Kay Springsteen (52 page)

Lady Annabella.
That name sounded so foreign to her now…
as if
it belonged to someone else.
Lady Annabella Mary Lysandra Price.
That person was long gone, having been replaced by Annie
Durh
am —
Lady Seabrook.
The woman who shot arrows with
the dowager
during the day and turned into a tigress at night. He
’
d awakened her, taken her to the height of passion. She pressed a hand to her abdomen. She nearly wished she were carrying his child. Maybe then he
’
d want her.
The thought made her heart skip a beat, fluttering in her chest as if to show its approval.

But it was wrong to use a child so. Inexcusable, really. She wanted Jon to
want
her
. Not need her or feel obligated because she might be carrying a babe. She wanted to be Lady Seabrook, Lord Seabrook
’
s wife.

Then why are you leaving, you ninny?

I have to leave… just like Papa had to. He left because Mother had no place to go. I
’
m leaving because this is Jon
’
s home.

As if in argument, her father
’
s soothing voice answered,
“
Loving someone also means you must know when to stay.
”

“
…and I
’
ll thank you to keep your opinions to yourself,
Mr.
Stowe. I
’
m quite certain…
”

Regina
’
s harsh tones
brought Annabella back to reality, and she squeezed her eyes shut to stave off the tears. How had she never realized before just how different her parents were
?
Her mother constantly reminded her to behave like a proper lady so a proper nobleman would appreciate her. While Papa had… Papa had been ever the romantic.

“
Annabella, my heart… if it
’
s a nobleman you want, I have no doubt a nobleman you shall marry.
”

But this wasn
’
t just any nobleman. This was Seabrook…
her
Seabrook… her
Jon
.

I love him. With all my heart I love him. But he let me go… never even asked me to stay.

She glanced down at her lap. The fan her father had given her rested half open, drawing her back to when he
’
d given it to her.
“
One day, Lady Annabella, you will find you have choices of the heart. When that day comes, I pray you will choose love over what others might perceive to be the right course.
”

Oh, Papa.
A soft sigh slipped out.

“
Annabella, are you unwell?
”
The back of her mother
’
s fingers gently brushed the side of her cheek, causing a tear to trickle down.

Had he sent her away? Or had he allowed her to leave? Suddenly
that distinction made
all the difference.
“
Stop the coach!
”
Annabella
demanded, raising her fist and pounding on the roof
.
“
Stop!
”

“
Annabella!
”
Regina
stared aghast.
“
What
’
s got into you?
”
She tried to settle an arm around Annabella
’
s shoulders.

“
Lady Godiva
’
s heart, Mother!
”
She jerked out of Regina
’
s embrace and pushed open the door, startling the footman on the other side. Grasping her skirts in one hand, she jumped to the ground.

An arrow stood embedded in the dust at Annabella
’
s feet, its black fletching fluttering in the gentle breeze. She lifted her gaze at the north tower and recalled setting it in the bow, aiming through the archeria. What a proud moment it had been
when that first arrow had embedded itself in the dirt and
Jon had
looked up, startled. S
he
’d
commanded
her husband
’
s full attention
then
.
And finally held the advantage of height.

And
yet…
even though she’d shot arrows at him, he’d
come after her…
rescued
her from Dawes…

“I’ll always find you.”

My husband
.
She took a step, then another.

“
Annabella! For heaven
’
s sake! Have you gone mad?
”
Outrage and desperation laced Regina
’
s voice as she scrambled from the carriage.
“
Come back this instant! This is hardly the behavior of a lady.
”

Whirling about, Annabella smiled.
“
You
’
re wrong, Mother! For the first time in my life, I
’
m behaving exactly like a lady
ought
— a lady I hope my husband will love.
”
She gave her mother a long, hard look, begging her to understand.

Mr. Stowe pushed Regina aside and hopped from the coach.
“
My lady, I must insist—
”

“
Forgive my rudeness, Mr. Stowe.
”
Annabella turned and began walking up the drive.
“
But only my husband may insist I do anything.
”

“
Annabella! I—
”
Regina sighed.
“
I…
Be happy, my dear. I love you.
”

The words, too infrequently spoken between them, brought
fresh
tears to Annabella
’
s eyes, but she pushed on, her steps quickening.

As she caught sight of Jon standing near the entrance, she left the dusty drive and broke into a headlong run across the lawn, holding her skirts high so as not to trip.

He moved then, walking toward her with measured
paces
.
Joy and love like she
’
d never known exploded in her heart anew. How could she have thought of leaving him?
Now I know what you meant, Papa. When you said marry a man I love, someone to whom I would willingly give my whole heart. Jon is that man. And he already has my whole heart.

Her steps faltered, slowed as they neared one another. Their gazes collided, locked.

Please love me. Please don
’
t let it be too late.

She stumbled into his waiting arms beneath the watchful eyes of the cat sculpture. Jon
’
s heart raced beneath her cheek but he only gave her a moment before he drew away. He searched her
face
though his
was unreadable
as he jammed his
hands in
to
his pockets
.

A muscle worked in his jaw but
he made no effort to speak… nor to reach for her.

You are much more stubborn than you let on, husband. Very well, it
’
s no more than I deserve.

