Page 59 of Almost a Countess

With a look that spoke of his regret,Mr. Perry handed him the lantern then turned the key in thepadlock. “I’ll send a maid down with some blankets, my lord,” hewhispered. “And help yourself to that bottle on the back bottomshelf. It’s the best in the cellar.” With a nod, he left, and Finnsettled himself down to wait for the morning, pondering whatexactly that would bring.

Chapter 24

“Finn.”

The sound of Dora’s voice brought himinstantly awake. His darling stood before the bars, a thickblanket, a pillow, and two glasses in her hands. “Are you allright?”

He rubbed his eyes and stretched. “Imust have dozed off as soon as everyone left. What are ye doinghere? I thought I told ye tae get yer rest.”

“Not when I could bringyou a little comfort.” She passed him the blanket, which wentthrough the bars easily. The pillow was a different matter. Theyhad to flatten it as best they could until it finally squeezedthrough. Dora looked at the glasses then at the bars, and sighed.“I’m sorry, my love.”

“Nae matter, sweetheart.”Finn had spread the blanket and propped the pillow up against thewall. He strode to the wine rack Perry had pointed to and snaredthe bottle from the bottom. “Tae him that will, ways are no’wanting.” Finn wrenched the cork from the bottle and tipped it upto drink. Quite a good vintage. Perry hadn’t lied. He righted thebottle and sighed. “Making sure nae cork got intae your glass. Holdit out.”

The neck of the bottle went throughthe bars easily, so he poured her half a glass then raised thebottle. “Tae us, my love. A rocky start afore our marriage mustmean smooth sailing after.”

“Amen to that.” Sheclinked her glass against the bottle.

“How did ye get pastGates?” He assumed Scarlet wasn’t standing the watch, and the othermen weren’t currently fit to do it.

“Mr. Perry gave me all theitems then drew him away to give me time to slip down here. I onlyhave a short while, and Mr. Perry will send down a maid with morelinens. That will be my signal to return.”

“Good man, Perry. Wheneverwe come through Grantham on our way tae London, we will give himall our custom.”

“That’s a sweet thought,Finn.” Her voice was strong, but she hid her eyes. Worried, nodoubt, about what tomorrow would bring.

“Here, sit on the step andI’ll sit next tae the bars sae I can see ye.”

“Nonsense.” She settledright down on the cold hard stone, next to him, and took his hand.“I came to be with you, not sit on a cold step.”

“Ye are the most wonderfulfiancée in the world, my dear.” Finn cupped her cheek. “Try no’ taetrouble yourself about tomorrow. When we arrive at the garrison,Scarlet will have tae turn me over tae the major. Then I’ll be safefrom the lieutenant.”

“But the major will haveto try you, Finn. You broke the law.” Her face screwed up as shetried not to cry.

“And ye will go tae Londontae fetch my uncle. He will bring a solicitor and this entire messwill be straightened out. And nae matter how much I wish tae killScarlet, I have restrained myself sae far. This trouble will seemlike a bad dream in a few days, and then the only thing we needworry about is obtaining yer father’s consent for ourmarriage.”

“You make that sound likea fait accompli.” She leaned her head against his shoulder.“I assure you, it is not.”

He slipped his hand through the barsto caress her delectably soft earlobe. “Uncle Abernethy willaccompany me when I go tae ask for yer hand. No one has ever bestedmy uncle in any deal. He will make sure that we are married as soonas possible.”

“A speciallicense?”

“Of course. But at St.George’s church.” His hand strayed down to cup her cheek. “I wantnae one tae say our wedding wisna fashionable.”

“No one woulddare.”

She turned to him, and their lips met,the taste of her making him wild that he could not touch her, couldnot hold her close once more. Cradling her head, he turned it untilthey melded and became as one. He slid his tongue into her waitingmouth, loving the soft feel of her, the sweetness of the wine thatlingered there. An intense longing came over him, an ache thatcould only be satisfied by the woman he was kissing. God, but itwould be an eternity until they could be together. “Och, this istorture, mo chridhe. To have you so near and yet no’ be abletae hold ye in my arms.”

Dora nodded. “I’m sorry now we didn’tspend last night in each other’s arms. At least we would have hadthat memory to comfort us.”

“Nae, love.” He shook hishead. What he wouldn’t give to have made her his own. “’Twas theright decision tae wait. If things go awry tomorrow, I’d no’ wishtae leave ye alone tae bear the shame if ye did quicken with myseed.”

She jerked her head up. “They cannotkill you for wearing that wretched kilt. The law is quite clear. Atworst you’d be put in prison for six months.”

“And I doubt they allowprisoners tae marry while they’re serving their sentence.” He fixedher with a keen eye. “I’d no’ want us tae have tae marry wi’ ye sixmonths gone wi’ child.”

“Well, that certainlywon’t happen now, will it?” She softened her voice and stroked hischeek. “We can scarcely touch one another through these bars, soI’m sure we cannot indulge ourselves tonight even if we wishedto.”

“’Tae him that will, waysare no’ wanting.’ Still, I believe ye’re right about that, moleannan.” He kissed her palm. “But dinna call it a ‘wretched’kilt, if you please.” Finn chuckled. “’Tis my father’s kilt, and Iwas proud tae wear it. Will be proud tae wear it when we wed,too.”