Take My Heart (Heroic Rogues Series) (19 page)

“Mercy, if only that were true.”

“It is.” Making the first move, she leaned up and kissed him.

He tightened her in his embrace and kissed her passionately. His lips stroked hers tenderly, almost reverently. The way his hands splayed across her back as he held her body tight caused her to feel the beat of his heart as it knocked in the same rhythm as hers. Happiness burst inside her, but she held back the tears of joy.

Opening her mouth wider, she allowed his kiss to deepen until his hot tongue stroked hers. A small groan tore from his throat. Her heart soared, but she knew nothing could happen between them. Not yet.

“William.” She sighed his name and broke the kiss. His lips traveled across her cheek and to her ear where he nibbled tenderly. “I fear if I do not let you go, you will be late for the foxhunt.”

He lifted his head enough to gaze into her eyes. His mouth stretched into a wide smile, and it warmed her heart even more.

“Why should I care about a foxhunt when I am enjoying myself here with you?”

He kissed her lips again before withdrawing once more. “Would you rather me attend the foxhunt instead of holding and kissing you until we are both mindless with passion?”

She didn’t want him to leave, but perhaps it was better this way. He couldn’t discover her identity yet. She smiled. “Perhaps another time. What would Lady Burwell’s guests think if we did not come down for most of the day?”

He chuckled. “They would think me a very fortunate man.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Or that I am a very fortunate woman.”

Bending, he covered her mouth with his again. Heat spread through her quickly and just as she began to enjoy it he moved off the bed. He winked before climbing off the bed and finishing dressing.

A sigh of relief escaped as she relaxed on the mattress. She had to find a way to tell him the truth soon. She couldn’t fulfill the dream of being his wife otherwise.

* * * *

After the enjoyable morning he’d just shared with his wife, William couldn’t concentrate on the foxhunt. Atop his horse, he followed closely behind Brandon, letting his thoughts wander back to the bedroom. William smiled. The revelation shared between him and his wife had been astonishing, and kissing her this time hadn’t left guilt weighing heavily on his conscience.

Was the very loving woman in his arms really the Kat he married? He’d never held so much doubt until last night. Now he wondered if the woman who’d made his blood boil like never before was the same girl who’d left him to visit her sick sister.

Lately, she’d said things that didn’t ring true in his presence. He first doubted when he’d overheard her conversation about politics with the other ladies yesterday afternoon. Then, last night she said a few things that didn’t make sense. He wouldn’t have thought anything about it if her face hadn’t turned ashen when he gazed at her in surprise during those times.

Now his doubt escalated. Was the woman who portrayed his wife the one he’d married two years ago? The way she’d acted last night and this morning made him think differently. Her innocence was not an act. The way she kissed him let him know this was an inexperienced woman.

Could the woman thawing his cold, hardened heart, actually be his wife’s sister? Had they switched places? Mercedes talked about her sister in the insane asylum. In fact, she’d slipped up last night and meant to say something about her sister—not once, but a couple of times.

Was he falling in love with his wife’s sister?

Yet why would Kat’s sister do this? Did the woman he married hate him that much? Perhaps she found herself in the family way and planned a temporary switch. He hoped not. The thought of the real Kat coming home had made his stomach turn.

“Braxton?” Brandon Kennedy called from his mount ahead of William.

He tore his thoughts away and focused on his business partner. “Yes?”

“Hold up there. I have been calling you for the past few minutes. Where have you been? In a different world, perhaps?” Brandon chuckled. “In fact, if I could put a name to that glazed look on your face, I would call it infatuation.”

“You are extremely humorous this morning, Kennedy,” he drawled. “But dare I ask whom you believe I am infatuated with?”

“Your wife.”

William lost all humor. “Why would you suppose that?”

“Because I saw your face when you first arrived at the stables this morning. You looked like a man who had enjoyed a wonderful time with his wife.”

William urged his horse closer to Brandon. When he reached the man’s side, he spoke low so only Brandon could hear. “This is not your concern, and the subject will be dropped, Kennedy.”

“So, it’s true?” Brandon barked. “Your wife has turned her interest to you?”

William gripped the reins tighter, wanting to lash out at Kennedy. However, he held his rising temper in check. “I think what my wife and I do behind closed doors is no one’s concern but our own.”

Brandon cursed and kicked the horse into a gallop. Ahead of him, the horns blared, announcing the location of the fox. Riders whizzed by in haste, and although William had no enthusiasm for the sport this morning, he prompted his horse into a run.

Talking to Gabe was high priority to get his questions answered about his wife. He would have his friend do some intense investigating. William must know if Kat had a sister who looked just like her!

The mere thought of the person portraying his wife being different from the woman he married made his heart leap in excitement. After he’d discovered Kat’s infidelity, he’d hardened his heart and vowed he would never love her or come to care for a woman like that. It had been easy. But it wasn’t until she had returned from New York when he began feeling different. Literally, the woman who had returned was so different from the woman he’d married. Like night and day.

From off in the distance, a rifle exploded, and within seconds, the wind from the bullet flew past his face. He gasped, and jerked back, looking toward the trees where the sound had come. No movement was detected, and it seemed oddly quiet.

Holding the reins tighter, he crouched lower and urged his horse faster. Anger surged through him for Colonel Burwell’s incompetent guests. William hoped nobody would be target practicing this close to the foxhunt.

Another shot boomed through the air, and the blow of the bullet sliced through his arm like a knife. He grimaced and grabbed his shoulder. Probably just a flesh wound. Curse those imbeciles shooting this close to Colonial Burwell’s guests.

Or was the shot meant for him? Hackles arose on his neck, overriding the pain in his arm and turning his blood to ice. The next bullet might well be his end.

