Chapter 17
From Fear to Forever.
Alice could not stop shaking. Lill had taken one look at her and bundled her out of Alfie’s clothes, dressed her in her warmest nightgown and wrapped her up in a thick blanket.
Now, sitting before the kitchen range with a cup of chocolate heavily laced with brandy held in her hands, Alice was still cold.
Lill sat on a stool before her, rubbing Alice’s feet with a soft towel to warm them.
The room was silent save for the crackle of the fire.
Everything was familiar, cosy and safe, and she had come so very close to losing it all.
Alice lifted the cup of chocolate, but her hands trembled so hard she almost spilled it.
Silently Lill reached out, steadying her hands while Alice took a sip.
She sighed, relishing the warmth uncoiling in her belly.
Alice glanced at her friend. Lill’s blue eyes were red from crying.
“I thought I was going to die.” She looked away from Lill and stared at the fire but only saw a dead man’s eyes burning in the flames.
“I’m so glad I didn’t know what was happening. It’s bad enough now, knowing you’re h-here, safe and sound,” Lill said, her voice unsteady. She returned to rubbing Alice’s feet, but glanced up, her eyes full of fear. “He’s really dead?”
Alice nodded. All she could see was Silas’s harsh features, his mouth drawn into a grimace, his sightless eyes glassy, the smell of his blood thickening the air around her. She shivered again. “He’s dead.”
Silence enveloped them once more, so quiet Alice could hear the clock on the mantelpiece in the parlour ticking. A sudden crack from the fire made her jump, her heart racing all over again. She took a deep breath.
“But who really killed him?” Lill’s voice was little more than a whisper, as if she hardly dared voice the question.
Alice closed her eyes, relishing the soft warmth of her nightgown, the lingering taste of brandy and chocolate on her tongue.
Safe. She was safe. Though she never wanted to think of the events of tonight ever again, she recalled the shadowy figure holding the smoking pistol, his pale hair gleaming in the lamplight.
“If I had to guess, I’d say it was Boreas.
He fitted the description I’ve heard, anyhow. ”
Lill’s expression of wonder would have been funny if Alice wasn’t still vibrating with terror.
She leaned closer. “Did you see his face, then? They say he’s fair as an angel and wicked to his core.”
Despite everything, Alice laughed. “Trust you to think that the most important detail, Lill.”
Lill shrugged, unrepentant. “I always had a soft spot for highwaymen. The handsome rascal what steals your purse and your kisses at the same time.”
“He’s a smuggler, not on the high toby,” Alice objected, pulling the blanket tighter around her. “But yes, I suppose he was handsome, in an unearthly sort of way. Dangerous, too. He didn’t hesitate to shoot Silas.”
“Why did he do it?”
Alice had pondered this at length since it had happened and there was only one reasonable explanation.
“From what I hear, the dowager has always dealt fairly with the smugglers. Live and let live, and she’s ensured Hawkney doesn’t interfere either, which is quite a feat.
Silas meant to kill us both, Lill, and I think Boreas knew who Aubrey was.
Besides which, Silas isn’t hard to peg as a villain.
Any fool could figure that much, and Boreas is no fool. ”
“So, he’s not such a villain, then? If he was willing to risk himself to save Aubrey.”
There was a hopeful note to Lill’s voice.
Alice narrowed her eyes. She knew too well what terrible taste the woman had in men.
“Don’t even think about it. Pretty he might be, but I won’t have you getting tangled up with such a dangerous man.
We’re free of that life, both of us. We’re going to be dull and respectable from now on. ”
Lill snorted. “You? Dull and respectable?”
Alice glowered at her. “Well, as close as I can reasonably get,” she said crossly.
“A Bambury tale if ever I heard one,” Lill muttered under her breath as she tugged Alice’s slippers back on, setting her feet on the stool as she stood up.
She looked down at Alice, smiling fondly as she reached out and tucked a short curl behind Alice’s ear.
It was a familiar gesture, reminding Alice of so much shared history that she wanted to cry.
“That’s close enough, pet. You’ll marry your handsome knight, and we’ll all live happily ever after.
Or else,” Lill added, wagging a stern finger.
Alice nodded. “Or else.”
A knock on the back door had them both almost leaping out of their skins, staring at each other in shock.
“Who’s there?” Lill called out, her voice shaking.
“It’s me, Aubrey.”
Both women let out a sigh of relief as Lill bustled to the door and snatched it open. “Bleedin’ hell, are you trying to scare us both to death?”
