Page 22 of The Untamed Duke (The Secret Crusaders #3)

CHAPTER 22

J ournal of the Duke of Foxworth:

It is time…

To reveal the truth.

To bring everything into the light.

To retrieve what belongs to me.

It is time to claim my duchess, once and for all.

“You kidnapped me.”

The words rumbled on the wind, filled with unmistakable power and unyielding authority. His expression was thunderous, this warrior who captured her. He wasn’t letting go.

Yet she had her own power. “Yes, I did.”

“I thought you were the criminal.” His eyes blazed. “I could have hurt you.”

Anger sizzled in his eyes, yet eclipsed by even stronger emotions: Apprehension. Agitation. Fear.

Something unreadable.

He pulled her close. Their chests brushed against each other, pure heat in the cool night. Overloaded senses cried out, shouting conflicting commands: Move closer. Move back. Embrace. Flee. She was paralyzed, yet it didn’t matter. She couldn’t escape.

“It almost sounds like you care,” she whispered.

“Of course I care.” He edged nearer, shrinking the ever-tightening seat. “From now on, you are my responsibility. I am kidnapping you.”

Her breath hitched. “You can’t kidnap me. I’m kidnapping you. ”

“Not anymore.”

She glared at him. “You will not steal my kidnapping again.”

“How are you going to stop me?”

She pushed against him, yet it was like trying to move a wall of iron. Her throat dried like the summer desert. She was well and truly captured.

And a traitorous part of her didn’t mind at all.

She took a deep breath of courage. Before she revealed the truth, she would explain what occurred. “You no longer need to worry about your father’s business associates. I dealt with them.”

Emerald eyes narrowed. “What do you mean you dealt with them?”

She shrugged breezily, yet in truth, she’d been scared half to death when Kenneth’s “business associate” accosted her from behind, capturing her in his beefy arms. Her training had instinctively surfaced, and she’d kicked in just the right place with just the right amount of pressure.

He went down like a rock.

“One of the criminals attacked me. I dispatched him.”

Kenneth stared.

“Unfortunately that was when his friends arrived. I screamed for help, at which point your friends arrived, or at least they appeared to be friends, which was to say they swiftly incapacitated the ruffians. They were disguised in all black, sort of like that mysterious man who saves people. They said the men would get lawful justice.”

She left out a single detail. Someone had watched the men from the shadows, observing the scene with undisguised interest. No one noticed Lady Catherine, Lord Peyton’s sister, hiding in the darkness, and she appeared ignorant of Sophia’s scrutiny. Once the men left, she disappeared into the evening.

“Adam arranged for the assistance,” Kenneth admitted. “I must have been searching the street when they arrived. I suspected they may show up today.” His voice softened. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you. I promise it will be the last time.”

He gave her a speculative look. “You truly took down one of the ruffians?”

“Are you surprised?”

“I’m impressed.” He shook his head. “Horrified, but impressed.”

She grinned.

“Why did you kidnap me?” He rubbed her cheek with the pad of his finger. She closed her eyes at the feather-soft touch. “Or attempt to kidnap me?”

Her eyes snapped open. “I most certainly did kidnap you. I’m still kidnapping you.” She bit her lower lip. “I wanted to talk.”

“We have much to discuss,” he agreed. “Although this is not what I planned for tonight.”

She exhaled lowly. What did he have planned? “Have you truly schemed to kidnap me again?”

“That remains to be seen.”

She gulped a breath of air scented with amber, bergamot and pure male power. Was he going to steal her?

Would he give her back this time?

He picked up her hat and reached for her. “We need to return to the ball.”

The ball. She’d been so caught up with the kidnapping, she’d forgotten all about it. If Edmund realized she was missing again, he would tear London apart in a minute. “Before we return, I need to tell you something. I–”

“No.” He held up his hand. “There’s something I need to do first.”

She shook her head. “Ken–”

He silenced her with a kiss.

Passion shattered reality, as she pressed against the man of her dreams, yielded to his unrelenting strength. She surrendered even as she demanded, kissing, caressing, seizing.

How she loved this man.

She could kiss him forever, lost in a world crafted only for them. Yet he pulled back far short of forever, even as desire surged anew. “I need to speak with your brother.”

Unease tempered desire with a dash of fear. “What could you possibly have to say to Edmund?”

He kissed the top of her head. “You shall have to wait to see.” He said nothing more as he helped her off the seat and brought her to the door, which was still locked from the outside. She stared at the damaged frame, but didn’t remark as he undid the latch and led her into the carriage.

“I suppose you aren’t really kidnapping me then.”

Would he detect the disappointment she couldn’t quite hide?

“Don’t worry, lass.” He leaned down, his strength and power overwhelming in a second. “One way or another, you are mine.”