Maneuvering his mount, he tried to get out of the path of the other horsemen, but in the hasty movement, he slipped. His arm had turned numb from the pain and he lost his hold.

He dove to the ground, landing hard. Pain shot through his body and the air was knocked out of him. Curling on his side, he rolled away from the oncoming horses, and in the process, pummeled his head on a large rock.

The world swam before him, nothing focused. He needed to get out of harm’s way, but was too late. A horse stepped on his shin and his stomach lurched. Sharp pain, like a scalding knife ripping through his leg ran amuck, speared throughout his body. Blackness quickly filled his already foggy mind and his eyes shut.

* * * *

Mercedes stared wide-eyed at herself in the full-length mirror as she adjusted the sash on her dress. The woman staring back at her had sparks of excitement in her eyes and a rosy hue to her cheeks. Even her lips looked fuller, like she’d been kissed good and hard by a loving man. She giggled like a schoolgirl. How could she not feel so elated after the kiss she and William shared?

She wasn’t anxious to meet the other ladies downstairs because she worried her expression would give away this morning’s enjoyment. Yet if she dallied in her room any longer, they’d think her lazy.

Within an hour she’d finished with her toilette. The house sounded unnaturally quiet as she made her way down the grand staircase, and she supposed most of the guests either watched or participated in the hunt. When she strode onto the patio outside, a wild commotion caught her attention. People ran into the group of trees where the foxhunt was in progress.

Curious, she quickened her step and followed, hearing bits and pieces of conversations carrying through the air.

“...someone has been hurt.”

“...fell from his horse.”

“...he’s unconscious and bleeding.”

Mercedes searched through the small forest to find the injured party, but she couldn’t see past the people heading in that direction. Lady Burwell came running away from the trees in the opposite direction toward the house. When she spotted Mercedes, she waved and ran her way.

“Oh, my dear, Mrs. Braxton. Something terrible has happened.”

Mercedes’ heart dropped. Lady Burwell didn’t have to say another word. The woman’s panicked eyes and pallor bespoke of some horror that had befallen William.

The older woman grasped Mercedes’ hands. “Your husband fell from his horse and was knocked unconscious. We think his leg is broken, too.”

A wave of dizziness washed over Mercedes as fear clutched her chest. Breathing deeply, she quickly reined in her emotions and prepared herself for the worst. “How bad is he?”

“It’s too soon to tell. My husband’s physician just arrived, so we’ll know momentarily.”

Forcing herself to stay resolute, she squared her shoulders. “Take me to him.”

Two horses were brought around for her and Lady Burwell. With the pounding of the horse’s hooves toward William, she prayed he’d be all right. Fear numbed her mind, and anxiety propelled her limbs into motion as she guided the animal, knowing she needed to get to him quickly.

When she reached the crowd surrounding him, her hopes fell. The expressions on the bystander’s faces looked grim. Her heart wrenched.
Dear Lord!
She couldn’t lose William now!

She jumped from her horse and elbowed her way through the crowd until she reached his location. His face deathly pale, a pool of blood circled his head, and a red spot dampened at his shoulder. She gasped and covered her mouth.

A physician knelt beside William, listening to his chest. She waited for his answer, praying to hear a positive word. Her numb body wouldn’t let her breathe.

The physician straightened and released a heavy sigh. He nodded to her and smiled. “His heartbeat is strong. That is a good sign.”

Tears stung her eyes.
Thank you, gracious Lord.
The man gently rolled William over to examine his head wound, gestured toward the rock where his head rested. The doctor retrieved bandages from his bag and wrapped William’s head.

A knot formed in her throat as she studied William. He seemed so helpless, so still. How could she handle this? Memories of her father’s death crashed in around her. The thought of losing William, too, caused her body to tremble. Although the physician had given her words of encouragement, it didn’t stop the plaguing doubts that filled her head.

William had to live. She couldn’t imagine life without him.

When the physician finished bandaging William’s head, he moved down to his twisted leg. He fastened two long sticks to immobilize the break, and her stomach lurched.

“I don’t believe his leg is broken, just a very serious sprain. But I’m securing his leg to be safe,” the man said.

She nodded, still afraid to say anything without losing what little was in her stomach.

Behind her, the crunching of wheels on rocky soil announced the rickety wagon’s approach, and the crowd parted to let it through. The physician and four other men gently lifted William into the bed of the wagon. The conveyance began its journey to the main house, and she stared after them in a mindless state of panic. When somebody beside her took hold of her upper arm, she brought herself in control over her emotions and turned.

Brandon Kennedy stood closer than she wanted. “Would you like me to escort you back to the house, my dear Mrs. Braxton?”

Irritation rolled in her stomach. “No. I can manage by myself.”

He stepped closer. “What kind of gentleman would I be if I let you return alone?”

“Thank you for your kind offer,” she replied in bitter tones, pulling herself away, “but I would like to return with Lady Burwell.” Without waiting for his reply, she yanked her arm from his grasp then lifted her skirts and hurried to catch up with her hostess who waited by the horses.

“Mrs. Braxton?” Brandon called behind her. She ignored him, but the insistent man wouldn’t leave her alone. He grasped her arm again. “Mrs. Braxton, a moment, please.”

Straightening, she slowed her pace, letting the unrelenting man walk beside her. “I really cannot imagine what we have to discuss, Mr. Kennedy.”

“I just want to make certain you are all right.”

“I will be just fine the moment I find out my husband is conscious.”

“Mercedes.” His voice lowered several notches. “You are talking to me, remember? You do not have to pretend now. I know you are not worried about your husband.”

She stopped and narrowed her eyes on him. “Then you are sorely mistaken, once again.”