Aftergetting dressed and helping with the horses,Rowanreturned withSlice,Nelson, andLathamto the parlor, where they foundLucyandAshe.Lucywas dressed in her crimson red riding habit, her hair tied up with a strip of the sheet.Herspectacles perched on her nose.Shelooked so pretty and so lost thatRowanwanted to go to her and pick her up and hold her.Ashewas sitting on her lap, watching the other three men with narrowed, flinty eyes, and gave a low growl.
Rowan’slips twitched as he observed his friends, all of whom could stride into battle without a moment’s thought, exchange a glance over the small fox’s ferocity.Rowanfelt rather proud of the little fellow trying to protect his mistress against a possible threat.
“You’resafe from him, although he probably doesn’t feel he’s safe from you,” repliedLucybrusquely.
Slice,Nelson, andLathamgave her an amused look.
“I’msorry.Ijust feel rushed, andIdon’t like to be rushed.Itmakes me make mistakes.”
Shewhispered something toAshe, who seemed to calm down as she tucked the fox into the satchel.Sheleft the satchel open, and the fox popped his head and tail out above the lip of the bag.
“Youare being rushed because we need to get back as soon as we can,”Nelsonsaid kindly.
“Everyoneis looking for you andRowan.AndFrankie,Katie, andPaulaare doing their best to distract them from the topic of the fact that you’ve both been missing for days,”Lathamadded.
Lucy’slips formed anO, and she glanced atRowan.
“Let’sgo into the kitchen to talk,Lucy,”Rowansaid, holding out his arm for her.
“I’mfine.I’llfollow you,” she said with a huff.
“What’sthis all about?” she asked when they left the other three men in the parlor.
“Lucy, you know what this is about.Theywalked in here and found us lying next to each other in front of the fireplace withAshebetween us,”Rowansaid.
Helooked into her eyes as he contemplated what he had to do.Thosebeautiful, brandy-colored eyes regarded him as warily as the fox had regarded his three friends a few minutes earlier.
Well, there is nothing left but to go ahead and do it?—
“Willyou marry me,Lucy?” he blurted.
Severalemotions flickered across her face with such speed he could scarcely note them all—alarm, surprise, fear—he could have sworn he saw a frisson of hope as well.Assoon as he’d said the words, he realized he didn’t regret them.Eventhough she was the most stubborn and contrary woman he’d ever met.Whatwas it aboutLucythat turned him inside out?
Shestepped back in astonishment. “I…I…”
“Youhave to say yes.”
“Ihave no choice?”
“No.I’veruined you—even thoughInever meant this to happen.Itruly care—”Hestopped himself from saying what he’d almost said. “—about your reputation,” he finished.God, that sounded so stupid to his ears.Whycouldn’t he have just told her that he cared about her?Becauseyou’re an idiot.That’swhy.
“Isthat what you care about?Myreputation?”Thepain in her eyes nearly undid him.
“No.Imean yes, but that’s not all.”Heblew out a breath and rubbed the back of his neck. “Look.Justsay yes, and we can sort everything else after.We’llreturn toLatham’sand announce our betrothal, and you will suffer no ill effects of our little adventure.”
“Ourlittle adventure?”Hereyes welled with tears, and she started to cry. “Ihad no intention of havinga little adventure.Ionly wanted to rescue a sweet fox from a certain brutal death.Hewould have been shredded to pieces by those dogs, and for what?Thepleasure of being a guest at a house party.Now,I’mbeing made to feel that my actions in trying to save this animal will cause a terrible scandal unlessIagree to marry you…HowcanIagree to that?”
“You’reright, but you’re wrong too.”
Sheshook her head. “Youare the most maddening man.”
Rowancouldn’t help it.Heplaced his hands on her tear-stained cheeks and kissed her soundly.
“Whatare you doing?”Hereyes fluttered at him like butterfly wings.Howhe loved that.
“I’mkissing you.Ithought that would be obvious.”
“Rowan!Areyou even listening to me?”