His voice held all the certainty in the world.

The party was exactly as before. Revelers still twirled and spun, eating and laughing with carefree abandon. Countless candles still burned up above, as guests indulged in fresh meats and sweets, and most especially spirits.

Sophia padded stoically through the crush, her expression one to deter conversation, fierce enough it worked. She was completely and not at all alone, Kenneth so close, and yet so far. Despite what may happen, appearing together would invite questions she’d rather not answer. She could avoid all but a single person.

Edmund.

The expression on her normally unflappable brother’s face revealed the truth within seconds. Agitation and apprehension before he saw her, stark relief when he did. When he looked behind her… pure fury.

There was no need to ask if he knew she left.

Or with whom.

He strode directly to her, clearly fighting for a neutral expression, as he grasped her arm. “We are leaving.” Then he was walking towards the exit, with her firmly in hand.

She pushed back as hard as she dared on the ton’s stage. “We cannot leave,” she hissed.

“You do not have a choice.” He moved another step, then another and another. “I made arrangements for Mother and Priscilla to return home separately.”

Why did every man in her life steal her choices – and her ? Already the whispers swirled around them, louder with every step. If he didn’t stop, her reluctance would become clear for all the ton to see. “Unless you wish to carry me out of here, you will listen to what I have to say.”

Kenneth strode closer to them. By the gleam in his eyes, he looked half a second away from seizing her himself.

She held her breath. Surely, Edmund wouldn’t actually whisk her away. Although Priscilla once claimed…

“All right.”

Relief loosened tight muscles, even as her brother grasped her firmer, continuing to lead. Yet he changed direction, heading for one of the private rooms instead of the exit. Heavy footsteps behind them proved Kenneth never left. Just like he’d promised.

They entered a gold and green room furnished with jacquard-covered chairs, emerald settees and oversized mahogany furniture. A crackling fireplace provided warmth and heat, its smoky scent mingling with the aroma of leather and wood.

She walked in side by side with her brother, then Edmund released her, stepping between her and Kenneth. Was he going to slam the door in the duke’s face? That very intention blazed in his eyes, yet after a moment’s hesitation, he held it open instead, unwavering as the duke strode through. He shut it in deliberate slowness, undoubtedly a performance for the riveted crowd, then travelled to the sideboard and poured two splashes of brandy into cut crystal glasses. He took a generous gulp of his own and handed the other to Kenneth.

Her heart swelled with love for the big brother who, while not perfect, always tried .

Edmund’s question was immediate. “Where were you?”

She bit her lip, took a deep breath. “I kidnapped him.” She looked upward. “Actually, if you want the truth, I kidnapped him the first time, as well.”

Edmund stared. “I don’t know what he’s done to confuse you, but you were kidnapped. I received the note.”

“First I kidnapped him.” She cringed at his stupefied expression. “Perhaps we could call it a mutual kidnapping.”

“You don’t understand the definition of kidnapping,” Edmund growled, as he turned to Bradenton. “Do you deny your wrongdoing?”

“No.” Kenneth stood tall. “I take responsibility for everything.”

What?

Edmund opened his mouth. Hesitated. “You admit your culpability?”

Kenneth nodded firmly, as he stepped forward. All anger had vanished, the candlelight reflecting only earnestness, honesty and guilt ? “In the past day I did what I should have done so long ago – investigated. My father wrote a work of fiction, disguised as a journal, implicating you in horrible crimes. He accused you of ruining him, destroying everything and anything he cared about.”

Breathing deeply, he continued, “The last entry was about a duel, which appeared to lead to his murder. I corroborated my father’s accounts with multiple people, and all countered my father’s claims. In addition, I discovered the man of business who accused you was lying to cover his own thievery.”

For a moment Edmund stayed silent, regarding the Scotsman. “The journal was not entirely incorrect. There was a duel.”

With a gasp, Sophia gripped Kenneth’s arm. Edmund tracked the movement, yet made no move to intercede.

“Explain,” Kenneth said simply.

Edmund gazed upward, his eyes turning unfocused. “Your father thought I ruined his life, but in truth I merely stopped him from ruining others. He was always attempting one scheme or another, such as when he tried to swindle an elderly woman out of her home, or the time he chased a young debutante with dishonorable intentions. My only goal was protecting others.” He turned back to Kenneth. “I never intended to fight him that day. I was going to shoot high and scare him. When he pointed the gun the wrong way, I tried to warn him…” His voice trailed off, as his eyes shuttered.

Sophia put a hand to her lips, as Foxworth stepped back, his face arrested in horror. “He shot himself.”

