The Notorious Bridegroom (31 page)

Colette had her again and perhaps this time she would be successful in causing Patience’s death.

“I want a clear route to the sea or else she dies, gentlemen, what shall it be?”

Colette ignored Keegan’s indignant snort of disbelief, her sight leveled on Bryce. They stared at each other for several long minutes, both knowing they held Patience’s fate between them.

Bryce kept his pistol cocked, his finger on the trigger. He burned with rage at the danger Patience was in and blamed himself for not better protecting her. With passionate eyes, pale face, and a cloak of dark tangled curls over her shoulders, Patience was alive, and he intended that she remain so. For his very love, his very life, was also held in the balance. He knew that Patience’s death would savagely wound him deeper than Edward’s had. A fate he would never have thought possible.

His jaw clenched and unclenched. He had faced his own death before, but the pain and fear gnawing in his gut was unfamiliar to him. If only he had a distraction, one second, and he could shoot the French bitch.

Patience closed her eyes, summoning her strength. After seeing her death once tonight, this second time seemed almost easier. If she was going to die, she could still give one last present to Bryce, his brother’s murderer. Releasing her breath, she said loudly to Colette, “Tell Lord Londringham how you killed his brother, Edward, when you meant to kill him. That you were waiting for Lord Londringham in the cottage to kill him.”

Colette uttered a sharp laugh. This news would surely prick at Londringham’s pride. “Yes, I was the one who sent you the note, but your brother came in your stead. He tried to escape, and I shot him.”

She underestimated Bryce’s skill at hiding his feelings. His stare would have made a lesser man or woman back down.

Not Colette. They were at an impasse.

Bryce finally earned his second. Keegan, not able to stand the wicked laugh from the woman he once loved, vaulted forward in anger toward Colette.

In seemingly slow motion, Colette turned and shot her once-lover as Patience tumbled to the ground, free. Bryce shot the Frenchwoman below her left shoulder.

Colette dropped her pistol, amazement stretched her features as a tiny sliver of blood leaked from her mouth. Her hands flailed as she fell backward toward the cliff, her mouth open to argue her fate.

Patience tried to crawl to Kilkennen, lying motionless on the hard ground, when she felt a strong pull on her skirts.

Suddenly, she found herself being dragged to the edge, and looked down to find it was Colette with life still beating in her eyes clutching her clothing.

Patience clawed the earth frantically as Colette yanked her toward the abyss. In a fevered litany, Patience called for Bryce over and over. Then he was there in front of her, grabbing her arms and shoulders, his heels dug into the crumbled ground for leverage.

He tried to draw both women onto safer soil but Colette’s grasp was tenuous. When her eyes glazed over in death, her grip lost its potency, and she freed Patience’s skirts, falling backward and down, down, down to the black waiting sea below.

Bryce hauled Patience into his arms, both of them shaken from her near death over the cliff. She gloried in the sheltering warmth of his arms but couldn’t stop shivering, knowing she would never forget Colette’s last look of desperation.

Bryce tilted her chin so that he could look into her eyes. “You’re safe now, she can no longer hurt you,” he whispered against her forehead before they rose and walked over to where Kilkennen was receiving treatment from one of the soldiers. They learned he had been shot in the shoulder, high above the heart, but was losing blood rapidly. Plans were made to immediately carry him into Hastings for a physician.

Commander Rightner’s soldiers seized the last of Colette’s band of mercenaries and poor English farmers who had been promised French riches for their services. As Bryce and Patience rounded the lighthouse to return to their horses, she caught sight of her four brothers, Louis, Benjamin, and James with Rupert in tow. She flew down the path and into their arms, joyful to see them and curious as to their presence.

Satisfied that Patience was safe for the time being with her brothers, Bryce followed Keegan’s man-made stretcher down the road.

She kissed them all and kept clutching Rupert’s hand while listening in astonishment to her younger brother’s derring-do. While she and Bryce were saving England from being invaded, Rupert had assisted in capturing Frenchmen trying to land in a longboat near the shore a few miles away. They were actually smugglers and now safely ensconced in a welcoming prison cell.

“Excuse me, miss. I found this lying on the ground and this hanging out of it,” a solder told Patience, handing her Sally’s doll, Spring. The gift of the emerald necklace splayed dark in her hands. Colette must have found the doll and hidden the necklace in it. At least Patience could return Sally’s doll and his lordship’s necklace. She grimaced.

The Mandeley family rode down the foothill and heard Patience’s horrid tale of being abducted by Colette and her brush with death. She had no time to tell them more about her stay at Paddock Green or London, and needed to think more about what she wanted to tell her older brothers about Bryce.

