He's No Prince Charming (Ever After) (12 page)

His gaze narrowed at her shaking voice, before he stood as well. He glanced in the direction the rider had headed before crossing the road. In moments he reappeared with her clothing neatly bundled, her short boots dangling from one hand. She gazed at them longingly before snatching the pile and retreating into the forest.

She stayed carefully hidden behind a wide-trunked tree, and gratefully peeled the soaked and filthy shift from her body. She discarded her trousers, still damp and smelling unpleasantly of mildew. The shirt was freezing to the touch. There was no way she was putting those on again. She’d be sick within the hour. Sifting through her pack, she withdrew the extra day dress. It would be uncomfortable without the proper undergarments, but leagues better than her old clothes. A good deal more proper as well.

As swiftly as she could, she pulled on the dress. The short boots gave her a bit of trouble, the leather stiff and inflexible, but they were her only shoes. After all was done, she still felt miserable and shaky, but properly covered. She was also thankful to be alive. When she reemerged, Marcus acknowledged her sheepish thank you with a contemplative, “We should follow him. This road is bound to lead to a house or an inn.”

Danni pushed away her rioting emotions. She needed to function again. She could worry and analyze later. “Or perhaps the highwaymen’s camp.”

With a swift nod, he set off at a punishing rate. Danni exhaustedly tried to keep pace, her damaged feet screaming in the tight boots. She was determined not to snap at him to slow down, no matter how tempting it was. She needed to keep communication with him cordial if she was to save Ginny.

The road was easier to travel than the forest, and the lack of traffic allowed them to cover distance quickly. Eventually, Marcus’s strides shortened to a more accommodating length, but they didn’t speak or meet each other’s gaze.

Which was exactly what she wanted. So, of course, she had to open her mouth.

“Thank you. For saving me, and for bringing the clothes.”

Marcus’s shoulders stiffened. He glanced her way before simply acknowledging her words with a grunt. “We’re even now. In exchange for helping me last night.”

Danni hesitated, not wanting to remind either of them of that intimacy, but it would be remiss if she didn’t ask. “You seem much better. How is your fever?”

“I’ll be fine,” he muttered, barely audible.

“Are you certain?” she murmured, concerned and hesitant to let the subject drop. She felt like he was hiding something from her again. “You were violently trembling and burning up. Perhaps you should rest more before we—”

“I said, I’m fine,” he barked, and strode ahead.

Danni jerked in surprise before scrambling after him. Painful silence resumed. She hated it. It was filled with confusing emotions and unspoken thoughts. She wanted to know what motivated him. She wanted to know more of the past he had partially exposed in his fevered delirium. She wanted to know why he felt he had to save his sister. If it was a good reason, she could even forgive him for the bewildering ways he treated her, and for the blackmail, but she could not forgive him for Ginny. Ginny’s future was probably destroyed now—for who would marry a woman who’d spent days in the company of brigands?—and the blame for that landed directly on his shoulders.

And he
was
at fault for the intimacy earlier this morning. He had started the entire affair. She certainly was not sorry for kissing him back. Nothing, no matter how wrong, had ever felt so good. Being in his arms and feeling his hands upon her had been astonishing. She was beginning to understand what drove Annabel to turn her back on her family and London society to choose a life with Hu. That level of passion was the greatest of temptations. Hopefully, she could eventually achieve that with the Earl of Hemsworth, a kind, compassionate, and uncomplicated member of society. She’d just have to work at it and surely that spark would ignite.

“I propose we forget about everything and simply focus on finding Ginny. What say you?”

Danni’s head whipped about, meeting Marcus’s wary smile. Her breath caught in her throat, her heartbeat ratcheting higher. His smile, although unsure, was a welcomed olive branch. She breathed a sigh of relief, pretending she was as collected as he, and smiled in return.

“Agreed.”

The scuffle of their boots on the damp earth was the only sound for several heartbeats. Cautiously, Marcus broached conversation. “Do you really help people elope with their ‘true’ loves?”

