Page 86 of The Dark Duke's Virgin

“I know who you are,” the deep, commanding voice of His Grace boomed like the thunder of a cannon. “Although soon, you will pray that I did not.”

“Your Grace!” her father cried in shock.

“Step down from the carriage, Lord Edgerton! Quickly.”

“What is the meaning of this! I demand that you move your horse from my way immediately.”

“Again!” His Grace barked. “Step down from the carriage. Now!”

“On who’s authority.”

“My own!”

The carriage had come to a standstill. Caroline swung about, caught between waiting to see what happened and taking action. His Grace had come for her, and she could not believe it! It must have meant that he forgave her, that he understood! Surely, there could be no other reason?

But her excitement entered deep dread when she remembered the revolver hidden in her father’s jacket.

“No!” she gasped and leapt for the door.

“This is unheard of,” her father was saying. “You have no right to?—”

“Miss Dowding!” His Grace gasped as Caroline stumbled from the carriage. She nearly fell into the dirt but kept her footing, spinning about just in time to see Frederick, still atop his horse, smiling wonderfully at the sight of her.

“Your Grace!” she cried.

Oh, he was a sight that dreams were surely designed for. Sitting atop his horse, broad shouldered and large, she had never seen someone look so powerful. Dark hair whipping in the wind. Handsome face stern without fear. He may have only had the single horse to support him, but he imposed it on her father, who looked small and pathetic by comparison.

“That is my daughter, Miss Dunn!” her father snarled, still seated in the driver’s chair of the carriage. “And I will ask that you not speak to her!”

“You came!” she hurried around the carriage, coming in beside where her father was sitting. “I cannot believe you came.”

“Of course, I did…” His smile grew, and her heart leapt. “I only regret that I did not come sooner, that I said those things to you—that I accused you of?—”

“Enough of this!” her father shouted. “Caroline, back in the carriage, now! And Your Grace, I ask that you move your horse otherwise you will leave me no choice but to run you down.”

“You may try, Lord Edgerton, but it would be unwise.”

“Unwise?” he snarled. His hands gripped the reins, ready to whip them and force the horses forward. But there was no point, and a glance at Caroline confirmed that he knew it. “Back in the carriage! I will not ask you again.”

She ignored him. “Your Grace, I should have told you the truth. I should have told you?—”

“It is all right,” he assured her, his smile soft now and loving. “There is no need to explain. I am the one who should be sorry.”

“I cannot believe you came for me…” Her heart swelled in her chest such that she thought she might float.

“I cannot believe you thought I would not.”

“Enough!” Her father was on his feet. “Your Grace, will you remove your horse from the road? Yes, or no?”

“No! Not without Miss Dowding.”

“Her name—” He reached into his coat and pulled out his revolver, pointing it at His Grace; his arm shook from the anger that flooded through him. “—is Miss Dunn! And as you are here to steal her from me, I am within my rights to shoot you!”

His Grace’s eyes flashed as he eyed the gun. But not with fear, even if that would be the natural reaction. Anger brewed inside of him, his lip curling back to reveal bared teeth.

“I would not do that if I were you, Lord Edgerton.”

“Ha! And what could you possible do about it!”

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