Page 100 of Outrageous

Exley’s lips curved up minutely at one corner. “You look surprised. Did you think I would hunt you down and call you out because my daughter kidnapped you?”

Godric flushed under the other man’s cold amusement and Exley’s smile became infinitesimally larger.

“Ah,” he said, the single syllable making Godric feel like a boy of fifteen. “I can see you did.”

“You needn’t apologize for Eva’s behavior, my lord. She’s my betrothed and within a few days, weather willing, I’ll be responsible for her actions.”

Exley’s remarkable eyes narrowed at Godric’s tone. “My daughter wishes to marry you?”

He blinked at the bizarre question. “We’ve been alone together for days—and nights—and there have been multiple witnesses: postboys, Norton, two other innkeepers, the boy—Andrew,” not to mention a passel of thieves and deserters.

The marquess gave an elegant shrug. “People can develop such faulty memories when given the right incentive.”

Godric snorted with disbelief. “Are you saying you’d bribe all those people?”

“Bribe is an ugly word.”

Godric considered the fact that Flynn and all his band—not to mention Crosby—would also possess knowledge of his intimacy with Eva. Didn’t he owe the other man that information?

He thought of Eva, and the promise he’d made; didn’t he owe Eva his confidence?

“I think you should assume word has spread beyond that small number,” Godric finally said. There, that should cover Flynn and his band. “Especially now that you’ve arrived and they know the Marquess of Exley is my putative wife’s father.”

Godric knew he’d scored a solid hit when an almost imperceptible mist of red swept over Exley’s pale, razor-sharp cheekbones. Good, he should know that Godric had done a good job of concealing his daughter’s identity before he came barging in.

“All the same,” Exley said, his tone pure steel, “I will not sacrifice my daughter to any man just because there is a danger of scandal. Eva’s happiness is more important to me than our family name or her reputation.”

It was the first time Godric felt any liking for the human icicle across from him. “And you believe a union with me is anathema to her happiness?”

“Now that, my lord, I do not know. What do you think? Your recent actions would indicate you hold my family in some dislike. Such behavior does not seem propitious for a happy marriage.” He paused, but Godric had nothing to add to his accurate, if painful, assessment. “I will not force her to marry you. I will not leave my daughter in your clutches if your intentions are to punish her.”

As insults went, it was masterful.

Godric’s impulse was to retaliate in kind, but the other man had more than enough reason to believe the worst of him.

“I’m deeply ashamed of my behavior toward your family.” He hesitated and then said something he’d hoped to keep between him and Eva. “Your daughter probably saved my life by kidnapping me from the Duke of Richland’s party.”

Exley’s eyebrows rose slightly, making Godric wonder irrationally just what it took to get a real reaction out of the man. “Please explain.”

“I went to Richland’s party planning to abduct your daughter-in-law.”

“James Brewster advised me of that, Visel, but not your motivation for such an odious action. Perhaps you might indulge me with it, now.”

The only time Godric could recall feeling so imperiled before was on a battlefield.

“I have no explanation, sir.” He shook his head, his thoughts jumbled as he tried to recall his thought process during the months leading up to that night. The rage that had driven him to increasingly reckless actions. “I wish I could say I would have come to my senses, but I have no certainty of that. If Eva had not acted, I would have made the worst mistake of my life.”

A muscle in Exley’s jaw flexed “Are you aware your cousin continued with your plans, Visel?”

“Good God! You mean he took Mrs. Marlington?”

“No. I mean he took Mr. Marlington’s child and held him for ransom.”

Godric had heard of people’s hearts seizing, but he’d never believed it was true. He surged to his feet. “Bloody hell! Is the child—”

Exley held up one slender white hand, his gaudy ruby signet ring winking dully. “The boy is safe.”

Godric slumped into his chair, his heart resuming its work, now pounding so hard he could feel it knocking against his ribs.