The door lock clicked and they moved through the crowd of people, stepping into the much cooler hall. “Emily,” his voice was rough. “Please say you believe me and that you still intend to marry me.”
She tipped her head back to stare into his warm brown gaze. Her heart fluttered the way it always did when she looked at him. Lifting the domino from her face, she held his biceps, trying to draw strength from him. “I’m sorry, Jack. But I can’t.” She shook her head. “It’s not that I don’t love you or even believe you, but you’ve lied to me for months. What other lies will I discover should I marry you?”
Chapter Three
Jack may as well have been cut open, his insides spilled on the floor. “There are no other secrets.”
Emily shook her head again, the pain in her eyes stabbing into his chest. "Of course there are. I still don’t have a clue what you do here.” She shuddered against him. “I’m tired, Jack. Take me home and we’ll finish discussing this in the morning.”
His head screamed no. So did his heart. He wanted to keep her here until he’d convinced her that she was making a mistake. “Of course,” he answered. “I’ll pull my carriage around and we can discuss this as we drive. Where is your vehicle?”
She shrugged, her eyes closed. “Circling about, I think.”
He turned back to the room of silent onlookers and gave a stiff nod. Passing the guard who’d allowed the women in in the first place, he ordered, “My carriage.” The man was about to have a very bad night.
Behind him, he heard the rustle of skirts as men silently led the ladies out onto the street. Their carriage already waited by the front door near the mouth of the alley. The men began handing the ladies in one by one until only Emily remained on the cobblestone street.
“Em,” Diana called from her seat. “We’ve made room.”
“I’m riding home with Jack,” Emily said, not looking at anyone. “We’ve a few details to discuss yet.”
“No,” Minnie and Daring said at the same moment.
Daring cleared his throat. “I think it best to get the women home without any further incident.”
“I agree,” Minnie said, sticking her face out the door. “He could do anything to her once they’re alone.”
Jack’s head snapped straighter. His lips thinning over his teeth. What were they insinuating exactly?
Emily looked at her sister then. “Minnie, Jack would never hurt me.” She raised her hand. “Cover for me at home if mum is still awake.”
“Cover?” Grace let out a huff. “How do you expect us to accomplish that?”
“Think of something.” Emily waved her hand as Jack’s carriage pulled up behind hers. “I’ll be along shortly. Leave my window unlocked, would you?”
“Emily,” Diana started.
“I’m already ruined,” Emily said in a sigh of resignation. “There’s no point arguing.”
Diana frowned but pulled her head back in the carriage and the footmen snapped the carriage door closed. Jack nearly slumped in relief. He needed this time alone with Emily to change her mind.
Pulling her toward his carriage, he heard the other begin to rumble away. At least her family was safe. He glanced back to the five solemn faces of his friends. He’d have to discuss all of this with them later. They weren’t likely to forget what had transpired nor was this the end. Of that he was certain.
But right this moment, he needed to focus on Emily. Handing her in, he took one final look back at his friends. Climbing in, he snapped the door behind him. “Em, please think about what you’ve said. We don’t need to cancel the wedding—”
“I don’t want to talk anymore,” she said as she leaned toward him.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m taking you home precisely so we can talk.”
She reached out and grabbed his face with both of her hands. “Jack,” she croaked. “Just kiss me.”
He didn’t need her to ask him twice. With his feet on the floor, he leaned over her seat and captured her willing lips with his own. They’d kissed before, each one passionate and intense, but this time, there was an air of desperation that had them clinging together, as he lowered his body on top of hers.
She pawed at his cravat, loosening the knot and tossing the bit of fabric on the floor. She skimmed along the bare skin of his neck.
He pulled at the buttons of his shirt even as his lips trailed down the delicate column of her neck across her chest to the exposed part of her bosom. Tugging at the back of her dress, her breast popped free of her corset and he sucked one of her nipples into his mouth.
Emily cried out, digging her fingers into his hair. He responded by doing the same to the other until both rosy peaks stood taut in the cool air.