All the Things You Never Knew (23 page)

* * *
“The lady’s gone!” one of the guards came in yelling. “What!” Marcus ran out, followed by his father and Viscount

Herring, to the post where Rose was tied.
“Impossible!” cried the viscount. “How could she escape?” “I told you to keep her inside,” said his father.
“It was Lord Herring who–” his eyes flared in a fury and he went

over to grab the viscount by the collar. “You did this to trick us, didn’t you? You tried to help her escape.”

“Get your hands off me, young lord,” said the old viscount. “If I have any idea that she’s going to escape, I would have horse-whipped her for the sin she had committed and skin her alive.”

“You damn well know you wouldn’t do that to your daughter.

You lie!” Marcus roared.
“May be possible that the Windsor bastard came and took her,”
said his father.
“Don’t be ridiculous. He doesn’t even know where this place is.” “Ah, but he’s smart,” his father replied. “He will find a way
anyhow to get to little Lady Rose.”
“Yes, tell your son, Luther. And let go of me! I’m not in the
condition of romping with young fools anymore.”
“Well, Viscount Herring,” said Marcus. “I think we have a better
use for you, wouldn’t you say so, Father?”
A smile curved on his father’s lip and he walked back inside, not
saying a word.
“Luther!” the viscount called after him when he didn’t do
anything about it. “What are you guys trying to do?”
“Shut up!” Marcus threw a punch at the old man and he fell onto
the ground. “Guards, come and take this old fool away!”
“Y-you d-devil!”
Marcus sent a kick to the side of the viscount and silenced him up
with a punch. “I am the devil and nobody can surpass that.”

* * *

“That old footman was a pain!” Longsword complained when he had rejoined forces with Leon and Rose. “It’s as if he’s trying to delay our mission. Thank God you were able to free Lady Rose. I didn’t expect it to be this easy.”

