Good Earls Don't Lie (34 page)

He leaned to kiss her again, and added, “You could be penniless, and I wouldn’t care, Rose. I’m marrying you because I love you. Because you make me want to become a better man. And because I cannot be living without you.”

She leaned in and rested her nose against his. “I love you, Iain. Earl or not.”

“I’ll be the earl in name,” he agreed. “There will be a great deal of work before I can restore Ashton. But with you at my side, I think we can manage it.” He stroked his thumb against her palm, and she let out a soft sigh. Then he came up behind her and drew both arms around her waist. Her body nestled against his, in the most natural feeling in the world. “You are the bride I’m meant to have. Ever since you threatened me with a rake.”

She let out a soft laugh. “You’re fortunate that I didn’t use it against you.”

He pressed his mouth against her temple. “I need to speak with your mother and ask permission to marry you.”

“We can go now.” Rose smiled and took his hand.

Iain led her back to the hallway, only to find that his sisters had been eavesdropping again. Colleen sent him a dreamy smile that nearly made him laugh.

But when they opened the front door, the carriage was gone. Lady Rose’s smile faded. “She . . . said she was going to wait.”

Iain squeezed her hand. “Stay here, and I will find your mother. She may have gone home again.”

“I am going with you,” Rose insisted. “She’s
my
mother, and if she isn’t there—” Her voice broke off, revealing the sudden fear.

“I will find her,” Iain insisted. “Her carriage can’t be far.”

“I am not staying behind. Not now.” The iron look in her eyes warned that she would not be deterred.

And yet, he was well aware that this search would lead them from place to place with no guarantee of finding Lady Penford. He lifted her palms to his mouth. “Wouldn’t you rather stay here and wait for me to bring her home?”

“Not in the slightest,” she insisted. “
When
you find her, she will be very upset. If she sees me, it will calm her.”

He leaned in and kissed her hard. “We will find her again. This, I promise.”

She met his gaze with a single nod. “We will go together. And pray God, we’ll find her.”

Rose clenched her hands together, trying to calm her wild nerves. They drove around the nearby streets first, but there was no sign of the carriage. Then they had traveled back home, only to learn that Lady Penford was not there. Heaven only knew where she was now. Rose had let herself believe that her mother would come to no harm, since Iris had been so lucid today.

And yet, she’d known how quickly her mother’s mood could transform. She couldn’t stop blaming herself. Beside her, Iain’s expression was grim. She was fighting back tears, so afraid that they might not find her mother. There were so many places she could have gone.

They drove for nearly an hour, past all their acquaintances and friends, while Rose tried to think of where her mother might be. Iris hadn’t gone on foot, since the carriage was still missing. That, at least, was somewhat safer.

“Dear God,” she breathed, as it suddenly came to her. Her mother had been talking about George for days now, claiming that his ship would soon arrive. “Iain, I think I know where she is. Take us toward the East India Docks.”

He started to shake his head. “Rose, I can’t be taking you there. It’s no place for a lady. I’ll have to take you home first.”

“We haven’t time. My mother could be there now, lost and in danger.” She told him about how Iris had been expecting James’s ship. “Please, Iain. We have to hurry.” He urged the horses faster, taking the curricle across town toward the waterfront.

And all the while, Rose continued to search for a sign of her mother’s carriage, hoping they would find her before she came to any harm.

It was late afternoon when they reached the water’s edge. Rose leaned closer to Iain, feeling exhausted and afraid.

“Whatever happens, do not leave my side,” he warned.

She raised a handkerchief to her nose, trying to blot out the harsh odors. “I wouldn’t dare.”

They continued down the narrow street, and she saw men and women huddled together. One woman held a child’s hand, and she eyed Rose with interest. One by one, she saw more people beginning to follow them.

“Iain,” she murmured, nodding toward the gathering crowd. “We need to find her quickly.”

His expression grew wary, and he cursed in Gaelic beneath his breath. “I know it.”

For the next few minutes, she gripped his hand while they rode through the streets. Her spine prickled with unease, and she wished Iain had a weapon to defend himself. As it was, he had only his fists.

Right now, his demeanor was nothing like an English gentleman. Upon his face was the hard stare of a man who would kill any man who dared to harm her. She saw the outline of his muscles as his hands gripped the reins, his eyes searching the crowd.

“There.” He nodded toward the far end of the docks, where the figure of an older woman stood near one of the ships. Men were busy unloading a cargo of tea and spices, and the woman continued to stare at the water as if she didn’t see them. Her bonnet was untied, and she was gripping her hands.

But before they could reach her, someone grabbed Rose by the arm. She gasped, and caught the glint of a knife. Iain shoved her back, just as the man slashed it downward.

He dodged the blade, but another man pulled her from the carriage while Iain was distracted by his assailant.

Rose fought hard, screaming and struggling to escape. She jabbed her elbow against the man, and he dropped her onto the cobblestone street. Her hands broke her fall, but her legs tangled up in her skirts. On the opposite side, she saw Iain fighting against three more opponents.

