Vice took both her hands in his. “Listen. We haven’t seen any sign of the carriage. Not in hours. For all we know, they veered off the North Road ages ago.” He wrapped his arms about her, pulling her close. “I didn’t want to give up either but Crusher’s carriage is lighter and faster than this beast.”
Ada shook her head. She couldn’t give up on Grace. “But they’ll have to stop eventually and we can catch up.”
Vice pulled her into his lap. “Listen, love. Baderness is not like other lords. He grew up in the slums of London. He was a street fighter before he was a lord. The man never seems to tire. Never gives up and is tougher than the rest of us combined. If anyone is going to get Grace, it’s him.”
Ada couldn’t help it. The tears she’d been holding back most of the day began to fall. She was tired and frightened and Grace was in so much danger. “I have to help find her, Blake. I’ll never forgive myself.”
He nodded. “I understand. We’ll stop in the next town. We’ll ask if anyone saw the carriage. Get food, change the horses.”
“All right.” Then she snuggled her tear-streaked face deeper into the crook of his neck. “Thank you for helping me.”
“Ada,” he crooned, his voice like a caress. “It’s me who should be thanking you.”
“For what?” she asked, lifting her head again.
He held her face in his hands. “For being so strong. They’re wrong about you. You’re not a frightened bird at all. You’re thoughtful and careful, but showing good sense is different than being afraid. Never forget that.”
Those words filled her heart more than anything anyone had ever said to her. “Do you truly mean that?”
“Every word,” he answered, then his lips captured hers.
She loved her cousin but Grace’s barbs in front of everyone had
cut her deeply and Blake’s support now was like salve on a wound. As his lips moved over hers, she lost herself in that kiss. “You are one of the finest men I know.”
He drew in a sharp breath, his hands holding her face tighter. “You don’t have to say that. Agreeing to marry me was enough.”
Her brow crinkled in question. “Have to say that? What do you mean?”
His face spasmed, his gaze casting down. “I’m named Vice. I told you, I was rejected by the first woman that I asked to marry me because of my loose morals. She said—”
“Stop.” Ada understood but she didn’t believe it. Not for a moment. “It’s your turn to listen to me. She never looked deeper and that’s her loss. Because underneath the practiced lines and the sky-blue eyes is a good man. The sort that saves women at parties, and launches overnight rescues, and marries a woman to save her reputation.”
“So you’re not sorry to marry me?” His voice shook as he searched her eyes with his own.
“Sorry?” She smiled warmly and then she leaned down to place a light peck on his lips. “I’m honored.”
He closed his eyes, sagging deeper against her. “Swear to me that you mean it.”
“I mean it,” she replied, wrapping her arms about his neck.
Their bodies crushed together as he captured her mouth again, kissing her over and over. And when he slanted her lips open, she eagerly parted, ready for a taste of his tongue. They both groaned as the kiss deepened, growing more intense with each passing swipe of their mouth.
“Beg pardon, my lord,” the driver yelled. “But we’re approaching a village.”
Slowly, Blake withdrew. “We’ll stop,” he called back.
All of Ada’s worries that she’d managed to forget for a moment came rushing back. “I hope this is the right decision.”
“Me too,” he replied. “But we’ll have to put our faith in Bad.”
* * *
Vice held Ada close as they exited the carriage. He needed her by his side because he was worried for her safety but also because he couldn’t bear to be separated from her now.
He swallowed. Did she really mean what she’d said? His fingers tightened at her waist. Ada didn’t lie.
If she were a different sort, he might weep for the joy of being at her side. How had he ever thought her less? She was more of everything. More love, more kindness, more beauty inside and out.