in Newcastle, she waited in the room she shared with Matilda. And waited. She’d sit as long as she was able, forcing her gaze on the pages of her book, then paced to the window and back.
“Will you be calm?” Matilda snapped.
“I shall be calm only when Ewan and I are married. I cannot let go of the memory of how we met—him lying bloody in the dirt. I understand how ill Mama becomes in the carriage, but I’m not a patient person.”
“I cannot argue with that statement.”
Her sister had always believed she was superior in temperament when compared to Agnes. They might react differently, but one could barely be certain when Matilda was truly happy.
Hours after Agnes was hoping to leave, she and her family waited to board their carriage. Others milled about as they awaited the stagecoach to arrive.
“Are you certain it’s safe to continue on?” A simply-dressed woman stood beside a man Agnes took to be her husband.
“The highway men were all killed.”
“But the nobleman was, too. Lord…Riverton, is that his name? If they’ll kill a man of his station, what’s to keep him from killing all of us?”
Her husband shook his head. “Ravenscliffe, not Riverton. Any man with the notion to rob a coach on this road will have heard that none of the bounders survived. He’ll look elsewhere for prey.”
Agnes’s body turned to ice. It couldn’t be. “Sister, did you hear that?”
“Do not concern yourself. The woman wasn’t certain of his name. The man might not be, either. Papa might enquire in the inn. They would have the facts correct.”
Agnes clenched her fingers together as Matilda spoke to their father.
Papa entered the inn and returned a short time later. Placing an arm around Agnes’s shoulder, he ushered his family into a private dining room inside. A serving girl brought a pitcher of water and some cups to set on the table.
Sitting Agnes in a chair, Papa turned his to face hers. “There was a robbery, that much is true. Ravenscliffe’s coach was the one in question.”
Agnes gasped, tears welling.
Papa held up his hand. “What isn’t clear is who the survivors were. Five men are reported to have come to Newcastle following the shooting. Whether they were headed north or south, no one knows. Ravenscliffe’s carriage left again four days ago.”
“Does he live, or does he not?” Her voice cracked. She couldn’t swallow past the tightness of her throat.
“We�
��ll continue our journey to Ravenscliffe and learn the truth,” Papa announced.
“Perhaps I could tolerate a few more hours in the carriage each day to hasten out trip.” Mama’s simple gift was colossal given how unwell she might become.
Agnes squeezed her mother’s hand. “Thank you. I feel I should say I can’t ask this of you–” Her voice cracked again. “But I must know—” She could hold back the tears no longer.
The remaining days of their journey were intolerable. Agnes couldn’t eat. Unable to sleep at night, she’d nod off for short periods when lulled by the rocking carriage.
Rather than stop at Grandmama’s to refresh themselves, they went directly to Ravenscliffe. The butler stood in the doorway when their carriage came to rest.
Before the groom could place the step beneath the carriage door, Tavish came to greet them.
In her rush for an answer, Agnes nearly toppled the groom when she jumped onto the step. She threw herself at Tavish, uncaring what the others would say. “Does he live? We heard the worst…”
Ewan’s voice came from the entryway. “I cannot die. I’m due at the altar in a few days.” He came outside leaning heavily on a cane.
Agnes grew limp as her fear drained from her body. Thoughts wouldn’t form in her head, much less reach her lips. Her tears flowed freely.
“Woman, I canna walk much further. You’ll have to meet me halfway.”
She moved slowly at first, hesitant to discover she was dreaming. Then she took the last few steps at a most undignified pace, but she didn’t care what her family thought.
Ewan lived.
Her man, her husband, lived.
He held up his free arm to stop her from throwing herself against him. “Be easy, my love. I’ve yet to heal.”
“Oh! We must let you sit. How selfish of me not to think of it.” She stepped toward the door, but he waited.
“Lord Fenwick, Lady Fenwick, welcome to Ravenscliffe. And you also, Lady Matilda. Cecily is excited to see you again.”
Ever the gracious host, only once her family was inside did Ewan enter behind Agnes.
She grasped his arm. “When you are feeling better, you must tell me what happened.”
Ewan’s lips thinned. He shook his head. “You need only know Walters is no longer a concern.”
She forced herself not to smile at her relief hearing the news. Ewan’s half-brother was family to the evil man. She could take no joy from his death.
But she could finally believe all the threats that had kept them apart were gone.
After being introduced to the dowager countess and Cecily, Agnes’s family went to their bedchambers to recuperate from their journey.
Ewan held Agnes back. “When you come down, look for me in my office.”
Waves of heat followed child of excitement over her skin. “I shall join you shortly.”
None of her gowns had been unpacked, and they’d need freshening once they were. She couldn’t wait that long. She washed away the dirt from the road, smoothed her hair where her bonnet had mussed the style. Without waiting for a maid to appear, Agnes went in search of a footman to show her to the office.
Chapter Eleven
When Agnes entered the room, closing the door behind her, Ewan rose. “No, I’ll come to you. Where were you shot?”
“My thigh here, and my belly.” He took her hand, encouraging her forward when she’d stopped.
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“The only part of me that aches right now is the part that has been waiting to be inside you.”
Her eyes rounded as she drew in a sharp breath.
Ewan chuckled. “We are nearly married. I may speak of such things.”