“Rose!” he called out.

“I’m all right.” She tried to get up, but her knees buckled beneath her. Fear overwhelmed her, and when the man seized her again, she reacted out of instinct and slammed her fists into him. He let out a howl, and she realized she’d struck him between his legs.

I won’t be weak. And I won’t let anyone harm the ones I love.

Despite her lack of strength, she was enraged that these men would dare to attack them. She refused to remain on the ground, useless. She started to get onto her hands and knees and spied the riding crop upon the stones. The moment she touched it, she felt resolution rising within her. Iain had once predicted that she wasn’t strong enough to survive a rougher life in Ireland—but he was wrong.

She could cast aside a lady’s manners and defend herself when needed. She would stand tall and fight alongside the man she loved.

Rose got to her feet and when someone else tried to grab her, she sliced the riding crop against his face. Before he could reach for her wrist, Iain seized the man and tossed him to the ground. “Are you all right,
a ghrá
?”

She nodded. Blood stained his white shirt, and his sleeve was torn. The look in his eyes was wild, and before she could say another word, he shoved her behind him while he dropped into a fighting stance. Iain moved like a wolf when he fought. His fists crunched against a man’s face, then he punched another opponent in the ribs. Several larger men tried to attack him, but when Iain held up a knife covered in blood, the crowd scattered.

“Anyone else?” he demanded.

Rose went to stand beside him, the crop in her hand. She felt as if her gentility had been stripped away and in its place was pure survival. If anyone dared to harm them, she would fight alongside Iain.

“Let’s go and get Mother,” she murmured.

After that, the crowd dispersed. Iain helped her back into the carriage. Then they drove the carriage over toward the dock, where Iris was wandering. Iain pulled the vehicle to a stop, and helped Rose disembark.

Her mother was pacing back and forth, and when Rose touched her arm, Iris let out a shriek. Then recognition slid over her face, followed by confusion. “Rose, what are you doing in a place like this? You shouldn’t be here.” Her mother’s hands were ice cold, and she was trembling.

Rose exchanged a look with Iain, who removed his coat and put it around Iris’s shoulders. They guided her back to the carriage, and Rose said, “Come, Mother. We need to go home.”

“But James’s ship. It’s here, don’t you see?” Iris pointed toward a Blackwall frigate, which was swaying in the evening twilight. Three tall masts rose from the ship, and the sails were tied down. “I need to know if my son is all right.”

Rose held her mother’s hand and waited a moment. “If James was on board, he’s not anymore, Mother. All the passengers must have left hours ago. He might be waiting for us at home, even now.”

But her mother would not be dissuaded. “I thought I heard his voice, Rose. I’ve been waiting for him. Won’t you ask and see if he’s there?” Agitation and worry edged her tone.

Iain glanced at both of them, and Rose shook her head. The risk was too grave. “Not just now, Mother.”

Before they could help her into the carriage, Iris broke free and hurried toward the ship. Rose was about to follow, but Iain caught her hand. “Wait.”

There, on board the ship, stood her brother. He looked as if he hadn’t shaved or cut his hair in months, but Iris was laughing and weeping as she embraced him.

“He’s alive.” Rose could hardly believe it. James looked as if he’d been to the ends of the earth, but seeing him here made her throat constrict with happiness. An invisible burden of worry lifted from her shoulders, and Iain helped her up the gangplank.

Her brother embraced her, and after a good hug, Rose pulled back, wrinkling her nose. “James, I do love you, but you need a bath.”

“I am so thankful you are home,” Iris murmured.

Her brother’s gaze passed over to Iain, and he offered a questioning look. Rose smiled and said, “James, this is Iain Donovan, the Earl of Ashton. The man I am going to marry.”

Hours later, Rose felt as if her life had been upended and scattered like marbles rolling across the floor. James was home now, but only after he’d delivered Matthew Larkspur, Lord Arnsbury, back to his own residence. It wasn’t clear what had happened to his best friend, but Rose had caught whispers of imprisonment and torture. James had made her swear not to tell Lily.

“I don’t want her to intrude upon his reunion with his family. She needs to let him acclimate to being home again. He’s not the same man she remembers.” James’s tone held weariness, and he sent a kindly smile to their mother, who was still holding his hand.

“She’ll go to him, no matter what you say.”

Her brother shrugged. “Not until the morning. Grant the man a night of sleeping in his own bed.” He eyed Iain. “Just as you should go to your own bed. And not my sister’s.”

“Do
not
act like a beast, James.” She didn’t like his insinuation.

In answer, Iain took Rose’s fingers in his, rubbing them lightly. “In due time,
a chara.
”

The sensation sent an unexpected ripple of warmth within her. She stood from her chair and was startled when her knees swayed.

Iain caught her and held her steady. “I can see myself out, Rose.”

She knew she should say yes. But there was still blood upon his shirt, and his lip had swollen up from where he’d been struck at the docks. She felt the need to tend his wounds and delay his departure a little longer.