Danni blinked at him in surprise. He looked straight ahead, but she sensed her answer was important to him. Teasing, she smiled. “If you mean to ask if you are the first fortune hunter I have ever assisted, then the answer is yes.”

He looked at her sharply. His head tilted as he studied her to see if she was teasing. His face broke into a small smile. “Explain to me how your business usually works, then.”

Danni debated whether she should lie to him, or if she could risk entrusting him with information best kept to herself. She didn’t want him to think her a fraud. She hoped she might make him see how important love is to marriage. Nothing mattered more. Perhaps if she approached this correctly, she could make him understand why Ginny had to be returned home. Without a husband.

“Usually, I am approached by the intended, and often unwilling, bride,” she began haltingly. “She’ll ask for our aid in whisking her and her true love to an elopement at Gretna Green before the wedding to their arranged husband takes place. When the couple returns happily married, they tell their friends and often refer other unhappily engaged women to me.”

He nodded. “In other words: Women gossip. Men do not.”

She knitted her brow, offended for her gender. “Would you like me to carry on or not?”

He waved his hand, gesturing her to proceed.

“You are ever so gracious, my lord.”

“’Tis a heavy burden I must bear, Miss Green.”

She snorted, but refrained from commenting. Instead, she continued. “At Gretna Green Bookings, we strive for ‘Happily Ever After.’ We plan the entire elopement for the bride and ensure the couple reaches their destination in ease and comfort.”

His scarred brow shot up. “Ha! Is this your idea of a perfect elopement? The last I checked, Miss Green, sleeping in a rundown cabin and walking for miles is not easy. And definitely not comfortable.”

“Yes, well.
You
gave me no time to plan. With most of my elopements I have at least two weeks to make arrangements. I have never improvised such a venture before.”

“You have failed miserably at it, I would say.”

She shot him another glare. “Do I need to cite Rule Number Thirteen about slander again?”

“Anything but that. You have single-handedly convinced me with your treaty never to take my seat in Parliament.”

Danni kicked a rock and pretended not to be pleased when it hit the heel of his boot. Marcus turned a suspicious glance on her and frowned. Danni innocently examined the flora about her.

It was his turn to snort. “So how exactly does one break into your line of work?”

“I didn’t deliberately start. It simply happened.” He nodded but didn’t respond, so Danni continued, careful to avoid titles. “My friend came to me one day, distraught that her father had arranged her marriage to a much older man. She would be forced to marry him, even though she loved another. I was crushed for her but helpless to influence the situation. A few nights later, a man approached me. I had only seen him about. I’d never had a conversation with him certainly. He told me he was the one my friend loved. They had been arranging to elope later that week, but my friend’s father had found out and thwarted their plans. He was devastated.”

Danni fell silent, remembering that night and how very upset the characteristically quiet Hu had been.

“And?”

Danni glanced up, finding that they had stopped in the middle of the road. Marcus’s attention was riveted on her as she spoke. “The man had been in her father’s employ. He sacked him and locked Annabel in her room. The groom then asked for my help. I couldn’t say no. I love Annabel, and I wanted her happiness more than anything, so I arranged it, including bribing several people to help me sneak Annabel from her house. I saw them safely out of London and a week later they returned happily married.”

“But why did you continue?”

“You must understand. Before my mother died, they had a marriage one could only dream about. Every day, they said ‘I love you’ to each other. But more than that, you could
feel
the love they had for each other. When I realized how few couples actually get a chance to have that, I decided to do whatever I could to help.” Danni tilted her head to meet his eyes with defiance. “That is the reason I am so strongly opposed to your plans for Ginny. You cannot force her to marry you, Marcus. She will be miserable and she deserves a chance at love!”

He considered reflectively before starting off down the road again, evidently unaffected by her ardent speech. Several minutes passed before Marcus spoke again. “You mentioned your mother died.”

Danni looked up from carefully watching her steps, crushed she had been unable to reach him. “Oh.” Danni blinked with confusion at his statement before a crush of profound sadness overwhelmed her. “She passed away six years ago. Actually, shortly before Annabel needed my help.” She paused. “Perhaps I eagerly helped Annabel and the others because it gives me purpose. In some way, I feel closer to my mother. She would have probably even helped me with Gretna Green Bookings, she loved love so much.”

