Mistletoe and Mayhem: A Regency Holiday Romance Anthology, page 94
The idea of her marrying any other man set his teeth on edge. He rubbed his chest. He wanted her and no one else.
Soon he would know if he had left his declaration too late. He hoped it didn’t spoil Christmas for everyone. He hoped that they would remember this Christmas forever. For the right reasons. For what could be a better present than the gift of love?
“Your Grace, have you seen Harriet?” He looked at Ariane as she stood before him, chewing her bottom lip and wringing her hands. “I haven’t seen her for almost an hour. Kingsley and I have looked everywhere.”
The back of Blade’s neck prickled. His gaze swept the room She was not here. “She can’t have just disappeared.”
Just then Trello arrived. “Funny thing. Lord Punting just told me he’d seen Lord Fallon here. But I was sure we did not invite him.”
Blade’s blood turned to ice in his veins. “Fetch your brother. We have to search the house.” He smiled reassuringly at Ariane while inside he trembled. “I’m sure she’s simply taking some time to herself,” but he could see Ariane didn’t believe him.
Blocks of ice. Her feet were like blocks of ice, and she could not feel her toes. He must have parked the carriage a long way away from the house, as they had been walking for some time. Maybe he hadn’t expected the snow to fall so heavily. She knew exactly where they were. They were near the hot pools. If she could slip away she could hide in the maze of rocks until someone noticed she was gone. She knew her way around the rocky outcrop and she could easily lose him. Hopefully, the steam would save her from freezing to death.
She heard a horse neigh and understood the carriage was likely hidden within the corpse of trees up ahead. It was now or never. Fallon stumbled over a rock and his grip lessened. With one almighty elbow to his ribs and a giant shove, she broke free and ran as fast as she could over the snowy ground. It was rough going because she could not feel her feet. She lifted her skirts and her legs flew over the ground. Thank God Lord Fallon was short, for her strides matched his, but fear gave her wings and she could run faster.
She made the safety of the rocks and skirted around to a place in the rocks that gave her several escape routes. Listening to his bumblings as he hunted for her, she hoped the heated steam would warm her. Her teeth were chattering, and she wondered if he could hear them. She’d have to play hide and seek with Lord Fallon until rescued. To run across open land back towards the house would give him the chance to catch her out in the open. The cold would soon overtake her. Already her body felt numb.
She stayed hidden and listened as Fallon stumbled around cursing her and his money issues. Why wouldn’t he just give up and leave her alone? Then she realized he was dressed in a warm jacket and boots. But if she stayed here any longer, she’d faint from the cold. Already her limbs were trembling.
She rounded another rock and looked towards the house. She’d have to risk it. If she delayed any longer, she wouldn’t make it. She waited until he was on the other side of the rocks and made a dash for it. She no longer cared about the cold, or her numb limbs. She felt no pain as she stumbled over the hard ground, her slippers almost shredded.
She had one major fall and when she stood up her hand caught her dress and it ripped down the front, her bosom barely contained by her shift under her corset.
To her relief, he still hadn’t realized that she’d made a run for it. And if she didn’t die of cold, she’d make it back to the house before he could catch her.
Chapter Eight
“She’s not in the house, I tell you.” Blade paced the drawing room, oblivious to the ballroom noise. His heart was beating so hard in his chest. What a bloody fool he’d been. He just might lose her.
If Fallon had abducted Harriet, he’d kill the man and then he’d marry Harriet, scandal or no scandal. He loved her.
Of course he loved her. He’d known that all along. There had never been any other woman he’d wanted to be his wife. He was simply too scared to admit it.
Now his cowardice may cost him his happiness. He gazed at the mistletoe hanging over the door and wished he could hold Harriet in his arms under it and kiss her for eternity.
“We have looked everywhere.” Ariane had tears in her eyes.
“If that young lady has run away.”