“Not within my father’s hearing.”
“Maybe not. Nor should I do this…” He captured her lips. His tongue pushed between her lips, teasing hers in a way that made her weak.
He cupped her breast, heating her skin and making her nipple harden. She’d never imagined kissing could be like this. Then he loosened her bodice and bared one breast. When he sucked her nipple into his mouth she cried out.
“Shhh, your family will hear. I’ll save this for after our wedding.” He kissed her lips again, leaving her aching for more.
***
The night before he married Agnes, he took his stepmother into his office. “Please sit.”
Maeve’s features were pinched, her mouth turned down at the corners. She clutched the arms of her chair.
“Be assured I don’t blame you for any of your brother’s actions. I know you well enough to never have questioned the thought.”
“Thank you,” she said softly.
He tipped his head in acknowledgement. “I presume you’ll be agreeable to move into Skene House.”
Maeve nodded.
“Jamie’s schooling will move forward as planned. He’s welcome to remain here, if he wishes, but I presume he’ll choose you. If he has needs beyond what his allowance will provide, you need only ask.”
“Thank you, Ravenscliffe.” She moved to stand.
“One more thing. As unbelievable as it sounds given the man in question, I’m sorry you are mourning again. Losing a family member can be difficult. Do not feel you must rush to leave here.”
She smiled slightly, nodded and left.
Ewan reached for the whisky bottle and poured a glass. Everything needing his attention was now dealt with. He could marry Agnes without distraction.
***
The wedding took place in the chapel at Ravenscliffe with only their family in attendance. A grand feast of a breakfast followed with everyone glowing with joy.
The afternoon hours crawled by as far as Agnes was concerned. “When may we be alone?”
Ewan whispered back. “Any time you wish. But do you truly wish to face your father at dinner tonight when you’ve spent the afternoon secreted in our bedchamber?”
Heat rose up her neck. “Why must you always be so logical.”
After dinner, rather than gathering in the drawing room, her parents decided they needed to rest from all the travel and excitement of the past week.
Agnes was finally able to be alone with her husband.
Ewan took her hand and led her to his bedchamber. Once inside, he loosened her gown, lifting it over her head, then dropped her stays to the floor. With slow, careful moves, he undressed her completely before touching her skin.
“Kiss me, please,” Agnes begged.
“I will.”
He drew a fingertip up her thigh, across her hip and she melted into his touch. He sent her senses over the moon with each nip and taste he took of her skin.
When he reached her neck, he inhaled audibly. “I love the way you smell. Not just the roses, but something womanly. Enticing.”
He suddenly lifted her in his arms and took her to his bed. The linens were cool beneath her but his gaze burned hot enough to keep her warm.
He unbuttoned his waistcoat and tossed it aside. Quickly disposed of his cravat. Agnes was breathless when he bared this stomach and chest. His body was so different from hers. So firm, strong.
Then he unbuttoned his breeches and sat on the bed to remove his boots. Standing again, he let his breeches drop, and then his unmentionables.
Agnes gasped. He was rigid and waiting for her. She reached for him. When her fingers brushed against that soft skin, he growled.
“Not yet. I won’t be able to last.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Let me show you.” This time all the slow teasing was gone. He stroked the inside of her thigh. She rolled her hips up against him, searching for relief.
When his fingers parted her, the need grew stronger. He stirred something inside her that seemed bigger than she was. Bigger than the two of them together. Waves of passion rolled inside her. His touch drove her mad with desire.
Then he was between her thighs, pressing himself against the spot that ached so. He filled her, making the growing need even stronger
. “Please, Ewan. Show me.”
He grunted and his body moved in the rhythm of her heartbeat. They were one beating heart, one soul combined.
She floated as her muscles tensed, unable to imagine anything feeling better. Then it did. She broke free of what had held her back. Her mind soared.
Ewan’s body tensed. “I love you, Agnes,” he growled. And she knew he soared with her.
“I love you, my darling husband,” she said when she could finally speak.
“I’m eternally grateful that you rescued me. Not only from being shot, but rescued me from living the dreary life I had ahead of me.”
“My family always tells me not to rescue every creature I come across, but even Matilda couldn’t argue that you needed my help.”
His brow grew stern but his lips twitched at the corners. “From now on, however, you will refrain from rescuing any other man.”
“Only you, my love. Only you.”
The End
Other Books by Ari Thatcher
Regency Fairy Tales
MASQUERADING AS A MISS: Just weeks after he was reported as lost at sea, Lord Spalding arrives home with a mysterious young woman who claims to not know who her relations are.
RESCUING LORD RAVENSCLIFFE: A lady in need of adventure finds a lord who’s fighting for his life. Passion meets peril in Regency England.
Destination Wedding Series
HIS WEDDING DATE: A last minute date leads to a weekend they’ll never forget.
THE ROCK STAR’S WEDDING: She runs into her old flame at a romantic tropical location. Too bad he’s there for his wedding.
CHRISTMAS WITH THE BEST MAN: All plans go out the window when you’re stuck for a week with the wrong guy.
Devil’s Promenade Series
IMMORTAL TEMPTRESS: She’s fighting to save the soul of her lover. If she succeeds, she could be damned for eternity.
RENEGADE WOLF: When her inner wolf refuses to be denied, she turns to the only man who can help her.