Page 39 of Persuasions of an Earl's Daughter

“What is it? Is Lilly well?”

Klara shook her head. “Your wife is upstairs and thank goodness, because--”

“A large man was looking for her,” Astrid finished.

“We did not like the look of him.” Klara exchanged a look with Astrid. “He didn’t even know her name—simply described her.”

“And he would not say why he wanted your wife,” Astrid added.

The kidnappers. It had to be. Who else would be asking after her? They must have decided they still wanted to use her to get to Icarus and steal him from the original thieves.

“But we sent him away,” Klara said smugly.

August offered a grateful smile though he didn’t allow himself to relax. Not yet. Whilst the men were in Oakfield, Lilly was in danger, and he wouldn’t put it past two men who were willing to kidnap a noblewoman to threaten the locals. They needed to be dealt with and dealt with tonight.

Chapter Fourteen

Their kindly hosts meant well, Lilly had no doubt about that. However, being shooed off to bed left her pacing the bedroom and glancing out of the window as though she might be able to spot some sign of August’s return. Some glimmer or shadow in the river perhaps. But the patter of rain upon the window and the darkness of the churning water offered her little information and she knew she was wasting her time looking even briefly out of the room.

Of course, it did not help that she had slept so heavily not long ago—albeit for a few short hours. Add that to the fact she rarely fell asleep before midnight, and August had yet to return, and she had no hope of getting much-needed rest. How was one to sleep anyway after one had every ounce of pleasure wrung from their body at the hands of a skilled rake?

Anyway, she needed some time to get her thoughts straight. Astrid and Klara were lovely company but talking to them left her confused. When she’d spoken of August and continued the ruse of him being her husband it had felt too real at times. As though she really did feel things other than desire for him. She hadn’t lied when she told them he had admirable qualities, but she had hidden the fact he had a reputation for broken hearts and rash behavior. Was kissing her simply another rash act of this infamous adventurer?

It was no good. She’d have to talk to him. There was no sense on dwelling on things. If he was to tell her it was a mistake and the response of a red-blooded male to the situation, she would take that knowledge with dignity, and move on. Whilst she might desire the man, she was not willing to be added to the long list of women who had fallen at his feet and had their hearts broken.

Lilly dropped onto the bed, eyed the closed bedroom door, and resisted biting her poor, tortured thumbnail. She’d been so good at not biting her nails recently, but this journey had ruined her vow to do better.

The thud of a door rattled the windowpanes, and she held her breath. Then the sound of deep tones and hasty footsteps had her straightening her spine. Her throat tightened, her pulse sped up. All she had to do was be honest. It wasn’t too difficult. Just tell him that she desired him, but she would not be led down some foolish path.

The door flung open, and August’s gaze flew to hers. His rumpled golden hair made her fingers twitch with the need to touch it. She rose straight to her feet before her courage failed her.

“August, I think we need to—”

“You need to stay here.”

“—talk,” the final word came out as a little puff of air. She frowned. “Stay here?”

“The kidnappers are here.”

“The ones who took Icarus?”

August scowled. “That would make them horse-nappers.” He shook his head. “No, the ones who kidnapped you.”

“Well, good. Perhaps there is a local sheriff we can send in their direction.”

“They are asking around for you,” he said tightly. “It seems they’ve been looking for you since you escaped.”

“Well, I’m not going to—”

“You’re going to stay here,” he ordered, jaw tense.

“And what are you doing?” Cold dread circled her stomach. She recognized that look in his eyes already. Perhaps because she often looked that way—right before she was going to do something reckless.

“I’m going to get the bastards.”

Lilly took a step toward him. “Oh no you’re not.”

“Lil, they might continue hunting you, and I’m certainly not giving them an opportunity to succeed.”

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