Chapter Eighteen

Imogen knew something had gone terribly wrong when she heard two swift knocks at the door. This was not Draco’s signal, and her fears were confirmed when Parrot suddenly leaped in front of her and began to growl. “Did they see me, Parrot?” she asked in a frightened whisper.

How could McTavish’s men have known she was up here? She had been so careful.

Well, obviously not careful enough. Would Draco ever forgive her?

“His lordship’s askin’ for ye,” said a grizzled voice from the other side of the door.

Parrot barked before she had the chance to silence him.

Drat.

Now the villain knew for certain she was in here.

Hearing his harsh laughter, she grabbed one of the hearth irons for added protection, a sturdy iron shovel that she now held raised as the latch rattled. Suddenly, the entire door was smashed off its hinges and an enormous man carrying a knife lunged in.

Parrot immediately leaped forward to defend her, digging his teeth into the hand that held the knife. But the man struck back, punching Parrot.

The brave dog let out a yelp of pain that cut Imogen to the quick. Knowing she had to stop that ogre before he mortally wounded Parrot, she swung her shovel at his head with all her might and managed to strike him solidly in the face just as he pivoted toward her.

She swung again as he stumbled forward and managed to land a solid blow to the back of his head. None of this would have been possible had Parrot not kept his teeth dug into the man’s hand and refused to let go.

She swung a third time, landing another solid blow to the man’s head that brought him to his knees. In the next moment, he toppled over. His face slammed against the floor so hard, his head bounced before smacking the floor again.

Imogen was breathing so hard, she had not the strength to release a sob.

Nor could she let down her guard, for she heard more footsteps on the stairs, and knew she needed to keep up the fight. Scared and exhausted, she was about to take a swing at this new assailant when she recognized Draco bursting in. She tossed the shovel aside and ran crying into his arms. “Draco, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry!”

“Butterfly, it’s all right.” His voice was achingly gentle, his tone forgiving, as he drew her into his arms and held her fiercely. “You are safe, sweetheart. Blessed saints, I was so worried. But it seems I need not have been. How did you manage to knock him out?”

She had no time to answer before William Angel tore up the stairs and came to an abrupt halt in the doorway. He stared at her, momentarily speechless. Then he shook his head and laughed. “You did this, Lady Imogen?”

She nodded.

“Impressive,” William murmured.

Draco tucked her slightly behind him, no doubt out of protective instinct rather than any apparent need, since William was a friendly party. “I’ll pay for the damage, William. Find McTavish—he’s the gent I was talking to in your establishment a short while ago. Tell him to pick up this piece of offal.”

“At once, my lord.” William ran off to do his bidding.

Imogen was still trembling, but she took a moment to slip out of Draco’s arms and kneel beside Parrot, who was stretched out on the floor and not making a sound. “Draco,” she said, struggling to hold back tears, “he came at Parrot with a knife and then tried to punch him. Oh, I’ll never forgive myself. I shouldn’t have been here. It is all my fault.”

“Imogen, you are not to blame.”

She wanted to disagree, but this was no time to bicker. Saving Parrot was all that mattered. “He may be badly hurt. Let’s get him to the hospital and have Dr. Hewitt look at him.” She was prepared to insist on it when Parrot suddenly bounded to his feet and wagged his tail.

Draco knelt beside him and carefully ran his hands over his dog’s limbs and body. Both of them were surprised when Parrot never yelped once. “He seems all right,” Draco said, letting out a relieved breath. “How are you feeling, you little scamp? Did he hurt you?”

Parrot licked Draco’s face, and then ran in a circle around him.

Imogen had never seen a sweeter smile on Draco’s face. She clapped with glee. “Thank goodness. I was so worried.”

Draco rose and drew her up along with him, wrapping her back in his arms. “Parrot may have cried out more from surprise than anything. The bastard could not have landed more than a glancing blow. I couldn’t find so much as a scratch on him. But how are you, Butterfly?”

