Splendid

  Alex’s carriage pulled up in front of Dunford’s townhouse after careening through the London streets at a breakneck pace. Woodside lived only three short blocks from Dunford, so the two men had elected to leave the carriage there, where it wouldn’t arouse any suspicion.

  “I am going to throttle her,” Alex ground out, his long legs carrying him quickly across the street.

  Dunford took one look at his friend’s furious expression and decided that Alex might actually be serious.

  Within minutes they were in front of Woodside’s townhouse. “I don’t see any signs of forced entry,” Alex whispered, scanning the facade of the building.

  “I think there’s an alley to the side,” Dunford returned. “Come on.”

  The two men strode to the corner of the building and stopped short, peering quietly around the corner. A male figure was standing toward the back of the building, anxiously looking up at a window. “Have you found it yet?” they heard him call out softly.

  Alex and Dunford pulled back. “Our dear friend Lord Edward,” Dunford mocked.

  “Who I am going to throttle just as soon as I’m done with Emma,” Alex muttered menacingly.

  “Wait here,” Dunford said quickly. He moved like lightning, and before Alex realized what was happening, Dunford had his hand damped tightly over Ned’s mouth. Alex quickly went to join them.

  “Is Emma inside?” he demanded.

  Ned nodded his head, his blue eyes wide with surprise and a healthy dose of fear.

  “What on earth possessed you to wait here while she went inside?”

  Dunford didn’t release his hold over his mouth, so Ned couldn’t answer, a circumstance for which he was exceedingly grateful since he hadn’t the slightest idea what to say. He had been wondering the very same thing for the past ten minutes, feeling like a fool while Emma was prowling around in the house.

  Alex continued his interrogation. “She’s looking for the voucher, isn’t she? How on earth do you expect her to find a slip of paper in there?”

  Once again, Dunford didn’t let go of Ned’s mouth, so the young man did the only thing he could do to get himself released. He licked Dunford’s hand.

  Dunford jumped back, thoroughly disgusted. He started to wipe his hand on his coat, then thought better of it and wiped it on Ned’s coat.

  “I couldn’t very well answer his questions with your hand over my mouth,” Ned explained tightly.

  “Well?” Alex demanded.

  “I don’t know. I suppose we were just hoping we would get lucky. This was all her idea.”

  “I’m sure it was.” Alex had no doubts that Emma had cooked up this little scheme. He’d have to keep a tighter rein on her once they were married. “You shouldn’t have gone along with it, however.”

  Ned gave him a condescending look. “Have you ever tried to stop her when she’s got her mind set on something? She would have come over here alone if I hadn’t accompanied her.”

  “I’m going in,” Alex declared.

  “I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” Ned said hesitatingly.

  Alex leveled an icy stare at the younger man. “Your judgment so far has not proved impeccable.”

  Ned gulped and stepped back.

  “Dunford, will you give me a leg up?”

  Meanwhile, back in Woodside’s study, Emma had finished her inspection of the bookcase and was just about ready to give up on the study altogether. It looked as if she would have to venture out into the rest of the house, after all. She was not terribly excited about the prospect.

  She was just about to lean out the window and give Ned an update when she suddenly remembered the hairpin she’d left on the desk. She certainly did not want to leave any incriminating evidence lying about. Although she supposed it didn’t really matter. Once Woodside realized that the voucher was gone, he would know who had taken it. He wasn’t stupid. After all, he had managed to swindle Ned out of ten thousand pounds. Emma supposed one had to have some degree of intelligence to cheat with such proficiency.

  All the same, Emma didn’t want to leave anything that Woodside might be able to take to the authorities, so she went back over to the desk and reached for the hairpin.

  That was when she saw the snuff box.

  It was sitting atop the desk, highly ornamental, as if it had been imported from Asia. “Oh, please God, please God, please God,” Emma chanted, forgetting completely about the hairpin. She shut her eyes in prayer as she lifted the lid. Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes. A small piece of paper folded several times over lay inside. Barely able to breathe, she unfolded the note.

