Page 78 of The Smuggler’s Escape

“With me?” Her voice squeaked with astonishment. No. Yes!

No. It was utterly impossible, and yet . . .

She didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t possibly come with her. She was escaping for her life under suspicion of espionage.

Oh, but how she wished . . .

“My, my,” Richard said.

She scowled at him. “What?”

“I expected an instant and unequivocal no. Can it be that you will actually agree with me for once?”

“I’m thinking about it.” She wasn’t going to France—she’d already decided that was too dangerous. But he knew Amsterdam, which was still safe, wasn’t it? The alternative, Vienna, was a much longer distance. Either way, his escort would make everything easier.

In the short run, at least, for it wouldn’t last long. When he learned why she was fleeing, he would leave her.

He would leave her anyway—he was that sort of man, as she knew from past experience.

“Why do you want to come with me?” she asked.

“I don’t, but I can’t let you go haring off on your own. It’s far too dangerous.”

Not as dangerous as hanging. “I’ll be fine,” she said. “I’m used to looking out for myself.”

He huffed. “You’re a young, beautiful woman, and you’ll be carrying a fortune in jewels.”

“And a loaded gun.”

He rolled his eyes. “For God’s sake, Noelle. Don’t be a fool. You can’t travel unescorted.” He blew out a breath. “How many times do I have to tell you that I love you? That I want to marry you. To cherish and protect you, for better or worse, et cetera.”

She didn’t understand why he wanted to marry her. This talk of love was all very well, but she couldn’t bring herself to believe it. Yes, she still loved him, but that was pure folly. Even if she could have stayed in England, she didn’t trust him enough to wed him.

Which didn’t matter, because when she told him why she was leaving England, he wouldn’t want to wed her. He couldn’t marry a fugitive accused of spying. If he did, he would have to leave England forever, too.

No, for his own safety, he would have to repudiate her immediately. Once they were on the Continent, she would explain everything to him and send him back home directly.

“Very well,” she said. “On one condition.”

He didn’t respond, so she added, “I don’t believe that you don’t care about my reasons. My condition is that I shan’t tell you where we’re going or why.”

“A surprise? What fun!” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, and this time she succumbed without hesitation. Soon, they would be parted forever.

But not yet!

She threw herself into enjoying him while she could.

~ ~ ~

Noelle woke from a deep sleep to a feeling of delicious well-being. She stretched languorously.

Then she came to full consciousness and sat up in bed. She and Richard had sneaked back into the house in the wee hours. On the way, he had tried to weasel information out of her by suggesting that he would arrange for a coach and pair. Or a coach and four, if she wished to travel more quickly.

“I’ll make all the arrangements,” she said. “Just make sure you can be ready on the spur of the moment.”

“Your wish is my command,” Richard said with a boyish grin. “I can hardly wait.”

Evidently, he thought her plans were nothing but a foolish game. Well, let him. Soon enough, he would know the awful truth.