Page 44 of The Smuggler’s Escape

“Even if they really are smugglers, Dick?”

Richard sighed. “Those were the days, eh?”

“Yes, and now that you’ve blabbed about them to my errant flock, how can I expect them to heed sermons on the evils of drunkenness?”

They slipped into reminiscence as they slowly crossed the churchyard. Daniel turned more than once to Noelle in an attempt to include her, but Richard never so much as looked her way.

As they reached the gate, Daniel said in a low voice, “My dear Miss de Vallon, if there is anything I can do, please let me know. Regrettably, I haven’t shown much courage where your uncle is concerned, but if he does refuse you shelter, I will not allow his censure to prevent me from offering you aid.”

Noelle began to thank Daniel, but Richard rudely interrupted.

“Very nicely put, Dan, but completely unnecessary. She’s merely being mulish. I’ve sent for a special license. Sooner or later she’ll agree to marry me. I’ll roust you up at midnight if necessary to tie the knot before she can change her mind again.”

Noelle flounced through the gate, but then she had to wait by Snowflake for Richard to help her mount.

They rode slowly down the street. In French, Richard said, “Feel free to apologize whenever you’re ready, my dear.”

“I’m not your dear, and you were rude to me the entire time we were in the churchyard, so I don’t owe you an apology at all.”

Richard raised his brows. “I’m always rude. I thought you liked it.”

“Not when you mean it in a horridly unkind way.”

They passed the alehouse in silence and entered the path in the woods. After a while Richard said, “So, you can be horridly unkind to me, whereas I must be unfailingly considerate of you? It seems most unfair, especially from one who preaches equality.”

“I didn’t mean to be unkind!” How did he make her feel as if she were the only one at fault? “I misjudged you, and I would have apologized immediately if I had had the opportunity.”

“In that case I accept your apology and offer one in return, although to tell you the truth, it’s extremely upsetting that you don’t trust me. Not only that, but you don’t believe I take you seriously. Why would I have set up that little scene in the churchyard if I didn’t?”

She got her tongue in motion. “It was a good idea, and I know you meant well, but it may have done more harm than good. Did you see how he looked at me?”

“Daniel? Yes, he has quite a tendre for you, but he’s also terrified of you, and rightly so.”

She ignored this nonsense. “Lieutenant Hale is not easily intimidated. He resents your authority, and your mockery infuriated him. He may do something rash.”

A little smile played on Richard’s face. “I do believe you’re right, my love. We, in turn, may have to adjust our plans.”

They were riding very close now under the bare trees, thighs brushing as they had the night before. “The thing is, Lieutenant Hale hates me. He is determined to catch me.”

The horses came to a halt. Richard caressed her cheek. “He’ll hate me even more, if he so much as lays a finger on you.”

In spite of herself, she leaned closer to Richard. “How did you know about the ivy on the tomb?”

“I didn’t. That was the ten percent luck I told you about.” Richard grinned down at her. “Isn’t this fun?”

Yes.

Heat shot through Noelle as she stared up at Richard. Her heartbeat’s anxious flutter mellowed to a deep, heady throb. His eyes, heavy-lidded with desire, fixed on her lips, and drew her gaze inexorably to his own mouth, half-smiling, lips slightly parted, offering a glimpse of his teeth and tongue. A memory arose, of nips and bites from those strong, white teeth, of the savor of that tongue. She licked her own lips in response.

“Trade two pinches for a kiss,” Richard said. He lowered his mouth to hers.

Oh. She drank him in like wine. Oh love, oh love, je t’adore. The kiss deepened and his tongue danced against hers, slid into her mouth, knowing, possessive and sure. Her fingers clutched tighter as she opened to his demands, her heart yielded, yes . . .

No.

She broke the kiss, realized she was clutching his sleeve, and let go in a hurry. She blew out a long breath and poured the cold water of reality over the fire that Richard had stoked once more.

Any day now, she would be arrested for spying. Fortunately for her wavering willpower, she had no choice but to leave England, and Richard, behind.