Samantha James (24 page)

The sound echoed hollowly within. She shifted from one foot to the other and waited. It was late. There was every chance that all within were tucked snugly in their beds. Unable to curb her impatience, her fingers were already poised to reach for the knocker when the door swung wide. Emily
looked up to find a white-haired gentleman peering down at her.

“Forgive the intrusion at such a late hour,” she said quickly, “but I am Emily Sherwood. I—I wonder if my sister is here.”

The man looked startled. “Olivia? You are Olivia’s sister?”

“Yes, sir. You see, it’s quite late and…she’s usually home by now…and I—I thought perhaps she was still here—”

The old man shook his head. “I don’t believe—”

He got no further. Another man had stepped up to the entryway. Tall, with dark hair and hawk-like features, there was such an air of mastery about him that Emily was instantly aware this was the earl.

“Olivia?” he said sharply. “You’re looking for Olivia?”

She nodded. “Yes.” Her voice quavered. “I—I expected her home ages ago.”

An odd expression crossed his features. “She left here hours ago,” he said in a strange voice.

Their eyes collided—each glimpsed in the other the same stark fear. It was Emily who expressed it aloud, barely able to speak past the sudden constriction in her throat: “Then where is she?”

“I don’t know,” he said grimly, “but I’m damn sure going to find her.” The next thing she knew she was being swept inside the entrance hall and he was barking out orders. “Franklin, see that Miss Sherwood is given a room. Have someone alert the stables. I’ll need to have Storm saddled and ready.” He looked at her. “You’ll stay, won’t you? Of
course you will. I’m not about to let you walk home again tonight.”

His mind was elsewhere. Already he was walking away. Emily remained where she was, rather dazed. Olivia was missing.
Missing
. It was Franklin who took her arm and began to lead her gently away.

“This way, Miss Sherwood. We’ll try to make you as comfortable as we can. If you should need anything, you have only to ring…”

They were mounting the stairs now. Her head was swirling. Everything seemed vaguely unreal. Dimly she heard another baritone added to the cacophony of voices.

“Let me go with you,” someone was saying.

Emily froze. She knew that voice, knew it as well as her own. Driven by some force she couldn’t control, she glanced back over her shoulder.

Framed against the backdrop of glittering candlelight was a black-haired man whose features would remain in her memory forever—the one man she’d thought she would never see again…

Andre.

Everything inside her came painfully alive. One look and the battle she fought was no more. But he was already striding away…It spun through her mind that if she let him walk out of her life now it would truly be for good…

“Andre, wait!”

Slowly he turned. Their eyes locked.

Emily was already flying down the stairs. She halted but a step away from him.

There was a heated rush of silence.

Neither of them noticed Franklin slip away. Emily longed to run her hands over his face and form,
assure herself that it was really him and not some dreamlike image she’d conjured up out of the yearning in her soul.

“Andre, I—I didn’t know you were here!” Her tongue nearly tripped over itself. “Are you…well?”

Time stretched endlessly, time in which he said nothing. Her lungs burned as she struggled not to cry.

Finally he spoke. “I’m fine,” he said briefly.

His expression was wary and shuttered. Knowing she was responsible, knowing she had no one to blame but herself, everything collided within her breast. Regret welled up inside her, a world of it. She bit back a half-sob. Her eyes were swimming so that she could scarcely see.

Something flitted across his face. He raised a hand, only to let it fall to his side. “Don’t worry about Olivia. We’ll find her.”

“It’s not that,” she said through a tear-choked voice. “Oh, don’t you see? It’s you.” She could have kicked herself, for nothing was coming out the way it should have. “I—I’m so ashamed. I know I hurt you and I would take it back, if only I could! Oh, Andre, I—” Something inside twisted and broke free. “—I love you! Oh, I know the Gypsies like to wander. All I ask is that you give me what time you can…what you can…when you can…”

“Emily.” Her name was a ragged sound. Suddenly she was in his arms, right where she wanted to be. “Emily,” he whispered through the shining cloud of her hair, “I will be here always…if you want me.”

Her heart surely stopped, then resumed beating
with thick, heavy strokes. She tipped her head back and gazed up at him. “What do you mean?”

