Page 19 of Until the Rake Surrenders (Rogue Rules #5)

M in had been in the coach with Spilsby for at least an hour. She did not know where they were going because he wouldn’t tell her, but she believed they were traveling west. She still couldn’t believe what was happening and that her mother had facilitated her kidnapping by this horrible blackguard.

After returning home from the gardens, she’d asked the coachman to wait while she packed her things to go to Pandora’s. Her maid had told her to go and that she would gather everything and follow.

Grateful, Min had gone back to the coach and was shocked to find Spilsby inside. Before she could climb out, the coach had begun moving.

The events that had followed had repeated in Min’s mind several times as she tried to think of a way that she could have escaped her current predicament. But such thoughts were pointless. She was here now.

Still, she couldn’t help recalling what happened yet again. She’d demanded to know what Spilsby was doing in her mother’s coach. Then, when they’d started moving, she’d insisted he let her out. She’d even pounded on the roof, because surely the coachman would hear her and stop.

However, Spilsby had merely given her a malevolent smile and told her she could pound all she wanted while the coach would continue on its way.

Min had said her mother’s coachman wouldn’t do that. To which Spilsby had replied, “It’s not your coachman, he’s mine.”

“But this isn’t your coach,” Min had cried. “Where are we going?”

Spilsby had given her a superior look. “You don’t need to know that right now. Just settle back and enjoy our journey.”

“I’m to enjoy you kidnapping me? I think I’d rather jump from the moving coach.” That was when Min had reached for the door.

But Spilsby had leapt upon her, the brute. He’d pulled something from the other seat, which she hadn’t noticed earlier. It was a length of rope that he used to bind her wrists. Then, he used a second to bind her feet. That was how she found herself trussed in her current position as they traveled to God-knew-where.

Min’s attempts to persuade him to explain what he was doing had been met with grunts and taunting. He would only repeat that they were to be married and that she should feel lucky.

The farther they traveled from Bath, the more Min wondered where Evan might be. He was likely far from Bath still and wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow. Her chest constricted, and not just because he likely couldn’t rescue her before she was forced to spend the night with Spilsby.

She also knew, without question, that not only was she in love with Evan—she was ready to take the risk to marry him. If he loved her in return.

She would give anything to see Evan now.

He would be furious that Spilsby had dared to kidnap her. It occurred to Min that she could taunt her captor with Evan’s rage. She could remind Spilsby that Evan was particularly skilled with weaponry.

First, she would try to be sweet. As sweet as she could muster, anyway. “You could at least tell me where we are to be married,” she said with a cajoling lilt and what was probably a feeble smile. “It seems like we’re going west. Is it Bristol? Why Bristol?”

He scowled. “It isn’t Bristol. Can you just stop talking?” So much for charming him.

His reaction made her think it was definitely Bristol.

“What do you think is going to happen when we get there?” Min asked. “I’m not going to agree to marry you.”

“You will be ruined.” He gave her a taunting smile. “What choice do you have?”

Min laughed. “I think you forget that one of my closest friends was ruined, and she’s not married.” Indeed, the irony was that Min had considered just such a life. Furthermore, her father meant to sue her mother for divorce, which would surely devastate their entire family. If Spilsby meant to traumatize her with his threats of ruination, he would be wholly unsuccessful. “You can’t force me to wed you. In fact, you should be worried about going to prison, because I will ensure you are held accountable for kidnapping me.”

Now he laughed. “I think you’re forgetting how difficult it is to prosecute a peer.”

“Do not think you will be immune,” Min said with a glower. “You may be a peer, but my father is a duke.”

Spilsby crossed his arms over his chest with a mocking expression. “You seem to think your father does not support what I’ve done.”

“Of course he doesn’t.” Min spoke without hesitation, but she realized she couldn’t be entirely certain. Her father wanted her to marry as soon as possible so that he could go forward with his divorce. Would he have agreed to Spilsby’s scheme? It seemed her mother was definitely in support of Min’s kidnapping, unless she was unaware that Spilsby had taken her coach. What had happened to her coachman?

“You didn’t hurt my mother’s coachman, did you?” Min asked.

