Her Wicked Proposal novel Chapter 38

Anne took a sip of tea and tried to remain calm. They were leaving so soon? The thought of leaving her life here behind, even just for a month-long honeymoon, was frightening. It would be just her and Cedric at his estate. It wasn't that she didn't want this private time with him, but she was afraid they still knew so little about each other. Above all things, Anne loathed awkward silences.

"You've already packed everything?" Anne asked Nellie, though she already knew the answer.

"Yes, madam. Oh! I plum forgot, his lordship left this for you." Nellie handed Anne a small blue velvet box. Anne took it and opened it with a small amount of trepidation. Inside was a beautiful garnet stone surrounded by a ring of tiny diamonds. There was no chain, only a heavy satin ribbon with a metal clasp at the back.

"What's this?" Anne asked Nellie.

"He told me to tell you that he thought you would like to wear it when you choose to remove the ring he gave you. He knows you love to ride and a ring would snag on your gloves. He feared if that happened you might be tempted to remove it often and it might get lost. Do you wish me to help you put it on?"

"Oh yes, please do."

Anne marveled at the striking burgundy of the garnet and the subtle shimmer of the elegant diamonds. She had never been one for expensive jewels, but this simple yet sizeable piece seemed made just for her. How could he know she would love it? Treasure it as she had never done for other jewels, save the ring he'd given her that had belonged to his mother?

Nellie sighed dreamily. "His lordship has fine taste."

"He does, doesn't he? I only wish I knew what gift I could give him." She knew a box of fine cigars or engraved snuffboxes would not have the same effect. She wanted to get him something wonderful, something he would never wish to be without. But what gift could measure up to that impossible standard?

Anne spent the remainder of the morning seeing to the household and the servants before she left for Brighton. The housekeeper had things well in hand, and Anne knew she could rest easily during their time away. Anne was tidying up her study when she heard the clatter of hooves and wheels outside. She scampered down the stairs like a puppy, surprised to find herself eager to see Cedric. They almost collided in the entryway.

"Darling, there you are," Cedric grunted as he held on to her to keep her from pitching them both to the ground. With an arm twined about her waist, he bent his head down carefully to place a tender kiss on her forehead.

The gesture was sweet, domestic, entirely unlike Cedric's usual kisses, but no less endearing. She had never known there could be more than one type of kiss, and now she wanted them all, several hundred of each and every kind.

Cedric grinned. "You were in a hurry."

"I was running and heard the horses. I wanted to see you-" She never got to finish. Cedric's lips claimed hers in a silencing possession. There was amusement in this kiss, yet there was a slow burning fire that built behind that teasing, like a second glass of scotch with its rich warmth.

Samir Al Zahrani had followed the Sheridan coach at a distance down the well-traveled road to Brighton. But as the couple's coach had taken the lesser-populated country roads toward the estate, Samir had been forced to drop back out of sight, lest Sheridan's driver realize they were being trailed. Using the road's natural underbrush as cover, he was able to guide his horse through the forest at the edge of the trail and avoid being observed.

When at last the carriage turned onto the drive that led to the massive country house of Rushton Steading, Samir flicked his reins against his beast's neck, steering him farther into the forest.

The Englishman, Sir Hugo Waverly... Yes, Samir had done his own research and discovered who the man was, or at least rumored to be. He had advised him to wait for the perfect moment and then snatch Sheridan and his bride from the house and take them to the port.

But Samir had no intention of following Waverly's instructions. If he took Sheridan and his wife ahead of schedule, he could have his ship leave port early. His men were back in town, waiting for instructions. It would have been too conspicuous to bring them along while he was still learning his enemy's lands and discerning how protected Sheridan was from attack.

Glancing up at the skies, Samir frowned. Thick storm clouds were building on the horizon, and a cold wind was starting to gather strength.

English weather. He sneered. Icy, wet and suffocating. It would be a relief to get what he came for and depart for home.

I shall suffer this weather tonight, but not for much longer. He dismounted from his horse and started walking it through the woods, slowing as he approached the distant house. He'd likely have to bide his time, but he would do what was necessary to retrieve his horses from the Sheridan stables and, more importantly, exact his revenge.