Relaxed in a safe public room in Hasting’s only inn, the family chattered away as they caught Patience up on news back home. They had obtained rooms at the inn while they awaited Bryce’s report on the captain’s condition.

Bryce finally left the physician’s cottage after speaking to Keegan and reassuring himself that his friend had not suffered any permanent harm. He arranged to have Keegan moved, when able, to recuperate at Paddock Green. If he knew Patience, she would want to take complete charge of his friend’s convalescence.

He quickly wrote a note to Patience, explaining his urgent need to see Secretary Hobart to report the failed French invasion. He said he would meet her at Paddock Green within a week, and they could discuss their future.

Patience. He had to see her, talk to her. There was so much he wanted to say to her.

But he had to start preparing for his trip to London. Soon he would come home to Patience. He would send his house staff and Sally back to wait for him at home. Home, a place where he wanted to be.

The first breeze of the morning awakened Patience to the bold sunlight. Although her body and mind still begged for sleep, Patience had to find Bryce.

The innkeeper directed her to the only physician’s house. Patience walked quickly, anxious to find Bryce and concerned over the captain’s health. She met a soldier on the path striding from the physician’s direction, who assured her Captain Kilkennen’s condition had improved considerably over the night.

Patience breathed a sigh of relief, realizing she would not have his death on her conscience. But she would have to find a way to make it up to him after his sacrifice.

She stopped for a moment to get her bearings. Right at this corner and straight up the hill until she saw the low cottage. Inside, Patience found the captain sleeping peacefully but learned to her surprise that Bryce had left for Town.

Unbeknownst to Patience, the letter from Bryce had arrived at the physician’s home, but then had fallen to the floor and was forgotten.

Why would he not have stopped for her? Then she remembered the necklace he had left her. Was there still time for them? She slowly walked back to the inn, lost in her thoughts.

Benjamin and James assisted Patience into their coach, her solemn expression forbidding any questions as to their early departure. As the coach carried them down the coast road, Patience thought she heard the dirt plunking suffocat-ingly on top of her coffin.

It had been two weeks since the eventful night in Hastings. Long weeks as they collected suspects in the failed invasion attempt and heard depositions. He had finally obtained a reprieve after attending several long conferences and seeing to the demands of the PM and the secretary of war. He knew he would have to return to London soon, but, God willing, with his new bride by his side.

His town house was empty except for Stone and a few other staff. Bryce had occupied the lonely wee hours of the morning by writing letters to Patience—telling her how much he missed her, and holding on to his promise of a quick return, which perversely made every day seem that much longer.

Now, after a long carriage journey and his hard ride on Defiance the last several miles in anxious desire to see Patience, he ran up the steps to Paddock Green.

As he entered the hallway, he noticed a stack of his letters to her sitting on a table.

“She is not here, my lord.”

Bryce stared in confusion at his butler.

Furthermore, Marlow informed him, Patience had not been at Paddock Green since their first departure for London.

Exhausted from his journey, Bryce wanted only to sit down and rest his leg, drink a stiff glass of port, and ponder over Patience’s absence. With a fire crackling by his side on this early May night and a full bottle of the finest spirits this side of the Channel untouched, he was no closer to understanding the truth about Patience’s whereabouts.

Of course it didn’t help matters when Sally, Lem, Melenroy, Martha, and even Kilkennen all wanted to know where Patience was and when she would return home. Presenting Sally with yet another new doll did help pacify the child somewhat, however.

Always one to think matters through thoroughly, that is what Bryce set about doing. He considered the possibility that having been put through such an ordeal, she had wanted to rest in her own home. He frowned, then dismissed the thought. Not likely. Perhaps her brothers had not been keen on her returning to Paddock Green alone, and had persuaded her to wait in Storrington for him to come and formally ask for her hand in marriage. Yes, good.

His features hardened into stone upon contemplating the more bleak possibilities. Why had she written that traitorous letter? Had Colette forced her hand? Why—as Sally had asked him, that morning—had she been crying? He refused to consider that her lovemaking had been out of gratitude for helping her brother. She didn’t have a dishonest bone in her body, he knew that about her.

He had to put the pieces together, but it was impossible without consulting Patience. Bryce determined to sleep off the effects of his exhausting trip, promising himself he would leave for Storrington in the morning to find her. He feared not the consequences of what he might learn there, but only what would happen if he didn’t make the effort to find the truth.

Patience was angry, furious, even. After all she had done to save Bryce and their country, and almost losing her own life many times, albeit most of the time her own fault, but still. She determined she would go to Paddock Green and confront Bryce and tell him that she loved him. And he would just have to accept that because he couldn’t send her away. Not ever again.

