On a Wild Night

Chapter 23

The sound jangled through the house, jangled over their nerves. They didn't look at each other but listened intently, straining to hear.

A man spoke, his voice reduced to a rumble by the walls. Joseph answered, then, faintly at first, growing more definite, they heard footsteps approaching down the long corridor. Joseph, and one other.

Like a troupe of actors with the curtain swishing up, they masked their tension, relaxing against the chaise, in the chair, assuming expressions of calm anticipation.

The door opened; Joseph appeared. Amanda held her breath.

"Mr. Edward Ashford, my lord."

Martin's expression showed nothing more than mild surprise as he rose from the chaise beside her. "Edward?" Martin extended a hand as Edward came forward, grasped Edward's without a glimmer of revulsion. "What can I do for you?"

Edward had noted them-Luc sprawled in the chair facing the hearth, Reggie on the chaise opposite Amanda. He looked at Martin. "Actually, I thought to be of some assistance here. Am I too late, then?"

It was Luc who answered, swiveling to look up at his brother. "Too late for what, Edward?"

Edward looked down at Luc; Amanda prayed Luc's dark eyes would conceal his true feelings.

Edward's expression remained supercilious. "I came to bear witness, of course." His glance swept them again. "I would have thought it obvious, in light of the gravity of the crimes in question, old though they may be, that there ought to be… disinterested spectators here when Martin receives this diary."

His tone carried his implication, the insinuation that the diary was a hoax, that Martin's innocence was a joke. Neither Martin nor Luc reacted; their faces remained impassive. Amanda bit her cheek against the urge to defend Martin; she forced herself to remain still.

It was Reggie who stiffened in outrage; she glanced at him as he shifted, disguising the reaction in a querulous movement.

Edward's gaze had gone to him; it lingered on his bandage. "You've met with an accident, Carmarthen."

Stiffly, Reggie inclined his head.

"Sit down." Resuming his position beside her, Martin waved Edward to the chaise next to Reggie-the only available seat, facing Martin, next to Luc.

"If you don't mind, I'll warm myself by the fire for a moment." Edward stepped past Reggie to stand before the hearth. "It's deuced chilly outside."

On the words, the doorbell rang. Voices sounded in the hall, then footsteps neared. A knock fell on the door. When Martin called, "Enter," Jules came in, carrying a brown-paper-wrapped package done up with string.

Martin rose; Jules presented the package to him. "The old lady wished you well."

Jules bowed, then withdrew.

Martin looked at the package, then tugged at the string. His face unreadable, he spread opened the paper, revealing the girlish diary with its fraying ribbons and faded roses. He let the paper fall, in so doing turning the book so the word "Sarah's" on the cover was visible to Edward.

Amanda glanced fleetingly at Edward; he was putting on a convincing performance of being merely-distantly-interested.

Facing the group before the hearth, Martin opened the diary, read the first page, then started turning pages, flicking to the later entries-

Edward stepped forward, wrenched the diary from Martin's grasp, and flung it facedown on the fire.

The flames flared. Amanda leapt up with a cry. Luc was on his feet, as was Reggie. Martin hadn't moved.

Amanda sank back, half kneeling on the chaise, her gaze on Edward's face. One thing to imagine, another to know. She glanced at the diary; the fire was greedily consuming the old, dry pages, turning them brown, then black.

"Edward?" Martin's voice was level, calm but cold. "Why did you do that?"

"It's obvious." Facing them, standing squarely across the hearth, Edward lifted his chin haughtily; Amanda all but gaped at his dismissive, contemptuous stance. "You two-you never think of anyone but yourselves. Have you considered what pain you'll cause others by raking up this old matter-a crime that's been judged, paid for, the case long closed? The families-the Fulbridges, Ashfords and all our connections-finished with the scandal years ago. There's no purpose in pursuing the matter now. What can you hope to gain?"

His lip curled. "You"-with his chin he indicated Martin-"were judged and found wanting ten years ago. Regardless of whether you'd committed the crime, they all believed you had, so you paid, then, for your wildness. It was your own doing." Edward shrugged. "You were deemed the right one to carry the burden of guilt." His gaze raked their surrounds, the sumptuous, expensive decor. "You've managed. No reason you can't continue to bear the load. It'll be the best thing for the family." Edward glanced at Amanda. "Even if it means you won't be able to have everything you want."

Amanda knew just how a rabbit felt when facing a snake. She'd known Edward all her life; she could barely credit the coldness in his eyes.

"So," Martin said. Edward looked back at him and Amanda breathed again. "You burned the diary because you believe I should continue to bear the odium for a crime I didn't commit to spare the family further scandal."