“I love you, princess. I’ll always love you.”

A rush of emotion squeezed her chest, so intense it was painful. “You mean you’re not leaving?” She was half-afraid to voice it for fear it might come true. “You’re not going back to the Gypsies?”

The ghost of a smile rimmed his lips. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said softly, “not without you. I would never take you away from your home, from your sister. I can never give you anything so grand as all this—” His gaze encompassed the room. “—but I’ll give you what I can, if only you’ll have me.”

Emily stared. Happiness burst inside her. With a cry of gladness she brought his head down to hers for a sweet, endless kiss. Lost in a world of mindless pleasure, neither one surfaced until someone cleared his throat.

Emily blushed as she saw Dominic standing behind Andre. Andre turned, slipping his arm around Emily’s waist and pulling her close.

One corner of Dominic’s lips curled upward. “I understand if you wish to stay here,” he said.

Andre was adamant. “You’ll cover twice as much ground if I go with you.” He turned to Emily. “Try to rest,” he murmured.

Emily’s eyes darkened. She gripped his hands, her gaze imploring. “Please, be careful—” Her eyes cut back to Dominic. “—both of you.”

Andre bent and kissed her lips, and then they were off.

Luckily the moon was high, aiding greatly in their search. Between the two of them, they covered the area between Ravenwood and the cottage sev
eral times over, as well as a goodly portion of the woods.

There was no sign of Olivia.

The first faint light of dawn painted the eastern sky with a rosy glow when at last Dominic reined to a halt, midway between the village and Ravenwood. Andre brought his mount to a halt as well.

“She can’t have simply disappeared,” Andre said quietly.

“First the children, and now her.” Dominic’s jaw was tense. “Where the devil are they?” He cursed himself to hell and back. It had been daylight when she left, but he blamed himself. He should have seen to it that Lucifer accompanied her.

Andre looked at him. “Would the villagers help us look for her?”

Dominic’s features were taut as he nodded. “I’ll ride back and raise the alarm—” All at once he stopped. His gaze narrowed.

Lucifer had trotted ahead. Now he stood barking, a sharp, staccato sound, his hind legs apart and his tail high. His ears were pricked forward and he kept looking back at his master.

Dominic frowned. “What the blazes…?” He nudged Storm forward.

Lucifer barked even more furiously, as if he were excited that at last he’d gained his master’s attention. Dominic dismounted and strode forward. He laid his hand on the hound’s back.

“What is it, Lucifer? What have you found?”

Lucifer whined and dropped to his belly; with his nose he pushed at something in the dirt.

Dominic squatted down. It was then that he saw it—a scrap of linen that had fallen into the ditch
by the side of the road. He plucked it from its berth and held it high.

His brow furrowed. It was a handkerchief—
his
handkerchief, for it carried the initials DSB in the corner. In the dark, it hadn’t been visible.

He inhaled, a hiss of sound. Something danced in his memory. This was the handkerchief he’d given her the night they’d met, near this very spot in the road. Raw pain spilled through him.
Olivia
, he cried silently.
Olivia, where are you?
His head bowed low, he crushed the scrap of linen to his nose and mouth and inhaled deeply. It carried the damp scent of earth and another scent…the scent of roses.

His head came up. Lucifer regarded him with wide, dark eyes. The hound whined, a doleful sound, his muzzle perched on outstretched paw.

Dominic held out the handkerchief. Lucifer sniffed, then bounded to his feet. He danced around in a circle, as if he already knew what would be asked of him…

Dominic rose. “Lucifer,” he commanded, “find Olivia. Find Olivia!”

Lucifer barked once, then took off at a dead run.

Dominic and Andre were right at his heels.

It was the distant bowl of a wolf that roused Olivia
from her slumber. She wiggled a little, for her arms seemed curiously heavy. And never had her bed been so hard—it was most uncomfortable! The howl came again. She wondered crossly who would be hunting so close to the cottage. Only then did reality begin to seep in. She was not snug in her bed at the cottage, she was sitting on the cold damp floor of an abandoned hunting lodge. And that was no wolf. That was…

“Lucifer,” she whispered. Her eyes snapped open, and then it was a whoop of joy. “Lucifer!

