Page 7 of Her Duke to Seduce: Lady Be Wicked (Wayward Dukes’ Alliance #20)

Six

F elicity pulled on the reins to slow her horse down to a light trot. She was nearing the seaside town that had been the closest to Winston Manor. There was nothing to recommend the small town of Bamburgh. It was quaint and bustling like any small town near the sea. It had more than one inn, probably to accommodate those that hoped to board a ship and those hoping to take the waters. Bath was not the only seaside destination that people sought and not everyone could afford the cost of traveling there. It seemed like a nice town, but she did not care to remain there. She had a much farther destination in mine.

Felicity pressed her lips together, scanning the narrow streets of the seaside town as she guided her horse toward what she assumed must be the main thoroughfare. Though it was not yet dawn, the town was already stirring. Vendors were setting up their wares, fishermen were returning from their early morning catch, and a few weary travelers stumbled from the warmth of an inn, their boots crunching against the cobbled road.

Her stomach twisted with nerves. She had come so far, but the reality of what she intended settled heavily upon her. She had never bartered for passage on a ship before. She had never even seen the process firsthand. She was not sure where to start. Her main goal had been to make it to the town and now that she had arrived she suddenly seemed lost. How did one approach a ship for passage? This was beyond her limited knowledge of such things

What was she to do? Walk up to the first sailor she saw and demand a cabin? She knew enough to understand that no respectable captain would take on an unchaperoned lady, which was precisely why she had donned her disguise. With her hair pinned tightly beneath her hat and the loose cut of her coat concealing her figure, she prayed she could pass as a young gentleman eager for adventure.

That was, if she could summon the courage to actually speak to someone.

Felicity dismounted outside a modest-looking inn, tying her horse to the hitching post. The scent of salt and freshly baked bread filled the air, and her stomach growled in protest. She had not eaten since leaving Winston Manor, and though she longed to sit down for a proper meal, she dared not delay. The longer she tarried, the more likely it was that someone would come looking for her.

And she had a very strong suspicion that someone would be Aiden. Felicity could not explain how she knew this, but she did. Perhaps it was because she had knocked him unconscious in her mad escape. He would likely want to locate her and exact some sort of retribution for her actions. In that regard she could not find fault in him. She would want to do the same in his place.

Her heartbeat quickened as she thought of him. Had he woken by now? Had he already set out in search of her? She shook her head. It did not matter. She had no choice but to move forward. She could not allow thoughts of Aiden to cloud her mind and prevent her from reaching her goal. He could not be a priority for her.

Steeling herself, she pushed open the door to the inn and strode inside, her boots clicking against the worn wooden floor. A few rough-looking men lingered near the hearth, nursing tankards of ale even at this hour, while a barmaid bustled behind the counter, stacking plates. Felicity hesitated only a moment before approaching the innkeeper, a heavyset man with ruddy cheeks and a thinning patch of hair. He eyed her warily. “A bit early for a drink, lad,” he said gruffly.

Felicity forced a smile, keeping her voice low. Why did that matter at all? She sneaked a glance at those already holding tankards. Surely she could have one if she desired if they had one… Not that she wanted one, but she should still be able to order one damn it. “I am not here for drink, sir. I am in need of passage. Do you know of any ships departing today?”

The innkeeper’s brows lifted. “Passage, is it? And where might you be headed?”

Felicity hesitated. She had not decided upon a destination. Anywhere but here was hardly a suitable answer. “France,” she said after a moment, remembering the language she spoke fluently. It was as good a place as any to begin anew. Though it might not be safe, she could easily get lost in the turmoil of the country. It would make it more difficult for someone, Aiden for instance, to locate her.

The innkeeper’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Dangerous crossing, that. You’ve coin for the fare?” As if she needed him to explain that to her…

“I do.” She thought about the purse at her side. Best not to let him know how much coin she carried. Felicity trusted no one.

He studied her for a moment longer before jerking his head toward the door. “Go to the docks. The ship birthed there—goes by the name Aphrodite’s Folly. Captain Bellamy’s ship is set to sail by midday. He might take you aboard—if you can prove yourself useful.”

Useful. She had not considered that part of the bargain. She wanted to book passage not work her way to France. Still, she nodded her thanks and turned to leave, her pulse pounding in her ears. She would meet with this Captain Bellamy and get his measure. If she had to work her way to France, so be it. Felicity would not be deterred.

She had only taken two steps toward the door when it burst open, a gust of cool morning air sweeping inside. A towering figure filled the entryway, his shoulders broad, his boots planted firmly against the threshold. Felicity’s breath caught in her throat.

Aiden. He was here. Drat… She had not expected him to catch up to her so soon, and from the dark glint in his eyes, he had no intention of allowing her to escape this time...

It had been a long, tiresome journey but he had finally reached her. Aiden stared at Felicity warily. He was certain she would bolt at the first opportunity and he could not allow that to happen. He had not chased after her only to lose her now. He had to understand what was motivating her to take such drastic actions, and well, admittedly she had irked him by knocking him senseless. He was not so prideful not to admit that she had gotten the better of him and that in itself wounded his male ego.

“Aiden…” She boldly met his gaze. “How did you find me?”

He quirked a brow. “Is that all you have to say?”

She tilted her head to the side. “It is the most prudent question I have.”

His lips twitched as he fought a smile. She was such a cheeky little hellion. “You only wish to know so you can prevent it from happening again.” As if he would allow her to get the better of him more than once…

“Perhaps.” She curved her lips into a devilish smile. The imp. “Does it matter?” She laughed. “My reasons should not factor into your decisions.”