“Papa, Harriet would never run away from anything.” Diane sat holding Ariane’s hand, fighting back tears too. “Something is afoot.”
It was afoot all right, and Blade was certain Lord Fallon had everything to do with it.
Trello entered. “I’ve searched the stables. No horses are missing.” He glanced at Blade with fear in his eyes. “Father, Ariane and Diane should go back to the ball. Kingsley will watch over you. Philip, Blade and I will take some men and search further afield.”
“If she’s outside, she could freeze to death. Why would she go outside?” Ariane wailed.
Kingsley pulled Ariane into his arms. “The men will find Harriet. We must return to the ballroom and act as if nothing is amiss. We don’t need her reputation bandied about. There is enough gossip already.”
With that the women and Lord Kingsley returned to the ball, leaving the men alone.
Blade rounded on Harriet’s brother. “It’s Fallon, I tell you. You heard the rumor too, Trello. He’s desperate for money.”
“He’s also a coward. He knows I’d kill him if he touched a hair on her head.”
“He can get in line,” Blade growled. “We can’t just stand here doing nothing.”
“Have we checked the stables? There are plenty of grooms and stable hands about with the ball on,” Philip asked.
“I’ve already checked,” Trello wailed.
Blade headed for the door. “I’ll look again. I have to do something.” He made his way through the servants' entrance and even with his greatcoat on the cold penetrated to his skin. The falling snow was relentless, and he prayed Fallon at least wrapped Harriet up against the elements.
The stable was a buzz of activity, what with the carriages for the guests and keeping the horses warm. If the snow didn’t ease, they might have a full house tonight, the roads soon becoming impassable.
It didn’t take long for Blade to learn that Lord Fallon did not have a carriage in the stable yard, and he could feel his fear choke him. He asked his groom to saddle his horse while sending a boy to let Trello know what he’d learned and that he’d go searching.
As he headed out into the snowstorm, he berated himself. He’d been so pleased with his plan around his surprise proposal that he’d forgotten to watch over Harriet. She’d specifically asked them to be in the ballroom tonight, but he’d thought it would have more effect if he came out only to propose.
He vowed that no matter what, she would be his bride. He didn’t care what Fallon did to her, once Fallon was dead she would be his wife, scandal be damned—if she’d have him. He hated that now she might not have any choice. He wanted her to have her wish—to make her own decisions about her future. If he could he’d ensure Fallon did not steal that from her.
He rode around to the back of the house because if he was abducting anyone it would not be in full view of the guests. That’s when he saw the set of two prints in the snow. He kicked his horse forward. He followed them until the snow obscured them… Or was that it. He dismounted and saw that the prints diverged. His heart sped up. She’d run…
Throwing himself in the saddle, he knew exactly where she was running to—the hot pools. He urged Ghost into a gallop and headed to the pools. About half way there he saw a figure stumbling towards the house. It was Harriet, and not far behind was Fallon.
Anger seized him, and he yelled a curse into the cold air. Fallon turned towards the sound and stopped, turning round and running back the way he’d come. Blinding rage almost saw him follow until he noted that Harriet had no coat on. She’d fallen to her knees in the snow. He’d leave killing Fallon to later and instead raced to Harriet’s side.
“Blade…” Her voice was a whisper as she lay in the snow with flakes kissing her beautiful face.
“I’ve got you,” he whispered in her ear as he wrapped her in his greatcoat, oblivious to the cold from worry. She felt like a block of ice. He quickly carried her and lay her on Ghost’s neck before swinging up behind her. He pulled her into his arms and set his horse flying over the snow towards the warmth. He was about to gallop into the stable when he detoured to the servants' entrance round the back.
He saw a figure heading towards the house and it was Trello. Her brother broke into a run when he spied them.
“Well met, Trello. Help me carry her inside and get her out of these wet clothes and warm. We also need to protect her reputation, so get your father to reveal she’s taken ill, and the announcement is delayed.”
