The Soul of a Storme

by SOOKOO, SANDRA

He missed the connection. “Damn it.” If he couldn’t do this one little task, he’d lose Sarah, and there would be no opportunity to make things rights.

  “My skirts are so heavy. They’re dragging me down and tangling against my legs.” She shook her head. “I don’t know what to do.”

  Cold, crushing anxiety came barreling back into his chest, squeezing with tight bands to steal his breath. He shook from the force of it; would he never be free? For long, heart-stopping seconds, he stared at his wife, who looked back with a silent plea in her eyes.

  I’ve worked too hard for this to be the end.

  With all the strength of will he possessed, Drew shoved away the anxiety and the fear. Never again would he allow those emotions to rule him or shutter his life. Moving as far as he dared from his wheel, he reached out an arm to her. “Sweeting, I can’t lose you. Catch my hand. You’re almost there.”

  She slowly left the relative security of the wheel she clung to. Bit by tiny bit she came further toward the middle of the coach’s frame. When she extended her left arm, it shook, from exposure or the cold, he couldn’t say. This time, her fingertips touched his.

  “That’s it. Just a little more.” He wriggled his fingers, and when she attempted the connection again, she thrust her hand into his gloved palm. With strength borne of desperation, she held on. Oh, thank goodness. “Now, release the coach,” he urged in a soft voice.

  “You won’t let me go, will you?”

  “I’ve let many things go recently, but you are not one of them. Not anymore.” He might have laughed at his word choice, for that was exactly what he’d learned to do with her guidance and his father’s letter.

  “I believe you.” Then Sarah released her hold on the wheel.

  For several heart-stopping moments, the muscles in his arms strained as she hung onto him, her body battered by the rapid current, but Drew bore down, gritted his teeth, and slowly pulled her close until she clung to his body, her breath ragged in his ear.

  Chapter Twenty

  Shivers racked Sarah’s body as she held onto Andrew. For one moment she let herself enjoy the strength of his arm around her waist, but this was no time to rest on their laurels. As she looked at him, her heart leapt. She felt the literal movement in her chest; it wasn’t a figment of her imagination. Perhaps Tilly had been right all along.

  “Hold onto me. I need both my arms to bring us to the creekbank.” His gruff order rang in her ears, but the nominal warmth of his body was too inviting for her to protest.

  She nodded and looped her arms about his shoulders. Her legs were heavy and weighted with skirting, but she tried her best to wrap them around his waist. “Hurry.”

  “I’m doing my level best,” he replied, the words pushed out from around clenched teeth.

  Inch by slow inch he moved along the underside of the coach and soon they’d cleared the wheel. When he neared the creekbank, he kept hold of the wheel, the frame, any bit of the fallen coach he could manage as he gained a foothold on the muddy bank. “Archie, help.”

  A man she assumed was a driver slipped down the slope. He snatched at the hand she extended, and with a mighty yank, he pulled her from Andrew’s hold.

  Her skirting snagged on a few sticks that protruded from the mud. She fumbled to free them while the driver tugged on her hand and wrist. With the dull sound of wet fabric tearing, her body slid up the muddy bank. Once she was fully out of danger, the driver let go her hand to tend to assisting her husband up. Two other men held onto her arms and dragged her a bit away from the creek, away from the rushing water. When they left her to help Archie, she gasped for breath, her palms firmly against the wet grass, her mind in a whirl.

  How the deuce had he appeared as if by magic when she’d needed him? Then her heartbeat accelerated as she glanced over her shoulder at the men who were retrieving him from the creek water. He’d come home early. That was the only way he could have met her on the road. Pleasure mixed with annoyance in her chest.

  All too soon, Andrew stumbled over to her location. Mud covered his person like it did her. His hair was slicked back from his forehead, rain rolled down his face, but he helped Sarah to her feet and bundled her into his arms for a tight hug. “My God, I feared I’d lost you.”

  To the rushing water or forever? Suddenly, she desperately wished to know. Wedging her hands between them, she pressed her palms to his chest and shoved him away. Emotions surged inside her in a chaotic mix, and she let them rage. No doubt they were a direct result of reaction, but she didn’t care. They’d have this argument, but at least the air would be cleared, and she would know where she stood with him.

