Page 196 of A Perilous Passion

Her eyes became moist again, and he cursed himself for a slack-jawed idiot. “No, I wouldn’t give you up for the world, sweet lady! We are meant to be together. But Fate likes her dramas. We’re just pawns on her chessboard and must consign ourselves to her whims.”

He rubbed a thumb across her full lower lip. He ached with the need to kiss her senseless, to bury his face against her neck and forget all the troubles of the world. And his duties.

“I don’t regret a single moment of knowing you,” he said. “And I have so much more to tell you. But it’s getting late. We mustn’t tarry here.”

He scooped her up and strode across the crunching leaves to his horse. It had been ridden hard tonight, and its work was not yet done. He hoisted Charlotte up onto its back and led her toward the manor house.

Music still issued from the open windows of Finchcombe House as they approached. He wondered if Lady Culverdale had any knowledge of her husband’s duplicity. Probably not. So many aristocratic husbands and wives led entirely separate lives.

Rafe swore that would not be the case with Charlotte and himself.

“Must I go in?” she asked. “I look a fright. How are we to explain?”

“I’m not just going to abandon you out here. I’ll make sure you’re in trustworthy hands before I return to the fray. See how brightly the lights burn downstairs? There must be plenty of guests still present. You’ll be well protected.”

Unless Culverdale had armed every footman, every boot boy, and every kitchen maid…and even then, there wouldn’t be enough of them to overcome his guests, once they found out what their host had been up to. But Rafe doubted Culverdale would plan to attack his own guests. A traitor preferred to be devious rather than open in his treason. The man was a despicable coward.

“Who came with you?” he asked Charlotte.

“Reverend Daniell, his wife, and Thea, Hester and her family, and Mama and Aunt Flora.”

They reached the lawn, and he threw his steed’s reins over a bush and helped her down. He looked up to see a female figure come rushing toward them, turban bobbing and shawl flying.

Charlotte’s mama. Was he going to have to endure another tirade? It might be wise to just excuse himself and gallop off into the engulfing darkness.

“There you are, child! We’ve been so worried! Good gracious, what has happened to you?”

Rafe decided to let Charlotte tell her own story. When she’d finished, Mrs. Allston was more stoical than expected. But the lady didn’t pull any punches. Embracing her bedraggled daughter, she exclaimed, “I feared something like this would happen if you got involved with that man. But at least he’s proved his mettle by saving your life. And as for you, Charlotte, if I weren’t so pleased to have you restored to us, I’d be very angry with you for disappearing like that, making us all frantic with worry.”

“Sorry, Mama.”

“What were you thinking, wandering off on your own in a strange house? Imagining you were spying for your country? That’s a task for gentlemen, not young ladies. You have your father’s adventurous spirit, all right. Not a good thing.”

Damn. Why did she have to say that?

Charlotte colored and looked away.

Which reminded Rafe he hadn’t had time to tell her his news. The specter of her notorious father was soon to be laid to rest. All he had to do was keep his skin whole for the next few hours, and everything would be resolved.

Thank God, after tonight Charlotte would have no alternative but to marry him. No matter what her mama, or indeed, the entire ton thought of it.

Which suited him perfectly.

“Mrs. Allston, your daughter’s had a shock, and I have a nest of vipers to clean up. I must return to my post, and she needs to be taken home. It’s best you return with your full party. There’s safety in numbers.”

“I’ll ask Reverend Daniell forthwith. But Flora has already left.”

“She isn’t with you?” Charlotte asked, alarmed.

“She is not.”

A sliver of foreboding stole up Rafe’s spine. “Where is she?” he quickly asked.

“When Charlotte vanished, we hunted everywhere. When she wasn’t found, Flora went back to the cottage to see if Charlotte might be found on the road, or back at home. We agreed if there was no sign of Charlotte at the cottage, she’d get Thomas the Carrier to take her to Dovehouse Farm to inform you.”

Damnation. That was all he needed—another woman potentially in danger.

“I’m concerned, ma’am,” he said. “All my men are by the coast, not at Dovehouse. If Flora goes there alone, Lord knows who she might meet.”