Page 37 of Her Wicked Highwayman
He had heard the name mentioned before, but he could not recall exactly in what context. This area of England had never been his home, his land, or his people—at least that was the way he’d felt since his father died. That was Ashton’s privilege as the eldest son. Rafe had pushed away any desire to know the people who lived here. He didn’t want to lose more friends when he eventually had to leave Ashton’s home and support himself and his daughter. He wasn’t sure when that day would come, but he couldn’t imagine Ashton letting him live there forever.
“She lives on the estate just south of you?” he asked.
“Yes.” Rachel’s keen eyes shone. “What interest do youreallyhave in my dearest friend?”
He heard the warning in her tone and knew he must tread carefully. He smiled at Rachel, being sure to make it one of his more charming ones.
“Curiosity, nothing more.”
“Hmmm... a rake’s curiosity often has dire consequences for the ladies who catch his eye. Let me offer you some advice, Mr. Lennox. Diana is not one to meddle with. She has things in her life that need her attention, and a man wishing to lure her to his bed for sport would be very foolish. She also has friends who would see such a man punished.”
“Friends such as yourself?” Rafe asked. Perhaps it was the steel in Rachel’s gaze or the ice in her voice, but he found himself taking the woman’s warning seriously.
“Yes. Friends who would challenge you to a duel or have you driven out of England without a second thought.”
Rafe quite believed Rachel would do exactly that. “She is fortunate to have you as a friend,” Rafe said quietly, and he meant it. It was clear Rachel was a warrior in skirts.
Rachel softened a little at the compliment. “No,Iam the fortunate one. Diana is one of the purest souls I’ve ever come across. She would do anything for those she loves, and she has suffered so much loss.”
His chest tightened. “What has she lost?” He knew she had no one intimate in her life, no husband, no lover. He’d felt so clearly the ache within her when he’d been with her, but to learn that it was from loss...
“She lost her mother when she was just fifteen. Her dear sister ran away from home a few years later, and we are all quite sure she must be dead. They were so very close when they were growing up, but it’s been several years since Diana’s had even a letter from her. And last year, Diana’s father passed away. Shedeserves no more sorrow, Mr. Lennox.” Rachel paused. Her gaze cut straight to the heart of him. “I rather like you. It would be a pity to put a bullet in your heart for hurting my friend.”
The dance ended, and she curtsied to Rafe before she left. His thoughts were churning. His little star was all alone,his Diana, and yes she was his. He’d had her once, and he would have her again and again. Yes, he needed his money back, and damned if he knew what he was going to do about that now that he understood Diana’s situation more clearly. But first, he would have her before he went mad with desire. And when they were both sated so thoroughly from passion that neither of them could leave his bed, he would decide what to do about this woman who held him captive. Because letting her go was no longer an option.
Diana staredup into Tyburn’s face. He smiled warmly at her as he introduced his wife.
His wife.
Dear God, what a silly fool she’d been to think a man who stole money would have any honesty in him. But he’d never pretended to be truthful. He’d even blatantly told her that Tyburn wasn’t his real name. Her chest tightened with sudden panic.
And what was worse? He wasn’t some impoverished man running about the countryside, looking for someone to share his lonely nights with. No... Tyburn was Baron Lennox. The man who’d robbed her coach and stolen her virtue was a powerful lord who had no need for the money that he had taken.
She suddenly felt lightheaded, and Lord Lennox reached out to catch her. She swooned, and he held her up on her feet. Butthere was no rush of awareness between them when he touched her, no lightning charge filled the air as it had that night when they’d been together.
This... this couldn’t be Tyburn. Whenever he touched her, there was a storm beneath her skin. This man’s voice was a little deeper, a little more gravelly than soft and smooth. And he was perhaps an inch taller... Oh, how foolish she was to make an assumption so quickly on the man’s eyes alone. She took a chance now to study him more closely.
Tyburn’s hair had been shorter, and he’d had no beard. Lord Lennox looked more like a wild Viking, complete with a golden beard. A man couldn’t grow his hair out that long in just three weeks. It must be the man’s eyes that had convinced her she was seeing what she’d longed to see for the last month. She’d been searching for any hint of Tyburn whenever she met a man upon the road or when she went to the village with Mrs. Ripley. But he had to be long gone, likely fearing she would have told the authorities where his hideaway was. But still, she looked in vain for any sign of him. Such was the depth of her foolish longing.
Several men she’d met this evening had blue eyes that were vaguely reminiscent of Tyburn’s. Lennox’s eyes were so bright, so intense, so like Tyburn’s. But now she was certain it was not him. This man’s eyes were full of interest and intelligence, but they lacked that aching longing to share himself with someone that had so called to her heart that night.
I am seeing ghosts of him in everyone, and I must stop.
“Are you all right, Miss Fox?” Lennox still held her tenderly, gently, but without the intimacy that would have told her this was the man who’d changed her life forever.
“I’m terribly sorry, my lord. I’m afraid I did not eat enough before I came and?—”
“Then I insist you let my husband fetch you some refreshment,” Lady Lennox said. “Ash, please bring us some punch, along with anything small and easy to eat.”
“Of course. I shall return in a moment.” Lennox bowed and departed.
As Diana recovered herself, Lady Lennox linked her arm with Diana’s.
“You certainly suffered a severe shock at the sight of my husband. Dare I ask if there is a reason he should frighten you so?”
“Frighten? No, as I said, I did not...” The words died on her lips. Lady Lennox had clearly seen something in her reaction that her husband had not. “He simply reminded me of someone.” She allowed Lady Lennox to escort her away from the edge of the dance floor to a secluded alcove a safe distance from the boisterous dancers.
So this was the woman who Rachel believed could be her salvation. Rosalind Lennox had lovely, delicate features, yet she was also undeniably a formidable force. That garnered Diana’s respect instantly. This was no wilting flower. This was a hardy woman who’d survived much.
