Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“Yes. I will marry you.”

Lucien had gone cold when she fell silent for so long. When her answer came it was like having a fog lifted off from around his eyes. The world looked brighter. He kissed her lips. “I love you.”

Ciara kissed him back, not ready to admit that to him. She rose and pulled him with her to the bed. “Time for a nap. You still look exhausted.” Drawing back the covers, she helped him out of his boots and shirt.

Sliding into bed in only his trousers, he was enfolded by her honey and berry scent. The fatigue took over. As he closed his eyes, he felt her slide in next to him. She cuddled up to him like she had done in the cabin. One hand over his heart and her head on his shoulder.

* * * *

Lucien woke to the bed bouncing. He smiled, recalling that Ciara had agreed to marry him.

They were going to get married as soon as he got the special license, for he wasn’t going to give her a chance to change her mind. As he thought of his wife-to-be, he realized the warmth that had been next to him was gone, but the bed was still bouncing.

His eyes opened into mere slits as he heard childish laughter. His son was sitting on the end of the bed between Faolan and Kosse, staring at him. Every now and then he would bounce and shake the bed.

Bryn was obviously trying to stay quiet but was losing his patience with that. Lucien opened his eyes and blinked as he saw the smile cross his son’s face.

“Finally. You woke up. Mama said I couldn’t make any noise to wake you. I didn’t. But I bounced some. That should be okay ’cause she didn’t say I couldn’t bounce, only that I had to be quiet. Are you awake now?”

Sitting, he looked at his child and nodded. “I’m awake. What can I do for you?”

“Why aren’t you wearing a shirt? Why are you in Mama’s bed naked?” The child’s eyes narrowed.

“I’m not naked.” Is this the sort of conversation one should have with a child? Even if it’s my own child? “Where is your mother?”

“She is with Aunt Fi. They are planning a wedding. Or, rather, Fi is. Mama looks like she has a headache. Are you marrying Mama? Does that mean we will be a family now? I asked her and she said she would talk to you about it.” Bryn bounded into his lap and continued to chatter.

I spoke to Mama about it. She was marrying him for her son. Not because she loved him, or wanted to. It was for her son. The joy that had been with him when he woke disappeared like a puff of smoke. Was he going to have a marriage like his father, after all?

“Bryn, leave your father alone. Go find something to give Faolan and Kosse to eat. I have to speak to your father for a minute.”

“Okay, Mama.” He reached up and kissed Lucien on the cheek before running to his mother and kissing her as well. Full of happiness, he left with Faolan and Kosse who stopped by Ciara to get pats as well.

Lucien stared at her with mistrust. Sliding out of bed, he put on the shirt she held out to him. When she sat down on the bed, he remained standing.

“I am pretty sure that Bryn has spoken to you about what he talked to me about. I felt that you should know, while I did do this for him it wasn’t all for him. I do want to marry you.” She caught his gaze and held it with her own. “I would only hope that you realize I can’t change overnight and some of your customs will take me a while to get used to. That is all I have to say, so I will let you finish dressing. I’ll see you downstairs.” She rose and slipped out of the room before he could formulate a sentence.

* * * *

Lucien ate dinner at the Trenton house. After he had drunk some after-dinner port with the viscount, he found Ciara sitting outside in the garden by herself on a bench. She was bathed by the moonlight and looked at peace.

She was sitting cross-legged on the bench, enjoying the cool night air and the scents that came with it. Listening to the bugs and night birds that croaked, chirped and sang made her breathe easier. She wore a loose-fitting dress, the one she had worn for dinner. It was a navy blue.

Lucien knew she didn’t wear any of the corsets or stays that most women did under a dress. Knowing her, she was probably barefoot or wearing moccasin slippers. He pulled his cravat loose as he approached her.

“Ciara. What are you doing out here?”

Without opening her eyes, she answered him. “Faolan and Kosse are off hunting and I am enjoying the outdoors. What are you doing here? I thought you would be going home by now.”

“Trying to get rid of me?” The question was lighthearted but the meaning behind it was not.

“No. You should probably know, however, that my aunt wants to go all out for this wedding. If she has her way, it won’t be ready for a good six months or so. She wants everyone around to know.”

