Forsaking the Prize (The Wild Randalls 2)

When Blythe saw her bag secured, she stepped into the carriage and pulled a blanket over her knees. The innkeeper’s wife set a heavy wicker basket at her feet. “You’ve a g

ood man there. My best to you both.”

Tobias climbed in, gave her a queer look and thumped the roof of the carriage to get them underway. Across from them, Oliver closed his eyes and grew still.

Tobias smiled, his eyes glowing with a warmth that filled her soul. “You found him.”

“We found him,” she corrected.

His lips curved into a wicked smile. “See, I told you we needed to work together.”

Blythe laughed. “I’ll allow you to be proud of yourself for a little while.”

He chuckled and caught her hand in his, lacing her fingers together. “When we get back to Romsey there will be questions to answer. What do you want to say about us being together? Mercy and Leopold could be worried. We’ll have been gone two days without a chaperone.”

A pang of disappointment threatened her good mood. “I imagine we should stick to the facts. We had an idea about where Oliver might have been, but didn’t want to raise anyone’s hopes without better reason. You insisted on accompanying me so I came to no harm, and it turned out to be a good thing as you rescued Oliver from a burning building this morning. I think they will be so distracted by the last and Oliver’s return that they will not ask too many more questions.”

“And if the subject of where either of us slept last night comes up? What should I do? Propose?”

Blythe stared at him as he licked his lips. She’d known that if word of their journey came to light that there would be gossip and an assumption of an arrangement existing, especially by her sister. Mercy would likely pressure Tobias into marriage. However, Blythe did not want to be proposed to under those conditions. She’d married the last time because of love and she’d only marry again if such a state existed. However, when it came to Tobias Randall, she had no idea if his thoughts aligned with hers on the subject of the reason to marry. “Then I hope you will be a gentleman and say you slept elsewhere.”

He smiled and kissed her brow. “I can do that for you.”

Blythe let out a relieved breath. It would be better for both of them not to be forced together just because of one night. Even if it was a very pleasant, very exciting night. Blythe laid her head on Tobias’ shoulder and he shifted until she was in his arms. She would miss being able to do this when they returned to Romsey. There would be no excuses to linger in what she now knew to be merely a storeroom. What would Tobias say if he knew she’d been yearning for the pirate to visit her bedchamber even before they had spent last night together? Her bedchamber window wasn’t locked.

Twenty Eight

Tobias stepped down from the carriage and held out his hand. “Home sweet home.”

Blythe’s small hand touched his and sent his pulse racing as it had frequently done on the return journey. He had thought he would grow accustomed to her after the long hours alone with Oliver’s sleepy company to dampen his yearning. But the more time he spent with her, the more he craved.

Every time she smiled, his heart lurched. “I thought we would never arrive.”

He helped her out, but didn’t immediately let go. He was not quite ready to give her up and be a proper gentleman yet. “Was it a long trip? I never noticed.”

“Are you cured then?” Her breath created steam in the cold night air, reminding him that he was keeping her out in the elements longer than he should.

He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “I had the perfect distraction on hand to make the journey seem unimportant.”

Oliver cleared his throat and Tobias let her go, remembering he’d promised to behave. He checked that the coachman had unlashed Blythe’s bag, and directed the driver of her chaise toward the stables. As the smaller carriage disappeared from sight, he glanced at the abbey door. It swung open, and Blythe’s hand slipped from his.

Wilcox hurried out. “Sir, my lady, you’re back?”

“Of course I’ve returned. And we’ve important news.”

“Very good, sir. Welcome back, Lady Venables. I hope you’ve had a pleasant journey. Her Grace will be eager to know you’ve returned.” He picked up Blythe’s bag and carried it up the stairs without looking back.

Alarm bells rang in Tobias’ mind at Wilcox’s mild tone. They’d been gone two days without leaving word behind. It was a miracle a search hadn’t been organized.

He glanced up at the façade of Romsey Abbey. Every window’s shutter was closed tight. No light seeped out into the night.

Blythe tugged on his arm. “Tobias, I have a very bad feeling.” Her hand slipped into his, trembling.

He’d come to trust her instincts as well as his own. “I agree. We don’t know what’s going on inside.” He caressed her cheek. “Stay close to Oliver and say nothing about his identity until we know what’s afoot.”

“All right.” She turned to the carriage. “Oliver?”

“Wilcox is hiding something,” Oliver said without preamble.