With a quick note to her brothers, she grabbed a few necessities in a carpet bag, and ran to the stables where the groomsman, Mr. Grundy, hitched up their little gig. She was going home.

Mr. Grundy left her in Storrington to wait for the coach that would take her to Winchelsea and Bryce.

It was near to ten o’clock in the evening, when she saw the familiar sight of the tree-lined drive, just barely visible in the dark.

Patience was impatient. Finally, the driver pulled the coach up to the front steps, and she jumped from the carriage, launching up the steps. Lem opened the door for her. She hugged the little boy, trying to control the sweep of happiness enfolding her, then reprimanded him for staying awake this late, then hugged him again. Was she really home?

Unable to contain her excitement, she asked Lem where his lordship was.

Martha, from the drawing room door, answered her. “He arrived home today, rather exhausted. I believe he has turned in for the night.” Patience’s London companion walked across the marble floor to greet her friend. They shared a warm embrace, Patience slightly dazed at seeing Martha at Paddock Green.

Martha explained, “Bryce has retained me to look after Sally as governess, and my other duties have included nursing Captain Kilkennen back to health. Surely, no woman on earth has had to endure a more cantankerous patient. But he is on the mend, thank the Lord.”

Did Martha blush slightly at the captain’s name?
Patience would have to look more into that reaction.

Patience heard a shout of glee from the top of the staircase. “Aunt Patience, yer back!” Sally, holding tightly to the railing, maneuvered down the stairs and jumped into Patience’s waiting arms.

She clutched the small child to her chest and hugged her tightly. She whispered in Sally’s ear, “I’ve missed you, sweetheart.”

Sally planted a big, wet kiss on her cheek. “I told Mr. Long you would come back to us.”

Patience smiled at the wise child. “And so you were right.”

“Ruff, ruff.”
Everyone watched as a little black-and-white puppy scampered down the glossy hallway floor, slipping and sliding.

They adjourned to the kitchen where Melenroy delighted in seeing her. And Lem introduced Patience to Falstaff, the newest addition to the family, that he had found on the road to Winchelsea.

Over a cup of tea, Patience learned about the events of the past two weeks. But since the earl had sent them here when he returned to Town, they could offer little news of him, for which Patience was famished.

Now that she was back at Paddock Green, she couldn’t wait to surprise Bryce. But she was afraid she would be the one surprised at his reception. She couldn’t know for sure what it would be.

On her journey across country, she had planned what to say to convince the hard-hearted man that he needed her, and that he might as well marry her. She shook her head.
No, I can’t make those demands of him. I shall be loving and patient and especially humble and offer him my heart and pray desperately he has no cause to reject it. I will assure him, no, promise him, that I will seek his advice on matters beyond my knowledge and try to restrain my impulses, and that I will simply be a good and faithful wife. No, none of this sounded right or even sincere.

Since she couldn’t sleep, she decided to wander outside. Everyone else had settled in for the night and a blanket of silence had swept over the house. Standing on the stone terrace Patience gazed up at the midnight sky, awash with bright stars, and drew her nightdress and wrap a little closer. Assured Bryce slept, she would simply have to wait until morning to see him. Footsteps sounded above her. Her heart slowed to a crawl, and she rubbed her arms with a sudden chill.

It could only be Bryce. As sleepless as she? Silence.

Patience stepped forward and looked up to find Bryce leaning on the balcony’s stone wall. She simply stared in sweet imagination at his curly brown hair and beloved face. He stood and gazed up at the sky, almost like a statue of a Greek god in the faint moonlight.

A dismayed sigh escaped her when he began to walk away. She ran out into the light. She had to stop him. What could she say?

“What are you wishing for?” her slightly out of breath voice called up to him.

Silence. Perhaps he had not heard her.

Then the footsteps again, closer. He peered over the railing, his face too dark to read.

“Patience?” he called softly. “Are you real? Is that you?”

Her silvery laughter floated on a cloud up to him. “Yes, I have returned to do you a good deed. What do you wish?” Her voice filled the night air between them.

He placed his hands on his hips. “Are you here to stay?” He paused meaningfully and asked, “Why have you returned to Paddock Green?”

Patience licked her lips. “I…I left something behind. Please make a wish for me,” she pleaded with him.

“What did you leave behind?” his voice low and disturbing, his dark eyes shadowed.

Patience hesitated. “My heart.” She stretched out her arms in supplication. “Please, make a wish.”

“You,” he replied, his voice ragged with emotion, “I want you in my arms for tonight and for every night darkness covers the earth. I want you with me every day from the moment the sun wakes till it falls asleep at night.” Bryce paused, finding the words in his heart. “I wish you never to leave me. You have given me all the stars in the sky and the richest treasure known to man. You alone have brought me the light of hope I never knew existed and taught me the love and faith of an eternity.”