  I, Edward William Blydon, Viscount Burwick, pledge to pay Lord Anthony Woodside, Viscount Benton, the sum of ten thousand pounds.

  Below that, Emma saw Ned’s familiar signature. It was in that moment of supreme relief that Emma realized just how quickly her heart was beating. “Thank you, Lord,” she breathed, placing the lid back on the snuff box and setting it back into place.

  “Ned!” she called softly. “I foun—” She whirled around just in time to see Alex vault through the open window, landing on the carpet with pantherlike grace. “You!” she choked, stepping back in shock.

  Alex’s mouth settled into a grim line. “You, my dear lady, have some explaining to do.”

  Chapter 18

  Emma’s mouth fell open.

  “However,” Alex continued mildly, “I don’t think this is the most appropriate place. Did you get that blasted voucher?”

  “Actually,” she replied archly, “I did.” She waved the note in his face.

  “In that case, I hope you’ll excuse me as I throw you out the window.” Alex yanked on Emma’s arm and pulled her across the room.

  “Wait!” Emma exclaimed. “My coat! I left it tucked against the crack under the door. And I’ve also got to get my candle.” She scurried across the room, picked up her coat, and quickly wrapped herself in it. “Some prowler you are,” she muttered.

  Alex viciously grabbed the taper off of the desk and blew out the flame, but not before he shot a murderous glare in Emma’s direction.

  “I’m going, I’m going,” she said quickly, scurrying toward the window.

  She obviously wasn’t going fast enough, because he picked her up and dropped her out the window himself, where she landed in Dunford’s waiting arms.

  “You’re here, too?” she asked weakly.

  “If I were you, I’d be grateful for my presence. Ashbourne is nearly ready to explode.”

  Emma didn’t doubt it. She twisted around to face Ned. “What is going on? Why are they here?”

  Her cousin only shrugged.

  “You can put her down now, Dunford.” Alex vaulted down from the window. “Your candle,” he said, handing the taper to Emma, who immediately shoved it in her pocket. “Let’s get out of here.”

  “Shouldn’t we close the window back up?” Emma suggested.

  With great patience, Alex turned back to the window. “Dunford, would you give me a leg up?”

  Dunford cupped his hands together to form a step, and Alex reached up and shut the window.

  “Actually,” Emma said, just when Alex hit the ground again, “it wasn’t closed all the way. It was open about three inches.”

  Alex took a deep breath. Emma gulped as she saw a muscle start to twitch in his cheek. He held steady, however, turning back to his friend. “Dunford?”

  Dunford cupped his hands again and hoisted Alex up. Alex pushed the window up a few inches. “Is this all right?” he asked in quite the most dangerously solicitous tone Emma had ever heard.

  Emma was still furious with him. “It was a little higher,” she said peevishly.

  Alex moved the window up another inch.

  “A little lower.”

  He tugged it down. “How about now?”

  “Maybe a little—ouch!” She rubbed her ribs where Ned had urgently jabbed her. “That will be fine, I’m sure,” she said finally, giving her cousin a hard st
are. “Oh, I got your voucher!” she exclaimed, handing it over to Ned. “I almost forgot to tell you. This is it, isn’t it?”

  Ned unfolded the note, breathing a sigh of relief as he read it. “I cannot thank you enough, Emma.”

  “Oh, it was nothing, Ned. Actually, I had a lot of fun.”

  “I, on the other hand, had no fun whatsoever,” Alex said very slowly, barely able to contain the rage that threatened to explode all over Emma. He had been so worried about her. Frantic. It had been eight long hours between the time that Dunford had told him that Emma and Belle were up to some strange scheme and when he finally went to Lady Mottram’s to confront her. Eight long hours of pacing, of raking his hands through his hair, of wondering what on earth she was up to and if she were in any danger. It had been an agonizing afternoon of nearly dying of guilt over the way he had treated her the night before. And then when he found out that she was planning to break into Woodside’s townhouse, he’d wanted to put his fist through a wall. Eight hours of frantic energy and sheer terror on an empty, hung-over stomach did bad things to a man, and Emma’s declaration that she was having fun was definitely not soothing his temper.