“Not at all. He went back to the mews.”

“My mother had to have helped you,” she said.

Spilsby blew out a frustrated breath as he unfolded his arms. “Minerva, if you cannot be quiet for a while, I’m going to have to gag you.”

Her jaw dropped. “You wouldn’t dare.”

He glanced at her bindings. “I think you know that I would, and as your husband, I am perfectly within my rights to do so.”

“You are not my husband, nor will you ever be,” she spat.

“Have it your way.” Spilsby pulled a length of cloth from his pocket and moved to push it into Min’s mouth.

She jerked away from him, squirming from his touch to the best of her ability.

“Hold still, damn it,” he barked as he tried to shove the fabric into her mouth. When his fingers were close, she bit him as hard as she could. It was too bad he was wearing gloves.

“ Bloody hell, you termagant! ” He fell back against his seat, glaring at her. “I have no wish to commit violence, but you leave me no choice.” He raised his hand.

Min fought the urge to flinch. She would not give him the satisfaction.

Something moving outside the window drew her attention. Was there another coach? Perhaps she could cry for help!

No, it was a horse with a rider.

She gasped. It was Evan.

“What are you looking at?” Spilsby demanded.

“Your doom,” Min replied with a smile. “You may hit me if you like, though I daresay it will only further enrage Evan.”

“Price? What the devil does he have to do with this?”

“I believe he wants to marry me, and he’s on a horse outside the window.” She glanced toward Evan, who was now very close. He rode Merlin, and Min held her breath as Evan pulled his feet from the stirrups and moved to stand atop the saddle.

“The hell he is.” Spilsby moved close to the window and swore.

Min scooted toward the window, her focus glued to Evan. He wobbled, and she worried about his ankle. She prayed he wouldn’t fall again.

Then he leapt toward the coach, and Min squeezed her eyes shut.

E van glimpsed Min through the window of the coach, and his heart leapt to see her safe. He bent low over Merlin.

“Here we go,” Evan said softly, praying his ankle would hold up.

He took his feet from the stirrups and pulled his legs up to stand on the saddle, as he’d done dozens of times before. But this was not like any other time. His ankle hurt and was not quite secure.

Evan refused to fall. He had to get to Min.

The distance between Merlin and the coach was not great, but due to Evan’s sprain, the jump was risky. It was also necessary.

Clenching his jaw, he released Merlin’s reins and leapt at the moving vehicle. He landed on his stomach on top of the coach, which had been his intent.

Evan glanced toward the coachman, who whipped his head around to look at Evan.

“Stop the coach!” Evan commanded. “I have a pistol. You’re helping Spilsby kidnap the daughter of a duke.”

Evan didn’t wait to see or hear the coachman’s reaction. He spun around on his stomach and inched over the side. He eased himself down, just enough so he could reach the handle of the door.

He pulled it open as the coach began to slow. Relief that the coachman had listened flooded through him. Evan considered whether to climb down the side and jump into the coach or wait until it stopped.

Spilsby stuck his head out through the open door. Looking up, he met Evan’s gaze. Spilsby’s eyes widened. He gripped the inside handle of the door and tried to pull it closed.

“Let go!” That was Min’s voice.

Spilsby jerked and disappeared into the coach with a howl. What had happened?

They were moving quite slowly now, and Evan took his chance. He released the door handle and gripped the side of the coach as he swung his legs down and into the interior. This movement required him to land on his feet.

His ankle buckled, and he teetered to the side, which was fine because he decided it was perfectly acceptable to fall on top of Spilsby. They crashed onto the forward-facing seat.

Min was on the opposite seat, and if Evan’s eyes had not deceived him, she was bound at the wrists. This knowledge fed his rage. He brought his hand back and planted his fist into Spilsby’s face. The bounder tried to squirm away, but Evan clutched his coat tightly. The coach stopped, and they rolled to the floor. Evan worked to gain the advantage, rising up over Spilsby.

“Are you all right, Min?” Evan yelled.

“I’m well. Do be careful!”

Spilsby tried to land a punch, but Evan pulled himself out of the way. This allowed Spilsby to scramble, and he ended up near the open door. Evan launched himself forward and tackled him out of the coach onto the ground. He landed on top of Spilsby, who grunted again.