“I apologise. It’s only, I must see Alfie. I want to be certain he’s unharmed.”
Alice smiled, pleased by his words, and hearing the concern in his voice, though Lill was keeping him out on the doorstep and she could not see him.
“Let him in, Lill,” she said, setting her cup of chocolate down.
Obligingly, Lill stood aside and Aubrey came in, closing the door behind him.
There he stood. Large and solid and so very alive.
The tears that Alice had managed to stem for Lill burst from her, and she flung the blanket aside, running into his arms and burying her face in his chest.
“I’ve got you,” he said, his voice choked as his arms tightened around her. “I’ve got you, and I shall never let you go. Lord, above, I daren’t let you out of my sight. I… I thought I would lose you.”
“Sorry.” The word was muffled against his expensive waistcoat, silky and luxurious from the feel of it against her cheek. “Sorry. I’m s-so s-sorry.”
He held her tighter, almost crushing the breath from her. “I know. I know it, you reckless, foolish creature. But mark me well, Alice. If you—or Alfie—ever put me through a scene like that one ever again, I’ll murder you!”
Alice sniffled and gazed up at him, ready to promise him anything, she was so grateful they were both alive.
“I-I imagine you n-never want to see Alfie again,” she said, the words uncertain as she clung to him.
His stern features softened, and he stared down at her, one large hand cupping her face, his thumb wiping away a tear that slid down her cheek.
“I would never ask that of you, nor want it either. I’d miss Alfie too much.
I only ask that you keep out of danger and take no foolish risks.
Remember, my heart is in your keeping now.
I expect you to take care of it for me.”
Alice, who could count the occasions upon which she had given into tears on one hand before the past few weeks, sobbed harder. If only he had been angry and shouted at her for putting them in such danger, she could have withstood it, but such gentle understanding was her undoing.
Aubrey searched for his handkerchief and handed it over, gazing at her and looking utterly wretched.
“Ah, please, don’t. Stop crying now. I can’t bear it. We’re both safe. Silas Mourney won’t trouble you or anyone else again, and Hawkney has given us his blessing. This is a time for celebration.”
Though it took considerable effort, Alice got herself under control again, making good use of Aubrey’s handkerchief.
“That’s the second handkerchief you’ve stolen from me,” he observed with a wry smile. “Little thief.”
“You’re the thief,” she countered thickly. “You stole my heart and never gave it back again.”
He grinned at that, looking pleased with himself. “And I never shall.”
They stood staring at each other, neither of them able to find words. Aubrey finally broke the spell, glancing around.
“Where did Lill go?”
“Up to her room. She’s not stupid.”
Aubrey laughed softly. “She’s a terrible chaperone.”
“Thank heavens. Come to bed.”
Aubrey stilled, such shock in his eyes that Alice could not help but grin.
“You said we’d be married as soon as possible, but I nearly died tonight. We both did. Nothing is certain, Aubrey, but I’m so glad to be alive. Show me how glad you are too.”
He shifted, his dark brows tugging together and she could almost hear the internal battle he waged, his desire to do as she asked warring with his gentlemanly instincts.
“Please, Aubrey. I’ve never been so scared as I was tonight. I need you to chase the shadows away.”
He let out a frustrated groan. “Dammit, Alice. What the hell am I supposed to say to that?”
“Yes,” she whispered, reaching up on her toes to press a soft kiss to his mouth. “You’re supposed to say yes.”
“Yes,” he muttered, gathering her close once more. “Yes. Yes, yes, yes, my beautiful darling.”
Alice, not about to give him the chance to change his mind, pushed out of his embrace and crouched down. “Take your boots off. You’re not exactly stealthy, you know.”
He grumbled but did as she asked. Though Alice knew Lill would never judge her for inviting Aubrey to her bed, that her friend might hear him clumping up the stairs and know the reason made her uncomfortable.
Far better Lill figure it out in the morning when she tripped over his boots in the kitchen.
Either way, Alice was in for a good deal of ribbing over the coming days.
Alice took his hand and led him from the kitchen, creeping up the stairs. Aubrey would never make a burglar, she thought ruefully, as his every step seemed to make the house creak, but they made it to her bedroom without too much noise, and she closed the door with relief.
Lill had made up the fire to ensure Alice stayed warm after her ordeal, and it blazed cheerfully, casting dancing shadows around her bedroom. It was snug, the bed inviting, bathed as it was in a golden glow.
Alice turned to face Aubrey. He stood watching her, a little wary, as if waiting for her to change her mind. She wouldn’t, but he needed to be certain of that.