The Bride Thief
Page 32
Turning back to Farnsworth, Adam extended his hand. "Congratulations, Farnsworth. Your promotion entails you heading up a new case concerning suspected smugglers. I'll brief you on your assignment tomorrow morning."
His face now wreathed in a smiling combination of flushed pride and bemusement, Farnsworth shook his boss's hand. "Thank you, sir! I'm quite overwhelmed." His smile faded. "Of course the bad news is that we still haven't apprehended the Bride Thief." He turned a sheepish look on Eric. "I thought we had our man with you, Lord Wesley. My apologies."
Not trusting his voice, Eric merely inclined his head in reply.
"Yes, unfortunately the Bride Thief is still at large," Straton said. He turned to Eric and pinned him with a dead-serious stare. "However, I vow that I will not tolerate any further kidnappings. If the Bride Thief should make the mistake of striking again, I shall see that he hangs."
The unbelievable truth slowly worked its way through Eric's confusion.
He'd been set free.
While there was no mistaking the magistrate's warning regarding further kidnappings, there was also no denying the fact that Straton had saved his life.
Farnsworth laid a comforting hand on Straton's shoulder. "That's the spirit, sir. You'll capture the Bride Thief when he shows himself again."
Straton and Eric shared a long look. Then the magistrate said, "We won't keep you any further, your lordship. Our best wishes to you and your wife."
Eric somehow managed to find his voice. "Thank you."
Farnsworth opened the door, then stepped from the office. As the magistrate made to follow, Eric said, "I'd like a word with you, Straton."
The magistrate paused in the doorway, then turned back into the room, closing the door.
Eric looked at the man who had saved him from the gallows and said just one word. "Why?"
Straton leaned against the door, and Eric noticed his gaze again drift toward the window, outside of which Margaret stood beneath the majestic oak. Looking at Eric once more, he said, "I had a very illuminating conversation with your sister today."
Eric's muscles instantly tensed. "Margaret knows nothing about any of this."
"Yes, I know. But now I understand why you did… what you did. You couldn't save her, so you saved others." He crossed his arms over his chest, and heat flared in his eyes. "She told me if she'd been offered the chance to escape from her marriage-the sort of freedom offered by the Bride Thief-she'd have embraced the opportunity. She'd have been spared those years of misery."
"And if you think that doesn't eat at me every day, you're sadly mistaken."
"And now that I know she suffered at his hands… that will eat at me every day." Straton's hands fisted at his sides, and his lips compressed into a flat line. "Until this morning, I thought that marriage to a nobleman was the best damn thing that could happen to a woman. And if that marriage was arranged, well, the woman's father was only doing what was best for her." A bitter laugh escaped him. "It wasn't best for Lady Darvin. Now I understand. Now I see that a woman should not be forced to wed against her will. Forced to spend her life with a man she loathes. A man who might abuse her. I couldn't see you hang for saving other women from such a fate. Indeed, I applaud your restraint for not murdering that bastard Darvin. I cannot say I would have shown similar self-control."
Adam drew a deep breath, then continued. "Interest in the Bride Thief will eventually wane after he's not heard from anymore. In a few months, I shall inform The Times that in view of the fact that no more kidnappings have been reported, I am forced to conclude that the Bride Thief has given up his illegal activities. At that time, I will also encourage the Bride Thief Posse to disband and reimburse the reward monies to the men who'd contributed the funds."
He indicated the mask still clenched in Eric's hand. "Burn that. And see to it that I never hear from the Bride Thief again. But if you decide to continue to help women through legal means, you may count on me to help in any way I can."
Eric tucked the wadded black silk in his pocket. "Consider the Bride Thief gone. I do plan to still help these women-through legal means-but I've not worked out any details. I'll let you know when I do." He drew a deep breath. In his mind's eye he saw his future, and Samantha's, spread out before him like a banquet feast.
"I don't know how to thank you…" Eric's voice trailed off. Actually, perhaps he did know how. "Tell me, Straton-do you care for my sister?"