Edward's expression hardened. He nodded. "It's for the best."

"Whose best, brother dear?" Luc ranged alongside Martin, blocking access, to the door. "Are you sure you don't want the old scandal left alone because any thorough investigation will implicate you?"

Edward sneered. "Of course not. Everyone knows-"

"That when riding you invariably carry a crop." Luc nodded. "Indeed. Just as we now know it was you who murdered Buxton-you who found him up on Froggatt Edge, who struggled with him and drove him to the lip, wielding your crop."

For a moment, Edward's face blanked.

Luc's lips curved but his blue eyes were cold as the grave. "That's right, brother dear. The crop. Martin never had one, never needed one. You couldn't manage a horse without one. And that, all the family knows."

Edward jerked as if Luc had struck him. His lips twisted oddly, then he refocused. "Nonsense! Anyone could have picked up a crop." He glanced back at the diary, nearly reduced to ashes.

"Sarah never kept a diary, Edward."

"Heh?" Edward jerked upright, blinked at Martin, then glanced back at the burnt book.

Amanda seized the moment to edge around the chaise.

Edward saw her, but looked at Martin. "What are you saying?"

"That there never was any real diary. We let it be known there was one, and that it identified the man who raped Sarah, the same man who killed Buxton to ensure he was never brought to answer for it-"

"To ensure his reputation, which even then was all he had, wasn't harmed," Luc put in.

Martin waited, then said, "It was you, Edward, wasn't it? You who hurt Sarah…" For the first time, emotion glimmered in Martin's voice; rage glowed in his eyes. He stepped forward. Edward backed away-his boot hit the hearth.

"Can you even begin to imagine how she died?" Martin's voice steadily gained strength. "Or the pain Buxton must have suffered-before you finished him off." He stepped closer. "Let alone the anguish you caused my mother, and my father, before they, too, died?" His tone lashed as he asked, "How many lives were ruined, Edward-all by you?"

Edward gasped, looked down. Amanda saw his chest swell.

Then he vaulted the chaise, landing beside her-he shoved the chaise into Martin and Luc. She screamed and turned to flee.

Edward grabbed a hank of her hair, cruelly yanked her back, twisted his hand until she whimpered in pain. He hauled her up to her toes against him.

Click! From the corner of her eye, she glimpsed a sliver flash, then felt cold steel against her throat.

"Stand back!" Edward yelled as Martin and Luc surged to their feet. They teetered on the brink of lunging across the chaise, but stopped. Their faces, and that of Reggie behind them, registered their shock.

"That's right."

She felt Edward nod.

"Stay where you are. You don't want your latest love to die, too, do you?"

Crash!

The sound was so startling it made them all jump-the boom echoed around the room.

"You dreadful boy! Your mother wouldn't believe her eyes could she see you now. How dare you, sirrah!" Lady Osbaldestone surged forward, the tap-tap of her cane loud on the boards. The screen behind which she'd been sitting lay rocking to one side; Devil and Vane were close on her heels.

Edward gaped, frozen, as she stormed toward him.

"You're a worm, same as your sire! Should have culled you at birth. You're a blot on your household escutcheon." She halted a yard away. "Take that!"

Before anyone could blink, her cane sliced through the air and came down with a thwack on Edward's wrist.

"Yahhhh!" He dropped the knife.

Martin and Luc launched themselves over the chaise.

Lady Osbaldestone got in one good kick with her cane as she closed a claw about Amanda's arm and yanked her free, dragging her to safety-helped on by a shove from Martin-as he and Luc wrestled Edward to the floor.

Reggie watched from the chaise, egging them on.

"Hah!" Sighting one of Edward's hands groping on the floor, Lady Osbaldestone stamped on it. "Sniveling coward!"

Devil forcibly drew them aside.

The door burst open. Jules, a scimitar gleaming in his hand, his expression ferocious, rushed in, followed by Joseph. Vane quickly crossed the room to reassure them.

It was over quickly; neither Martin nor Luc were in any mood to pull their punches. Battered and bloody, Edward lay sniveling on the floor as his brother and his cousin slowly rose to their feet.

Martin turned to Amanda; Lady Osbaldestone released her with a surreptitious push. Not that any push was necessary to send her into Martin's arms. He hugged her hard, then tipped her face up and examined her throat. "The bastard nicked you."

Fury vibrated in his voice. "I can't feel a thing," she lied. The cut was stinging, but stinging was a lot better than what might have been.

The reality suddenly hit her; she sagged against Martin, glad of his strength, his solidity. He looked across the room, nodding an affirmation to Jules that all was well. He and Joseph departed. Vane closed the door.

