Page 65 of Her Runaway Duke
“I am actually glad to be married to Siena, believe it or not.”
“I do believe it,” Fitz returned. “She is not only beautiful, but she is sweet and she puts up with your grumpy self.”
“Enough talk of her like that,” Levi grunted, which had Fitz laughing.
“Easy now, I have no romantic notions upon her,” he said. “Just admiring you and your marriage.”
“Do not get too jealous quite yet,” Levi said sardonically. “It’s barely even started yet.”
“What is your plan now?” Fitz asked as his horse pawed the ground impatiently below him.
“Now, I will return to my wife,” he said. “The marriage was so hasty that I am afraid she is rather questioning of my motives as well as my feelings. I must make her comfortable.”
“Will we be seeing you in London at all?” Fitz asked, raising a brow.
“I’m not sure,” Levi admitted. “If Siena would like to return, then perhaps.”
If it would make her happy, then so be it.
“Good to hear it,” Fitz said. “On that note, this is where we will say our farewells.”
“You are leaving?” Levi said in surprise.
“Yes. My saddlebags are packed. You should be alone with your bride, at least for a time. But don’t get too comfortable – I will return for a visit soon.”
“I’m counting on it,” Levi said, realizing it was the first time he had ever told Fitz that he actually enjoyed his visits and wouldlike him to repeat them. “Listen, Fitz,” he began, trying to find the right words to tell his friend how much he appreciated all that he had done for him.
“I know, I am the best friend anyone could ever have,” Fitz said with a cheeky grin, understanding. “You are lucky that I never gave up on you, despite your surly ways. And you will appreciate me forever.”
“Something like that,” Levi said, unable to help his laugh. “I shall see you soon, I expect.”
“You couldn’t get rid of me if you tried – you should know that by now,” Fitz said, and with that, he rode away, as Levi turned his horse around to go find his bride.
He pushed Lucky hard on the way home, eager to return to Siena. He had made love to her before, yes, but this time was going to be different. This time, he could take his time, savour her, knowing that he had every day, every night for the rest of their lives to explore her. He could focus on more than simply enjoying the moment, but instead, be patient, willing, understanding, and enjoy every moment she granted him.
He just had to convince her that what he felt for her was enough, that he could be that man she needed.
The moment he rounded the drive, the hairs on the back of his neck stood high, and there was almost an eerie silence in the air, absent of the calls of the animals and the birds that should have been there. The wind rustled in the trees, but instead of a calming breeze, it made his hair stand on end. He couldn’t say exactly what was off, but he was reminded of the day he had come upon Siena when she had been caught by the highwaymen.
He pushed Lucky even harder up the drive, swinging off of the horse before he had come completely to a stop. He ran up the steps, pushing open the front door and calling Siena’s name as he took his first steps in the house.
“Siena!” he shouted, filled with a desperation to see her, to know that he had no reason to be on edge. “Siena!”
“Oh, Your Grace, thank goodness you are here,” Thornbury said, rushing to the door. The butler was out of breath, one hand on his chest. “Lady Siena, that is, Her Grace, she – she is gone.”
“What do you mean, gone?” Levi growled.
“After you left, she was with the other ladies. And then Lady Willoughby and Lady Eliza departed in their carriage. Through the upstairs window, I saw Her Grace walking toward the rose garden but, the next thing I knew, she was being carried away down the front drive.”
“Carried? By whom?”
“She was on horseback, but I couldn’t see who was with her. By the time Collins managed to saddle a horse to take off after her, it was too late.”
Thank goodness Lucky was already saddled. Levi knew exactly where she had gone and who had taken her – her father.
“Find McGregor!” he called out to Thornbury, hoping that his valet could accompany him to provide him assistance, but Thornbury was holding his hands in the air as his greyish black hair stood on end.
“We can’t find him either,” he said. “We tried, as we were looking for all the help we could, but we have no idea what has become of him.”
