the dunes startled them apart.
‘It’s Ducray and my men from Headingly .’ He waved one arm, unwilling to remove the other
from his beloved. They began to walk towards the rescue party, reluctant to
re-join the bustle of reality.
Soon Penny was warmly wrapped in
rugs, sitting in the back of the carriage that had come from to find them. They
had no need to talk; they were content to bask in the warmth of their shared
affection. Even the discomfort of sticky, damp clothes didn’t intrude in their
oasis of happiness.
‘What will happen to the balloon?
Will they bother to collect it?’
‘The wagon will be there already. It’s odd how close to home we are, I felt as though we
were in a foreign land.’
‘The last two people on earth, I
know exactly what you mean.’ She stretched up and pushed a strand of hair from
his forehead. ‘It’s remarkable they found us so quickly, but I’m glad they did.
I cannot wait to bathe and change into something dry.’
His eyes teased her. ‘I was
rather hoping we would have no need of clothes, dry or otherwise.’
She giggled. ‘Ned, you’re
impossible. Our narrow escape doesn’t give you leave to take advantage. Such
things must wait until we’re man and wife. Can you imagine what Aunt Lucy would
have to say on the subject?’
‘Shame! But I’m having the banns called today. We shall tie the knot in three weeks.’
She slipped off his lap,
attempting to arrange herself demurely on the squabs.
‘You look like a sea nymph, or a
mermaid, with your hair loose like that.’ His eyes darkened and he prepared to
join her. She shook her head as the carriage began to slow.
‘I’m relieved your guests are
still safely in their beds. I’ve no wish to be seen looking like this. I shall
return to my room for a hot bath and intend to rest until noon.’
The carriage
rattled to a halt and two footmen opened the door and lowered the steps. They
kept their eyes firmly to the ground; they had obviously been warned not to
stare. Ned climbed out first and his expression was no longer that of someone
whose life had been a miraculously saved. He looked fierce, and fury flickered
in his eyes. Damnation! He must mask his feelings better.
‘Ned?’ She sounded worried.
‘Yes,
sweetheart? Is something wrong?’ He reached in and gripping her firmly
around the waist lifted her to the ground.
‘No, everything is splendid. I
can hardly believe it’s still so early and yet so much has happened to us. I
shall never take anything for granted again.’
Her smile made him wish she was
prepared to throw convention to one side and agree to share his bed tonight.
‘Lady Dalrymple already knows
we’re safe. No doubt she will wish to visit you in your chambers as soon as
you’re ready.’
She hurried inside
trailing rugs and water behind her. Ned stood, unable to take his eyes from her
until she vanished. She was his life and the bastard who had almost taken her
from him was going to regret it.
‘My lord, I have a bath ready.’
The quiet reminder from his valet
refocused his attention on the present. ‘Yes, I’m coming presently. First I
have some urgent business to attend to.’
His intention was to find his men
and start investigating how the anchors had been loosened. The near tragedy
would be referred to as an accident; Penny had been frightened enough by the
experience.
He didn’t wish her to know
someone had deliberately tried to kill them. He would deal with it – his way.
He found Reynolds, one of the four men he sought, examining the holes in the
lawn. ‘God damn it! Where are the others?’ He didn’t enjoy traipsing round the
place in search of his minions.
‘They’re already investigating
what took place here, my lord.’ His face was grave. ‘This is a nasty business.
Someone came out here last night and loosened the ground. How many of your
guests knew you were intending to take Miss Coombs for a flight this morning,
my lord?’
‘None of them. Lady
‘It’s Ducray and my men from Headingly .’ He waved one arm, unwilling to remove the other
from his beloved. They began to walk towards the rescue party, reluctant to
re-join the bustle of reality.
Soon Penny was warmly wrapped in
rugs, sitting in the back of the carriage that had come from to find them. They
had no need to talk; they were content to bask in the warmth of their shared
affection. Even the discomfort of sticky, damp clothes didn’t intrude in their
oasis of happiness.
‘What will happen to the balloon?
Will they bother to collect it?’
‘The wagon will be there already. It’s odd how close to home we are, I felt as though we
were in a foreign land.’
‘The last two people on earth, I
know exactly what you mean.’ She stretched up and pushed a strand of hair from
his forehead. ‘It’s remarkable they found us so quickly, but I’m glad they did.
I cannot wait to bathe and change into something dry.’
His eyes teased her. ‘I was
rather hoping we would have no need of clothes, dry or otherwise.’
She giggled. ‘Ned, you’re
impossible. Our narrow escape doesn’t give you leave to take advantage. Such
things must wait until we’re man and wife. Can you imagine what Aunt Lucy would
have to say on the subject?’
‘Shame! But I’m having the banns called today. We shall tie the knot in three weeks.’
She slipped off his lap,
attempting to arrange herself demurely on the squabs.
‘You look like a sea nymph, or a
mermaid, with your hair loose like that.’ His eyes darkened and he prepared to
join her. She shook her head as the carriage began to slow.
‘I’m relieved your guests are
still safely in their beds. I’ve no wish to be seen looking like this. I shall
return to my room for a hot bath and intend to rest until noon.’
The carriage
rattled to a halt and two footmen opened the door and lowered the steps. They
kept their eyes firmly to the ground; they had obviously been warned not to
stare. Ned climbed out first and his expression was no longer that of someone
whose life had been a miraculously saved. He looked fierce, and fury flickered
in his eyes. Damnation! He must mask his feelings better.
‘Ned?’ She sounded worried.
‘Yes,
sweetheart? Is something wrong?’ He reached in and gripping her firmly
around the waist lifted her to the ground.
‘No, everything is splendid. I
can hardly believe it’s still so early and yet so much has happened to us. I
shall never take anything for granted again.’
Her smile made him wish she was
prepared to throw convention to one side and agree to share his bed tonight.
‘Lady Dalrymple already knows
we’re safe. No doubt she will wish to visit you in your chambers as soon as
you’re ready.’
She hurried inside
trailing rugs and water behind her. Ned stood, unable to take his eyes from her
until she vanished. She was his life and the bastard who had almost taken her
from him was going to regret it.
‘My lord, I have a bath ready.’
The quiet reminder from his valet
refocused his attention on the present. ‘Yes, I’m coming presently. First I
have some urgent business to attend to.’
His intention was to find his men
and start investigating how the anchors had been loosened. The near tragedy
would be referred to as an accident; Penny had been frightened enough by the
experience.
He didn’t wish her to know
someone had deliberately tried to kill them. He would deal with it – his way.
He found Reynolds, one of the four men he sought, examining the holes in the
lawn. ‘God damn it! Where are the others?’ He didn’t enjoy traipsing round the
place in search of his minions.
‘They’re already investigating
what took place here, my lord.’ His face was grave. ‘This is a nasty business.
Someone came out here last night and loosened the ground. How many of your
guests knew you were intending to take Miss Coombs for a flight this morning,
my lord?’
‘None of them. Lady
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