On the instant, a furious knocking, followed by the bell pealing incessantly, heralded what sounded like an invasion. Everyone in the library froze, listening, hoping Jules and Joseph could hold the line…

That hope proved futile.

Feminine tones, decidedly autocratic, penetrated the room. Amanda knew them well. She glanced at Devil, saw his jaw harden. He looked, pointedly, at Lady Osbaldestone. Who narrowed her eyes back.

"Wasn't me," her ladyship declared. "Must be one of you two"-she waved her cane at Devil and Vane-"who can't keep his secrets."

"We haven't even seen them since you grabbed us," Vane growled.

The door opened; Honoria, Patience and Amelia swept in. Honoria's gaze swept the room. "Now this is more like it! Amanda, you are going to have an enormous job decorating all this before the wedding."

Descending on her, Honoria hugged her without removing her from Martin's embrace. "Patience-here. She's been cut and it's bleeding."

Honoria turned to Lady Osbaldestone, who, Martin now noticed, had paled; the old harridan allowed herself to be guided to a chair. Patience took over with Amanda, taking her to sit on a chair near the window so she could tend her wound. "We don't want any unsightly scars."

Martin let Amanda go, and watched, amazed. They were only three women, yet… within seconds, they'd seized the whiphand.

Amelia had settled Reggie, also rather pale, back on the chaise. She inquired after the bellpull, then crossed to tug it; when Jules appeared she ordered warm water in a basin and cloth to tend her sister's cut. After glancing at Luc, she also ordered an ice pack.

Martin looked at his cousin. A large bruise was spreading over Luc's chiseled jaw. It was from a blow Edward had aimed at Martin; Luc had intercepted it.

After one pointed look at her spouse, Honoria had dispatched him to get a glass of something for Lady Osbaldestone. Vane had been similarly dealt with, and ordered to supply drinks to all others in need. From what Martin overheard, Honoria, Patience and Amelia had worked out their plan for themselves; they'd kept watch from a carriage in the lane beyond the courtyard wall. They'd heard Amanda's scream and come running.

Having had all his hostly duties usurped, Martin crossed to Luc, still standing over Edward, prone and moaning on the floor.

"Leave him." Martin looked down at Edward. "If he moves, Lady Osbaldestone will just hammer him again."

Luc laughed shakily. "I still can't believe she did that."

"She's a terror with that cane." Vane handed them glasses, then nodded toward the fireplace. "Let's go over there-there are things we need to discuss."

Devil brought a glass of wine for Reggie. "No spirits for you, so I was instructed." Reggie humphed but accepted the wine.

Jules returned with a basin and cloths; Amelia hurried to take them, then went to help tend her sister. The men gathered before the hearth, Reggie beside them on the chaise, and got down to business: how to deal adequately with Edward, and how to minimize the social damage his perfidy would inevitably cause. The first was easy enough, the second anything but.

Then the ladies joined them, disposing themselves on the chaises. Honoria looked at her husband. "What have you decided?"

Devil glanced at Martin, then stated, "Neither the law nor society will accept anything less than banishment for life." He looked at Edward who'd dragged himself up to slump against a bureau. "He can choose where, but we'll need to see him off English soil, and that as soon as may be. Too many people knew the revelation was to occur this afternoon. A result will be expected."

Honoria looked at Luc. "You agree?"

"Yes." Luc glanced at Edward. "I'll see him on the packet myself."

"Very well." Honoria's gaze rested on them all. "Now, what about the rest?"

"That," Devil admitted, "was as far as we'd got. We need to do something to protect the Ashfords, but what…?"

Honoria humphed. "Indeed."

"Quite ridiculous," Lady Osbaldestone opined. "This business of the sins of the brothers being visited on their sisters and all others in sight, no matter how undeserved. In this case, it's quite clear the felon"-she bent a vengeful glance on Edward-"was in no way insane or unstable. He was simply rotten to the core, and that's all there is to it. An unfortunate throwback to the less admirable side of the paternal line, but you"-she pointed at Luc-"will clearly relieve future Ashfords of the taint."

Luc blinked, looked nonplussed.

Lady Osbaldestone ignored him. She looked at Honoria. "Well, my dear? You're a duchess, Amanda here is an almost-countess, and I'm not entirely without influence myself. I suggest we get busy." She glanced at the clock, sent a sly glance Martin's way. "Unfortunate timing, but I daresay you and I alone can reach enough ears to ensure that the important dinner tables hear of the wonderful relief."

The men exchanged glances; it was Devil who asked, "Relief?"

