The Marriage Contract (Marriage #3) - Cathy Maxwell Page 0,82

house to do his duty.

Only Major Lambert was left. Anne could feel the heat of the man’s frustration even through the hardwood—

A fist slammed into the heavy door. Anne couldn’t stop a small cry of surprise. She waited for the major to charge into the room; instead, he marched down the stairs.

Aidan released a breath of relief. “Let us leave as quickly as possible.” He didn’t need to repeat the suggestion; she was already searching for her stockings.

He tightened the laces of her dress as she shoved her toe in the tip of a rolled-up stocking. “You’ve been brave, Anne, my darling. Keep it up. We are almost free.”

“Is Robbie Gunn truly dead?”

He brushed a quick kiss on her head. “Later.” He finished dressing himself in an economy of movement.

She tied her garters and slipped on her shoes, thinking she and Aidan worked almost as a team. Rising from the bed, she helped him tie his neck cloth. The starch had long gone out of it…and he looked tired.

She pressed her hand against his cheek. “You’ve done the best you could.”

“I pray it is enough.” He took her arm and led her to the door. Outside, the guard had not come back.

They went downstairs. Colonel Witherspoon sat at the dining room table; Lieutenant Fordyce was with him. The colonel rose upon seeing Anne and Aidan. “Ah, so you have decided to take your leave, my lord?” he said jovially, as though they’d been overnight guests and not prisoners.

“I’m afraid I must,” Aidan answered with classic understatement. He handed Anne her straw bonnet. She wandered into the sitting room, where there was a mirror by the door, and tied the bow.

“I’ve taken the liberty of ordering your coach around,” Colonel Witherspoon said. “One of my men will drive you.”

“I appreciate your offer,” Aidan said, “but I believe I will drive my own coach. It has been a long time since I’ve had my hands on the ribbons.”

“Then an escort?”

“Unnecessary. Thank you.”

Their dialogue jarred Anne. They could have been two old friends at a house party. It made her uneasy.

Aidan came into the room where she was. “Are you ready, my lady?” For a second, he almost appeared a stranger rather than the man she’d fully and completely accepted as her husband—and she realized there were two sides to Aidan. One was the arrogantly confident Scotsman who enjoyed hard labor and good fun.

The other was the man waiting for her. A man with polished manners. Urbane, sophisticated…in complete control.

Then he held out his hand and the two became one in her mind. Her Aidan. The man she loved.

She placed her hand in his. He said his final farewells to Colonel Witherspoon, even offering a friendly comment to Lieutenant Fordyce. They went out the door.

The coach waited, the horses stamping with impatience. “Have you ever ridden in the driver’s box?” Aidan asked.

Anne tried to say no, but found her mouth too dry.

“You’ll enjoy it,” Aidan answered pleasantly. They could be preparing to take a ride in the park—instead of hoping to escape with their lives. “Here.” He helped her up.

The box seat was narrow. Being up this high made her dizzy. She started to sit. As she did, she glanced in front of her and froze.

Two soldiers marched into the woods carrying a canvas-wrapped body between them. They were followed by a third man who lugged shovels.

Suddenly her trembling legs could no longer support her weight. Aidan had said he’d killed a man.

Would he have sacrificed Robbie Gunn to save their lives?

She didn’t know. Aidan could be ruthless when necessary.

A hand on either side of her, Anne gripped the edge of the hard board seat so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Aidan settled in beside her, the reins in his hands. He’d removed his hat and tossed it inside the cab. He hadn’t shaved yet. His roughened beard gave him a dangerous look. She caught herself staring at him with uncertainty.

“Safe trip, my lord,” Colonel Witherspoon said from the front step.

“And to you, Colonel,” Aidan said. “Please visit when you are in the area of Kelwin.”

“Not up your way very much,” the colonel answered. “Too far north.”

Aidan laughed and snapped the reins. The wheels rolled forward with a jolt and they were on their way home.

Anne’s body swayed with the movement of the coach. Aidan put his arm around her for support. “Watch it now,” he warned.

She nodded. He turned his attention to the horses. He had a better hand on the reins than