Marcus nodded, then quietly, from a rough, thick throat, said, “It must be very nice to have such a happy home.”

She frowned, glancing at him from beneath her lashes. The rigid way he held himself did not invite inquiry, but the simple statement gave much away. Marcus had just deepened the mystery about him. One she now realized she had to solve. It was the key to Ginny’s freedom. Maybe if she shared more, he would be willing to share his reasoning?

“It
was
wonderful.”

He paused, brow furrowed with confusion. “Was?”

Danni gulped. She never talked about her relationship with her father. Not to anyone, even Annabel. However, if this could help Ginny in any way, she would do it. “When my mother passed away, it crushed my father. He retreated into himself and has virtually ignored my existence since. He isn’t unkind, just…not there.”

“And exactly how does he feel about your clandestine activities?”

She hesitated, worried she would expose too much. “As I said, he is a very busy man.”

“Just not busy with you.”

“He loves me,” she muttered defensively, “and wants me to be happy, like he and my mother were. I just haven’t been lucky enough to find the right partner yet. He and my mother knew each other since their childhood, and, almost just as long, that they were meant for each other.” She paused, looking him directly in the eye. “Despite all that, I am certain he would never want me forced into a loveless marriage, as you are forcing Ginny.”

Annoyance flashed across his features. He grunted a reply, widening his strides. Danni gritted her teeth, matching his pace. She wasn’t done yet. She hoped to clear up more than one problem. “My father has actually chosen someone for me to marry.”

Marcus faltered in his steps, his head whipping about. Surprise was written all over his face. “The woman who wants ‘true love’ for everyone would agree to an arranged marriage?”

“Ironic, isn’t it?” Danni felt her lips twitch in a weary smile. It
was
rather amusing. “I have not yet accepted, but I will. He’s a good man, and I believe I can come to love him. And the match will make my father very happy.”

“And that’s why you ran,” he stated, his face shuttering again. Danni looked at the ground. She disliked that such warm eyes could turn so cold.

“Yes,” she whispered. “I’m sorry. I should never have kissed you. It was wrong of me. It will never happen again.”

He quickened his pace, lengthening the distance between them again, and Danni let him.

After several moments of silence, during which Marcus remained sullen and silent, Danni’s regret for her behavior turned to anger at his condemnation. He had
blackmailed
her into becoming his accomplice. He had
kidnapped
a girl from her own bed. He planned to
force her into marriage
, and finally he had
initiated their kiss
back at the cabin. And he had the unmitigated gall to be affronted when she suffered a moral lapse?

Seeming without warning, they rounded a bend in the road and found themselves in the courtyard of a small inn. They stopped short in surprise.

It was a small building, looking a bit worse for wear. Shingles on the roof were cracked or missing and the paint flecked away in spots. A gaggle of chickens flitted about, pecking at the ground. As they hesitated to approach, the small sign proclaiming it the Jacket Inn broke off one of its hinges and drooped lopsidedly.

She exchanged a look with Marcus as the urgent need for food, drink, and a soak in a hot bath possessed her. Decision made, she single-mindedly strode towards the door.

Marcus watched as Danni sped ahead of him. He let her go, his mind churning with what she’d just told him. Deep down he’d known the truth all along. He’d stopped viewing her as a fraud almost the moment he’d seen her go over the wall into the admiral’s garden. She was determined, bright, and loyal. Not many people would have done what she did for a friend, and what she now did for complete strangers.

Marcus kicked the dirt as he realized he envied her. She had friends who cared. Someone who
wanted
to marry her and a childhood filled with loving memories and fine role models.

The weight of his crimes settled like an albatross on his shoulders. How many people would he destroy in order to help Caroline? He watched Danni disappear into the inn. How much was he willing to sacrifice?

Impatience with himself flared his temper. He didn’t understand the attachment he had developed for her, nor the sharp pain that came at the news of her impending engagement. She may have responded sweetly and passionately to his kiss, but she’d made it clear she didn’t want him.