  Emma instinctively stepped back when she saw the dark look on Alex’s face.

  “May we leave now, or must I throw you over my shoulder?” Alex asked with chilling calmness.

  Emma gulped down a nervous laugh, realizing wisely that a giggle would be horrendously inappropriate—and most probably dangerous to her well-being. “That—that won’t be necessary,” she stammered.

  Alex turned his icy glare to Ned. “I trust you can make your own way home.”

  Ned nodded. “But what about Emma? She’ll need an escort.”

  Alex snaked his arm through hers and pulled her tightly against his side. “I will see her home. Your cousin and I have a few matters to discuss.”

  “We really could have that discussion tomorrow,” Emma put in hastily, trying to extricate herself from Alex’s grasp.

  He held firm. “No, I don’t think we could.” He nodded at Ned and started striding down the street so quickly that Emma nearly had to run to keep up with him. Dunford followed at a respectable distance.

  “Is it necessary to drag me?” Emma gasped, her feet flying down the street.

  “If you’re wise, you will keep your mouth shut for the next few minutes.”

  “Well, my legs aren’t as long as yours,” she muttered ungraciously. “I can’t move that fast.”

  Alex stopped short. Emma, having worked up quite a bit of momentum, crashed into him. “What now?” she snapped.

  “I can still put you over my shoulder,” he warned darkly.

  She shot him a scathing glare. “Don’t even try it, you grimy little rodent.”

  Alex exhaled slowly, clenching and unclenching his fist, desperately trying not to lose hold of the tension that rocked his body. “Come along,” he said savagely, once again pulling her down the street.

  “Where are we going, anyway? In case you hadn’t noticed, I live in the opposite direction.”

  “We are going to Dunford’s house. It’s only a few blocks away. We can get a carriage from there.”

  “Good. Because I expect you to return me home immediately,” Emma sniffed. “Your behavior tonight has been deplorable.”

  Once again, Alex halted in his tracks. Once again, Emma slammed into his side. “Are you trying to infuriate me?” he hissed.

  Emma stuck her nose in the air. “I really don’t care about your feelings, your grace.”

  Alex nearly cringed at the obsequious way she referred to his title. He pointed his index finger at her as if he were about to launch into a tirade. His face contorted as his jaw clenched, and he fought for words. Finally, he dropped his shaking finger. He still had enough dignity not to shake her senseless in the middle of a public street. Not to mention with Dunford loitering six feet in the background. “Let’s get moving,” he said tersely, continuing toward Dunford’s home.

  A few minutes later Alex came to a stop in front of Dunford’s neat little townhouse. Emma tore her hand from his grasp and crossed her arms defiantly, glaring daggers at him all the while.

  Dunford arrived about fifteen seconds later, took one look at the fuming couple, and said, “I’ll go call for my carriage.” He took the front steps two at a time. When he reached the top, he turned around and said, “Er, why don’t the two of you wait in my hall? Some of the parties will be getting out around now, and I’m sure you don’t want anyone to see you standing in the street. Especially in your, er, costume, Emma.”

  Emma marched right up the steps. “I certainly don’t want to get caught up in some scandal which will trap me into marriage with that monster.”

  Alex didn’t say anything; he just marched up the steps right behind her. When they were both safely inside Dunford’s front hall, Emma stole a glance at him. The muscle in his cheek was still twitching, and the tension in his jaw and neck was visible. He was definitely angry. Maybe even as angry as she was. But she didn’t understand why he even cared. He had made his disdainful feelings for her abundantly clear the previous afternoon, and his appearance in Woodside’s study, presumably to save her from some perilous fate, was really quite puzzling.

  “The carriage is ready,” Dunford said quietly as he walked back into the hall a few minutes later, his hands clasped behind his back.

  Alex grabbed Emma again by her arm. Before he left, he turned back to Dunford and said, “I thank you for all your assistance.”

