Page 49 of One Night of Temptation
She looked from Hugh to Joseph and back to Hugh again. “Which one of you is going to put a sack over my head?”
Chapter 13
“Are you terribly disappointed we didn’t bring a sack?” Hugh asked as he helped her into the hack he’d arranged to have waiting for them down the street. He climbed in and sat beside her, and they were shortly on their way.
She folded back the hood of the oversized cloak Joseph had brought to disguise her. “No, this is much better. You were well prepared. How did you know I’d go with you?”
“I didn’t, but as you said, I was prepared. I wouldn’t be much of a kidnapper if I didn’t have a plan.” He was just relieved she’d said yes. No, not just relieved. He was also overjoyed.
“Where did Joseph and his men go?” she asked. “And was Maisie not available?” She asked this with more than a bit of sarcasm, and he smiled at her ability to find humor in this moment, just as she’d done with her comment about the sack in the garden.
“Back to St. Giles, I imagine. Joseph informed me that Maisie fled after he failed to kidnap you. No one has seen her since.” He didn’t disguise his irritation. He’d been quite angry to learn she was gone. “I was dearly hoping to find her, not only to counsel her about her behavior but also to recover the money you gave her. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to do that.”
“Hugh, you’ve already done enough. More than enough.”
“Since Joseph had already spent the money Maisie paid him, I made him work it off by helping me tonight.”
She gently shook her head. “I can scarcely believe you made such an elaborate plan to save me from Findon.”
He heard the skepticism in her voice and wanted to rail at everyone who’d given her such low expectations of people. “It wasn’t all that elaborate, unless you include the assistance I received from the Dukes of Eastleigh and Colehaven since I’d never attended a Society dinner before.” He wanted her to know there were plenty of people who would provide help and support, not just him. “I recruited Joseph and his friends in case there was a problem getting you away.”
She turned toward him, her amber eyes glowing in the lamplight. “Which there was.”
“Yes, I’d intended to keep my identity secret. The plan was for Joseph and his men to abduct you while I remained in the shadows. However, I couldn’t abide the manner in which Findon was treating you, and I’m afraid my anger got the better of me.” He was frustrated with himself for losing his temper, but Findon was even worse than Hugh had heard.
“Thank you for intervening.” She took his hand and brought it to her lap. “I didn’t want to go to the garden with him, but my father insisted. I saw you leave the drawing room, and I thought you’d left.”
He cupped her face with his free hand. “Without you? Never. I asked you to meet me in the garden. I will always keep my promises.”
“It wasn’t a promise.” She sounded shy, and her cheeks turned a faint pink.
“This is. Look at me, Pen.” He stroked his thumb along her cheek, and she lifted her gaze to his. “I promise to keep you safe, to love and cherish you, and to share all that I have and all that I am with you. Now and forever.”
Tears welled in her eyes. She pressed her lips to his in a brief but fervent kiss. “I love you too.”
He pulled her against him, clasping the back of her neck and circling his arm around her waist. Then he kissed her again, pouring his very soul into her. It was several long minutes before he took his mouth from hers. He tossed his hat to the floor and rested his forehead against hers. Their breath mingled, and their hearts beat together in time. He massaged the back of her head, letting his fingers dive into her hair, heedless of causing the style to come apart.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“Seven Dials.” Her eyes widened, and he hastened to assure her. “It’s no worse than St. Giles, and I didn’t want to take you back to St. Giles in case they went looking for you there. I am as welcome in Seven Dials as I am in St. Giles, and we’ll stay at an inn I know well. It’s safe and comfortable.”
She blinked, her dark lashes fluttering against her pale skin. “And tomorrow, we’ll get married?”
He nodded. “Yes. I have a license, and Tom will perform the ceremony at my church.” He pulled back slightly and looked into her eyes. “I hope you don’t mind getting married there. It would mean a great deal to me and to my parishioners.”
“There is nowhere I would rather marry you. Your parishismy parish. Your church is my church. Some of your parishioners will be there?”
“I had hoped so, but I don’t think it’s wise to invite anyone now. I will send a note to Tom ensuring he keeps things quiet.” He frowned. “I am concerned your parents—or Bow Street Runners—will come looking for you at my home or at the church, particularly since Findon will now be able to definitely tell them that I was in the garden.” His behavior had been foolish, but Hugh wouldn’t regret it.
She paled but put her hands on his face and looked at him with determination. “They won’t find us in Seven Dials, and even if they’re waiting for us tomorrow at the church, it won’t matter. Nothing will stop me from marrying you.” Her gaze was fierce, her hands warm with the heat of her conviction. “Nothing.”
He kissed her, their lips and tongues meeting and moving together as if they’d been created for each other. Her scent of lavender permeated his senses and fanned his already smoldering desire. He pressed his hand against her lower back, bringing her against him as he strove to angle himself to bring them chest to chest on the seat. Groaning with frustration and need, he pulled her onto his lap instead. She gasped into his mouth but held his neck more tightly and kissed him with even greater fervor.
The coach came to a sudden stop, nearly sending them into a heap on the floor. Hugh clasped her against him, and their mouths broke apart. Their eyes met with heat and desire—and they laughed.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
She nodded. “Never better.”