  “Of course, you’d return in time to play the hero because that puts all the attention on you. Folks won’t think you’re such an arse that way, will they?” She didn’t care that the drivers looked on or that poor Tilly and her hurt driver were stranded on the far bank. As with each interaction with her husband, he drove her to the extremes.

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Hurt jumped into his expression. “I never planned on being a hero, but from the looks of things, you couldn’t wait to break your promise to me.” He shoved a hand through his dripping hair. “If you wish to leave me, say it, Sarah.” In a quieter voice, he added. “I’ll understand. I’ve been the world’s biggest bastard, but I want you to know that I’m in the process of changing.”

  The admission stole some of her ire away. “Actions speak louder, Andrew, and I haven’t seen such from you.”

  “That’s fair.” He took a step toward her, but when she held up a hand, he paused, insecurity in his stormy eyes.

  “I’ve maintained my position all along, and I will not stay with a man who gives into his anger and temper. Nor can I live with a man who won’t let himself feel. Emotions are a part of life. Good or bad, we all have them. They’re a sign that we’re alive, but we can’t ignore him.”

  “Sarah.”

  “No.” She paused for breath and to shiver again. Rain dotted her spectacle lenses, obstructing her vision. It was best to say her piece here and now, for she might not have another chance. “I won’t live with a man who refuses to forgive others and himself, a man who seeks to orchestrate everyone else’s life except his own.”

  “Sarah—”

  “Let me finish,” she interrupted whatever he would say. As exhaustion sank into her shaking limbs, she planted her hands on her hips. “I need you, Andrew. Only you, not your title, your wealth, your position, your name.” After this, she’d be vulnerable for him to make jest of, but at least she would have told him how she felt. “Just you, protecting me, supporting me, loving me as I do you.”

  His lower jaw dropped then his mouth worked as if he were a caught fish. For several seconds, no sound issued from him. Finally, he apparently got himself in hand. “You love me?”

  “Yes.” Now that she’d said it aloud, she feared his reaction. “I’m well aware you probably don’t return that regard, but I can’t help how I feel and wanted you to know in the event that you…” Her words trailed off, for she couldn’t remember what she wanted to say. Her attention never left his face, and the transformation was… amazing.

  Never had she seen such joy or hope in his expression. A slow grin curved those impossibly chiseled lips. The gesture reflected in his eyes and he took another step forward. Two hand lengths separated them now. “Sarah?”

  “Yes?” The one-word question was propelled on a wave of breathlessness. Had she concluded her argument sufficiently? Did it matter anymore?

  “I love you too.” As she stared, he closed the distance and took her into his arms, holding her close, rocking her in his embrace. “Don’t ever do that to me again.” He pressed his lips into her temple, and the shudders that racked his body transferred to hers.

  “I won’t.” She could scarcely breathe he held her so tightly, nor could she think properly. There were so many questions she wanted to ask, but none would leave the tip of her tongue.

  “I can’t s
urvive without you; I know that now,” he whispered into her ear. “When I went to London, I had mixed feelings, was a different man than the one standing here.” He pulled away only to hold her head between his hands. “I was an arse and a fool.” His eyes bored into hers. “Finn is all right. He told me much the same thing as you did.”

  “That’s wonderful to hear—”

  He cut off her words with a quick, hard kiss that tasted of muddy creek water. “I was given a letter that my father penned before his death, meant for me on my wedding day.” The joy in his countenance hadn’t lessened. “It explained so many things and made me realize something above everything else.”

  “Yes?” Had she been reduced to uninteresting one-word answers?

  “Nothing else matters except making things right between us, and showing you with every day that I’m given how much I love you, need you, want you with me always.” His words tripped over themselves as he rushed on. “Once a man has that, everything will fall into place as it was always meant to.”

  “Oh, Andrew.” Her mind reeled. “I never thought you’d say such things, that you would make your way to this point.” He hadn’t exploded with anger, nor had he suffered an attack, when by all rights he should have. “I don’t know what to say.” The change was there, and it overwhelmed her.