“I’m fine, now that I know he did not hurt Parrot.”

“Thanks to you.” He shook his head in wonder. “How in heaven’s name did you manage to fell that giant? Never mind—I can guess. A blow from that iron shovel would knock out any man. I have to get you out of here before others come upstairs asking questions.”

“All right. Draco, I’m so, so sorry.” With the worst now over, the strength seemed to wash right out of her, and her tears began to flow. “I was trying to be so careful. That horrible lout couldn’t have seen me by the window.”

“I believe you. It would not have taken much for him to guess where you were. Someone might have mentioned they saw you enter the tavern. It doesn’t matter. You’re safe now, Imogen. This is all I care about.”

“I’ve caused you nothing but trouble. I would not blame you if you hated me and never wanted anything more to do with—”

His mouth crushed down on hers in a soft but devouring kiss, a hot, swift claiming that was over too soon. “Imogen, you gave me the top man in this rebel plot. It was Eldridge after all. You were right—McTavish confirmed it. He might not have said anything to me had I not tossed out his name and made him think the rebels were about to be arrested. He gave me a list containing the names of all the men working under Eldridge and locations where Eldridge is storing his weapons. Those solicitors presently staying at the inn are involved. Their wives, too. One is related to Lord Eldridge.”

She looked up at him with big, watery eyes. “How do you know she is related to him?”

“A wild guess that McTavish inadvertently confirmed.”

She cast him a halting smile. “Draco, you’ve done it. Broken up that rebel plot. Does this mean your assignment is over?”

He kissed her soundly on the lips again. “Just about. All that’s left is to lock up Eldridge when he arrives.”

“But how can you be sure he won’t simply send one of his men to collect the horse?”

“That Friesian is the most valuable horse in England. He will come for it himself. He may have a contingent of men with him, but he will be in the lead. I haven’t a doubt.”

“Then what happens?”

“Constable Angel will arrest him. I’ll have him arrest the solicitors and their wives right now. Major Brennan will take them all into his custody and hold them for the Crown agents.” He gave her cheek a light caress. “Do you know what this means?”

“Yes.” She nodded. “You have saved the day.”

He shook his head. “To be accurate, you are the one who brought this result about.”

“No, Draco. I could not have coaxed McTavish to give up all the names.”

He laughed. “Fine, it was a mutual effort. But this is not what I was hinting at.”

“Oh, then what?”

“Imogen,” he said with a surprising wealth of feeling, “you released me from our kissing pact, but I am not willing to be released. I kissed you, and I intend to stand by my promise. This now requires a marriage proposal on my part.”

“But—”

“Hush, love.” His smile was warm enough to melt her heart. “This pirate is about to propose to you because he is aching to marry you. I know I am under no obligation. I also know you are determined to marry only for true love. Nothing less will do for you.”

She nodded.

“I hope I am that true love and the one who will make those moonstones light up all of Cornwall for you. Were my feelings not obvious from the moment we met?”

“Not in the least,” she replied with a merry laugh, uncertain how this horrible situation had suddenly turned into the most beautiful moment in her life. “Draco, you made it quite clear you do not believe in love at first sight.”

“I didn’t until I met you, but I am a believer now. I hadn’t seen you without your mask, and yet knew I could never let anyone else have you. You were that missing piece of my heart. As for those moonstones, why do you think I was so reluctant to kiss you under a full moon? I knew they would burst into brilliant light and give away my feelings for you.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled up at him. “We still have the room reserved for five hours. Too bad this oaf Lemuel is lying here unconscious.”

Draco grinned from ear to ear. “McTavish will drag him out soon. But it still won’t do us any good, because the door is knocked off its hinges. Alas, the wood is smashed to bits and a new door will be required. We shall have our moment of passion, Butterfly. Just not here.”

She nodded. “Where, then?”

He sighed. “I don’t know yet.”

“Oh, I see. Of course, there is still too much to sort through.”

