Page 21 of Captured by the Earl (The Secret Crusaders #2)

CHAPTER 21

L ondon Society News:

This is it. The moment you have been waiting for. Will the rescuer save the day? Will the betrothal become official between Lord Peyton and Lady Emma?

How will the story end?

She awoke to a roar.

Pure darkness surrounded her, smothering, suffocating, stealing her breath. Coarse fabric served as a vertical prison held by invisible yet unstable supports, as she bobbled up and down like a rickety boat. She heaved in a breath of musty, dusty air, coughing as it coated her lungs. She sucked in another breath, then another and another, yet it was not enough. The world started to dim.

Then the bottom disappeared.

For a terrifying instant she was in free fall, yet the ground broke it a moment later. Screams and gasps came from all around, set to the tune of punches and struggles. She was in the middle of a fight she could not see, as she struggled to escape her stifling prison.

Then there was silence.

Light pierced the darkness, as the prison opened, the fabric torn away. She heaved in a breath of fresh air as two strong arms grabbed her. But she would not let them take her, not without a fight. She opened her mouth to scream.

“Emma, it’s all right. It’s Peyton.”

She clutched his shirt, breathing in the scent she knew so well. Moaning sounded, and she drew back. Three men lay sprawled on the ground beneath them, including…

“Lord Trenton?”

Philip grimaced. “Don’t worry. He’ll never hurt anyone again.”

“No, he won’t.”

Emma gaped as three well-built men appeared in the doorway, fully disguised. They moved with swift grace, each grabbing a criminal and not-so-gently pulling him through the open doorway. The tallest of them paused. “Excellent work. This should be sufficient for the judge.”

Of course. They were also spies, working with Peyton. Did she know them? She peered closer, just as the man turned. And then they were gone, and she was alone with Peyton. Her rescuer. Her hero.

Her love.

When the world was foggy, everything was so clear. Peyton may have kept secrets, but it didn’t change who he was, or how very much she loved him. She had longed for a love match.

She already had one.

“Are you well?” He felt behind her head. She jumped as pain exploded from his touch, and he winced. “You have quite a knot. Can you walk?”

“I think so.”

He seemed hesitant to put her down, but he did, keeping one hand on her as she took a tentative step. Slight nausea bubbled in her stomach, and she felt a little wobbly, but the pain quickly lessened. “I’m all right.”

“I will take you to your parents straight away, and explain you had a fall. You should go home and–”

“I love you.”

He froze. “What?”

“I love you.” She gazed up at him, allowing the truth to show in her eyes. “I thought I had gotten over you, but turns out…” She grinned, looked down, sobered. “I am hopelessly, irreversibly in love with you. I accept your secrets. I accept your travels. As for your feelings–”

“I love you, too.”

Her heart thumped. “What?”

“I love you.” He took her hands. “With all that I am and ever will be. I think I’ve always known, but I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you. Yet it was always there.”

Liquid happiness filled her eyes.

“I will share as much of my life as I can without compromising your safety. But I meant it when I said my life is now here, with you. You will always know how very loved you are.”

She sniffed.

“I have more to say, but not alone. Shall we find your parents? There is something I need to discuss with your father.”

She nodded eagerly, and he helped her straighten her dress and smooth her hair. Side by side they glided back through the hallways, nodding to well-wishers and returning knowing grins. Her parents were waiting when they arrived at the ballroom, amidst hundreds of bright lights, as they walked to an opulent private room glittering with golden accents.

“I hear you have a question, Peyton,” Lord Lawrence rumbled.

“Indeed, I do.” Yet Peyton turned not to the earl, but to Emma.

“My lady, you recently inquired about my emotions. I would like to share how I truly feel about you.” He breathed deeply, gazing at her with fathomless eyes. “You are beyond compare, shining like the brightest star, sparkling like a flawless diamond. Your beauty is unmatched, yet far more hides behind that golden visage. Strength as great as any mountain, grace as elegant as any ocean, kindness as striking as the winter snow. You are an artist’s masterpiece, a poet’s words, a scribe’s greatest novel. My gift.”

She stood frozen, as the memory of a day with those same words arose. “You recited that before,” she whispered. “You remembered exactly.”

“It was not difficult.” His eyes never left hers. “After all, I was never pretending.”

Her lips parted.

“Yet I did not say the ending. I love you, Lady Emma, with all my heart, soul and being. You are my smile, my love, my everything.” He reached out, took her hand. “Will you marry me?”

Her heart filled with so much love, it felt as if it could burst, as she gave the only answer possible, “Yes! A hundred times, yes! A thousand times, yes!”

“Excuse me.” Lord Lawrence cleared his throat. Although his face was stern, his eyes sparkled. “Is there anything anyone would like to ask me ?”

Emma giggled as Philip turned to his future father-in-law. “Please forgive me, sir. I was so caught up in my feelings, I omitted decorum. I would like to offer for Lady Emma’s hand in marriage.”

Her father turned to her. “Emma–”

“Yes! A hundred times, yes! A thousand times, yes!”

“Has made her opinion on the matter clear,” her father finished.

Emma grinned pure sunshine.

He held out his hands. “Then I suppose there is nothing more for a father to do than to accept your offer on behalf of my daughter. Emma and Lord Peyton, you are now officially betrothed.”

Her eyes watered, as she gazed upon her betrothed. Not because Constance Welleby told Betty Thompson who told…

No, because she loved him, and he loved her.

And they loved each other until the end of time…

And beyond.

London Society News

It’s official. The Duke of Peyton and Lady Emma are husband and wife. They took their vows in front of hundreds of well-wishers, and afterwards guests delighted in a feast with a surprise backdrop of breathtaking paintings. Dozens of people are already vying for works by the anonymous artist.

Of course, not all mysteries have been solved. The masked rescuer has made a few more surprise appearances, saving no less than a dozen people. The vote for increased orphans’ protections succeeded with a late burst of support. We do not normally reflect upon politics here, yet our editors felt it important for readers to know – and celebrate.

Of course, never one to avoid shocking the ton , the newly betrothed couple indicated this was not a typical ton marriage. Why, some may go so far as to speculate it is a love match. This writer is one.

Of course, I knew it all along.