  “I realize I’ll have to work at it and that I’ll most likely fail at times.”

  “We all will.”

  “But with your help I’ll succeed.” His eyes shone. With a wicked grin that promised equally wicked things in the future, he sank to one knee in the mud and muck, despite the rain and the servants who gawked at them. “Lady Hadleigh, will you promise to remain married to me, now and all the days of our lives?”

  Tears sprang into her eyes. Her heart squeezed and overflowed with the love and affection she’d come to have for him. With a shaking hand, she drew her gloved fingers through his sopping hair. “I will.” The urge to laugh welled in her chest, but instead, tears fell to her cheeks. “Oh, please get up.” She tugged at his arm.

  “Thank you.” Once he’d stood, the drivers clapped and uttered catcalls, all of which he ignored, but he hadn’t lost his grin as he looked at her. “My God, I love you.” Before she could move or say anything, he caught her up into his arms and claimed her lips in a series of long, drugging kisses that had her mind spinning, her pulse racing, and heated tingles circling through her insides.

  When she pulled away to breathe, she touched his cheek. “Thank you for coming back early. I missed you but was stubborn and hurt. I needed to go away before you returned because my heart was breaking. And I thought you would never love me.”

  “I’m sorry.” His hands at her waist tightened. “Forgive me.”

  “Only if you do the same for me. I was wrong, wasn’t thinking clearly.” She shook her head. “Then everything happened so fast. The coach fell over, we were in the water… I didn’t want to die before bearing you this child…” Oh, drat. She hadn’t meant to reveal that so soon without confirmation, but she was allowed to be overwrought just now.

  “What?” His eyes rounded with shock as his lips formed a perfect “O” to match.

  Suddenly self-conscious, Sarah cleared her throat as her cheeks burned. “Perhaps we should discuss this matter once we’re home and in private.”

  As if he were a man trapped in a dream, Andrew nodded. He moved slowly, the shock firmly in place throughout his expression as he turned to address the men behind him. “Everyone in this coach. Someone tell poor Tilly that we’ll need to go around to the next bridge, but once we’re over, we’ll come and retrieve her and the driver.” He held out a hand to Sarah. “Come, countess. We’re going home.”

  Home. The word shivered down her spine. For the first time in years, she had someplace where she felt like she belonged, and it was all due to the man she’d married.

  *

  A fleeting, gentle touch on her face nudged Sarah awake. The dark interior of the coach hadn’t changed since they’d left the scene of the accident, but now the door had been thrown open and the servants had disembarked. For the moment, she was alone with her husband.

  “Have we arrived?” When she lifted her head from his shoulder, her muscles protested the movement. Her clothes were damp and cold in places, stiff in others, and they both stunk of mud and creek muck. A quick look out one of the windows showed soft golden light illuminating nearly every window at Hadleigh Hall.

  “We have.” He pressed his lips to the top of her head. “Let’s get you inside.” His baritone, in that thrilling whisper, had the power to see her undone. Before she could respond, he stood and then vaulted to the ground, turning to offer her a hand. “You’ll need a proper rest.”

  “I’m fine, truly.” His hands at her waist sent warmth into her cold extremities, but her feet had barely touched the gravel drive when he scooped her up into his arms and carried her toward the front door. Water spots marred her spectacle lenses.

  “Dalton! Mrs. Hastings!” His shouts rang in her ears, but she hung onto his shoulders and snickered at his assertiveness. “There’s been an accident,” he said, the second he came into the entry hall and the butler scrambled through the corridor. “Please arrange a hot bath for both Lady Hadleigh and myself. Post haste!” he shouted while the housekeeper met him at the grand staircase. “We can’t have Her Ladyship catching a cold,” he told the older woman with a grin that caused Sarah’s heart to sing. “She’s carrying a babe,” he said as if imparting the greatest secret ever known to mankind.

  “At once, my lord,” Mrs. Hastings said with a surprised smile and a glance at her.