But they did… Far more than he would have liked. He did not know what it was about this woman that drew him in. He only knew that he had to have her in his life. What that looked like… He would discern it all later. Once he had her safely at home. He could not allow her to traipse around the continent with no one there to protect her. What kind of havoc would she cause? More importantly—what if she were harmed? He could not live with that possible outcome.

Aiden took a step closer, careful not to startle her into fleeing. She was like a skittish colt, poised to dart at the first sign of trouble. And he was trouble—at least where she was concerned.

Felicity’s hands tightened around the strap of her valise, knuckles whitening. “I see little reason why you should concern yourself with my whereabouts.”

“ Little reason? ” His voice was deceptively calm, though his patience was rapidly fraying. “You knocked me unconscious, stole away in the dead of night, and attempted to vanish from England entirely— little reason indeed.”

She sniffed. “You make it sound so scandalous.”

Aiden let out a sharp laugh. “My dear, it is scandalous. And reckless. And foolish. But by all means, do continue explaining how I am the one being unreasonable.”

She narrowed her eyes at him, but the effect was somewhat diminished by the way her lips twitched, as though she were fighting a smile. Blast her, but she was enjoying this. “You are being unreasonable,” she insisted, her chin lifting. “It is my life, Aiden. You have no claim upon me.”

That, at least, was true. He had no claim over her. Not yet. But she was his responsibility now, whether she wished to admit it or not. “You are right,” he said smoothly. “I do not have any sort of claim on you. But I do care about what happens to you, and I will not allow you to throw yourself into an uncertain fate because you are too stubborn to see reason.”

Her gray eyes flashed, a storm brewing within their depths. She clenched that valise of hers even tighter and her knuckles had gone white. “I am not some helpless maiden who needs rescuing.”

Aiden took another step forward, forcing her to tilt her head back to maintain eye contact. He saw the moment she realized she was trapped and had no where to run—he had effectively cornered her. She needed to understand that he would not let her slip through his fingers so easily. “No,” he murmured, his voice soft but firm. “You are not helpless, Felicity. But that does not mean I will allow you to do this alone.”

A muscle in her jaw twitched. “You cannot stop me.”

His lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. “You sound quite certain of that.” Aiden could not wait to demonstrate how wrong the little minx was in her assumptions. She had taken him by surprise before and he would not be so easily duped again.

She hesitated. Aiden could practically see the wheels turning in her mind, contemplating whether to make a run for it. If she tried, he would catch her. And this time, there would be no escape. Finally, she let out a frustrated breath. “Why are you doing this?”

Aiden reached for her valise, prying it gently from her fingers. She did not resist, though she watched him warily. “Because,” he said simply, “I cannot let you go.”

Her breath hitched, her eyes darting to his. Something changed in that moment. The air between them grew thick, charged with something far more dangerous than the battle of wills they had been waging. She swallowed hard. “And what will you do with me now?”

Aiden lifted a brow. “Take you home, of course.”

Felicity let out a dry laugh. “Oh, is that all? I suppose I am meant to sit meekly beside you in a carriage like an obedient child, then?”

“I was thinking more along the lines of slinging you over my shoulder and tying you to the saddle,” he mused. He had only been half joking with that statement, but he was very tempted to act on that statement.

She gasped. “You wouldn’t dare.”

His grin turned wicked. “Wouldn’t I?” He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Darling, there is not much I would not dare where you are concerned.” He leaned back and met her gaze, then winked. Aiden could not help himself. She brought out his wicked side.

She studied him, as though weighing the truth of his words. After a long moment, she huffed in exasperation. “You are insufferable.”

“I have been told as much,” he agreed, utterly unrepentant.

Felicity sighed, rubbing her temples as if he were giving her the worst headache imaginable. “If I agree to return, will you at least grant me one concession?”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “That depends on what it is.”

“I do not want to be forced into marriage,” she said quietly. “I will not .”

Aiden stiffened. He had been prepared for an argument, for another round of stubborn defiance. He had not been prepared for the soft plea in her voice. He exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Is that what you fear? That I will haul you back and then you will be bartered off like a prize?”

She did not answer, but the flicker of uncertainty in her gaze was enough.

Aiden stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Felicity, I have no desire to force you into anything you do not wish for.” He chuckled darkly “ If I wished to trap you into marriage, I could have taken full advantage of the scandal you have already created.” His lips twitched. “But where would the fun be in that?”

She eyed him warily. “So, you do find this entertaining.”

“Oh, immensely.” He sighed. “Tell you aunt how you feel. Surely she will understand that you do not desire marriage.”

She made a sound of frustration. “Do you not think I have already tried that? My aunt will not listen to me. She thinks I will change my mind when I meet the right gentleman.” Felicity snorted. “As if a man could make me reconsider such an archaic institution.”

Aiden did not know how to change this for her. He only knew he could not allow herself to run amok in the continent causing chaos. It wasn’t fair to the poor unsuspecting people she would encounter along the way. She might think her disguise worked for her, but anyone with eyes could tell that sweet derriere belonged to a woman.

“I will talk to your aunt if you think it will help.” He reached out, catching her chin between his fingers. He tilted her face up, forcing her to meet his gaze. “But make no mistake about this. I will take you back,” he said softly. “But only because you will choose to come with me. Not because I am forcing you. You have to know how reckless your actions are and that you are only putting yourself in danger by doing this.”

Felicity swallowed, her pulse thrumming beneath his fingertips. “And if I choose to stay?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Aiden leaned in, his lips a mere breath away from hers. “Then I shall simply have to change your mind.” A challenge. A promise. The spark in her eyes told him that she was more than ready to accept it too... Bloody hell—he should have known it would not be so simple. Felicity would not go with him now, but that was all right. He suddenly did not want to be anywhere else, and he could not wait to discover what she would do next.