“And what of Fallon?” Trello’s voice was filled with the same rage that was gripping his body like a vice.
“He’ll keep. Harriet’s a bigger concern; she’s fainted from the cold.” By now he was striding up the backstairs towards her bedchamber, and Trello had left to find Lord Hearthstone.
Warmth. She could feel the heat seeping into her frozen limbs, and her hands and feet were tingling in a terrible way. Warmth and pain was all she felt. That wasn’t true. She felt safe. Blade had come for her.
She snuggled into his hard chest, trying to distract herself from the pain, but she let out a whimper. She felt herself being lowered to a bed, her clothes being stripped from her body, while a deep voice barked orders. Soon she was wrapped in quilted blankets and a large male body was cuddling her close.
However, the warmer she got, the more painful it became, until she was crying like a little girl.
Someone made her drink a sickly sweet liquid, and soon she was falling into a lovely dreamless sleep where the pain couldn’t find her.
She didn’t know how long she’d slept, but the sun was shining when her eyes fluttered open. She could see it had stopped snowing through her bedroom window. Disappointment rippled under her contentedness because she no longer felt the two strong, safe arms of Blade. He’d left her during the night.
But he’d saved her.
She sighed against the pillow. What a mess. Lord Fallon had tried to abduct her.
But Blade saved her, and on that lovely thought she snuggled back under the blankets, happiness making her hum a little song.
She rolled onto her side and saw Ariane sleeping in the large wingback chair near the fire, and Diane was curled in a blanket on the end of her bed. Diane was awake, and she smiled at her.
“Gosh, what a night.”
Diane scoffed. “Indeed. We told everyone you’d taken ill. Which you sort of have. Your fingers and toes were red raw with cold, but the doctor doesn’t think there is any permanent damage. Do they hurt much?” Diane had moved up to cuddle her. “If you need it, the doctor left you more laudanum for the pain.”
“I’m fine.” She hoped Diane would tell her where Blade was before she had to ask, but her sister rose from the bed to stoke the fire as there was a sharp chill in the air. “We shall ensure all the guests leave today. Some had to stay overnight because of the snow.”
Ariane awoke stretching out her neck and arms before coming to sit on the bed beside her, wrapped in a shawl for extra warmth. “Blade was quite the hero. Rushing you inside up the back stairs and barking orders to get hot bricks.”
Harriet remembered strong masculine arms holding her even as they stripped her wet clothes from her body. Her body flushed at the idea he saw her naked.
“Your brother had to pry you off him. They made him wait outside your room in the end as it was very inappropriate. Only his declaration of love and that you would be his wife saw your brother allow him to stay in the room until the doctor arrived.”
“He said he loved me?”
Ariane stroked her hair. “He was frantic with worry for you.” Harriet pushed back the bedding and made to rise, but Ariane’s hand stayed her movement. “He’s not here.”
“He’s gone? He left before Christmas day, before seeing me?”
“He and Trello have gone after Lord Fallon,” Diane told her.
She sunk back against the pillows. She should have known the men in her life would revenge this slight. “What do you think they will do when they find him?” She tried to breathe evenly. Would Trello or Blade challenge him to a duel? Would they get hurt? Or worse, if Lord Fallon was mortally injured they may be in terrible trouble.
Diane looked at Ariane. “I’m not sure. Hand him to the magistrate one would hope.”
Ariane’s words didn’t convince Harriet. A court case would lead to scandal about her, and both men would try to protect her from that. Please don’t do something irreversible. Fallon is not worth it.
Ariane tried to take her mind off the situation. “I’ll organize a bath for you and some food. You must be hungry.”
“Thank you. A bath sounds like? the perfect plan. I just hope the men return tonight. It won’t be the same to wake up tomorrow on Christmas Day without them.
“I hope so too.” Ariane left to organize a tray of food, and to let the guests know she was still feeling under the weather but a little better than yesterday.
