Valiant (Gentlemen of the Order #3) - Adele Clee Page 0,84
don’t know about you, but there’s somewhere else I would rather be. Something else I would rather be doing. I feel lucky tonight, and a game of questions is long overdue.”
“In your excitement, you’ve forgotten I have the devil’s luck.”
“I’ve not forgotten. It’s time I answered your questions, banished your fears.” His gaze drifted to her nightgown and the satin slippers covered in mud. “You’ll go with Ashwood in his carriage. It’s too cold to ride with me. And we will continue this conversation at Highwood.”
“D’Angelo can ride that beast of his, and I’ll take your horse,” Mr Ashwood said. “Sloane, you accompany Miss Hart in the carriage.”
Evan offered no challenge. “If you’re sure.”
A knowing look passed between the men.
The countess and Mr Ramsey started whining, lamenting the unfairness of it all, blaming each other, hurling accusations.
It was Mr D’Angelo who gripped Mr Ramsey by the throat and warned him not to try the patience of a man who dined with the devil.
They left the villains to their squabbles and gathered amid the chaos in the taproom. Evan kept a firm grip of her hand as the three gentlemen of the Order arranged to meet at Highwood.
“What about Mrs McCready?”
Evan turned to her. “I suggest we send her back to the Highlands, though I suspect she will want to remain with you.”
Vivienne had every reason to distrust the woman, to despise her for what she had done. “I don’t want to punish her, Evan.”
Judging by his rigid stance, he disagreed. “Buchanan and Mrs McCready have ridden ahead. Let’s see what she has to say when we speak to her tomorrow. You decide her fate.”
Love filled Vivienne’s heart. Evan Sloane did not ride roughshod over a woman’s liberty. He did not use his power and influence to exert control.
When finally alone with him inside Mr Ashwood’s carriage, she could barely contain the emotion. The urge to climb onto his lap and feel full with him, to devour his mouth, to sate the craving, the hunger, proved impossible to ignore. But she didn’t want to be consumed with desire when she confessed her true feelings.
“I don’t suppose you brought your playing cards,” she said, visually feasting on his masculine form.
“No, the fear of losing you was the only thing on my mind.”
Her pulse fluttered to her throat. “Then how will we play?”
“We’ll play a different game. The first to blink makes a confession.”
“Very well.” She sat forward, wide-eyed, determined to concentrate, determined to win, determined to know his secrets.
Evan blinked within seconds.
“Your turn to reveal a secret, Mr Sloane, your turn to confess.”
A smile tugged at his mouth. “I’m in love with you, Vivienne. Madly in love. It’s beyond any feeling I’ve ever known.”
Her soul soared. Her heart raced so fast she could hardly breathe.
“I’m in love with you, too. It burns inside me like the brightest flame.”
“Marry me.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s stop en route, find someone willing to perform the ceremony. Ashwood and D’Angelo will bear witness. Or we can marry at Highwood if you’d rather Buchanan were there. Perhaps you want to wear clean shoes when we exchange vows.”
“You have the special licence on your person?”
“Indeed.”
“May I ask where?” Already hot between the thighs, she scanned the breadth of his chest, glanced at the placket of his breeches. “Should we encounter a problem, I may need to retrieve the important document.”
He laughed. “Memory fails me. It pays to forget some things, as now you’ll have to frisk me.”
Love and lust thrummed in her veins. She could no longer keep to her side of the carriage. “You’re rather skilled in the art of flirtation, Mr Sloane.” She slid beside him and trailed her fingers over his muscular thigh. “So skilled I suspect you’ll soon have me on my knees.”
“That’s the plan.”
He kissed her then, like he did that day in Mr Golding’s office. A kiss that stirred every nerve to life. A kiss so profound she felt the tremors deep in her core.
“Your grandfather would be pleased you’ve kept his vow.” She gathered the hem of her nightgown and came to sit astride him. “Proud you solved the clues.”
“You solved the clues, my love.” He slipped his arms around her waist, crushed her to his chest. “But make no mistake. I’m the one about to claim the treasure.”
Chapter 21
Highwood, Bedfordshire
Two weeks later
“I quite liked the idea of us being Sloane and Hart, an intrepid detective duo. It has a certain ring to it that inspires confidence.” Vivienne nestled closer to Evan’s chest as they