Page 49 of The Smuggler’s Escape

Noelle glanced back at the cart. Tommy tipped his hat and grinned. A few moments later, Richard guided the curricle into the street where Mrs. Ponsonby lived.

Noelle glanced behind just in time to see the Dalbeys’ cart turn up the same street in the opposite direction.

“Where are they going?” She grabbed Richard by the sleeve. The livery stable where the Dalbeys were to drop the goods was in another direction entirely. She slewed her body around. The cart had come to a halt behind a wagon loaded with sacks of flour. “Why don’t they go around it? They can’t just sit there!”

“Perhaps their sixth sense is functioning. You’ll have to trust the Dalbeys as well as me,” Richard said. “If you don’t calm down, you’ll have an apoplectic fit before long.”

But Noelle wasn’t listening. To her horror, the door of a tavern across the street opened and Lieutenant Hale strode out.

“Stop the curricle,” she said in French, and then shrieked in English, “Stop it, you beast, and let me go!” Another exciseman joined Hale.

Richard reined in. “What in Hades?”

“Fight me,” Noelle said, in French again, and broke into a torrent of abuse in both languages, mingled with low-voiced directions in French. “Make a stir. Don’t let me get away.” She jumped down from the curricle, clutched her skirts, and dashed toward the street corner.

Richard roared, “Oh, no you don’t!” just as his mother’s carriage drew up behind them. He dropped the reins and leapt to the pavement. In a few short steps he caught up with Noelle.

He took her by the arm and she swung at him with a clenched fist. “I shan’t!” she cried, but he deflected the blow.

“By God, you will!” He swept Noelle off her feet and threw her over his shoulder. “I expect obedience from my wife!”

Noelle pounded him as she had the night before, shrieking, “I’m not your wife yet!” and “Cochon!”

Richard laughed and whacked her on the bum. She couldn’t see if Hale were watching, but amused and horrified comments told her a crowd was gathering.

Lady Boltwood’s voice rose above the rest. “Richard, how dare you! Put her down!”

Richard protested, “Dash it all, Mama, she was trying to flee!”

Lady Boltwood was close by now. “Are you completely mad? We shall settle this indoors. Release her at once!”

With an exasperated sigh, Richard set Noelle on her feet. Her bonnet was askew and her hair had fallen across her face. He still held on to one arm and spoke sternly. “Well, madam? Do you promise to quiet down and behave yourself?”

Noelle pulled off her bonnet and pushed her hair out of her face. A quick glance to one side showed Lieutenant Hale agape and the Dalbeys’ cart farther up the street.

She scowled meaningfully at Richard, who, needless to say, was enjoying himself hugely. “You’re a tyrant,” she spat. “I will never submit to you.”

Lucretia touched Noelle’s arm. In a mortified whisper, she said, “Noelle dearest, please . . .”

Richard shook with laughter, but he didn’t let go. Noelle glowered and drew back her free fist as if to punch him.

“Richard,” Lady Boltwood said, “such levity is inappropriate. Let Noelle go. Noelle, I see no reason for such histrionics over a lover’s quarrel. I expect you two to make your peace immediately.” She waved a hand at the crowd. “Have you people nothing better to do than gawk?”

The crowd made token movements of dispersal. The Dalbeys’ cart had disappeared. Captain Hale and his minion were marching down the street, perpendicular to the direction taken by the Dalbeys.

So far, so good. Noelle put on a pout. “Oh, very well. But tell him to stop being so rude to me. Tell him to treat me with respect.”

Lady Boltwood rounded on Richard. “You see? It’s exactly as I told you this morning.” To Noelle, she said, “Richard will try to mend his manners. Isn’t that so, Richard?”

“Yes, Mama.” Richard let go of Noelle’s arm and took hold of her hand. “Well, queen of my heart?”

Noelle pretended to hesitate.

Lady Boltwood’s tone was decidedly testy. “As for you, Noelle, you will command respect if your own behavior is properly respectful.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Noelle offered Richard a contrite and adoring face. It wasn’t difficult, this time. He had caught on so quickly and responded so terribly well. “I apologize, Richard.” Her heart took an uneven leap as he grinned down at her.

“As do I.” He took her chin in his gloved hand. “Now for that kiss you owe me.”

He bent his head and his lips touched hers, warmly and full of promise. His tongue teased, slipped through her parted lips, and tangled with hers. She let out a tiny moan and gave fervent thanks that they were in the street in full view of a few dozen people. Had they been alone, she would have melted into Richard’s arms and been lost.

“Excellent,” Lady Boltwood said, “but that’s quite enough.”

Noelle tried to pull away, but Richard put his arms around her and pressed his lips to hers again. Vaguely, Noelle heard laughter and expostulation, but Richard’s kiss blocked it all out. She leaned into him with a sigh of pleasure.

Lady Boltwood whacked Richard on the arm with her reticule. “Richard, if you don’t care about your own dignity, think of Noelle’s!” She began to say something else, but broke off. After a second’s pause, she said, “Oh, dear God, no.”