"Good gracious, man! Of course relief! Just think how unhappy the situation would have been if the Ashford girls had received offers before this dreadful business had been resolved! A positive morass of potential uncertainty has been avoided! Now those girls can come out and gentlemen can marry them with confidence that there's no rotten apple left in the family's basket, that all has been settled and everything's as it should be." Her ladyship surged to her feet. "You just have to think of these things from the right angle."

Leaning on her cane, she looked at Patience. "You know Minerva Ashford well enough, I believe?"

Patience nodded. "I'll go there immediately and explain it all."

"She's a level-headed woman for all her once-wild ways. She'll see quick enough how we mean to go about it and know just how to have her girls behave." Lady Osbaldestone nodded. "Right, then! We'd best set to."

She stumped toward the door. Everyone else sprang into action.

Martin rang for Jules; Jules summoned Joseph who with Devil helped Lady Osbaldestone out to her carriage, left waiting in the mews.

A quick discussion decided that Luc and Jules would escort Edward to Dover and put him on the packet. Vane, parting from Patience, who left with Honoria to spread the social word, returned as Edward started a moaning, carping monologue; Vane leaned down and said something-Edward shut up.

Straightening, Vane regarded Edward through narrowed eyes. "I'll come with you. You might just need an extra-totally disinterested-hand."

With that settled, Jules and Luc hauled Edward, growing more vocal by the minute, to his feet. One look from Vane and he shut up again.

Joseph arrived somewhat belatedly with an icepack. Amelia grabbed it and raced after Luc.

"Here." She caught him at the door and hauled him back. Vane took his place and bundled Edward on. Amelia framed Luc's face with one hand; with the other, she molded the icepack to his injured jaw. He winced, but she held him still. "There! Now hold it in place until the ice melts. The others can manage Edward until then."

Luc took the icepack, held it in place. His eyes touched hers.

Amelia smiled, turned him to the door and pushed. He went, pausing in the corridor to glance back at her, nod his thanks, before following the others away.

Amelia sighed, then returned to the chaise as Amanda reappeared after seeing Honoria and Patience out. Amelia glanced at her, then slipped her arm under Reggie's and helped him to his feet. "Come on. I'll have them find a hackney and you can tell me all about your head on the way home."

"Like how much it hurts?" Reggie managed a weak smile for Amanda and Martin, then let Amelia lead him away.

"You haven't even told me how you got hurt. I haven't heard all the details."

Their voices faded as they headed down the corridor. Joseph looked in and raised a brow. Martin waved him away; Joseph closed the door after him.

Martin looked at Amanda, then opened his arms. She walked into them; he closed them about her and buried his face in her hair.

Later, when night had claimed the courtyard beyond the library windows, they lay on the daybed, skin to naked skin, the fire roaring in the hearth, the platters of delicacies Joseph had brought hours before on a low table before them.

Replete, at peace, sated to their bones, they simply lay and savoured the sweet taste of happiness.

Dreamed of the future.

Martin glanced down at Amanda. She was lying on her side, facing the fire, her back to his chest, her bottom fitted snugly to his loins. He'd draped a translucent silk shawl over her naked limbs, not to conceal them but to shield her from drafts. She shifted, reaching for a canape; the silk shimmered over milk-white skin, fine-textured, sheening like satin. He'd spent the last hours gorging his rapacious senses, filling his mind with the wondrous sensation of touching her-all of her, every last inch.

Filling his soul with the bone-deep knowledge that she was his, now and forever. Filling his heart with the wonder of it all.

Bending his head, he pressed a kiss to the sensitive spot behind her ear. "Never, ever, did I believe I would have all this."

Not even prior to that day ten years ago. This, this wondrous emotion that had somehow taken over his life, had never been a part of his dreams, his expectations. Now he couldn't imagine life without it.

Her lips curved, her smile serene, mysterious, elementally feminine, but she only leaned back against him, letting her body sink against his-a wordless acceptance of what was.

He knew it, but yet… it was now he who needed more.

He nuzzled her ear. "You haven't given me your answer."

She glanced at him, met his gaze. Smiled. Lifted a hand and lovingly traced his cheek. "Do you really need to hear it in words?"

"Just once."

"Then yes-I'll be yours. I'll marry you and be your countess, and bear your children and redecorate your house. Although apparently Honoria thinks the order should be reversed."

She turned onto her back, wound her arms about his neck and drew him down for a kiss-a kiss that lengthened, deepened, opened the door to desire again, but Martin held it back, kept the fires at bay.

Eventually he lifted his head. There was one more question unresolved between them.