A deep red flush crept up Straton's face. "Lady Darvin is a very fine lady-"
"I've no desire to dance around this with you. Give me an honest answer. Do you care for her?"
Straton's lips thinned. "Yes."
"Do you love her?"
Eric watched Straton's throat work, then the man jerked his head in a nod. "But you need not concern yourself that I'll act upon those feelings," he said in a tight voice. "I'm aware of my unsuitability for a lady such as your sister."
Eric crossed the room, stopping directly in front of Straton. "A lady such as my sister deserves a man who loves her. A man she loves in return. That is not what she had with her nobleman. Therefore, I'd say it's time she had a noble man" He slowly extended his hand. "You have my blessing."
Straton hesitated for several seconds, then clasped Eric's hand in a firm grip. "I never thought to… I wouldn't have imagined." A look of wonder came over his face. "She is everything I've always wanted."
An image of Samantha flashed in Eric's mind. "I know exactly what you mean."
Eric paused in the church doorway and watched Adam Straton approach Margaret. Satisfied that he'd secured his sister's happiness, he looked to find his own. And found her standing amidst her mother and sisters, who all chattered around her. Samantha, however, was looking at Adam Straton. As if she felt Eric's stare, her gaze flew to the church doorway and their eyes met.
She immediately disengaged herself from her family and walked toward him with those purposeful strides he loved. He waited for her, and when she arrived at the doorway, he pulled her inside and quickly explained what had happened.
When he finished, tears shimmered in her eyes. "He freed us."
"That he did, my love."
A tear traced a silver track down her cheek. "I nearly died when you went into the church with them. I thought they meant to arrest you."
"I must admit it was a rather bad moment for me as well." He cradled her face in his palms and brushed away her tear with his thumb. "The thought of losing you… before we'd had a chance to live as husband and wife… the hurt was indescribable."
"I desperately wanted to march into the church and apply my ear to the door, but Mama and my sisters would have followed me like a pack of hounds."
All the tension, all his fear for their future, evaporated like a puff of steam. Sliding his hands down her arms, he entwined their fingers, then leaned close to confide, "I must tell you that listening at doors is a very un-countesslike thing to do."
"Well, I did warn you I'd make a miserable countess."
"Not at all. You are marvelous. Miraculous." He smiled into her beautiful eyes. "So many 'm' words to describe you."
"And you are utterly magnificent." A bright blush stained her cheeks, and she heaved out a dreamy sigh. "And… manly."
A half-laugh, half-groan of desire vibrated in his throat. "Thank you. And now, I suggest we take our leave. Our ship sails at dusk."
Interest flared in her eyes. "Where are we going?"
"Italy. Rome, Florence, Venice, Naples… and every city in between. We shall explore the ruins of Pompeü, trek through the Colosseum, visit the Uffizi, view the works of Bernini and Michelangelo, swim in the warm waters of the Adriatic…" He gently squeezed her hands. "Then we will come home to England and plan our next adventure."
Her smile dazzled and enchanted him. "That sounds… magical."
"Indeed it does. And you know, of course, that there is one more 'm' word to describe you."
"What is that?"
He raised their joined hands to his
lips and pressed a fervent kiss onto her fingers. "Mine," he whispered. "At long last. Mine. Mine. Mine."
About the Author
Award-winning author Jacquie D'Alessandro grew up on Long Island and fell in love with romance at an early age. She dreamed of being swept away by a dashing rogue riding a spirited stallion. When her hero finally showed up, he was dressed in jeans and driving a Volkswagen, but she recognized him anyway. They married after they both graduated from Hofstra University, and are now living their happily-ever-afters in Atlanta, Georgia, along with their very bright and active son, who is a dashing rogue in the making. Jacquie is currently working on her next historical romance for Dell, and she would love to hear from readers. Visit her website at www.JacquieD.com or write to her at 875 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, Suite 310-PMB 131, Lawrenceville, GA 30043
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