Rescued by a Duke (13 page)

The purplish color of Garrett's face stopped her words. He clenched and unclenched his hands, appearing ready to beat someone senseless. Surely not her?

Garrett stomped toward them, his boots pounding the floor. He leaned down, pried Lucien's arms from around Sasha, digging his nails into his brother's skin. Small red half-moons indented Lucien's wrists, reddening more with each passing second. He would have bruises there tomorrow. Sasha didn't care.

She scooted off of Lucien's lap and Garrett whisked her up, held her tightly. His breath was rapid, his chest heaving against her shoulder. She buried her head beneath his chin as tears slid down her face. Why, oh why had Lucien done that to her? Would Garrett now view Sasha negatively? They'd seemed to be getting closer. Was that ruined now?

He carried her into his study, slamming the door shut behind them with his boot. She gasped. What would become of her? Would he insist she leave the premises today, even with her injury not completely healed? What if she'd been reinjured by the fall? As it was, she couldn't even take a single step on her own without falling!

They reached the settee. Would he set her down as before and step away? Rant and yell, berating her behavior? But wait… what was he doing? Garrett sat down with her still held in his arms, on his lap. Sasha widened her eyes.

Garrett drew her close. The thrum of his heart beat out a quick rhythm on her cheek. "I'm so sorry, Sasha. Are you hurt?" He rocked her back and forth. He was apologizing? What had
he
done wrong? It was his dastardly brother who deserved a beating.

She bit her lip and frowned. "You're not angry?"

"I am beyond angry. But not at you. All of my anger is toward
him
."

"How did you know?"

"I know my brother's heart. It is black as the night. He and I have never been close or even gotten along well, especially not as adults."

Sasha snuggled close and closed her eyes. "Oh, I'm so relieved. I thought you would blame me."

He chuckled. "No, my darling. Even though I've only known you for a short time, your pure, kind heart is evident. I'm sorry if you thought I was upset with you. But I can understand how you would. I was so angry. I couldn't help my reaction."

"I'm relieved you're not angry with me." Calm washed over her. It drove away, at least for the moment, the sadness of losing her brother. She'd never thought it possible, but this man had the sweet gift of kindness to do that for her, to give her joy, even if it was for but a moment.

If circumstances demanded she wasn't to stay in his house once she was healed, the thought of him, the memories she'd carry, would warm her in coming weeks and months, as she ventured out on her own in the cold, harsh world of uncaring strangers.

Garrett pulled away slightly, his moist sea-green eyes boring into hers. He touched her cheek with his fingers, making tiny circles on her skin. Leaning closer, he placed his forehead against hers and sighed. Rocked gently, Sasha was lulled into a near-slumber. This man cocooned her in safety. Freedom. Freedom to enjoy life in this moment, no matter what the future held for her. If he asked her to leave that day, that minute, she wouldn't trade the warmth he gave her now.

He pulled away a second time. Yes, Sasha knew,
knew
what was to come, though she'd yet to experience it. Something in her inner being, something that could only be experienced by a woman, whispered soft messages to her heart.
It's time. Time for a kiss. Time for love
. He leaned closer. His lips on hers, soft and warm, tasting of male want. Need. Desire.

She pulled him close, not a whisper of distance between them, and wrapped her arms around his neck. His collar-length hair tickled her fingers, his skin coarse and rough, unlike her own. Her heart raced, pounding against her ribs. Arms and legs quivered. Fear? Excitement?
Both.
Garrett deepened the kiss, his tongue tickling hers She gasped and then ran her fingers through his hair at his temples, tugging gently, massaging his face, neck, shoulders.

Such joy. Such perfection. She'd dreamed of her first kiss since she'd watched her parents kiss when they'd thought no one could see. Her dreams fell flat in comparison. Lips pressing lips became a hot spark of want rushing through her veins, racing across her body as if seeking a place to catch fire. In Garrett's arms, she
was
the most desirable woman ever created.

A draft whispered across Sasha's arm. Her skin, hot with desire, now cooled. Cold bumps danced along her flesh. She frowned, resenting even a slight interruption to their perfect kiss. It needed to last forever, because nothing ever had, or ever would be as wonderful.
Why is the room cold?

A loud gasp. A quick step.
What…?

"Certainly his grace will not explain
this
away as helping someone in need with an injured leg."

Sasha jerked away from Garrett. He groaned. She whipped her head around and focused on the doorway. There stood Lady Johnsing. Pointing. At them.

****

Garrett lifted Sasha off his lap and onto the settee, making sure she was settled before he stepped away. He stood and faced the older woman. Anger surged through him, bubbling in his veins. Why, of all moments in time, did the meddlesome woman have to barge in
now
?

Lady Johnsing sniffed into her blue lacey handkerchief. "I'm so glad your dear mother didn't live to see this display of wanton lust, your grace. It's so unseemly. So uncivilized."

Garrett held up a hand. "Now just a moment, my lady. To this point, I've tolerated your habit of barging into
my
home for the sake of your relationship with my mother. In the past, it was just a minor irritation. But
this
—"

"
This
is inexcusable. Having witnessed what I have between you and this…. woman, it behooves me to demand you two now marry."

Sasha sucked in a gulp of air. "Marry?" she squeaked.

Garrett stepped toward Lady Johnsing. "You have no right to—"

She straightened her spine, glaring at him through half-closed eyes. "As a lady of noble birth and your mother's closest friend, I have every right." She leaned around Garrett and stared at Sasha, shook her head and frowned and then peered back at Garrett. "That young woman will now be branded as a—"

Garrett pointed at her, his finger just inches from her nose. "Watch what you say."