“You bloody blackguard,” Evan snarled. He pulled himself up and sat atop Spilsby, then lifted his fist in a threatening manner. “I can hit you again, or you can stop moving. And I shall tell you what I told your coachman—I have a pistol.”

Spilsby went completely limp.

“Good decision.” Evan glowered at him before standing. He hobbled as he stood, putting the bulk of his weight on his right side. He desperately wanted to get back into the coach to untie Min, but he also needed to fetch Merlin and tie him to the coach for the return trip to Bath.

“What are you going to do?” Spilsby asked, his eyes narrowed with uncertainty.

“I’m taking Lady Minerva back to Bath. What you do is up to you, but know that wherever you go, you will be found, and you will be held to account for what you’ve done.”

“You’re just going to leave me here?” Spilsby sputtered as he sat up and brushed dirt from his garments.

“You’re lucky that’s all I do,” Evan growled.

“I had no idea he was kidnapping her,” the coachman called from the seat. “I swear.”

Evan turned his head toward the coachman. “I’m glad to hear it. Now, please fetch my horse.”

“Right away, sir.” The coachman climbed down from the seat and hastened to Merlin, who was nearby.

“You can’t leave me here,” Spilsby protested. “I’ll ride on the seat with my coachman.”

“You’ll do no such thing,” Evan scoffed. “On your way.” He glowered at the cretin before he turned and started to climb into the coach.

Min sat on the rear-facing seat, her wrists bound with rope. Her gaze was fixed past him, and her eyes rounded. “Evan, look out!”

Evan really hadn’t thought Spilsby would be foolish enough to try anything further. Pulling the pistol from the inside of his coat, Evan turned and pointed it at the man. “Come any closer and I will shoot you.”

Spilsby had lifted his foot but wobbled to keep from moving forward.

“Back up,” Evan ordered.

Spilsby took several steps backward.

“Not far enough,” Evan snapped. “See that tree?” It was some thirty yards distant. “Go over there. Quickly. ” He cocked the pistol.

Spilsby turned and ran to the tree.

The coachman had returned with Merlin. “Shall I tie him to the coach?”

“Yes, thank you.” Evan went to soothe Merlin for a moment while the coachman completed his task. He nuzzled the horse’s nose. “You’ve done very well today.”

Evan looked over at Spilsby to make sure he was still standing by the tree. Satisfied the bounder would not trouble them any longer, Evan put the pistol back in his coat and at last climbed into the coach.

The coachman appeared at the door. “To Bath, then?”

“Yes,” Evan replied, then pulled the door closed.

He perched on the edge of the forward-facing seat and reached over to untie the rope around Min’s wrists. He was glad the rough binding had not been against her flesh. “I’m so sorry, Min.”

“I’m fine, Evan. Will you untie my ankles too, please?” She stuck her feet out from the hem of her skirt.

The blackguard had tied them too? Evan wanted to go back and hit Spilsby again. Evan bent down to untie the rope around her ankles. Then he sat back on the seat, his heart still pounding from the entire encounter.

Min leapt on him instantly, covering his lap as she cupped his face with her hands.

“Are you all right?” She searched his features with grave concern.

“Yes.” His heart was now racing for an altogether different reason.

“Including your ankle? Tell me the truth.”

“It hurts a bit.” Evan clasped her waist. “I do hereby vow that I will rest until my bloody ankle is fully healed.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “You will indeed, because I will make certain of it.”

“You aren’t angry with me, are you?” Evan had been surprised that she jumped on him. And thrilled.

“Of course not! I am grateful. But I knew you would find me—well, I hoped you would find me. I knew you’d be furious.”

“Furious doesn’t begin to describe what I felt.” He stroked her cheek and gazed into the silvery beauty of her eyes. “I’m very glad you’re all right.”

“How did you find me?” she asked. Then she shook her head quickly. “Never mind. Tell me later. I’m just so happy to see you.”

She pressed her mouth to his before Evan could reply, not that he was able to form words at the moment. He could scarcely believe what she’d said. And now she was kissing him.

