The Highwayman's Bride (7 page)

Handsome. Breathtaking. And powerful.

Everything came crashing back. And more. The need for him to kiss her again was overwhelming. Beneath her gown her skin prickled with awareness.

“Mr. Masters, how nice of you to come,” she said, walking toward him.

He took her outstretched hand and a spark ignited beneath his touch. Bowing slightly, the piercing directness of his gaze slid beneath her tightly controlled composure, unsteadying her.

Remember. Stand Tall. Proud. And determined.

“You did not leave me much choice, sweet Tess.”

Sweet!

“Ah, that is love, is it not?” Her aunt’s words fractured the moment and Tess glanced at the older woman, wondering if she were in her right mind.

Straightening, Aiden directed his attention to Tulip. “I was expecting Mr. Gibbs to be present on this occasion.”

“He is…ah…at the solicitors.”

“Checking out the last of his investment, I would expect,” Tess muttered.

“I thought that was you.”

She offered a tight smile. “Very perceptive, Mr. Masters. Of course I am, but circumstances have changed.”

“You mean I’ve given you a chance of that freedom.”

“Definitely.”

The light in his eyes dimmed and Tess wondered what she’d said that had caused such a change.

“Did you blackmail him into letting you go, Tess?”

Her cheeks heated and she glanced over her shoulder at her aunt. Thank goodness she hadn’t heard. After ringing for the maid, Tulip was busy ordering tea and cake.

Tess redirected her gaze to Aiden and lowered her voice. “I did,” she said trying to act as if it were nothing. “My uncle gets to keep my trust monies and fritter it away as he wishes, and I get my freedom. Blackmail has come in rather handy.”

“Tess!” said her aunt. “Such talk is not appropriate from a young woman.”

Tess clamped a hand over her mouth, but failed to stifle a bubble of laughter. “Just as well I am no longer young, as Uncle reminds me frequently.”

Tulip tut-tutted, agitation obvious as her fingers brushed repeatedly up and down her gown.

Aware of Aiden’s intense scrutiny, Tess bypassed her aunt and stepped toward the bookshelf, idly picking up several books. “I was weak and not able to stand up for myself. I thought I had to put up with whatever he deigned my life would be.”

“But you don’t.”

“No. I don’t. And I won’t,” she said with pride. “My uncle has money problems, but he has dipped into my endowment to cover his multitude of business losses. My parents’ will stipulated that the money was for my benefit only, not for Luther’s failing businesses. A week ago, after Luther’s threats amplified, I went to visit my trustee. I was desperate. He informed me of the will’s requirements. At last, I had something with which I could use—and the strength to use it.”

“I gather if this information was in the hands of the courts he would be in a pickle.”

“He would. Luther has used the money for his own gain, despite knowing the stipulations. The threat of fraud was enough.”

“I’m impressed. It must have taken courage to stand up to that bully.”

“You say that as if it were difficult to comprehend. Do you not think that a woman can undertake such a task?”

His mouth quirked. “Oh, I do. Having recently experienced your expertise in the matter, I am certainly convinced that you, if not all your feminine counterparts, can achieve great things.”

“Just as the author Miss Austen has done.” She held out the lovely edition of
Sense and Sensibility
she’d purchased for herself. She distanced herself farther from her aunt, leaned closer to Aiden, and whispered. “Do not tell my aunt, she does not approve of such frivolous novels. Women, as far as she and Luther are concerned, should be focused on finding a husband, rather than reading. Do you not think that a woman can be as devious as a man, as a highwayman
?”
she asked.

The pulse in his cheek twitched ever so slightly. She’d noticed it before and now found herself unable to drag her gaze away.

“Women of the
ton
are renowned for their culpability. I am simply saying I had not expected it of you.”

“Sorry to disappoint, but it was necessary.”

“That I do understand. We all do what we must in life for the results we want.”

“Why do you talk of such confusing matters, Tess?” Tulip fussed. “’Tis not seemly for a young woman. Your uncle would not like it.”

Tess shook her head. “Uncle does not like anything I do, Aunt.”

