Earl of Hearts(30)

When the sun rose a short while later and burned away the mist, she  noticed that they were riding eastward toward the North Sea. "We're  going to Aberdeen," John said, following the direction of her gaze and  easily reading her thoughts. "We'll secure a ship to sail us to London,  or Edinburgh, if that's all there is to be had."

"Edinburgh," she murmured, suddenly worried that he might decide to  leave her there after all. He'd planned to do so at first. But she would  abide by his choice, whether it meant that he would take her with him  or leave her behind. The book was proof of Somersby's treason and too  important to ignore. If John felt it was best to travel to London alone,  then she would accept his decision.

"Nicola, my intention is to keep you with me all the way to London."

He was quite good at reading her thoughts, she had to admit. She had yet  to understand him at all. "I won't resent you if you can't. The safety  of England is more important."

He firmed his hold around her waist and drew her toward him. "You're my  wife now, in every sense of the word. Nothing is more important than  you."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "John, that is nonsense. You don't even love me."

"Your life is worth more to me than a damn book."

"It isn't just any book." She eased against him, quite liking this  sudden, oafish protectiveness about him. She was bound to him now under  the eyes of the Good Lord-even if it was only the Scottish Good Lord-and  he meant to keep her by his side forever. He'd told her so and he was a  man of his word.

She had gotten what she wanted, but did John know yet what he wanted?  She swallowed back a lump of sorrow. Once he figured it out, would his  life include her? She did not wish to become a castaway wife. "Very  well. I have no intention of arguing the point. I just wanted you to  know that I'll abide by your wishes, whatever those might be."

He laughed. "Good to know. But I can hardly believe my own ears. Nicola  Emory turned into a biddable, obedient wife? Is it possible?"

She playfully poked him in the ribs. "Yes, you dolt. It is possible. But  only when your suggestions make sense. If your plan is idiotic, I'll be  the first one to tell you so."

"Ah, I'm vastly relieved. Marriage hasn't changed you." His playful  manner faded and he turned serious. "Don't ever change, Nicola. Stay the  fighter that you are. Use your wits. Don't let anyone intimidate you.  Promise me."

She turned in the saddle to face him. "What's this about, John? Is that bad dream you had last night still troubling you?"

"No. Never mind. Forget I said anything."

She sighed and turned to face outward so that her back was once again  pressed against his solid chest. "You know I will find out the truth  eventually. If you won't tell me, then I will find someone who will. But  this is my promise to you. I promise to remain as stubbornly determined  and headstrong as ever. I promise to give you not a moment's peace  until there are no secrets between us. There, does that make you feel  better?"

"Lord, you're a brat."

"Which is what you seem to like about me. Oh, and another thing. What  have you done with your spectacles? You haven't worn them since the  night of Somersby's party."

"They're tucked away in the pouch. I have no need of them now."

"I knew your eyesight was always perfect. You merely used them to appear  scholarly and dull. Well, you don't know much about women if you think  that ploy worked. In truth, few men understand us. Those spectacles made  you look divinely attractive. Utterly desirable."

"Shows what little you know. Those spectacles kept the marriage-minded females at a distance. Everyone avoided me, except you."

"They avoided you because you frightened the wits out of them, and it  had nothing to do with your spectacles. Some people smile when their  thoughts are at rest. Others pout. Others look thoughtful. You look like  a killer wolf about to rip the heart and guts out of anyone who gets in  your way. Your spectacles actually softened you. But you have that  killer look now." She tensed in the saddle. "What's wrong? Are we being  followed?"

"Yes, brat. We've been followed ever since we left the inn."         

     



 

She gasped. "Do you know by whom?"

"No, but I think it's time we found out."





CHAPTER 13





JOHN SPURRED VALOR to a gallop as they reached the main road to  Aberdeen. It was a well-worn path used by many travelers headed eastward  toward the coast. The king's men routinely patrolled the area. Although  the hour was still early, he hoped they might come across a garrison  and seek temporary shelter with them.

He was troubled by the possibility they were still being followed. How  many men did Somersby have at his disposal? How could he have every road  covered and his men constantly on their trail?

Nicola had her head buried against his chest and was clinging to his  waist as he spurred Valor to greater speed. The horse was rested and had  yet to be taken on his morning run, so he was ready to let loose and  fly over this flat terrain. But John dared not give him his full head,  for Nicola was perched precariously and holding on for dear life.

He could have left their followers in the dust had he not been worried  about Nicola. She knew it too. He could feel her frustration, but did  not want her doing anything noble. She was well and truly his wife now,  and he would not leave her behind.

Although the road was heavily traveled, it was not a straight path. It  curved and wound its way eastward and there were several convenient  places to hide, several sharp bends of the road. When the road curved  along a particularly woodsy section, he reined Valor in and led him down  a steep, densely wooded embankment. Once out of sight of the roadway,  he jumped down and tethered Valor to a jutting branch. He then helped  Nicola to dismount and turned to grab his rifle.

She placed a hand on his arm. "Give me a weapon, too."

He frowned at her, for he wanted Nicola to stay behind and remain safely  out of sight, but there was a stubborn set to her jaw. Even though  she'd just told him that she would obey, he wasn't certain that she  would. What if she followed him? "Here, take my pistol. But don't you  dare use it unless those men see you and begin firing. We're just  scouting right now. The point is not to be seen and not to engage them."

She nodded.

He took her hand and led her up a small hill.

Within moments, a single rider came into view. "I'll be damned," John  muttered and told Nicola to lower her weapon. "It's all right. I know  her."

"Her? She's a lady? Riding alone?"

"Selena Baldridge is a marchioness, but she's no lady," John said,  emitting an amused chuckle. "She must have seen me at the inn and  wondered what I was doing there. She won't harm you." He stepped onto  the road to acknowledge his presence. Lady Selena dismounted with the  grace and agility of a swan, then put her arms around his neck and  blatantly kissed him on the mouth. It was a hungry, I-want-you-in-my-bed  kiss.

Nicola did not think her heart could sink any lower.

John not only knew her. He obviously knew her in the biblical sense of the word.

Perhaps Selena was not going to harm them, but this woman was not  harmless. In truth, Nicola had never seen such predatory instincts in a  member of her own sex before, and her sex could be quite predatory when  it came to catching a husband. Even the wicked countess she'd thought  had enthralled her brother appeared tame compared to this woman.

Was Selena hungry for any man? Or just John?

She quietly studied the beautiful redhead with aquamarine eyes. She was  exquisite, truth be told. Her hands were all over John and he did not  appear to mind. "Selena's a trained agent of the Crown," he said,  introducing them. "Nicola is my wife. Lady Bainbridge."

That took Selena by surprise. "How long ago did this happen? You said nothing about her the last time we were together."

They were together?

In bed?

"Not long ago," John said. "We're recently wed. What are you doing in Scotland?"

She tossed her head back. "I heard you were on assignment up here and  thought I'd come up and help you. But it seems you already have all the  help you need."

"That was a foolish thing to do." John did not look pleased. "You might have blown my cover. Does Prinny know you're up here?"

"No," she said, now pouting. "He isn't pleased with me at the moment."

"I'm not surprised. Does anyone know? Anything might have happened to you on the ride up here. You shouldn't be on your own."

She shrugged and turned away from him, folding her arms across her chest  in an obvious sign of indignation. "I am always careful."

"I might have shot you. You're fortunate not to be lying dead on the road now."         

     



 

"That isn't your style. You always take pains to know your enemy. I was  in no danger from you." She cast Nicola a sly grin. "But your wife isn't  pleased to have me here. You'd better not tell her about our past or  she might shoot me."