He made a quick, dismissive gesture at the formality, then shook his head, obviously still in shock. “That’s all you have to say? You ran away from me what... eight years ago? Left without a word, broke my heart, and you’ve beenhere, less than a mile away, working forRoger, all that time?” Unmistakable pain and anguish filled his voice, which grew louder with each word.
Confusion filled her. He wasn’t making any sense. “I don’t know what you’re talking about! You sent me away,” she cried, her own voice escalating. “Youbrokeme,Luke!”
Gripping her shoulders, he backed her up and pressed her against the nearest wall, crowding her with his body, staring into her eyes as though he could somehow read her mind. His breath came fast and hard, as though he’d run a great distance, and she knew her own heartbeat pounded in time to his. His scent, sandalwood and leather, filled her senses. She stiffened, outraged by the way he was manhandling her, afraid of the storm of emotions crashing over him.
Suddenly, he gentled, his hands coming up to cup her cheeks with a tenderness that took her breath away. “I looked for you... God, I looked for youeverywhere. And you’ve been here all along? Right under my nose?”
She didn’t know what was going on, but the look of longing and desire on his handsome face was one she’d dreamed of seeing for so long...
“I missed you,” she whispered, losing her inner battle to remain strong. “When I close my eyes at night, I still dream of you, of that summer we spent together.”
He held her gaze for a second longer, obviously seeing the truth there, and then he slanted his mouth over hers. The second their lips touched, the passion that had always been between them reignited, an explosion of fire and emotion.
Lucien devoured her mouth, his tongue tangling with hers, stealing her breath and all thought. The years fell away, and they were once again young and in love, with their whole futures ahead of them. She groaned into his mouth and wrapped her arms around him.
The sound of a throat clearing behind them sent an icy rush of reality through her, giving her the strength to pull away.
Mrs. Rockwell, the head housekeeper, stood a dozen steps away, her thin nose vibrating with outrage. “Miss Pratt! Move away from the gentleman immediately. Go to the kitchen. I’ll deal with you shortly.”
Cold fear washed through Serenity as she leaped to do Mrs. Rockwell’s bidding. What she’d done was a firing offense, and the housekeeper had never liked her much anyway. She’d only taken a few steps when Lucien reached out and grabbed her arm, his elegant fingers closing around her wrist in a vice-like grip.
“No!” he said, his voice snapping with anger. “She stays. Here. With me.”
Serenity looked up at him, stunned and confused, but his gaze narrowed on the housekeeper. “I need to know where Winters went and how long ago he left.”
His imperious tone made Mrs. Rockwell swallow and nod nervously. “The earl said he and Lady Allison were going to Dover, then on to Calais.”
“Did Lady Allison seem willing to go with him?” Lucien demanded.
Serenity wondered what this was all about. Lady Allison was Luke’s half-sister, from his mother and Winters’ father, conceived when Luke was thirteen or fourteen years old. Since she was also Winters’ half-sister, Luke’s panic didn’t seem appropriate. Much as Serenity disliked Winters, she didn’t think he’d ever hurt the girl.
Mrs. Rockwell slowly shook her head. “The young lady was sleeping when they left, my lord. He carried her out to the coach himself.”
Lucien cursed softly beneath his breath. Then he turned to Serenity. “You’re coming with me.”
Serenity shook her head. “What? Absolutely not! I have a place here. You’ll get me fired.”
“You’re already fired, Miss Pratt,” Mrs. Rockwell snapped, regaining her dignity. “Without a reference, I might add. You may gather your things.”
“Ma’am,” Serenity cried, aghast. “I don’t have any place else to go.” She’d been in service here for seven years; she had no family; she had nothing but this place, however much she might hate it.
Lucien swung her around to face him, his eyes intense. “I don’t know what’s going on, I don’t know how you ended up here, and I don’t have time to figure it out right now. What I do know is that I lost you once, and I’m not letting you out of my sight until we have a chance to talk. You’re coming with me, and we’ll work everything else out later.”
“You can’t tell me what to do,” she cried, pulling out of his grasp. “You gave up that right a long time ago.”
“No,” he said, his voice laden with frustration. “I didn’t give you up! That’s what I’m trying to say. I didn’t... I would never have given you up willingly!”
They stared at each for another long moment, and a thousand thoughts raced through her head. She didn’t know how what he was saying could be true, but how could she walk away from him without at least listening to his side of the story? She’d just been fired, for pity’s sake; it wasn’t like she had many options.
“All right,” she whispered. “I’ll go with you.”
* * *
AFTER PRESSING ROGER’Shousekeeper until she told him everything she knew, Lucien waited impatiently for Serenity to gather her things. He’d wanted to go with her, just to ensure she didn’t disappear again the moment she was out of his sight but had somehow restrained himself. When she returned, with a pitifully small bag that obviously held all her worldly belongings, he breathed a sigh of relief and once again took her hand, needing this physical connection to reassure himself he hadn’t imagined her.
Once outside, he assisted her up into his coach, his pulse still hammering in his veins at her nearness. He swung up after her, seating himself across from her in the vehicle’s plush interior, relaxing back in the padded seat as he eyed her from head to toe.
The girlish softness he’d once known had given way to the lovely, sculpted features of a woman. Her green eyes were large and rimmed with dark golden lashes, her nose small and her mouth full and still a little swollen from his kisses. Her blond hair, coiled tightly on her head, was the pale, silky color of moonbeams. He’d always thought her brave, but he sensed she’d hardened at her core.