Just then the door slammed back against the wall and Luther Gibbs blustered in. Cheeks ruddy, his waistcoat barely covering his ample girth, he glowered at Aiden. “She’s got no money, you know,” he said. He strode over to the sideboard, yanked the cork from a bottle of port and poured himself a glass, guzzled it down in one gulp, then poured a second without hesitation. “So it’s no use hanging around and sniffing like a lame dog.”

Mouth grim, Aiden watched her uncle’s every move. “’Tis not her money I’m interested in, sir. Besides, I understand those funds have been…misappropriated somewhat.”

Luther puffed out his already rotund cheeks and stumbled the few steps toward Aiden. He stabbed a podgy finger at Aiden’s chest. “Don’t you dare threaten me, you…you…you’re a bloody nobody.”

Tess gasped as she looked from her uncle to Aiden. Except for the flicker of the pulse in Aiden’s cheek, he did not move.

“I have not uttered one word of a threat, Mr. Gibbs,” Aiden replied in a controlled tone. “You would certainly know if I had, believe me.”

Through eyes red-rimmed from his all-night drinking session and lack of sleep, Luther peered at Aiden for several heartbeats as if he were about to say something.

Obviously having second thoughts, he emitted a low grunt and downed the remainder of his drink, snatched up the bottle and poured yet another one.

“Luther, should you drink so…” Tulip interrupted.

“Shut up, woman!” He pivoted back to Aiden, ignoring his sniffling wife. “If you want the chit, you can have her. And soon.”

“Thank you, sir.” Aiden offered a curt bow to Luther, who simply snorted and retreated to the corner of the room, carrying the bottle of port with him.

Seemingly over her distress, Tulip sighed. “Oh, how romantic. I do love a wedding.”

Tess rolled her eyes at Tulip’s utter naiveté, but caught Aiden’s humor-filled gaze fixed in her direction and her body heated in the same way it had when he had kissed her.

Could she handle this enigmatic man? Had she made an error in judgment?

“I’ll arrange for a special license so we can marry in a few days.”

Her stomach did a flip-flop. “That soon?”

“You want to wait with your aunt and uncle for another three or more weeks until the banns are read?”

Again, she hadn’t planned beyond this point. Something she needed to remedy.

“I didn’t think so. This way, with the Archbishop of Canterbury issuing the license, we won’t have to wait.”

“I need to find a cottage. I need time.”

Aiden’s brow creased. “Perhaps we could talk a moment?” He shot her uncle a glance. The man was already on his third port in a matter of minutes. “In private.”

“Of course.” She walked to the French doors that led out to the garden. “As long as you behave yourself, sir.”

His smile broadened, eyes twinkling with mirth. “You think I wouldn’t?”

“Oh, I do. That is why I’m warning you.” Drawing her shawl around her, she stepped out into the garden.

The winter sun peeked through the heavy gray clouds, and a soft drift of snow had begun to fall, dotting her shoulders in seconds.

“You think to have our marriage all your own way, Miss Stanhope?”

Tess caught the subtle change in Aiden’s tone, that same strength and determination she’d witnessed when he’d stood up to her uncle. However, she would not back down.

“What I think at the moment, sir, is that I have the upper hand. I know certain things about you that I’m sure you do not want broadcasted publicly,”

“My name is Aiden. Not sir. We are about to be wed, so perhaps you can call me by my name.”

“Why bother? We’re simply playing at being married.”

“Are you so sure?”

The sudden revival of uncertainty caught her off guard and she prevaricated
In control, Tess.

“Of course,” she finally answered, once more determined. “Our marriage will be in name only, Aiden. Once the vicar has said his piece, I will vanish from your life.”

“Why?”

She went to answer, but realized she wasn’t so sure what exactly it would be. “Because…because that is what has to happen. We don’t love each other, we barely know each other.”

“Marriages have been made on less.”

“But—”

“You want to be safe Tess, do you not? Safe from your uncle?”

Tess wrapped her arms across her middle, rubbing her palms up and down her arms against the deepening chill. She glanced briefly back to the library where Tulip chattered to an already inebriated Luther. “The man is a bully,” she said shifting her focus back to Aiden.

“So take the chance to get away.”

“I thought that is what we—I was doing.”

His brow rose, his smile wide, and her heart skipped a beat.