  “You’ll stop by tomorrow?”

  “I may not be through with her by tomorrow.” Before Emma had time to question him about that ominous statement, he pulled her through the door and down the front steps. After unceremoniously dumping her in the carriage, Alex strode to the driver, gave him instructions, and then climbed in beside her.

  Emma crossed her arms mutinously and then sank back into the corner of the cushioned seat. He’d not get another word out of her, she silently declared. She couldn’t imagine why he thought he had the right to prance into her business, take over her life, and then treat her like an annoying piece of baggage. She let out a furious breath of air and then clamped her lips together, determinedly looking out the window. After a minute or two, however, she found she could not contain her rage any longer, and she burst out, “You high-handed louse! I cannot believe the way you have acted this evening.”

  “A rodent, a monster, and a louse all in one evening,” Alex mocked. “This must be one of my good days.”

  “I’ll say.” Emma went back to glaring out the window. “What on earth!” she shrieked suddenly, whirling around to face Alex. “We just passed my home. Where are we going?”

  “We are going to my home.”

  “Just another example of your blasted arrogance!” Emma blazed. “What right do you have to steal me from my home!”

  “If you recall, I didn’t steal you from your home. I stole you from Woodside’s home, and believe me, you’re far better off in my clutches than you are in his.”

  “I demand that you turn this carriage around this instant and take me home.”

  “I really don’t see how you have any say in the matter, Emma.”

  She drew back. “Are you threatening me?”

  Alex leaned forward so that his nose was very nearly touching hers. “Yes.”

  As if on cue, the carriage ground to a halt. Alex quickly disembarked, and when Emma wouldn’t budge off of the seat cushion, he leaned back in, hauled her out, and flipped her over his shoulder. “We won’t be needing you any longer!” he called out to the coachman. With Emma kicking and grunting (she had just enough presence of mind to realize that screaming would result in scores of onlookers, a huge scandal, and then most probably a despicable marriage), Alex trudged up the steps and into the hall, kicking the door shut with a vicious slam.

  “Will you put me down?” Emma finally demanded.

  “Not just yet,” Alex ground out, ascending another flight of st
airs.

  “Where are you taking me?” she asked angrily, trying to twist her head around so that she could figure out where she was.

  “Somewhere where we can talk.”

  “Where we can talk or where you can lecture me?”

  “You are trying my patience, my lady.”

  “Really?” Emma asked scathingly. “I had hoped that I had already tried it.”

  Alex strode through a doorway and kicked the door shut, finally dumping Emma down upon a large four-poster bed. She immediately made a mad dash for the door, but Alex ably blocked her, redeposited her on the bed, crossed the room, and locked the door with a resounding click.

  “Why you—”

  Alex tossed the key out the window.

  “Are you crazy?” Emma ran to the window, judging the distance to the ground.

  “You’ll never make it without injury,” Alex said. “You, my dear, are my captive audience, and believe me, I have a few things to say to you.”

  “Good!” Emma retorted. “I have a few things to say to you, too.”

  “Emma,” he said with dangerous softness. “You ought to be scared right now.”

  “Fine,” she declared, crossing her arms. “Talk away.”

  Alex took careful stock of her features. She didn’t look the least bit repentant, but he was so furious with her, he started his tirade anyway. “First of all—” he thundered.

  “Do you mind if I take off my coat?” Emma interrupted sarcastically. “It does seem that I’m to be your guest for some time.”

  “By all means.”

  Emma unbuttoned her coat, shrugged it off, and laid it on a nearby chair.

  “What on earth are you wearing?” Alex yelled.

  Emma looked down at her breeches. “For goodness sake, Alex. I can’t very well go prowling around in an evening gown.”

  Alex’s eyes slid down her trim figure, every curve of which was indecently hugged by her breeches. His muscles tightened, and his anger was further inflamed by his body’s mutinous response to her. “You have just given me another matter about which to yell at you,” he snapped. “I cannot believe your cousin let you out of the house dressed like that.”