Chapter 24

"Well, that was all rather dramatic," Lady Willoughby said after Siena's father and his men had disappeared down the front drive.

He had obviously been reluctant to leave, but with the other men too uncertain to follow through on his orders, he had eventually had no choice.

"Too dramatic," Siena agreed.

She was standing with the two women in the front foyer while Levi and Lord Fitzroy followed a distance behind her father to make certain that they actually disappeared off of the property.

The truth was, she was rather nervous to spend time with Levi again. When they had previously been alone, before they had wed, it had been temporary, both of them having the option to continue on with their lives, but now – now they were tied together forever.

"You are a married woman, Siena," Eliza said, echoing her thoughts. "How do you feel?"

"I hardly know how I feel," she said, fluttering her hand in front of her. "So much has happened in such a short amount of time."

"Well, we will leave you to your new husband," Lady Willoughby said with a knowing smile. "It has been wonderful to spend time with you, Siena, and to become acquainted with the duke. While I wish this had all played out somewhat differently, in the end, I think you have found the path you were supposed to follow."

"I hope so," Siena said with a forced smile, trying to hide her nerves.

"I shall hopefully see you soon, Siena," Eliza said, stepping forward and throwing her arms around her. "I do love you."

"And I you, Eliza," she said. "Thank you for everything that you have done for me."

"Of course," Eliza said, squeezing her tight. "Who knows – there might be a day when you will return the favor."

Their carriage came around from the stables, pulling in front of the house. After the footmen had loaded their valises, Eliza and her mother stepped up into the carriage, waving their farewells. Siena had to wipe a tear away from her face as she watched the coach trundle down the drive – followed by a footman riding the horse she had "borrowed."

She wondered how long it would be until she would see Eliza again. She could hardly imagine Levi wanting to venture into London anytime soon, and he hadn't exactly enjoyed having guests here at the estate. Would he welcome them back?

Siena appreciated his commitment to her more than he would ever know, and yet she couldn't help the small part of her that realized there would be some major sacrifices to be made – including her connections to the world beyond the estate's doors.

Needing a moment, she collected herself with a sigh, noting that the sun was beginning to lower beyond the horizon. Just enough time, she considered, for a walk through the rose garden.

The long grass whispered against her skirts as she crossed the field toward the grove of trees. For the first time in a long time, she felt safe, free, knowing that no one would be coming after her and that, by marrying her, Levi had ensured that she had free will for the first time in her life.

All else aside, she knew that, no matter what, he would never make her do or be anyone she chose not to be, for which she would be forever grateful.

The chirping of birds and buzzing of insects filled the air, the rustling of leaves and the occasional snap of twigs under her feat adding to the music around her. This was beautiful, she considered, and she would never again take it for granted, knowing what kind of life would have awaited her had she remained in London.

She smelled the roses before she saw them, and she knew, then, that no matter what happened, the scent would always remind her of Levi and the love he had shown her in his sacrifice – even if he didn't actually feel so strongly for her in truth.

She hugged her shawl closely around her, so caught up in her feelings that she wasn't as aware of her surroundings as she should have been.

Which was why she was completely taken by surprise when the strong arms looped around her back, covering her mouth and dragging her away before she even had a chance to scream.

"I'mglad to see the last of them," Levi said as he and Fitz watched the dust from the retreating horses and carriage continue down the road.

"I always thought it was a blessing that you were so close to London, but perhaps it was the opposite," Fitz said. "It made it easy for Sterling to return. You were married with very little time to spare."

"Well, I suppose it also allowed you to visit and complete your journey to Canterbury in time," Levi said.

"Look at you, becoming the optimist," Fitz said with a grin, and Levi snorted and shook his head at him.

"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 would like 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."

"Very well. No time to wait for him," Levi said, before swinging up on Lucky and taking off.

"Where are you going?" Thornbury called out, and Levi turned, his words flying over his shoulder.

"To London!"

London. The one place he had said he'd never return.

But for Siena, he would go anywhere.