Edmund gave a barely perceptible nod. “It was an accident. He’d been drinking all night. I should have known–” He shook his head. “I took him to the best doctor in London, but it was too late. The best I could do for your family was pretend it was natural causes and make all the arrangements. I didn’t want to cause further scandal.” He drowned the rest of his glass, then set it on the table. “I truly am sorry.”

Kenneth stood as still and straight as a mountain, his fists clenched, his back straight. He said nothing, as a million emotions sparked in his eyes.

She gently squeezed his arm. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“You do not need to apologize.” He turned to Edmund. “And neither do you. My father created his own troubles, and I…” He tightened. “I am to blame for yours. I should have investigated sooner, yet in the end, the kidnapping was never about revenge.” He turned to her. “It was always about Sophia.”

“About me? I don’t understa–”

“I love you.”

“What?” she breathed.

“What?” Edmund breathed.

I knew it all along, her heart breathed.

“I love Sophia.” Even as he spoke to Edmund, his gaze never left hers. “When I offered marriage, I spoke of revenge, yet nothing could be further from the truth. It was an excuse – the kidnapping, my anger, everything. I lied about my motives, not just to you, but to myself.” Raw honesty burned in his eyes. “I could have avenged my father a thousand ways. Yet I didn’t, because of you.”

He looked back to Edmund. “I’m sorry for the pain I caused, but I cannot regret my time with Sophia. You’d never allow me to court her, and I simply couldn’t walk away. My greatest desire is to care for her, protect her.” His voice deepened. “Love her.”

She blinked, her vision blurring with liquid emotion. “You’ve always done that.” She stepped closer to the man she adored, unable to stay away any longer. “With your patience, your kindness, your sacrifice. You taught me everything I wanted to learn, brought me endless joy and laughter. My goodness, you jumped into a raging river to save me.”

“What?” Edmund gaped in horror.

“It was my fault,” she admitted. “I never should have delved into danger, yet every time I did, Kenneth was there to save me.”

“And I always will be.” Now Kenneth turned to Edmund. “I am also a brother, and I understand the pain I caused. I wish I did this differently, but I cannot change the past. I can only apologize, and hope you will reconsider my offer.”

He took her hands. They were so large, so strong, engulfing hers entirely. “I wish I had the words to tell you how much I love you. How I dream of you every night, think of you when you are not with me. I am overprotective because I cannot imagine my life without you. I want to spend every day bringing you happiness, every night making your dreams come true. I may have kidnapped you, but you stole my heart.”

Her eyes flooded with joy. And there was only one thing left to say.

“I love you, too.”

Kenneth’s eyes widened. “You do?”

He hadn’t known.

He was sharing his love, risking himself, and he hadn’t even realized the truth of her feelings. “Of course I do. I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind since you kidnapped me.” She grinned wryly. “You’re a good man, Kenneth. You do so much for people, without expecting anything in return. You may hide your feelings behind your strength, but I see the man you truly are.” She beamed with all the love in her heart. “I want to spend forever with you.”

His eyes reflected pure happiness, as he brushed a kiss on her wrist. Her heart swelled.

Edmund stepped up to them, and a frisson of unease rose. Her brother cleared his throat. “I have one question for you, Foxworth. What will you do if I say no?”

She bit back a gasp as her future quivered. Was her brother going to deny her the love match she’d always wanted?

Not. In. This. Lifetime.

“I’ll simply kidnap her.”

She gasped, as she stared at the two men. Did Kenneth want Edmund to call for seconds this very night? Yet instead of demanding satisfaction, Edmund’s expression was level, tranquil even. “You love her that much?”

The truth shone in Kenneth’s eyes. “I do.”

Edmund turned to her. “And this is what you want, Sophia?”

She stood up tall. “It is.”

He regarded them a moment more. “Foxworth, you are not the only one who conducted an investigation. I know about your charitable projects and the upstanding way you deal with your tenants, your sister and those under your care. And although you erred, I understand your father’s death changed your life. You took a responsibility you didn’t want to serve others. Most importantly, I believe you truly love my sister.”

“With my every breath.” Kenneth squeezed her hand.

Edmund stood taller, straightened his cravat. “I cannot stand in the way of true love. As long as Sophia agrees, you have my blessing. And…” He held out my hand. “My friendship.”

His eyes shining, Kenneth grasped Edmund’s hand. Then he turned to her and asked one simple question.

“Lady Sophia, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

She held her fingers over her mouth and nodded the only answer destiny would allow. “Yes.”

He opened his arms, and she jumped into them. Perhaps it was a surrender, but her heart would be safe. Just as his was with her.

“It’s time we settle this,” she whispered. “We kidnapped each other.”

“Precisely.” His eyes shined. “Because I’m never letting you go.”

And he never did.