“Colin! Lucinda! He’s found us!” She shook them awake.

Colin rubbed at his eyes with his fists. Lucinda blinked sleepily, regarding her as if she’d gone daft.

Olivia hugged them fiercely, filled with gladness. “Come, children, we must get up!”

She lifted Colin to his feet. Lucinda drew away with a mighty yawn. By the time the three of them were on their feet, the wrinkles tugged from their clothes as best they were able, the barking was louder.

Hoofbeats seemed to shake the very earth, then abruptly stopped. There was a murmur of male voices and then the bolt outside was wrenched back.

She squinted against the light that poured in. For the space of a heartbeat, a spare masculine form was outlined in the doorway, legs braced wide apart, shoulders broad as the seas.

“Olivia?”

It was Dominic. A galvanizing rush tore through her, propelling her blindly into his arms.

Strong arms closed around her. The hand that smoothed her hair was not entirely steady. “Christ, I thought I’d lost you.” He slid a forefinger beneath her chin and lifted it. “Are you all right?” Anxiously he searched her face.

Her smile was tremulous. “I am now.”

“And the children?”

Drawing back, she glanced around for the children. “Hungry and a bit cold, I suspect.”

Colin, she saw, had already attached himself to Dominic’s leg. Dominic lifted him high in his arms for a hug, then lowered him to the floor. Lucinda grinned at him shyly. Olivia spotted Andre just outside the doorway and gave a nod of greeting. Lucifer trotted into the lodge, his tail wagging madly.

“How did you find us?” Olivia asked.

“I have Lucifer to thank for that. He found your handkerchief by the roadside—” He flashed a disarming grin. “—or perhaps I should say
my
handkerchief.”

By now they had all moved outside into the morning sunshine. Colin had spotted the horses and gave a squeal of delight.

Dominic’s grin faded. “What happened, Olivia? Who did this?”

Olivia had no time to answer. Before she could say a word, there came a now-familiar voice.

“No need to answer, dear girl. I can speak for myself.” Gilmore stepped out from around the corner of the lodge.

He had a pistol raised high in his hand, aimed directly at Dominic’s chest.

Olivia paled.

Gilmore leered. “My, but you’re friendly with these devils—not one but two rush to your aid! A poor choice, my dear Miss Sherwood.” His mocking gaze flitted to Dominic. “As for you, my lord, you saved me the trouble of fetching you. However, your rescue is ill-timed, for now I fear I’ll have to kill all of you instead of just you and the lady.”

Dominic faced him boldly. “If it’s me you want, then let the others go.”

Gilmore’s laugh was grating. “Oh, I think not, my fine and fancy lord, I think not! I’m not so stupid as you think—they’d run straight to the authorities! Besides, this way I’ll be rid of the lot of you!” Pure menace blazed across his features.

On the other side of Andre, Lucifer bared his teeth and growled.

Gilmore swiveled the barrel of the pistol in his direction. “Shut that hound up or I’ll shoot him!”

He never had the chance. Lucifer sprang high into the air. Gilmore threw up a hand. His eyes widened with fear. Struck squarely in the chest by the hound’s not-so-inconsiderable weight, he tumbled to the ground.

It was just enough time for Dominic to wrest the
pistol from him. Directly in front of his face, Lucifer snarled and growled.

Gilmore screamed and covered his head with his hands. “Call him off!” he cried. “Call the beast off, I say!”

By then Andre had darted inside and grabbed the ropes which had bound Olivia. He made quick work of tying Gilmore’s hands so he could do no further harm.

Within the hour, a very subdued Robert Gilmore was delivered into the hands of the constable. It was then that Olivia told Dominic and Andre the reason behind Gilmore’s twisted plan…how it was more than just hatred of the Gypsies—that his father had lain with a Gypsy woman, only to have his wife discover the affair.

“His mother killed herself,” Olivia finished somberly, “and his father turned to drink. Gilmore blamed the Gypsies, and his hatred has been festering all these years. How ironic, that in the end, he’s hurt no one but himself.” She reflected quietly for a moment. “He’ll go to prison, won’t he?”

