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“Blake? Oh, Blake!” She threw herself into his arms. “I thought I would never see you again.”
He crushed her to him and held with all his might. “Caroline,” he gasped, “when I saw…When I heard…”
“I thought you were dead. Oliver said you were dead.”
Blake clutched at her, still unable to believe that she was safe. He knew he was holding her too tightly, that her tender skin would bruise from the force of it, but he couldn't let go. “Caroline,” he said hoarsely, “I have to tell you—”
“I didn't leave Seacrest Manor!” she interrupted, her words coming out in a rush of air. “I swear it. I wanted to, but I didn't because I didn't want to betray your trust. But then Oliver snatched me, and—”
“I don't care.” He shook his head, aware of the tears rolling down his cheeks but completely at the mercy of his emotions. “I don't care about that. I thought you were going to die, and…”
She whispered his name and touched his cheek, and he was undone.
“I love you, Caroline. I love you. And you were going to die, and all I could think—”
“Oh, Blake.”
He held on tight to her arms, his entire body strangely off balance. “All I could think was that I would never be able to tell you, and you would never hear me say it, and—”
Caroline placed a finger against his lips. “I love you, Blake Ravenscroft.”
“And I love you, Caroline Ravenscroft.”
“And I don't much love Carlotta De Leon,” James grunted. “So if one of you is inclined to help me, I'd like to tie her up and be done with her.”
Blake broke away from his wife with a sheepish expression on his face. “Sorry, Riverdale.”
Caroline followed and watched as the Spanish spy was bound and gagged. “How do you mean to get her up the hill?”
“Oh, bloody hell,” James muttered. “I certainly don't want to carry her.”
Blake sighed. “I suppose we could send out a boat tomorrow.”
“Oh!” Caroline exclaimed. “That reminds me! I nearly forgot. I saw the people on Oliver's boat before they sailed off. It was Miles Dudley, just as we thought. I didn't recognize the other man, but I'm certain if you apprehend Mr. Dudley, he will lead you to him.”
At that moment, Chartwell skidded down the hill. “What happened?” he asked.
“I'm surprised you didn't see it all from the safety of the cliff,” Blake said bitterly.
But James's face lit up. “No, no, Ravenscroft, don't scold the lad. He's just in time.”
Chartwell looked suspicious. “Just in time for what?”
“Why, to guard Miss De Leon. We'll send out a boat to fetch the both of you in the morning. And while you're at it, you can pull those two bodies out of the water.”
Chartwell just nodded, knowing he had no choice.
Blake looked up the hill. “Damn, I'm tired.”
“Oh, we don't need to go up the path,” Caroline said, pointing east. “If you don't mind walking a half mile or so down the beach, the cliff disappears, and it's a relatively flat walk to the road.”
“I'll take the path,” James said.
“Are you certain?” she asked with a frown. “You must be terribly weary.”
“Someone has to fetch the horses. You two go ahead. I'll meet you on the road.” And before either of the Ravenscrofts could argue, James had taken his leave and was scrambling up the steep path.
Blake smiled and tugged on Caroline's hand. “Riverdale is a very smart man.”