“And you? What do you want?” He sat beside her on the bench and smiled as he saw one moccasin-clad foot peeking out from under her dress.

“I don’t really care. I don’t know most of the people she says she wants to invite anyway. I don’t like the idea of being put on display.” Her voice was heavy with a passiveness that was not like her—it was full of resignation.

“Are you having regrets about saying yes?”

“No. It’s not that. Well, not in the way you are thinking. I am having to give up my freedom. That is hard for me to accept. Not marrying you.” Her lids raised and he found himself ensnared by her whiskey eyes. “Never about marrying you.”

“Would you like to have a quiet ceremony? I am afraid that you will have to go to breakfasts and such, as people will want to meet you. But I can have a special license by tomorrow if that would make it easier on you.”

“Tomorrow? You can do that?”

“For you. Anything.” He pulled her into his arms. “I want you to be happy. We will have to go into town for a while, but we can come back to Heartstone if you wish.”

“And Faolan and Kosse?”

“They will come with, of course. You will have to ride sidesaddle and never faster than a trot, while in town.” He finished in a rush at her look of horror.

“And my dress?”

“In the house you can wear anything. When going out, a dress befitting your station.” He searched her face for the glint of defiance he knew his pronouncement would bring. It came, but disappeared quicker than he would have thought.

“I will have to take this one day at a time. Can’t I just stay here?”

“And have people laugh at me that my wife stays with her family instead of me?” He raised his voice with censure. “No. Your place is with me.”

Ciara sighed. “I meant at Heartstone. Instead of going to London, couldn’t I just stay there?”

She gripped her dress with a grip that almost whitened her knuckles showing how distressed the conversation was making her.

“We will have to go to London, for a little while at least. You may like it there. Rafe and Devonna will come with us and we will be in Rafe’s townhome.” He kissed her on her temple. “I have to go get the license. We will wed tomorrow. I will bring Rafe and Devonna to stand as witnesses. All right?”

When she didn’t answer, he turned her and tipped her face up to his. She was at war with herself. She nodded and slipped off his lap and walked to the edge of the garden.

Lucien followed. There was something wrong. She was not as happy as she should be. He gathered her in his arms and placed a very thorough kiss on her lips. Eyes darkened with desire and bodies responded. He set her down with reluctance and walked away with only a “Goodnight, princess.”

* * * *

Lucien rode to the Trenton house accompanied by Rafe and a very excited Devonna. Potter met them at the door and smiled as he opened the door to admit them.

“Where is my fiancée, Potter?”

“My niece is out riding.” Aunt Fiona swept into the room, looking very bright in her orange dress.

“Well, we are early. Where is she riding at? I will go meet her.” Lucien looked down at the woman who was to become his aunt by marriage. She was very vibrant and, if her brother, Ciara’s father, had been anything like her, it was not any wonder that Ciara was so full of life.

“Perhaps she needs to be alone for a bit. We need to talk. Perhaps Lord Harrington would like to take Lady St. Martin to see the gardens, while we chat.”

Rafe bowed to Fiona and led Devonna off to the gardens. Lucien followed her into a sitting room that was bright yellow. At her wave, he settled himself onto a settee and waited for her to begin.

Fiona sat across from him, clashing with the room. “Do you plan on allowing my niece to keep her freedom?” His brows rose in amazement. Scanning the room, he looked for the viscount. “Trenton’s not here. This is between you and me. She is my only link to my brother and I will not have her hurt.”

“I don’t plan on hurting her. Some of her activities will have to cease, for she will become the wife of a marquess. I am allowing her to keep her animals and that should tell you something right there. When we come out to Heartstone, I will probably allow her to assist with the horses. She will not want for anything. I will provide for your niece.”

“You will find her out riding past the lake. One of the grooms can give you directions.” She didn’t look back at him when she added, “Don’t forget who she was when you met her. Ever.” Then she left in a swish of silk.

Lucien let her words wash over him. He had to go find his wife-to-be. The minister would be here this afternoon. The special license was in his pocket. He had witnesses, had sent a note to his father letting him know what he was doing. All he needed was to see his son and his future wife.