“It’s no less than what he deserves.” Dominic was not inclined to be lenient. “My God, Olivia, he would have killed us—all of us, including the children!”

Olivia’s gaze flickered over his shoulder. Andre had remained a short distance away, with Colin and Lucinda. She inclined her head. “Speaking of the children, I think it’s time we got them home.”

And in very short order, Colin was back with his mother and grandmother, and Lucinda was returned to her family. Lucinda’s mother wept openly. She threw her arms around Dominic—and Andre as well, startling them both with her effu
siveness. The girl’s father, too, clapped both men on the shoulder.

Now they were once again back at Ravenwood. Dominic had already relayed to Olivia that it was Emily who had alerted him that she was missing. They had no sooner stepped inside the entryway than Emily flew down the stairs and threw her arms around her. Both sisters blinked back tears as they drew back from each other—but their smiles were brighter than a thousand suns.

But there was something she didn’t know, for Dominic had decided to let her discover for herself the present state of affairs between her sister and Andre.

Andre had looked on with an indulgent expression as the sisters hugged. Emily stepped back and turned. Her gaze sped straight to his.

Wordlessly he held out his hand.

The pair were soon locked fast in a rather amorous—and distinctly demonstrative—embrace which left no room for doubt as to their feelings for each other.

From where she stood at Dominic’s side, Olivia felt her jaw sag. Dominic gave a raspy chuckle. “Don’t stare, my love.”

My love
. Olivia’s pulse beat a little faster. Did that mean what she thought it did…what she hoped it did?

Dominic caught her hand and pulled her around to face him. Curling his knuckles beneath her chin, he tilted her face up to his. His eyes searched hers.

“Are you certain you’re all right?” he asked.

The tender concern on his face warmed her from deep inside. “I’m fine,” she said breathlessly.

His eyes darkened. “Good. Because I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you.”

The pitch of his voice was very low—it made her quiver inside. Emboldened by it, she placed her fingertips lightly on his chest. She gave a tiny shake of her head.

“You won’t lose me, Dominic,” she confided softly, “not ever.”

The words acted like a wellspring. Dominic made a sound and caught her close. His head came down. His mouth hovered just above hers. Olivia sighed and closed her eyes, eagerly anticipating the warm heat of his kiss…

It never came.

The sound of a shocked gasp reached her ears. Olivia’s eyes snapped open. Emily and Andre stood just several feet away. Emily’s regard was locked fast on the two of them.

Dominic released her. Olivia smothered a smile as she turned toward the pair. She had the feeling Emily looked even more shocked than she herself had just moments earlier. She knew it for certain when her sister spoke.

“Olivia!…My lord…But how…Good heavens, how…”

One corner of Dominic’s mouth went up. “Fate,” was all he said.

Emily glanced between Dominic and Olivia. “So you mean to say that you…”

Olivia smiled weakly. “I’m afraid so, Emily. You see, the earl and I…the two of us…we…” It was her turn to be at a loss for words, for what could she say? Things were hardly settled between her and Dominic, though she had high hopes indeed that they would be—and quite soon.

Dominic picked up where she left off, his tone dry. “What your sister is trying to say, Emily, is that the two of us have grown quite close…No, I fear
extremely
close is a far more apt description.”

Olivia felt her cheeks stain with the heat of a blush. Andre flashed a wide grin and glanced at Emily.

Olivia reached for her sister’s hand. “I would have told you,” Olivia hastened to assure her, “but the time was never quite right! Emily, you were still so unclear about Andre, and I was so afraid you wouldn’t understand!”

Emily squeezed her fingers. “I was rather confused, wasn’t I? But no more, thank heaven.” The two sisters hugged again, then drew back to smile at each other.

Returning to Andre’s side, Emily slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. Andre covered her hand with his. “I think I’ll take Emily back to the cottage to rest,” he said. “We’ve all had a long night.”

Dominic nodded. “My thoughts precisely. I suspect Olivia could use some rest as well.” He transferred his gaze to Emily. “Would you think ill of me if I spare your sister the trip back to the cottage?”

“That depends, my lord.” Emily’s tone was pert, her eyes dancing. “Are your intentions honorable?”