“Me neither, but we’re coming back to obliterate Lansing after I marry Rose and take her to Bridlington for her safety.”
“Remember I’m your best man.”
Leon laughed. “Right, you are.”
“Boy, it’s nearly dawn.”
“Yes. We have to go get Hargate.”
“I’m tired,” Longsword yawned. “We should get some sleep first. I bet you will like to get cozy up with that little thing.”
Leon laughed and looked down at Rose.
She was quiet and sound asleep like a babe with her arms tightly wrapped around his neck. She was exhausted and knocked out shortly after they met up with Longsword and made their way back. Ladies can never take this much action, though he will have to admit that his sisters can go through hell and fires and never feel a thing. Perhaps they should rest after all.
“Where’s the closest place we can stay at for the night?” he asked Longsword.
“I think we passed an inn around here earlier when we came,” Longsword replied scanning the place. “Ah, over there,” he pointed.
“Great. We can finally have a moment of sleep.”
They rode towards the inn and got off to check if there were any extra rooms left. Luckily, there were two and the inn keeper led them in to settle down.
“I hope you have a good sleep,” Longsword said to him as he open up the door to his room. “Be gentle with the lady.”
Leon laughed. “Shut up. Rest well. We would set out once we’re well rested.”
Longsword nodded and closed the door, leaving Leon and Rose now to their privacy. He kicked open the door to their room and quietly shut it with his foot.
Well, they’re alone once again.
“Rose.” He whispered her name and gently set her down on the bed.
She sighed quietly and turned on her side.
“I love you,” she murmured.
For a moment he thought she had awaken but then she move and her back was turned to him.
He sighed and moved down to lie beside her.
This was going to be a long night. He doesn’t want to disturb her with his burning desire. They need plenty of rest for the morning.
“I love you, Rose.” He wrapped one arm around her waist and buried his face into the sweet aroma of her hair. “Only you. Always you.”
Rose woke up to the radiant stream of sunlight through the crack of the window curtain to find herself pin to a bed with a heavy arm over her.
She turned and smiled at the charming face lying upon her shoulder. When did they get here? She has no idea, but it feels so safe and secure to have Leon with her.
She raised her finger carefully and touched his cheek. It was still bruised and slightly swollen but still, he was dashing to her. The bandage on his head was stained through with blood, but it had seem to dry out. He’d been through a lot for her, and his parents.
She wonder if they can see how good of a son they have, how brave and courageous he is, going through hell and tortures to avenge their death.
No men would ever go through this much. He even took care of his eleven siblings. Rose had only met them once, but yet she knew that they were a bunch of troublemakers. If Leon was, then most definitely his siblings would be. They were Heartilys after all.
She remembered the first day they all met. It was two weeks after Leon and her had started courting. His siblings had decided to play a trick on them and set them through a complicated obstacle course before they can meet at the family’s barn. It involve plucking out a bunch of lotus flower from the pond, shearing a dozen of sheep, raking the pig pen, cleaning the stable, collecting eggs from the evil pecking hens’ nest, which wasn’t a really good experience, milking the cows and churning butter. It was all very complicated, since Rose had never done it before but well worth a try. It was some very exciting experience and she learned a lot, although it did turned out at the end that Leon’s siblings were only doing it to get their chores done. It got Leon angry and he chased them all around with a garden hoe. It was amusing, but after that, she never saw them again.
Now ten years had passed, and she’s going to meet them once more. If Leon marries her, then she will be their sister. It excites her to know that she will have a real family soon. Real brothers and sisters. She had always wanted siblings. Being the only spoiled child was a bore. No fun or excitements. Always lessons on etiquettes and how to please the
ton
. She could use some adventure in her life. She bet Leon can give her that. She will never get tired of him.
“What are you doing?” Leon asked sleepily, pushing her finger away.
Rose chuckled and cradled her arms around his neck. “I’m admiring your handsome face. Is that not allow?”
“This thing, handsome?” He pointed to his face and shook his head. “Honey, you need an eye physician. You seriously have problems if you think this is handsome.”
Rose laughed and cupped his face. “It might take a few weeks, maybe months for your bruises to heal, but I love you just the way you are. It doesn’t matter. You can look like the hunch back of Notre Dame and I will still love you.”
“Or the Beast of Beauty? I think not.”
“If Beauty could love a Beast, then I could, too, especially if the beast is
you
.”
Leon smiled and her heart melted.
“He doesn’t deserve you,” he said, nuzzling her along the jaw line. “He never did deserve you.”
“Oh, but he’s all I ever wanted,” she said, closing her eyes and embracing him tightly as he move down to kiss her neck. “
Everything
I ever wanted.”
He stopped and gazed up at her. “Even when he left you without a reasonable explanation and was found in a whore’s bed?”
Rose shrugged. She hated to have him remind her of that dreadful scene, but what can she say? He’d stolen her heart.
“Matters not. You said you didn’t have any association with that woman so I’m trusting you on that.”
He smiled and kissed her cheek. “You have my words.”
“Yes.”
A light knock interrupted them, followed by Lord Longsword’s voice.
“Heartily, are you up? Breakfast is ready downstairs.”
“We’ll be down in a minute,” Leon called back, beaming down at her. “Do you want breakfast?” he asked as he shifted to reach for his shirt on the floor.
“I am a bit hungry, yes,” she answered, sitting up to adjust her gown.
“Rose,” he said, scanning her down with an intimate stare.
“What?” she asked, turning away to hide the deep flush forming on her cheeks.
“I think I have a better menu for breakfast than what Longsword’s having downstairs.”
“Oh?” She smiled and turned back to him. “And what is it, may I ask?”
“Me…and
You
.”
He threw down his shirt and without warning, came down and pin her to the bed, ravishing and savoring every inch of her lips against his.
“Leon,” she gasped, pushing him back. “Are you sure this is…”
He put a finger to her lips and nipped at her earlobe.
“Quiet, my love,” he said. “Just let me feed you.”
Rose chuckled to his reply and did exactly that.