“Yes, regarding Eldridge’s plot. But this has nothing to do with my feelings for you. Have I not been clear enough? I want everything to do with you. I have never been more certain of a thing in my life.”

She closed her eyes and allowed his words to sink in.

He loved her.

She felt it not only in his words but in the protective way he held her. She had found the true and forever love she always hoped for, and it was Draco.

The Moonstone pirate of her dreams.

When she opened her eyes, he was smiling at her with a wicked glint in his eyes. “Your gown looks awfully cumbersome. I promise to help you out of it as soon as possible. But it might be a while yet, love. We have things to do first.”

“I know. I don’t mean to be so impulsive…or impatient. Being in love is quite exciting, isn’t it? Well, it is for me.”

He cast her an affectionate grin. “For me too. But you mustn’t distract me, Imogen. There are still rebels to round up and put under guard. I’ll require Constable Angel and Major Brennan’s help for that.”

“Yes, that is most important.”

“Your aunt and uncle will want details of what happened today. And there is also the matter of officially asking for your hand in marriage. That is, if you will have me. Butterfly, will you marry me?”

“Yes,” she said, laughing and sobbing at the same time. “Dear heaven, is there a doubt?”

She was about to kiss him when they were interrupted by more heavy footfalls on the steps. Draco grabbed the cloak off its peg, tossed it at her, and then drew her behind him. “Put it over you. Do not peek out from behind me. I don’t want any of those knaves to see your face.”

Imogen had just managed to tuck the hood over her head when McTavish chuckled in the doorway. “Ah, the mystery woman. I hope we shall meet under better circumstances some day, Lady Imogen.” He then turned to his men. “Help me drag the poxy lout away. If anyone asks, he’s passed out drunk.”

Lemuel began to groan and tried to lift himself to his feet.

McTavish picked up the shovel and whacked him again.

Imogen gasped.

“Sorry, m’lady,” McTavish said. “But I cannot have him alert while I drag his miserable hide to my ship. I look forward to being invited to the wedding.”

“Get out of here, Irishman,” Draco growled, but he was chuckling. “Don’t press your luck.”

William had brought McTavish and his crewmen up, and now accompanied them back downstairs. He had also brought along his uncle, Constable Angel, who now took advantage of his time alone with Imogen and Draco. “Care to tell me what is going on, my lord?”

Draco was about to fill him in when more steps were heard and Fionn suddenly appeared at the threshold of the broken door. “Imogen,” he said, his expression fierce as he took in the shattered door, iron shovel, and stool that had been knocked over when the ogre had crash-landed to the floor, “your uncle is going to have a fit when he learns of this. What in blazes happened? Weren’t you instructed in no uncertain terms to stay home? Let me return you before you cause more trouble.”

“Fionn, it wasn’t my fault,” she insisted, shrugging out of the reeking cloak now that there was no need to hide herself. She kept her own expression steady, although deep inside she felt this latest incident was all her fault. However, Draco was not blaming her, and instead had credited her with breaking up the rebel plot.

She was relieved he hadn’t decided she was too much trouble to marry. That would have crushed her heart.

“I’ll take her home, Major Brennan.” Draco took her hand in his. “Lord Burness will want to hear the details directly from me. Besides, I am now ready to ask for your and Constable Angel’s help in tying up all the loose ends.”

He quickly told them all that had transpired, ending with running up here to find Lemuel unconscious and Imogen standing over him with shovel in hand. “That’s everything up to now. I’ll need you to arrest Sewell and Gray, and their wives. We can hardly toss them into your flimsy cells, Mr. Angel. But I don’t think it is appropriate to place the ladies in the fort’s prison, either.”

“I’ll have them confined to their rooms at the inn and place soldiers to guard them,” Fionn said, his frowning gaze now on Imogen. “Are you sure you are all right? Shall I summon Dr. Hewitt to have a look at you?”

“No, it isn’t necessary. Truly, Parrot defended me and that oaf never set a hand on me.”