He pulled away. “Can I trouble you to remove my left boot? My ankle did not appreciate being forced into it, and it’s protesting quite vociferously.”

She scrambled to the floor and frowned. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“It hurts now. Removing the boot will be a relief. Just be as quick as you can.”

“I will say, these are very smart-looking boots.” She gave him a charming smile that lit her eyes in a thoroughly provocative way.

“Take off the damned boot so you can come back here and keep kissing me.”

“Since you phrased it so nicely.” She grinned, then sobered with an expression of determination. It took her a few tugs, and his ankle complained, but she removed the boot. She looked up at him pensively. “Are you sure I should return to your lap? Perhaps you should rest.”

Evan reached for her and hauled her up. “Temptress,” he murmured before he kissed her.

He clasped her nape and massaged her hip and backside. She adjusted her position so that she straddled him. He moaned softly, his body vaulting into keen arousal.

Then she ground down against him, and Evan’s cock twitched in response. He pulled his mouth from hers. “On second thought, you should probably return to the other seat or sit beside me.”

“But I love you, Evan.” She kissed his neck.

“If you don’t, I’m going to lift your skirts and—” He cut himself off. “Did you say you love me?”

“Yes.” She continued kissing his neck, pushing his cravat and collar away to expose his flesh.

He put both hands on her head and tilted her face up to his. “I love you too.”

Surprise flashed in her eyes, followed by a heady warmth. “You do?”

“You can’t be surprised. I told you I was going to declare my love for you when I proposed. Which I had a plan to do, but then that idiot Spilsby ruined?—”

She kissed him again, and he could feel the joy radiating from her. It matched his own.

He reached up and tugged at the knot of his cravat until it loosened. She separated the fabric of the garments at his throat, baring his flesh to her mouth so she could continue her seduction.

Evan gripped her skirts and shifted them upward so he could slip his hand beneath them. He stroked her thigh and squeezed her backside. She moved against him in response, then adjusted her garments that were twisted between them so that her bare sex pressed against his fall.

There was so much Evan wanted to say—including offering his marriage proposal—but the primal need surging within him would not be denied. He unbuttoned his breeches, no easy feat with one hand and the woman he loved moving against him. As soon as he finished, he transferred his attention to her sex, sliding his fingers along her slick folds.

She lifted her head from his throat with a gasp. He teased her clitoris, drawing sultry groans from her as she rotated her hips against his hand.

“Please, Evan,” she whimpered.

“What do you want, my love?” He kissed her neck above the edge of her spencer. He wished she was wearing far less, but he couldn’t wait to divest her of her clothing. She was wet and ready, and he was desperate to claim her.

“You,” she rasped. “I want you. Now. Inside me.”

He thrust two fingers inside her, curling them gently as he pressed deep. She gasped again, over and over, as he pumped into her. “Is that what you want?”

“Yes. No. I want you. Your sex.”

“My cock, Min. You want my cock.”

“ Yes .” She clasped his head and looked into his eyes. “Now, please.”

Evan pulled his cock from his fall and guided it to her entrance. “You will ride me, do you understand?” At her nod, he held her gaze. “Don’t look away from me. Lower yourself onto my cock. Do you feel it?”

She nodded again and did not look away or close her eyes. They narrowed as she impaled herself on him, moving slowly. She was tight as a new glove and wet as a downpour. Evan fought to keep his own eyes open. This connection between them was too wondrous to break. He felt such an overwhelming surge of emotion and a desire so strong, he feared he could weep.

“God, I love you, Min.”

With a twitch of her hips, she was fully seated on him, her heat surrounding him. “I love you,” she whispered, her mouth curling into the sweetest smile he’d ever seen. “What do I do now?”

“What do you want to do?” He squeezed her hip as he brought his other hand under her skirts to grip her other side.

“Move.”

“Then move.”

She lifted her hips slowly, then came back down over him, moving over and over with a gradually increasing speed. The friction was a delicious torment. Evan held her hips and guided her as he lifted from the seat to thrust into her.

“Faster now, Min,” he urged, his fingers digging into her.