  Sarah shrugged. There was no point in denying it now that he’d blurted out the news. The household would hear of it within minutes. “Do hush, Andrew. How embarrassing.”

  He merely winked as he carried her upstairs like she weighed nothing at all.

  An hour later, Sarah sighed. Her bathwater had cooled, but the warmth of it had seeped into her body and chased away the chill from the rain.

  “Best come out of there, my lady,” Tilly advised as she entered the room holding a dressing gown of red silk embroidered with gold thread in the Chinese style. “Your fingers will prune. No doubt you’re exhausted.”

  “I was, but right now, I’m wide awake.” She stood in the bath and used a soft towel that had been draped over the end of the tub to quickly dry her skin. “I suppose that’s what a near-death experience will do for a person.” While she’d soaked, one of the maids had polished her spectacle lenses while another had whisked her soiled and ruined clothing out of the room. As she stepped out of the tub and allowed Tilly to wrap her in the beautiful dressing gown, she sighed again. Such luxury. Would she ever become acclimated to it?

  “If you’re hungry, I can ring for a tray. Perhaps some tea?” Tilly led the way into the attached room where the bedclothes had already been turned down. A single candle burned on the nightstand.

  “Not yet, but no doubt I’ll find a nice appetite in the morning.” What she wanted more than anything was to see her husband, to assure herself that he hadn’t suffered injury. To hold him in her arms while she digested the events of the evening.

  “Very well, my lady. I’ll tuck you in then?”

  The sound of a masculine throat being cleared at the door had them both looking in Andrew’s direction. The earl wore a dressing gown similar to hers, except his was midnight blue. And, oh goodness, he was so handsome!

  “That won’t be necessary, Tilly. I’ll see to the countess’ needs tonight.” He flashed a smile at the girl that had the maid blushing and stammering. “You’ve had an ordeal the same as Lady Hadleigh. Please take the remainder of the night off and find some rest.”

  “Thank you, my lord.” After she’d executed a curtsy, the girl fled.

  Andrew looked at Sarah. His eyes were more blue than gray in the flickering candlelight. “Would you like me to comb your hair?” He roved his gaze up and down her person while she cinched the dr
essing gown’s tie at her waist. “I’ve never seen it down before.”

  Tingles danced along her spine. “I’d like that.”

  Wordlessly, he moved into the dressing room. When he returned, he held the silver, ivory-handled comb in one hand. He crossed the room to stand behind her, and as he began to draw the teeth of the comb through her hair, working out the tangles with a gentle hand as if he’d spent a lifetime doing so, a shuddering sigh escaped her.

  There was something both erotic and relaxing about having a man pamper her. Awareness of him rippled over her skin, and she shivered.

  “Are you cold? Still suffering from reaction?” His warm, clove-scented breath skated over her cheek. Had he brushed his teeth before joining her?

  “No. It’s you.” There was no sense in denying that she was besotted by her husband, for it was bound to come out in the next few weeks.

  “Good.” Andrew continued to comb her hair until all the tangles and snags had worked loose and the damp tresses fell down her back in smooth waves. “So much like gold it’s unbelievable.” He tossed the comb onto the foot of the bed and then moved the mass of her hair over one of her shoulders. “I’m in awe of you.” When he pressed his lips to her nape, another shiver racked her body. “And you wore the emeralds.”

  “You said I always should.” She pushed her spectacles back into place. “I’m nothing special.” His words sank into her heart infusing it with joy.

  “Oh, but you’re wrong.” He moved to stand in front of her, his eyes intense, dark with desire and shining with the deeper emotion of love. “To me, you are everything.” He drew his fingertips along the curve of her cheek and his hand shook. “You peered into the soul of this Storme and found something I had no idea was worth saving.”

  Tears pricked the backs of her eyelids. “I knew what you could be, built upon who you are. That’s all.” Did every woman feel cherished and safe when a man finally realized he was in love with them?

  Surprising her further, her husband dropped to his knees on the Aubusson carpeting. He held her hips in his hands, but he laid pressed his lips to her belly. As he stared up at her, he asked, “Is it true, what you let slip out there?”