Only Marriage Will Do. Jenna Jaxon

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СКАЧАТЬ what might Philippe have done if Captain Dawson hadn’t appeared? Ice needled through her veins.

      “Is something wrong, Lady Juliet?” Amiable leaned forward.

      “No, Captain Dawson. Yes. I just thought, what if Philippe finds out where I have gone and follows me to Lady Honoria’s home? What am I to do?”

      Amiable gently squeezed her hand.

      Her heart swelled and she wanted to melt into the springs of the carriage. Such a kind man, and so concerned for her.

      “I know you are frightened of him, my lady. Still, all will be well. Your friend’s family will rebuff him if he puts in an appearance there.”

      “What if he brings papers that convince the Claypools I am his wife?” Her chest tightened. If St. Cyr could produce documents showing a legal marriage, the Claypools would have no choice but to turn her over to him. She blinked back tears. Suddenly, she could not breathe.

      He pulled her across the carriage and sat her beside him, his arm around her shoulders. “The proxy marriage is null in this country and any other certificates of marriage he brings would be forgeries, would they not, my lady?” He soothed her with his low-pitched voice. “You can insist the Claypools take them to an attorney for authentication.”

      Tears spilled down her cheeks. “But what if he has been clever about it? What if they can’t tell they are forgeries? He seemed so determined this morning, I believe he would do anything to—” The scenario unfolded before her with frightening clarity. Great sobs overtook her. “I just wish my brother were here.”

      “My dear, please do not distress yourself so.” He steered her head to his shoulder.

      She struggled to get herself under control, all the while reveling in the feel of his strong arm around her, the clean scent of his clothes, and his fainter but still comforting male smell.

      He stroked her hair where her cap had been knocked askew. Her face had grown hot with crying. She must look the very devil. She attempted to sit up, to repair herself in some way.

      He would have none of it and pressed her to stillness against his chest.

      Happy to feel this closeness to him, she nestled there quite readily. “I feel so safe with you, Captain Dawson. Is that not strange?”

      “I suppose it is, my lady, as we have only known each other for about an hour. Of course,” he said, and chuckled, “we were married for at least half that time.”

      Juliet smiled at that, and a trembling seized her stomach. She’d never experienced such a thing before. She never wanted to part from him. “I begin to fear I will not be safe at the Claypool’s. I find I truly do not wish to go there, Captain Dawson. If Philippe finds me I am afraid he will manage to take me away with him, and I would rather die than have to be married to him.”

      He tilted her face and looked into it. “Is there somewhere else I can take you, Lady Juliet? Some place you will feel safe?”

      She’d feel safe anywhere with Amiable Dawson at her side. Unfortunately, she did not have that luxury. Rather the question was, where could she go and be truly safe from Philippe?

      “I would like to leave London, Captain Dawson.” Juliet hoped that didn’t sound too rash. “I’m certain Philippe will try to find me wherever I am in the city. If I leave and he is unaware of it, then I may be safe until my brother returns.”

      “Did you not say he is unlikely to return until almost Christmas?” Amiable frowned. “That is above six months, my lady. Do you have other kinfolk you might stay with for such a long time?”

      Her mother’s family in Northumberland would love to have her return. With her aunts and cousins underfoot, however, there would be no way to woo Captain Dawson. Although the long carriage ride to Barwick could be used to her advantage for them to become acquainted. As far as her safety from Philippe was concerned, Northumberland might prove a poor choice. As he would expect a woman alone to go to family, she needed a different place to hide. “Guinevere’s Keep.”

      “I beg pardon?” Amiable cocked his head and gave her a charming frown.

      “My father’s estate. He acquired it on my tenth birthday and allowed me to name it. At the time I adored Sir Thomas Malory’s Arthurian romances and so it became Guinevere’s Keep.” It had always been her favorite estate to visit. “Very romantic, don’t you think? And how apropos it seems, for my knight in shining armor will be taking me there.”

      “Where is this keep, my lady?”

      “It’s not an actual castle.” Juliet giggled, nerves breaking through her bravado. “More of a manor house. Near Wigton in Cumberland. Not far from Carlisle.”

      “Carlisle?” His eyebrows rose and his whole body stiffened. “Lady Juliet, the place you speak of is more than a week’s journey from London.” He leaned into the corner of the carriage, arms crossed. “Indeed, you forget, my lady, I am in actuality a stranger to you.”

      His lowered tone sent a shiver through her. He was right. She didn’t know him. “I beg your pardon, Captain Dawson.” She dropped her gaze to the floor, her heart beating in odd spurts. “I did not mean to presume so much. I had not thought how long the journey would take, only that it is a place I would feel safe.” She whispered, “As I feel safe with you, despite our brief acquaintance.”

      She kept her gaze trained on the black leather upholstery, hands clasped tightly on her lap. The carriage rolled on toward Honoria’s. A wonderful thought, to pursue a courtship with Captain Dawson, the most dashing man she had ever met. Pity he had seemed disinclined to flout the boundaries of convention. Apparently even a knight rescuing a fair damsel would not be above society’s reproach. Such a great pity she could not tempt him to accompany her. Days together in the carriage might have encouraged a tender feeling in him for her, one she would return in full.

      “You have family at the estate?” He no longer held his shoulders straight with such military precision. Encouraging if not exactly optimistic. He still eyed her warily.

      “No. I would not want to go where I had family, for they would be the places Philippe would expect me to go. However, to go to one of my brother’s minor estates, an estate the viscount could have no knowledge of, would confound his search, I’m sure. I believe I will be safe there until my brother’s return.”

      “The prospect of such a journey alone would likely deter the man.” The captain’s brooding stare and the almost imperceptible shake of his head persuaded her that he had been deterred as well.

      “You have been kindness itself this morning, Captain Dawson.” She smiled and put every ounce of charm into her words. “I cannot thank you enough for your help with Philippe.”

      “I am only glad I could be of assistance, my lady.” At last, he relaxed into the seat. “You will now go to your friend’s home after all?”

      “Oh, no, Captain Dawson. I will go to Cumberland.”

      “Without an escort?” Tension snapped back into his tall frame. “For eight days on the road? My lady…”

      Juliet straightened her skirts, refusing to meet his eyes. “I am sorry to so discomfit you, Captain. Yet I fear I must do as I think right in this matter. One unguarded moment, and СКАЧАТЬ