Focus on escape, Tess. Do not think of his kisses. Do not.

“Can I make a suggestion in regards to this marriage of ours?”

“Of course.”
Bad idea.

His surprise was real. “Really? It does surprise me that you give permission so easily.”

“I do appreciate what you are doing.”

“You left me little choice.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Are you?”

She caught the humor in his voice. “No,” she said with a ripple of laughter. “You’re right. I’m not sorry. Oh, I am sorry it is you. You are a…nice man,” she said, knowing as she uttered the words that he was more than that. He was attractive and the sight of him tugged at something deep inside her, something she had never felt before. He excited her. “You are kind,” she said, steeling her reaction to him as best she could.

His mouth curled at the edges as he chuckled. “I’m not sure a husband-to-be would want his betrothed to think of him in terms of kind, or nice. They seem a tad tame for matrimony.”

“I could utter worse.”

“I’m sure you could—but we digress. You talk of kindness. I would guess that you have seen little of that these last few years.”

Her gaze lowered a fraction, only to refocus on him in an instant. She would not show weakness, or how humiliated she had been by Luther’s bullying. The man had broken her soul…nearly, but now she had taken ownership of it once more. She would not lose it again.

“It has not been easy,” she answered honestly.

“And you think marrying me is the answer?”

She lifted snow-tipped lashes and gazed up at him. “It is the only answer I have, Aiden. You are my only hope.” A tiny shiver goosed down her arms.

“You are cold.”

“It is snowing.”

“Aye, and we’re outside in it.” His mouth quirked ever so slightly and Tess couldn’t help but remember his kiss.

She swayed toward him, so close that the small amount of heat he radiated warmed her. A snowflake landed on her cheek and before she had the chance to brush it away, Aiden’s cupped hand caressed that very spot.

It was but a moment, but her heart stopped, the touch firing something in her belly. Then it was over and he drew away.

She wanted to stop him. Say,
stay
. She wanted to hold his hand there. Instead, she scrambled for something to say. Anything. “I’ve heard say we’re in for a harsh few months.”

“Could be. The snow is early.”

“Legend has it that when the autumn leaves wither on the boughs rather than falling, there’ll be much snow ahead.”

“A woman who knows her myths.”

“Education is not the prerogative of the men in our society. Besides, life has been easier with my books. I can lose myself in the adventure and mysteries,” she said with a sad shrug.

“Your chance to hide away.”

She lifted her gaze to his, searching for any hint of laughter on his part, only to observe sincerity in the blue depths of his eyes. “Why not? Knowledge is a great thing for everyone.”

Suddenly he shifted from her and began to unbutton his tailcoat.

“What are you doing?”

He shrugged it off. “Being a gentleman.”

“But you’ll freeze.”

“I’m tough, and,” he said with a shrug, “I’ve experienced worse.”

“Out on the roads.”

He stiffened and his smile faded, eyes darkening to the color of a stormy day. He draped the garment around her shoulders and drew her closer. It smelled of him, of the man she remembered from a few weeks ago.

“Soon we will be married, sweet Tess.”

Sweet? Did he think her so? Did she want him to?

His mouth found hers, surprising her, but delighting her at the same time, and she sighed into him in a single heartbeat. Hands pressed flat against his shirtfront, the
rat-a-tat-tat
of his heartbeat thrummed against her fingertips.

“Sweetest Tess.”

Her lips parted and his tongue slid along their rim, teasing them open farther, tangling with hers in a thrilling dance.

She should have been shocked. No decent lady would cavort this way—but she was no decent lady.

Her hands crept from his chest across his shoulders and around his neck, fingers threading through his hair.

He clutched her tighter, her breasts pressed against his chest, and beneath her gown her nipples hardened.

So shocking. So delicious. So—

“Stop!” Tess wrenched herself from him. “You have done it again,” she accused in a breathless rush.

His humor-filled eyes glittered. “Aye, it seems I have.”

His warmth melded from his jacket into her bones, reminding her from what she had just pulled away. Instinctively, she drew her arms tighter around herself, trying to stem the way her body reacted to him.

Impossible!

Her throat closed over, suddenly breathless. “You should not have done that,” she finally managed to whisper.

“We get married in a few days.”