Annabella
planted
her hands on her hips.
“
Seabrook, I find it in very poor taste that you were simply going to let your wife leave without the slightest protest.
”
She
thrust out her chin
.
“
What have you to say for yourself, sir?
”

“
I—
”

“
Your horse, my lord
.
”
T
he stable boy
rounded
the corner of the
castle
with the chestnut stallion.

Annabella
’
s eyes widened in disbelief and her temper exploded.
“
You insufferable rake! Here I was feeling I
’
ve been nonsensical about you, and you once again prove you can
’
t b
e trusted! You had no intention
of letting me leave, did you?
”

His expression never changed.
“
No.
”

She let out a cur
se.
“
Of all the — it would serve you right if I
did
leave you!
”

He
folded
his arms over his chest and cocked an eyebrow, mischief dancing in his eyes. He nodded at the empty lane.
“
Your coach seems to
be leaving without you
, lady fair.
”

Along with
her luggage, Annabella realized with dismay.
Resigned… and completely content, she let out an exasperated sigh and tapped her foot.
“
Well
,
are you just going to stand there or are you going to offer your wife your arm and escort her into the house?
”

“
No.
”

Annabella
recoiled a half step
.
“
No?
”

“
Not until you tell me you love me.
”

Her eyebrows shot up and her mouth fell open.
“
You
must
be jesting.
”

****

Jon wanted to take it back, to fall on his knees and tell her he couldn
’
t live without her.
At the first turn of the wheels on the carriage carrying her away, he
’
d known he couldn
’
t let her go.

She must not leave.

The silence ticked on endlessly, giving rise to his panic. How could he have been so stupid?
Why didn
’
t I just take what she was offering and be happy? After my deceit I should thank the stars she came back.

But if that
’
s what he
’
d been willing to settle for, he
’
d have just abided by his grandfather
’
s wishes and married anyone with a title.
Could I have lived with that?

“
I
’
m here, aren
’
t I? What more do you need?
”

“
I need it all. I require the words, madam.
”

She perched her hands back on her hips and narrowed her eyes.
“
And what of you? I don
’
t believe I
’
ve heard
‘
the words
’
from you either, sir.
”

He opened his mouth to protest the
n
slammed it shut. Had he ever
told
her
his feelings
?
“
That
…
is entirely irrelevant, as you were the one leaving and I was the one coming after you.
”
He let his glance drift to where the groom still stood holding his horse.
Beecham
’
s
face had gone ashen, and the reins shook violently in his hands.

Annabella and Jon burst out laughing.

“
Beecham,
be so kind as to follow the coach and retrieve Lady
’
s Seabrook
’
s luggage,
”
Jon said,
keeping his eyes on Annabella
.
“
My wife seems to have brought herself home.
”

“
Yes, m
’
lord!
”
The groom
launched himself into the saddle and took off at a gallop.

Finally, Annabella shook her head.
“
Seabrook, if I
’
m to stay, then I
shall
require a
new
wardrobe.
”

“
New
w
ardrobe?
”
He stared at her, filled with newfound wonder.
“
I sent Beecham after your luggage.
”

“
Yes,
new
wardrobe.
One with much cooler attire.
”
She stepped closer to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her dark green eyes glistened with love and tears.
“
For if you are destined to spend eternity as the devil
’
s neighbor, then I intend to follow you.
”

Sparks ignited in his heart, warming his body. He released the breath he
’
d been holding as his arms hugged her closer
.
“
I love you. With all my heart I love you.
”

She pulled back, looked into his eyes
, and smiled
.
“
And I love you.
”

The raw emotion and tenderness in her eyes and
her softly spoken
words were his undoing. He felt as if he
’
d just conquered the French singlehandedly. If he never saw another sunrise and had to give his soul to the devil for all eternity, he
’
d die the happiest man in England.

All because he
’
d earned the love of one Annabella Price.

As he bent his head to take her lips in a hungry kiss, an arrow shot just above his head. He let out a curse and twisted his body to cover his wife, his eyes searching for the culprit.

“
Glad to see you two have come to your senses,
”
Gran called from the
archeria
of the north tower.
“
Now, run along and find something to occupy your time, Jonathan. Frenchie is more than an hour late for archery practice.
”

“
You could have killed us!
”
Jon shouted. Then he glared at his beautiful wife, who was trying to keep from bursting with laughter.
“
She
’
s dangerous enough, don
’
t encourage her.
”

“
Oh
,
pish! If I
’
d wanted to hit you, I would have.
”
Gran
stepped out of view, leaving a dark hole in her wake.

Jon shook his head, keeping a watchful eye on the tower window for several moments just in case Gran decided to rain arrows down on them again. Finally certain she was done using them as targets, he turned back to his wife.
“
Annabella, I—
”

She put her finger to his lips, her brow furrowed.
“
No, don
’
t call me that. I hate it when you call me that.
”

He tilted his head to the side and smiled.
“
Well… not to point out the obvious, but your name
is
Annabella. As you once took great pains to remind me.
”

She pushed against his ch
est to break his hold, but he held her fast.
“
I beg your pardon,
but
my name most certainly is not Annabella. My
name
…
is Annie Durham.
”
Her arms encircled his neck again, and she touched her lips to his in a feather
-
light kiss.
“
But you may call me Lady S
eabrook.
”

“
How about I call you Annie-my-heart?
”

Her only answer was to smile before pulling his mouth to hers for a searing kiss.