Chapter Nine
The day seemed to last forever. As darkness fell around mid-afternoon, Ariane and Kingsley tried to take Harriet’s mind off Blade and Trello by playing cards and parlor games, but by dinner, her heart sank. As she climbed the stairs to bed, a tear tracked down her cheek. She prayed her brother and the man she loved were safe. It would be dangerous to travel in the dark with the snow on the ground. The chances of them making it home this Christmas Eve, let alone being with all the family on Christmas Day, seemed to be dashed.
She’d bid her lady's maid good night and was lying in her warm bed dreaming of Blade. She was just dozing, dreaming of his kisses when she heard footsteps on the stairs. Quite a few footsteps.
Diving for her robe she scurried to the door, and the servants were racing up and down the stairs with buckets of hot water dressed in their nightwear. “Have they returned?”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Where are they?”
“Both in their rooms. They need to get out of their wet clothes.”
Blast. She could hardly openly visit Blade in his rooms. Or could she? She turned back to her bedchamber and closed the door. She would wait until the servants retired and then visit his room.
She paced. Her body singing with nerves and love and happiness.
The house was silent when she finally slipped out of her room. Even blindfolded she could find her way to Blade’s room. As she entered, her smile almost wouldn’t fit through the door. He had declared his love for her to her brother. Now he needed to admit it to her.
She stopped just inside the door, closing it quietly behind her. The room was hot as a huge fire roared in the grate, but what drew her eye and caused her body to ignite, was the large bathing tub set directly in front of the fire. Or rather, the man sitting naked within it.
She tiptoed across the room. She understood why he did not turn at her approach because when she walked around the tub to face him she saw he was asleep, snoring softly.
Exhaustion marred his handsome features, and she couldn’t help herself. She leaned over and kissed his lips. She felt his lips break into a smile as his eyes flickered open. “My beautiful mermaid.”
She drew back and cupped his chin with her hand. “More like my merman tonight.”
He drew her down for another kiss. The kiss was demanding, yet soft, and soon she could not think of anything but being in this man’s arms.
Finally, he broke the kiss on a ragged breath.
She scolded him. “I’m so happy you’re home safe. Lord Fallon was not worth risking your life over.”
He frowned. “He tried to abduct you. He almost killed you. If I hadn’t found you… I wanted to kill him.”
“Please tell me you didn’t.” At his raised eyebrow she added, “Please tell me Trello didn’t kill him either.”
“Your brother’s men have escorted him to the coast and are putting him on a ship bound for the Americas. Fallon knows if he steps foot back on English soil, he’s a dead man.”
“Well, I didn’t want him dead, but I’m pleased he is no longer in England.” She perched herself on the edge of the tub, admiring the view. “And I’m very pleased you are here in time for Christmas.”
“I too am very pleased,” Blade said with a smile that saw her limbs tremble. “I was hoping to propose to a beautiful woman and be engaged by Christmas day.”
She looked at the clock on the mantle. “It’s Christmas day already, you know.”
“Then I best get on with it. My happiness depends on the lady’s answer.” With that, he rose from the tub like Poseidon rising from the sea. She jumped away from the droplets of water and to give herself a better view of the glorious body before her.
He stepped from the tub, grabbing a towel he wrapped it around his waist, much to her disappointment, and moved to the dresser. After ruffling in the top draw, he drew out a little silk bag, and she gasped when she saw the beautiful ruby ring hiding within.
His face was fervent as he walked back to where she stood rooted to the spot. His large hand swallowed hers as he drew her close. She could barely swallow.
“Lady Harriet Rondell, Harriet, Harry, my mermaid, would you do me the greatest honor and become my wife?”
She took a deep breath, determined to ask her question. Although she prayed for the answer she longed to hear from his lips. “And Your Grace, why is it you think I should marry you?”
His eyes welled with what looked like unshed tears. “Because I love you with all my heart and soul, and no other man will love you as much as I do. Besides, we are perfect for each other.”