He swung up into his saddle and got directions from the groom. When he rode up to the field he stopped as he saw Faolan and Kosse lying in the sun. Bryn was not with her. She was riding across the field. Her hair was loose and flowing out behind her.

Ciara was riding low and they were moving fast. Artemis was moving swift and powerful across the grass. Her hooves pounded the ground, sending up chunks of earth in their wake. As they approached the edge of the field, they moved as one into a smooth turn and headed back across.

Riding into the sun, Ciara sat up and reached her arms out to the warmth. Her head fell back and she moved with her horse, holding on with her legs. Lucien saw and realized that she was riding bareback. There was no saddle and no bridle on her horse. His breath caught in his throat.

A whistle reached his ears and, as he watched, Faolan and Kosse jumped up and ran after her. Without slowing, she turned Artemis toward a fallen tree. Urging her horse on to greater speed, she sent her flying over the tree, followed by both animals, and was soon out of sight.

Shaking with fury at her daring, he rode his horse down to look at the tree. It reached the chest of his horse. She could have killed herself. Wheeling his gelding around, he headed back to the stables. Ciara, however, wasn’t there when he arrived.

Ciara rode off into the trees. She loved this, running fast and free. As she found herself on the road, she slowed Artemis to a walk and followed the winding path. Glancing at the sun, she realized she needed to get back to get ready for her wedding. Her wedding, that struck a nerve.

Turning Artemis around, she noticed that Faolan and Kosse had slipped back into the wood and Artemis was tossing her head. She heard it then, an approaching horse and rider. Moving Artemis over to one side, she continued walking on.

“Morning. What are you doing out here and who are you?” He pulled his horse up in front of hers so she would have to stop.

Cool eyes, the color of whiskey, ran an assessing gaze over him. He preened. He was very good-looking and knew it.

Ciara looked at the gentleman in front of her. He was built like Lucien but had sandy brown hair and gray eyes. His face was pointier and more hawklike. Lips were thinner. He was broad-shouldered and fit. He was a handsome man. Problem was, he knew it.

“I am riding. I am Ciara. You need to keep your horse moving. He is too hot to be made to stand still. Who are you?”

Arching a brow at her comment, he moved his horse alongside hers and walked with her. “I am Phillip Vallence, Earl of Edais. I am on my way to see the Marquess of Heartstone. He is getting married today.”

He smiled like she should be heartbroken at the news. Or shocked to hear it. “Oh. How nice for you. Excuse me, I have to go.” She turned to head Artemis off the road and onto a path when his voice stopped her.

“Do you know this chit he is supposed to marry? There are rumors all over London that she beat up the duke’s men for no reason. They say that she is a heathen from the colonies and…” Dawning hit him. To his credit, he did blush.

“Looks like they say a lot in London. I believe you will find the marquess at Viscount Trenton’s house, for that is where the wedding is supposed to be. Good day.” She rode off into the trees without another word.

“Wait. Where are you going?” Phillip turned off the path and blanched as he saw the animals in his way. His horse rolled its eyes in fear and bolted off down the road, leaving him on his butt on the ground.

Ciara turned back when she heard the thump of him falling to the ground. This was not how she had wanted to spend her last free day. She saw her babies stalking the man. Calling them off, she looked down at the man on the ground.

“Are you all right?”

“Are they friends of yours?”

“Aye. They won’t hurt you, unless you attempt to hurt me. Are you hurt?” She swung down from Artemis and walked over to him. Artemis began to eat the grass.

Phillip rose with caution, keeping an eye on the animals that were watching him. “I’m fine.” He took a step and winced as his ankle flared with pain. “Ouch. That hurt.”

Ciara was by him in a flash. “Sit. I need to look at that.”

Phillip listened. She examined his ankle in a detached manner. As she slipped his boot back on, she said, “It’s not broken, just sprained.”

“How would you know?”

“I just do. I will help you to the Trenton house. There someone can summon a doctor if you prefer.” She spoke with calm assurance.

“I can’t walk on this, woman. It hurts. Send someone to help me. I will wait here.”

“I can’t leave you here. You will ride my horse with me.”