Fionn now managed a smile. “That’s one big fellow. I don’t know how you managed it, Imogen. But somehow I am not surprised. Wait until Chloe hears about this. She always thought you and Ella were something special. In truth, we all did. Burness will have an apoplectic fit, but I expect he will calm down, especially if Phoebe is present to scrape him off the ceiling.”

Draco winced. “Yes, he isn’t going to be happy. But he knows this was a serious plot. Major Brennan, I’ll need you to take Lord Eldridge into custody when he arrives. He may have a contingent of his own men with him.”

“I’m putting my entire regiment on alert effective immediately. We’ll deal with them. I can hold them in the fort’s cells until the Crown agents show up. What about that Irishman and his crew? You haven’t said anything about him. His ship’s still in port.”

“He goes free,” Draco said. “He’s been secretly working with me.”

Imogen noted the dubious look on Fionn’s face, but he was not about to contradict Draco in this matter. “All right. Have it your way. I wouldn’t have room for all of them anyway.”

It took another half-hour before Draco had finished tending to all the details. Finally, he turned to her. “Ready to go home, love?”

“Yes, Draco.”

He tucked an arm around her shoulders. “You look dejected.”

“No, it is just me being silly. After all that has happened, I would have loved an afternoon alone with you. We are unofficially betrothed now.”

“And it will soon be official. Much as I would adore stripping you out of your clothes and getting you into bed, it shall certainly not be in this flea-bitten bed where drunks bring their doxies, and…anyway, I cannot bring myself to fully take you before we are married. Especially since this will be another first for you. You deserve a beautiful setting. A sandy beach with waves gently lapping the shore and a soft breeze floating around us. Or a rose-scented garden as I lay you down upon the soft grass and scatter flower petals around us.”

She smiled up at him, surprised by this man who had shown her only his hard edges up to now. “I never realized you were a romantic at heart.”

“Heaven forbid. I’ve cleaned up my thoughts for your sake. I assure you, they are highly improper. Perhaps your first time shall be in my own grand bedchamber fit for an earl and his countess.”

“I would not care where it was so long as I was with you.”

He grinned. “We are quite alone for the moment. Would you like me to give you a hint of what’s to come?”

She inhaled lightly and nodded. “Yes.”

“Then close your eyes and trust me, sweetheart. You’re going to like this.”

Of course, she knew she would, because it was Draco teaching her. His lips were hot against her skin as he nuzzled her neck and trailed hot kisses along it. He caught her hands in his when she tried to place them on his shoulders. “No, love. You are at my mercy.”

His touch made her tingle.

He moved lower, nudging aside her lacy fichu and putting his lips to the swell of her breasts. He released her hand to cup one breast and run his thumb in a lazy circle over the bud.

Little bursts of fire shot through her. “Draco.”

He groaned and pulled away.

She felt a terrible disappointment and tried to draw him closer.

“That’s as far as I dare go for now, love.” He hastily nudged her fichu back in place to cover her breasts. “I hear someone coming up the stairs. Bloody hell, is the entire village going to pop in here?”

It turned out to be Thaddius, who stuck his head in and cast them a jovial smile. “There you are, Lady Imogen. I’m glad you’re safe. Seems there’s quite a bit of excitement going on in the village today. My uncle and Major Brennan have just arrested the Grays and the Sewells. Matchett is talking himself hoarse telling everyone about it. I had better get back to the inn, but I wanted to hand you this piece of mail that just arrived, my lord. I think it is official correspondence from the Home Office.”

Thaddius appeared ready to loiter instead of rush back to the inn, but Draco’s impressive scowl had him scampering off.

Imogen held her breath as Draco opened the letter and read it. “What does it say?”

“Crown agents will arrive tomorrow. Lorcan Brayden is the name of the agent in charge.”

“You are smiling, Draco.”

He nodded. “He’s their top man. Butterfly, we’ve done it. This is truly over.” She was surprised when he suddenly scooped her up in his arms and hugged her fiercely. “You gave me the scare of a lifetime, Imogen.”