Dominic’s laugh was low and husky. “You may rest assured they are indeed.” He reached for Olivia, sliding an arm about her waist and bringing her close against his side.

Andre and Emily started to turn away.

“Oh, and Emily…” His tone was light. When
she glanced back over her shoulder, Dominic gave her a wink Olivia couldn’t see. “Don’t expect her back anytime soon.”

“What, good sir, is that supposed to mean?” Olivia tried for an indignant tone and failed miserably.

He reached for her hand. “It means they want privacy, and so do we.”

“Do we?”

“We do indeed,” Dominic continued, “for I would very much like to continue our conversation from yesterday afternoon. I believe you were saying you were quite fond of me.”

“Was I? I’d forgotten.” Her tone was airy, her eyes dancing.

“Well then, you leave me no choice but to make you remember.” He bent and swung her high in his arms.

Olivia gasped, for he was mounting the stairs. “Dominic! Someone will see.”

“So let them see.”

She frowned at him good-naturedly. “You are very arrogant.”

“And you are ever prim and proper.”

He shouldered his way into his bedroom, shutting the door with the heel of his boot. Lowering her to the floor, he kissed her slowly, a kiss so immeasurably sweet it brought tears to her eyes. “Mmmm,” he murmured when at last he raised his head. “Do you know how long I’ve been waiting to do that?”

Slender arms were looped around his neck. With her fingertips she caressed his nape. “As long as I have,” she returned, her smile tremulous.

Tender eyes roved her features. Suddenly he released her.

“Wait,” he said.

Olivia tipped her head to the side as he removed the gold chain from around his neck. To her surprise, he hung it around her neck. Murmuring something in Romany, he brought the ring to his lips and kissed it.

Almost reverently she touched the ring. “What is this?”

He grinned. “A Gypsy curse?”

She fixed him with a mock glare. “I should hope not!”

“No,” he agreed, then paused. “Think of it as—as a Gypsy blessing.” He caught her hand and pulled her to the side of the bed and sat, pulling her down beside him.

“It belonged to my mother,” he said softly. “She wore it always. And now—now I would like my wife to wear it.”

Her heart surely stopped in that instant, then a surge of pure joy shot through her.

“Ah,” she said teasingly, “but I am not your wife.”

“But you will be.”

A slender brow arose. “Will I?”

“You will indeed.”

“Soon?”

He laughed at her hopefulness. “Very soon,” he assured her. “As soon as it can be arranged. As for now—” His smile was utterly seductive, and utterly wicked. “—now I am going to take you to heaven and back.”

“And how will you do that?”

Sliding his fingers down her arms, he began to
ease down the bodice of her gown. “If you’ll stop talking, love, I’ll show you.”

“But I—I could never marry a man who does not love me,” she said breathlessly.

His hands stilled. Suddenly they weren’t playing anymore. The look he bestowed on her made every part of her go weak inside.

“But this man
does
love you.”

Olivia’s breath caught. The depth of emotion she heard in his voice made her throat ache. Tears sprang to her eyes, tears she couldn’t withhold. With a groan he kissed them away. “Don’t cry, sweet. I love you. I do. Don’t you know that?”

“I do now.” Her heart was so full she could hardly speak. “Oh, Dominic, I love you too. I love you so much!”

Her declaration was like a dam breaking inside them both. Passion flared, hot as a bonfire, a sizzling blaze that consumed them both. Small hands swept the shirt from his shoulders, while his made short work of her gown. But when he would have pressed her back to the bed, she stopped him with a shake of her head and a hand on his naked chest.

Without a word she knelt between his thighs.

Cool fingertips traced an idle pattern in the dense pelt on his chest—then slid slowly down the grid of his belly.

One by one she released the buttons of his breeches.

His manhood sprang taut and free…into her hand. Olivia quivered inside, for he was blistering hot and boldly erect.

Her head bowed. Her hair brushed the skin of his thighs…just as he’d dreamed. Dainty fingers
skimmed the underside of his rigid hardness.

“Olivia—” His breath caught. He could scarcely breathe, let alone talk. “Love, what are you doing?”