He looked down into her eyes, as blue as cornflowers under the sun. "You asked me before why I wanted to marry you. I gave you an answer, a truthful answer, but it wasn't the whole truth."

She stilled; he closed his hand around hers, and could have sworn he felt her heart quiver.

"I want to marry you because…"-his eyes on hers, he raised her hand to his lips, pressed a kiss to her fingers-"it's my duty to marry some lady like you, because I feel honor-bound to marry only you, because our marriage is dictated by society, and not least because of the child you may very well be carrying."

He held her silent with his eyes, pressed another lingering kiss to the fingers he held trapped. "But most of all, I want to marry you for a very simple reason-because I cannot imagine living without you."

He looked down at their hands, shifted his grip, twining their fingers. "And if that's what the poets call love, then yes, I love you. Not in myriad ways, but in one all-consuming overwhelming way. In a way that has come to define who and what I am-in a way that now forms the very core of me."

Lifting his eyes, he met her gaze. "That's why I want to marry you."

Amanda smiled mistily, freed her hand, traced his cheek. Then she drew his lips to hers and kissed him-gently, delicately, a caress as fragilely beautiful as the moment.

Then she let her lips firm, taunt-parted them when he reacted, urged him to plunder, to ravenously claim.

Gave herself up to the lion she'd snared.

And knew she'd never need more.

The marriage of Martin Gordon Fulbridge, fifth earl of Dexter, and Miss Amanda Maria Cynster, took place at a private ceremony in St. George's Church in Hanover Square four days later.

Despite the fact the ceremony was private, it was not small. All the Fulbridges, celebrating not only the resurrection of the head of their house but his nuptials as well, plus many of their connections, joined with all the Cynsters and their myriad connections, to provide a host of witnesses that overflowed the church.

Because the ceremony was "private," the Ashfords could attend without society deeming their presence in some obscure way ineligible. For her part, Amanda had insisted that Emily and Anne be present-knowing their enthusiastic anticipation had been squashed would have dimmed the happiness of her day-and Martin had had only one choice as his best man-Luc.

So the ceremony was decreed to be "private," and everyone was happy.

Giddily so-a sense of euphoria took hold in the instant Amanda walked down the aisle, beaming with exuberant joy. The light that shone in the groom's eyes was no less uplifting-the entire congregation was utterly convinced they were witnessing a marriage made in heaven.

Joy burgeoned and spread through the day, through the wedding breakfast and beyond, unmarred by any adverse occurrence. And then it was time for the bride and groom to commence the long journey to their home in the north.

As was customary, all the unmarried young ladies gathered before the coach, drawn up by the pavement in Upper Brook Street. Others filled the space around and behind them, crowding the house steps, pressing close for their last sight of the radiant bride.

A cheer rose inside, then rolled out of the front door as Amanda and Martin left the ballroom and progressed through the corridors, farewelling first family, then guests as they went, finally bursting through the front doors to a rousing hurrah, and a not inconsiderable number of helpful suggestions, mostly aimed at the groom.

Luc and Amelia, Amanda's principal bridesmaid, had escorted the happy couple to the door. They paused on the porch. Viewing the press of bodies on the steps, jostling in a seething mass now Martin and Amanda had reached the carriage, Luc touched Amelia's arm and nodded to the side of the porch, to where, beside a column, they could stand and see the departing couple clearly.

They took up their positions as Martin lifted Amanda to the top step of the coach. Clutching the frame, she laughed and turned, brandishing her bouquet. She looked up, then flung it-

Straight at Luc.

He swore and went to step back, but the column was behind him. Reflexively, he caught the bouquet. Shot a scowl at Amanda and saw her grin delightedly.

Turning the bouquet in his hands, he presented it to Amelia with a bow. "Your sister's aim is atrocious. I believe this is for you."

"Thank you." Amelia took it, looking down to hide her grin, to suppress the wicked impulse to inform him he was wrong on both counts. Then she glanced at the coach, saw Amanda blow a kiss, then wave as Martin urged her in.

Amelia smiled, saluted her twin with the bouquet-knew she understood. Knew she approved.

Amanda was married, and her own decision was made. It was her turn to snare her mate,

Luc inwardly frowned as the carriage door shut and the coachman flicked his whip. Just before he'd disappeared into the coach, Martin had looked directly at him, then smiled-an expression Luc couldn't interpret.

Then he felt Amelia's hand on his arm, instantly suppressed his habitual reaction. "We'd better go in."

He nodded and turned to follow her, grateful when she removed her hand and led the way. She glanced over her shoulder and smiled lightly. The sort of smile he'd seen a million times before. He stepped into the house, and wondered why the hairs at his nape had lifted.