“I had to protect you. I wasn’t trying to put myself in danger. Hopefully, there will be no more rebels or idiot Walters for us from now on.”

“Or pirates,” he added.

“Oh, no,” she said in all earnestness. “I must insist on having pirates in my life. Well, just one. You.”

He laughed. “Imogen, I am not a pirate. Why will you not believe this?”

She stared at him.

“All right, but I am only your pirate just as I will only ever be your husband, faithful and true.”

She cast him a beaming smile. “Very nicely said, Draco. I love you.”

“Love you too.” He gave her a surprisingly intimate kiss, his lips possessive but gentle on hers, and then he tenderly kissed the swell of each breast before drawing away. “Let’s get you home.”

He placed the cloak around her again and tucked the hood over her head. “Stop looking at me with your big, come-hither eyes, or I am going to toss aside all good sense and take you right here on that ugly bed.”

“I would not stop you.”

He grumbled.

“You are far too moral for a pirate,” she said, kissing him because she was so happy.

“And you are too curious for a gently bred young lady. But I promise to corrupt you as soon as we have exchanged our wedding vows. Count on it. A pirate always keeps his promises.” He gave the hood a playful tug. “Come, my little butterfly gnome.”

He tipped her chin up for a better look at her, since she was mostly swallowed up in the enormous cloak. “Blessed saints,” he said with a chuckle, “you are a pretty thing.”

“Flattery will not gain you my pardon.” But she smiled at him, surprised by how lovingly he regarded her. There were no shadows in his eyes or tension around his mouth. “Oh, all right. You are forgiven for not seducing me in this den of depravity.”

“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get you out of here.”

Few people noticed as Draco slipped her out the back way. “Wait right here. Stay out of sight.”

It wasn’t long before he brought his rig around and they were on their way to Westgate Hall. Parrot had scampered up alongside Imogen, stretching out across her lap as they got underway. “I wonder what Uncle Cormac will say when you officially ask for my hand in marriage. Not that he is able to give consent, for that is up to my father to do. Still, I think we ought to get his approval before you tell him what happened at the tavern. It might temper his outrage.”

Draco shook his head. “Are you serious, Imogen? He’s probably already gotten word. This is Moonstone Landing, after all.”

She frowned. “Then why have me wear this stupid, reeking cloak if everyone already knows it is me you are sneaking out of town?”

He laughed, giving the reins a flick to urge his horse into a trot. “Because you look adorable in it, and I couldn’t resist.”

She shrugged it off, but laughed along with him. “You are the wickedest pirate who ever sailed the high seas.”

“But I am your pirate and your husband-to-be.” He leaned over and gave her a light peck on the cheek. “Ready to spend a lifetime with me, Butterfly?”

She nodded, unable to imagine anything nicer.

Nor could she imagine spending her life anywhere but here in Moonstone Landing. She had felt it from the very first time coming here as a little girl. The red stone cliffs, the rocks and caves, the golden sand beaches and gentle cove waters that shimmered in sunlight.

They rode past a meadow of red poppies that swept down to the sea.

The people in the charming village had become like family to her, everyone from Thaddius—and the entire host of Angels—to Mrs. Halsey and her daughter who ran the tea shop. Mr. Priam, the land agent. Mr. Matchett, the chatty head groom. Miss Harrow, the jeweler. The seamstress. The fishwives.

She smiled at Draco, thinking of how wonderful their lives would be as they settled in at Woodley Lodge with his family and entertained those of hers who already resided in Moonstone Landing.

When were her parents arriving?

Would they be amenable to holding her and Draco’s wedding in this place where her heart resided? She had to write to Ella straight away, for how could she marry without her sister by her side?

“Imogen, your eyes are turning misty.” Draco placed his hand over hers. “Is everything all right, love?”

She nodded. “Perfect.”

Because everything was perfect with Draco by her side and Parrot drooling on her lap.

What else could any girl want?