“No way. Your horse has no saddle. For that matter, why is it still here? Why didn’t it run away from those animals?”

Unamused by his hesitations, she struggled to contain her irritation. “They are friends. I will help you on her back and then I will ride in front of you.” Her decision made, she rose and held out her hand to the man on the ground.

Shaking his head, he refused her hand. “I will stay here.”

Another heavy sigh. “Look, the nice weather will not last. There is rain coming. You can do this the easy way or the hard way, but I am not leaving you here. Come on. Let’s go.” Ciara took the decision from him and lifted him.

Calling her horse to her, she looked between them both and made her decision. She spoke low to the horse and it got down on the ground. She gazed at the man standing next to her and gestured to the horse.

“You get on now. After she rises I will get on. I would help you up, but I think it best if I do not put my hands on you. Come on.”

Phillip shook as she helped him on and Ciara wasn’t sure if it was from pain or fear.

“Slide back. I will swing up in front of you and then you will have to scoot up so you can hold on to my waist.” When he complied, she pulled herself up and brought her leg over the other side of the horse’s neck. Waiting until she felt his arms go around her waist, she spoke and they were off.

“Are you really marrying Luc?”

“That’s the rumor,” Ciara answered.

“You don’t speak much for a woman.” He gripped her tighter as they went around a corner.

“I speak when it’s important. Hang on, we are almost there.” They broke from the covered road and saw the Trenton house in the distance.

Her passenger tried to hold himself upright as they rode in but he couldn’t find it in himself to release her all the way. Lucien was waiting at the top of the steps with thunderclouds in his eyes. Rafe and Devonna were there as well.

Halting Artemis, she looked until she saw the footman she was searching for. “Go get a doctor. The earl has hurt his foot.” The man ran off. She looked up at Lucien and Rafe. “Don’t just stand there. Come help him off the horse. He can’t stand on his own.”

Lucien speared her with a glare. “You have some explaining to do. I saw you in the field.” He grabbed his friend and pulled him down, asking, “What are you doing here? Why are you riding and holding on to her? Stay away from her.”

Ciara turned Artemis toward the stable and rode off, ignoring the look of disbelief on Lucien’s face. She would deal with him later. For now she had a horse to tend to. While she was in the stall brushing down Artemis, she felt rather than saw the door slide open.

When she looked up, she stared at a furious man. “Morning, Wolf.” She kept on brushing.

“What in the hell do you think you were doing, riding around like that?” Lucien fisted his hands and stepped closer. “I saw that jump. For god’s sake, woman, you weren’t even using a saddle or a bridle. And then to come back riding with another man.”

“Would you have had me leave him in the road, injured?”

“Yes. It would serve him right for falling off his horse. He should learn to ride better.” His words were snarled.

“Funny, your father said the same about you. Should I have left you where you fell?”

“That wasn’t the same thing.”

“How do you know? His horse spooked. He fell, he was injured. There is a storm coming and, regardless of your feelings about it, I couldn’t and wouldn’t leave him there.” She walked past him out of the stall. “Now I have to go and get ready. Excuse me.”

* * * *

“Where are you going to celebrate the marriage?” Phillip asked Lucien.

“We are just going to Heartstone and after Devonna’s wedding we will be going to London.”

“We should be going.” Lucien rose and pulled her to her feet amidst the sly looks of his friends. He had arranged for Bryn to stay here with Devonna for one night and they would return to Heartstone tomorrow, for Devonna’s wedding was at the end of the week.

“Bye, Mama. Bye, Papa. I will see you tomorrow.” He hugged his mom and whispered something in her ear.

“Yes, Bryn. They will stay with you. Take them with if you ride Toka. I love you, baby. See you tomorrow.” One more hug and she turned to the rest of the family. “Thank you for everything.” She kissed her uncle and said goodbye to the rest present.

Lucien handed her up in his carriage that had been sent and they set off for Heartstone. He couldn’t believe it. He had just married Ciara. “Well, how do you feel, Lady Heartstone?”

“I think I am in shock. It seemed to happen so fast. What about you?” Ciara smiled at him.

“Happy. You are mine now. I will never let you go.”