“That took longer than a mere minute,” said the Earl of Longsword when Leon and Rose finally came down to join him for breakfast.

Leon grinned as Rose blushed, and went to sit across from Longsword.
“We had some catching up to do, right, Rose?” He smiled at her and winked.
She blushed so prettily that he just wanted to devour her up again.
Longsword merely laughed and pushed the plate of food towards them. “Simple eggs and sausages,” he said. “I’ll get more tea.”
“Thanks.”
They quickly finished up the last of the remaining gourmet and were prepared to leave when something caught Leon’s eyes out the window.
“Quick!” he cried to Longsword, pulling Rose by the arm and leading her up the stairs. “We have to hide.”
“What?” Longsword asked, following after them. “What’s the matter?”
“Lansing’s guards. They’re coming in.”
“What are we to do now?” Rose asked worriedly.
“Escape through the window,” said Leon. “It’s the only way.”
He led them into the room that Rose and him had slept in and open up the window.
“Longsword, you go down first so you can catch Rose,” he ordered. “I’ll follow behind.”
Longsword nodded, and slowly climbed out onto the ledge outside the window.
“There’s a vine,” he told them. “I can slide down easily.”
“Good.”
Leon helped Rose out next as Longsword reached the ground. She was trembling in fear and wouldn’t let go of him.
“Leon, what if they capture us again?” she asked wearily.
“We just have to do whatever we can to escape,” he answered. “Don’t worry. I am here with you. Everything will be okay. Trust me.”
She gave him a faint smile and nodded, finally letting go to take hold of the vine that Longsword had used.
“Don’t fret, Lady Rose,” Longsword called up. “I’ll catch you if you fall.”
Leon snorted at Longsword’s words. That should have been his line, but now isn’t the time to fuss about it. He watches as Longsword helped Rose down and descended just in time when the door clicked open, and in rushed Lansing’s guards.
“They’re escaping!” one of them cried.
“Quick! We have to get them!”
“Run,” was all Leon could say as he grabs Rose’s hand and dash away. There’s no time to mount their horses. They have to run as fast as they can until they reach a place far enough to guaranteed their safety.
“Where should we go?” Longsword asked as they ran into the forest.
“They’re following close behind. We just have to go as far as we can until they lose track of us.”
“Ah!” Rose shrieked as a bullet flew past them.
“Shit, now they’re shooting at us,” said Longsword as he dodges another flying bullet. “Can’t we go back to your sister’s hideout?”
“Not at a time like this,” he answered.
Avangelene had warned him not to get any enemy close to her hideout or they’re doomed. He’s not going to do that, even if it could spare their life. She’s probably already mad at him for not going back as he’d said to get Hargate. But it should be all right. She will understand. He needn’t worry.
What he should do is think of a plan to help them escape the wretched army of Lansing.
He knows exactly what to do.

Good morning. Good morning…Hello?