She quickened her pace, her muscles tightening. Every time she ground down, he speared into her. Her moans and whimpers said she was close, as did the clenching of her sex. Evan slid his hand over to stroke her clitoris. She came hard, crying out as she quivered around him.

Evan kept up his pace as ecstasy built inside him. He thrust deep and hard into her, then clumsily tried to withdraw before he spilled himself.

But she would have none of that. Her legs gripped his and she pushed down, taking him and keeping him inside her.

“Don’t leave me,” she growled in a dark, seductive tone that sent Evan completely over the edge into oblivion.

The strength of his orgasm made him cry out her name and grip her fiercely to him. He pumped into her again and again until he was spent.

When their breathing had slowed a bit, she eased away from him and collapsed onto the seat beside him. Evan used his cravat to tidy as best as he could, then tucked himself away and rebuttoned his fall. He turned toward Min, whose eyes were closed, her head leaning back against the squab.

“Can I tidy you up?” he asked softly.

She opened her eyes to slits and regarded him. “I managed all right, but thank you.” She smiled softly. “You’re very thoughtful. Now tell me how you found me.”

He relayed the story of going to her mother’s house, then to see Pandora, then back to her mother’s, where he forced the truth from her.

Min sat up, her eyes blazing. “My mother is despicable. I refuse to return to her house. Ever.”

“You don’t have to. It is my fondest hope that your home will be with me.” Evan slid from the seat and turned to kneel in front of her. His ankle was now throbbing, but he’d become rather accomplished at ignoring the pain.

“What are you doing on the floor?” Min leaned forward as if she meant to help him back onto the seat.

Evan held up his hand. “One moment. I need to ask you something. This is not the location I’d imagined, but I don’t want to wait.” He pulled his great-grandmother’s ring from his coat and took Min’s hand.

“Lady Minerva,” he started.

She tugged her hand away. “Not yet. I need to know that you will be honest with me at all times, no matter what. And that you will do your best to keep chaos and scandal away. I’ve had enough to last me a lifetime.”

Evan took a deep breath. “I know you have, and I’m so sorry that I nearly dragged you into my problems—which are completely resolved now, by the way. I want you to know that your happiness will forever be my primary goal. When I wake up in the morning, my first thought will be how I am going to make you happy today, and my last thought before I go to sleep will be to plan how to make you happy tomorrow.”

“All I’ve ever wanted is a partner I love and who will love me in return, someone who will see marriage the way I do—something to be cherished and honored. I know that’s a great deal to expect and more than most gentlemen would probably want. But I held out hope that the right man was out there.”

“I am that man!” Evan said with a grin. “I am your man.”

Min smiled, joy lighting her incredible eyes, making them look like silver. “I knew that the moment we kissed. Perhaps before, but that sealed it. I realize now that the friendship we shared and built upon at Longleat is why I feel so safe with you—why I fell in love with you. It could never have been anyone else.”

“I feel the same. We were meant to be.” He was desperate to put the ring on her finger. “May I continue now?”

“Oh yes.” She presented her hand to him with a giggle.

Evan took her hand and looked into her eyes. “Min, I cannot imagine my life without you in it. I don’t want to endure another day when I don’t see you. I knew that before I went to London, but being away from you the past few days has clarified the matter. I love you beyond reason, and I want to spend my life showing you how much.” He took a short breath and smiled. “Will you be my wife?” He held up the sapphire ring in his other hand.

Tears glimmered in Min’s eyes while her answering smile was wider than he’d ever seen before. “You have a ring?”

“It belonged to my great-grandmother. My mother hoped I would present it to my wife as a betrothal ring, which I just learned today in fact. I think it’s perfect because it is the exact color of the forget-me-nots you gave me.”

“ Evan. ” She sniffed and moved toward him.

“Wait! You have to answer me first.”

“Of course. Yes. Yes. Yes. Forever yes.”

Evan slipped the ring onto her finger and prayed it would fit. Miraculously, it did.

Min gazed at the sapphire glinting on her pale hand. “It’s perfect.” She looked at him, her eyes brimming with emotion. “I hoped and prayed I would find someone like you, but I feared I wouldn’t. I confess I’m still a little afraid that things may change.”