"You know what she will be branded as if you do not marry her."

He leaned toward her, clenching his teeth. "Which would only happen if you told someone."

Lady Johnsing idly waved her fan. "But I must. It is my duty as a responsible member of good society."

Garrett crossed his arms and tapped his boot to the floor. "And I believe you would do it, wouldn't you?"

Her eyes met his as she blinked, looking the part of an innocent, not the troublemaker she was. "Of course. It can be no other way."

It was true. Lady Johnsing saw herself as the keeper of all proprieties when it came to anyone associated with the
ton
. Even though Sasha wasn't in that category, the fact that Garrett had taken liberties with her would indeed brand her. Even men of lower standing wouldn't take a second look at her now with what had happened. And Garrett had no doubt Lady Johnsing would delight in telling everyone she came across. But maybe if he appealed to her friendship with his mother…

"My lady, you and my mother were so close, almost as sisters would have been. Is there no way for this…" He pointed back toward the settee. "… to be kept from the ears of the
ton
?" Garrett hated the thought of putting Sasha through the horror that often resulted from the beau monde's treatment of wrongdoers.

"Certainly. One way. And you know what it is."

He nodded. "If we marry, you won't say anything."

"That is correct."

Garrett raised his shoulders in a shrug. He had been bested. Not that he was at all unhappy with the prospect of marrying Sasha; far from it. It just wasn't how he would have chosen to go about it. He had wanted to court her, lavishing her with flowers and sweet words, introducing her to London society and giving her a lavish wedding. Raising his gaze to his mother's friend, he blinked. "So be it."

Thud
. Garrett whipped around. Sasha resided on the floor, her boots tangled in the hem of her dress. Her mouth hung wide open and her eyes were as large as walnuts.

Garrett rushed to help her up. "Are you hurt?" He wrapped his arms around her, steering her back toward the settee.

Sasha, still standing and held close to his chest, peered up at him, her face pale, her breath ragged. "Did you say w-we'd be married?"

"Yes, darling. It's the only way."

"But—"

Garrett shook his head. He whispered, "Not now."

Sasha eyed Lady Johnsing and glanced back at Garrett. Then she nodded. Garrett guided her backward onto the settee. He straightened and pivoted to face the older woman again.

"My lady, if you wouldn't mind, I wish to finish this conversation with my
fiancé
. In private." He crossed his arms and waited.

Lady Johnsing curtsied. "Certainly, your grace. Just be sure to let me know when the blessed event will be." She exited the study in a flurry of ruffles and lace.

Garrett paused. The front door opened and closed Satisfied they were alone, Garrett returned to sit by her on the settee.

"Garrett, is it true?" She grabbed his hand tightly. "Must we now marry?"

He sighed. "I'm afraid so. There is no law that says we must, but it would be for the best." He tilted his head. "Would it be so distasteful? Being married to me?"

Sasha widened her eyes. "Oh, of course not! I just… it's just—"

"Not what you were expecting?"

"Yes. And…" Her chin dropped to her chest.

"What?"

"I'm not worthy to—"

He placed his finger beneath her chin, raising her face toward his. "Don't. Don't say that. The
ton's
ridiculous rules say one thing, but I know another. Just because you're not from a prominent family means nothing to me."

"It doesn't?"

"No." He glanced away, then back. "I wanted to… ask you anyway, before all of this."

"You did?" She leaned closer.

He nodded. "Although our acquaintance has been brief, I find myself falling more in love with you each minute. It matters not that we have only known each other a matter of weeks. You are the woman of my dreams. You are the other half of my heart."

"Oh, Garrett, I never dreamed…"

He took her in his arms, determined to kiss her again. Soundly. If anyone else walked in on them, he had a good mind to shoot them.

Chapter Ten

Garrett sat in his study. Alone. He'd left the door open on purpose. If and when Lucien returned, Garrett wanted to catch him before he got near Sasha again. She was resting in her bedroom after the eventful day they'd both had.

He sighed. Even if Lucien learned there was to be a wedding, it would not stop him from trying to woo Sasha away. Garrett was
determined
he not find out until the event was past. What was he to do about his wayward brother? There had never been an ounce of decency in the man. It would have pained their parents to discover what their youngest had become. Maybe it was a blessing they had not lived to see this day. Lucien had been a strong-willed child, but they had assumed he'd grow out of it when he matured.

Therein lay the problem. Lucien had never matured. He still acted as if he were a young man with no responsibility to anyone. If he hadn't learned that lesson by now, would he ever? Garrett shook his head. Something needed to be done. He just wasn't sure what.

The one thing he did know, however, was that Lucien was no longer welcome. He'd never shown the slightest interest in it or its acres of land and the many tenants who needed their assistance. In fact, he left it at every opportunity, whenever he fancied finding a new woman in a different town or district. He'd stuff his clothes in a trunk, ask Garrett for more money, and breeze out the door. It had been his habit for so many years that Garrett had grown numb to it, glad to shove money at his brother as he watched him glide out the door. Again.

No, it would not do anymore. Not with Sasha here, and she was here to stay. Garrett grinned.
Sasha
. His wife. It certainly wasn't how he would have liked it to come about, but maybe he should be grateful to nosy Mrs. Johnsing, after all. Because of her rudeness, Garrett was soon to marry the most wonderful, beautiful woman he'd ever met.

The front door creaked open. Garrett stood, ready to do battle, if necessary, to force his brother to leave. Lucien passed by the open doorway.