Patience stared up at him, the force of her love shining blindingly bright in her eyes. “Your wish has come true, I’m only a mere mortal who stands here wishing for your touch.”

“A wish easily granted.”

In no time at all, Bryce climbed down the wooden trellis that Patience had once used, and strode over to her. Two steps each brought them together.

Bryce groaned at the completeness he felt deep in his soul when he clasped Patience in his arms, the loneliness and despondency which earlier had imprisoned his spirit freed at last. He swept down to claim her lips, the kiss first gentle with wonder, then deepened with desire.

Patience wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders, but even standing on tiptoe, she couldn’t get close enough to him. She demanded and took all that he could give her and yet it was not enough. Bryce urgently bent down and clasped her buttocks in both hands, lifting her off the cold stone. She never lost touch with his lips, her legs now locked around his waist, her arms tight around his neck.

He entwined his fingers in her hair, finally lifting his lips from hers, and leaned down to taste the long length of her white delicate neck, gratified to hear a low moan from his lady. He carried her into the side door and up to his bedchamber with never a thought for his weariness or the ever-present ache in his injured leg. There were more important things on his mind.

Bryce and Patience kissed unabated as they tore off her robe and the nightdress beneath it. He stepped away only briefly and hurriedly to remove his shirt and boots before rejoining his naked nymph waiting for him. She had been waiting all her life for him.

Their bodies stretched and meshed perfectly on his high soft bed. Patience, with the dark glow of passion deep in her eyes, tore at the strings on his breeches and, before long, her soft, undulating body matched his hard, rigid form, seeking, searching, wanting.

She closed her eyes, letting the sensations wash over her as he caressed her breasts until they throbbed with pleasure and she panted beneath him. She gasped and her eyes flew open when she felt him probing at the entrance to her wet heat. When he thrust into her, his stormy blue eyes captured her passion-drenched green gaze and sealed their bond.

The rhythm of desire called to them, and they answered it with the hard, insistent, unstoppable force of their love for each other. Their lips clung to each other, tasting and teasing. She captured his tongue, pulling it farther into her mouth, and he responded in kind.

She heard him whisper, “Sweetness, only for me,” against her ear.

She felt her heart jumping inside of her, in awe of the power of his body and of his love. The power of his love almost frightened her before she realized she would never have anything to fear again.

Again and again, he slaked his hunger for her, a hunger which he knew would never be truly appeased. Then he looked deep into her soul and increased his rhythm until she shattered into a million pieces and took her soul with him. They remained entwined for a very long while, not willing to relinquish their real dream.

Patience knew Bryce wasn’t sleeping but only play-acting with those loud snores. It was the other side of midnight, and she still needed answers. Answers which couldn’t wait until morning. She lay with her back against his strong chest and her bottom against his groin, one strong hand draped over her breast. Patience tapped him on the thigh. Nothing. She rolled over onto her back, creating a slight gap in their bodies. That did it.

Bryce’s eyes flickered open. “Where do you think you are going?” he asked lazily.

Patience, dazzled by the look of possession in his eyes, knew it matched her own. She thought for a moment. “I was trying to get your attention.”

He leaned down to plant a long, slow, wet kiss on her lips. “There are other ways of getting my attention without leaving my side. In fact, I can think of…”

Patience attempted to be serious. “Bryce, I’m trying to hold a conversation with you.”

He reached a hand around her waist and pulled her tight against his aroused body. “Sweetheart, the only talking I am willing to do right now needs no words.”

“Please, Bryce. I need to tell you something.”

He nuzzled her throat, then sighed and propped himself up on his elbow, willing to grant this woman anything, but she had better make it fast. “You have my attention.”

“About the necklace…” She held her breath, wondering what he was going to say.

His eyes widened. “The locket?” He reached for his coat lying on the floor, fished inside, and dropped her locket on her belly. “I believe this is yours.”

Patience sat up, her white body gleaming in the warmth of the candlelight. “You found my locket my mother had given me! Where did you find it?” The joy in her eyes was unmistakable.

Bryce hesitated, then shrugged. “I found it on the floor next to Sansouche’s body at the house on Puffins Lane. I meant to say something earlier to you, but I forgot.”

Patience leaned over and kissed her thanks to Bryce. “I don’t know how that man got ahold of my necklace, but I was distraught that I would never find it again.”

Bryce pulled her back against his warm side. “Now that that matter is taken care of, how about…?”

Patience held him off another minute. “But it was not my locket to which I was referring. You left an emerald-and-diamond necklace on my pillow our last morning in London together. Did you want to get rid of me?”