“They won’t,” Evan said fiercely. “My love for you is stronger than anything I have ever known. It will not waver.”

“Then we shall be fortunate as we weather life’s challenges, for I love you so very much. No other man has ever seen me for who I am or treated me as anyone other than Henlow’s daughter or Shefford’s sister. And today you saved me. Now, will you please sit beside me?” She patted the seat expectantly.

Evan laughed as he vaulted himself back up to the seat. He immediately stretched his left leg out. “It’s good you’re on my right side,” he said as he turned his head toward her.

She put her hand on his cheek and kissed him. It was several minutes before she left him with a sigh, then snuggled against his side. Holding out her hand, she admired the ring. “This belonged to your great-grandmother and was intended for me—your betrothed—and just happened to be the color of the forget-me-nots. It seems we were destined to be.”

“Absolutely.” Evan knew it in his soul, but proof was nice too. He kissed her temple and smiled. “When we arrive in Bath, I want to speak with your father immediately.”

“You don’t need to ask his permission to marry me,” Min said.

“That is not why I wish to see him. I’m going to ensure he doesn’t proceed with his plans to divorce your mother.”

Min sat up and angled herself to face him. “What makes you think you can talk him out of it?”

“My father and I successfully persuaded Sir Abraham not to divorce his wife,” Evan explained. “I am hopeful I can convince your father to do the same.”

“You truly did resolve everything?”

“With my father’s help.” Evan explained how he’d told Sir Abraham the truth about his wife’s lover and convinced him not to proceed with a divorce. He also shared that Roger would be leaving London.

Min’s brow pleated. “I’m sorry your friend has to leave London, but hopefully he’s learned from his roguish behavior.”

“I’m sure he has. I know I have. This entire affair—perhaps that is a poor choice of word,” he said with a grimace. “This entire situation has shown me how I truly am. I have gone about finding my place in the wrong way. Being a rogue did not fulfill me. I have found where I belong—with you.”

“We’ve yet to take our vows, but I will be with you in good times and bad,” Min said. “I believe I’ve already demonstrated that I will stand by you in sickness as well as health.”

Evan laughed and kissed her again. “You have indeed. I will be forever grateful that I sprained my ankle.”

Her gaze held his. “I do love you—especially for wanting to try to stop my father. I am not sure you will be successful, however.”

“Perhaps, but I have to try. I learned from my own mistake with the Mrs. Dalton matter that to not consider how my actions would affect my family was the height of selfishness. And as my father and I worked to dissuade Sir Abraham from his plans, I saw how I could try to convince your father in the same manner. Just as Sir Abraham ultimately didn’t want to negatively affect his children, so your father must.”

“It sounds as though you will make an excellent argument,” Min said. “But don’t underestimate his desire to punish my mother. I think everyone learning the truth about Ellis has made him see just how much he has suffered from my mother and for how long.”

Evan gave her a dark look. “I can completely understand his need to hold your mother to account for her actions. Perhaps we will find common ground on that front. I have to think that because she orchestrated your kidnapping, she will be publicly shunned.”

“That would mean making the details of what happened today known—including that you rescued me and we’ve been alone together.” She glanced at the ring on her finger. “Though, I suppose that hardly matters since we will marry. My mother would say it would cast a dark cloud.” Min rolled her eyes.

“Your mother was content for your marriage to begin with a gossip-inducing altercation in the park and a kidnapping. This situation is slightly brighter,” he said sardonically. “Still, I think it’s best if we move on. No scandal, no turmoil. You’ve endured enough of that.”

Her gaze warmed with love. “Thank you. I know it will be difficult for you to let Spilsby roam free. It will for me too, particularly since I threatened him with prosecution, and he had the audacity to tell me he would be fine because he’s a viscount now.” She made a face of disgust.

“I have faith Spilsby will get what is coming to him—one way or another. And I will hope that we will be there to see it.” He gave her an eager smile. “Now, do tell me how you struck Spilsby at the gardens earlier. Explain it slowly and in great detail.”

Min laughed and did as he asked. Then he kissed her again, which led to an immensely enjoyable journey to Bath.