“Go away…” Avangelene murmured, turning away from the warm gush of wind waving in her face.
How annoying.
“That’s a nice way to greet a duke in the morning.”
Duke?
Avangelene’s eyes flickered open and she sat up abruptly as she remembered that the duke was present.
“What are you doing in here?” she asked, pushing him off the bed.
“Hey!” He tumbled off and quickly got on his feet, coming back at her. “What do you mean ‘what am I doing here?’ You slept with me.”
“What?” She shook her head in indignation. “I did not!”
Did she?
The duke smiled and laid both hands on her shoulders, pushing her back down to lie on the bed.
“What are you doing?” She pushed his hands away and tried to get back up, only to be pin down again. “Let me go!” she snapped.
The duke laughed and leaned down to gaze into her eyes. “Stop struggling. You weren’t like this yesterday.”
What?
“What do you mean I wasn’t like this?”
What the hell did they do last night? Avangelene couldn’t recall. All she remembered was telling this arrogant duke stories and then…nothing.
“I can’t believe you forgot,” said the duke as he stares her down.
She had to look away to not feel the effect of his stares burning upon her.
“It was something
special
that I hope you will never forget,” he added, as he turns her face slowly back to look at him.
“Do you always harass your friends’ sisters like this?” she asked, annoyed by this
special
little something that she couldn’t remember.
The duke’s face paled as she said that, but he only chuckle and smile at her.
“I’ll take that as a yes then.” Anything to irritate him off.
“God, no!” he blurted. “You’re the first.”
Well, she doesn’t like that fact.
“Please let me up,
Duke
.”
“Laguna, not
Duke
,” he corrected her.
Avangelene rolled her eyes and looked at him, trying to fight the rising madness in her. “Okay,
Laguna.
Please let me up so we can talk.”
“Now that’s more like it.” He got off and without a warning; Avangelene sends a punch up and knock him square in the jaw.
“Ow!” He tumbled back and rubbed at his jaw. “What in the devil was that for?”
Avangelene got up and picked up the cover that had slipped to the floor. “That,
Duke
, is for harassing me,” she said, folding up the sheet and placing it across her pillows.
“My apology, then,” he said, straightening up on his feet. “I thought you will be gentle like you were last night.”
“Nothing happened last night!” she snapped. “Stop saying that.”
Nothing.
He just looked at her and smiled. He must really be enjoying himself.
Stupid man. Mere stranger and yet...he acts like he's a friend who she have known for years.
“It’s weird. I've only woken up to know you for a while and here I am…infatuated with you already. How does this happen, can you tell me?”
How ridiculous.
“Cause you're a dumbass,” was all she said.
“You like to swear a lot,” he told her. “I find it odd for a woman to, but I guess it’s human nature.”
“Is it?” Avangelene was beginning to think so, too. She couldn’t control her temper, or her language with him.
He nodded in response and gave a heavy sigh before falling back on her bed.
“After your senseless stories,” he began. “I was surprised you fell asleep before me.”
“I did?” She probably did. She’d been so exhausted after handling some businesses with her companions, Drake and Simeon, before coming back to handle things here and meeting this annoying duke before her.
“You look so enchanting when you’re asleep,” he went on saying. “You were much nicer, too.”
“Really?” She raised an eyebrow at him and smile. “How so?” As much as she dislikes this duke for his arrogance and the annoyance he caused her, she will have to admit, he rather warms her with his comments.
He looked at her bemused, and shrugged. “The way you talk?”
“What?” She was stunned to hear. “I…talked?”
“You said…a lot of nice things. To whom? I have no idea. But for sure it’s not me.”
“Oh?”
Interesting.
“What did I say?”
He gave another shrug again and closed his eyes. “I don’t know. Something like ‘
come back, I’m still here
.’ And then something with good-byes, plus some other stuff. But,” he opened his eyes and looked at her, “the one I remember most of all, and clearly as if you’ve just said it again, was ‘
get well, Laguna
.’”
“What?” She had to let out a laugh as he said that. That was considered nice? “Did I now?”
His shoulders rise and fell. “If I’m not mistaken.”
“You are so amusing, Laguna,” she laughed. “All right, I’m getting breakfast for us.”
“You are?” He seems shocked from her reply.
Avangelene chuckled and smiled at him. “I’m not that evil to let my guest starve even when I don’t appreciate their presence. Nor would I starve myself, mind you.”
“I see.” Despairs hinted in his voice, making Avangelene feel bad for having to say that she didn’t appreciate his presence.
“I’m sorry. How’s your wound this morning? Any pain?”
“Not as much as yesterday. Stitches still intact.”
“That’s good. If you still want to rest, do so. I’ll go wash up now and call on you when breakfast is ready. Leon might come to get you, too. You don’t want to travel on an empty stomach.”
He nodded and she walked out, leaving him alone.