Scandal of Love Read online

  “We will see.”

  The scenery blurred in the morning light. The lush rolling green hills seemed to blend with the bright blue sky, the light causing her head to throb even more violently.

  Quinton.

  What would he think when she was discovered missing?

  She hadn’t been able to tell him she loved him. Would he think she ran away from him to be with the duke?

  Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes and thought of him, begging him to find her in time.

  With a final push of her plea, she added one last thing to her mental message to him.

  I love you.

  CHAPTER 9

  Quinton was sitting at his desk when a sudden panic gripped him. Something wasn’t right. The feeling of dread washed over him, but he had no idea why.

  “Brums!” he called out to his butler.

  Quickly entering the room, Brums looked a bit flustered from his lord’s loud summons. “Yes, my lord?”

  “Is anything the matter with the staff?” His voice was a bit hoarse. A sweat broke out over his skin.

  “No. Not that I know of.” He looked puzzled. “Is everything all right, my lord?”

  Quinton slowly shook his head. Was he imagining it all? No. Something had to be wrong. While he had never felt this way before, he knew he wasn’t imagining it. “No. Have my horse readied at once.”

  With a brisk nod, Brums left to do his lord’s bidding.

  Donning his coat and hat, Quinton strode to his horse, determined to be off immediately. Where he was going, he hadn’t a clue.

  Sera.

  His heart raced in panic as his love’s face flew through his mind. Without a doubt, something had happened to her.

  With the speed of a devil, Quinton rode through the streets of London at a neck breaking pace, only slackening the lead on the horse when he flew off his back in front of Sera’s home.

  Banging on the door, he tried to calm himself. It was only a little past ten in the morning. By all accounts, most of the household would still be abed.

  It only took a moment before the butler answered.

  “I need to see Sera immediately.”

  The butler’s mouth flapped open and closed a few times before Quinton rushed inside the house. “She is missing, my lord.”

  He turned on his heel, quickly facing the gasping butler. “What do you mean missing?”

  “Missing, my lord, as in she isn’t here and no one seems to know where she is.”

  “How long?”

  “Just this last half hour. She was last seen walking in the garden out back before she disappeared.”

  Fear clogged Quinton’s throat, but he forced it down. He needed to think clearly. Where could she be? “Has her father begun the search?”

  The butler nodded. “He left fifteen minutes ago.”

  Quinton raked his fingers through his hair. He needed to leave quickly if he would find her. She hadn’t been gone too long. She had to be close by.

  It made sense, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. “Has this ever happened before?”

  “No, my lord. She has never left without an escort.”

  Quinton turned, quickly heading toward the door. He needed to start looking for her immediately. “Have word sent to me if she is found.”

  “Wait!” A maid cried, hurrying down the steps.

  “Lydia! Do not address an earl in such a way!” the butler scolded the petite maid that had called to him.

  She dropped a deep curtsy. “Beg your pardon, my lord. I thought you should see this.” She held out an opened letter to him. “I found this under Lady Sera’s desk. It arrived this morning.”

  Grabbing the letter, Quinton quickly read through its contents before crumpling the paper.

  Rage coursed through him. Sera had gone to Lord Bromley without an escort. It didn’t matter that the duke had asked her not to involve anyone else. He was an old suitor.

  “Notify the duke immediately of his daughter’s whereabouts. I will send word once I reach the park.”

  The butler nodded as Quinton flew onto his horse’s back. Their meeting place was nearby, making it easy to get there quickly.

  Reaching the pond, Quinton dismounted hastily. “Sera?” he called out, without an answer in return.

  He searched the area, finally seeing a broken branch in the bushes. Following the trail, Quinton found a secluded spot.

  Could they have met here? Why would Sera agree to something like this?

  The letter had been insistent. And Quinton knew Sera would have a soft enough heart to follow through with the duke’s wishes. But was there something more to her feelings? Was she in love with Lord Bromley?

  Suddenly, the sight of a pink ribbon on a different bush caught his eye. Was it Sera’s?

  Reaching out, he gripped the ribbon, bringing it to his nose. Sera’s rosy scent filled his nostrils and he let out a feral cry.

  She had left with him.

  The thought cut through him. He knew that she hadn’t wanted their marriage, but would she deceive him?

  No. He wouldn’t believe it.

  Where could they have gone? She hadn’t been gone that long and they couldn’t have made it far.

  Running back to his horse, he jumped on the surprised animal, urging it to a full gallop toward the duke’s townhouse.

  His home was an imposing white stone structure, gently aged to a glossy shine. The three stories of the building were full of large, sparkling windows and grey trim.

  Jumping off his horse, Quinton marched up the large granite steps to the double door, ignoring the riot of colorful flowers on the stoop as he knocked the over-size brass doorknocker.

  His hand flexed, twitching to punch someone, but he held it in check. He needed answers.

  The door opened slowly, a middle-aged butler standing in the doorway. “May I help you?”

  “I need to speak with the duke immediately.”

  “I’m sorry that will not be possible. He is out at the moment.”

  Quinton took an imposing step forward, but the butler didn’t seem to notice. “Where did he go?”

  Straightening a bit taller, the butler looked at Quinton from head to toe, seeming to size him up. “I’m sorry, but I don’t see how his Grace’s whereabouts is any of your business, Mr.…?”

  “Lord Devericks, the Earl of Surrant.” The butler seemed a bit more reverent once given Quinton’s title, but nowhere near cowed enough to get his answers. “I am Lady Sera Winters’ fiancé.”

  The butler’s face paled at that bit of information.

  Stepping forward, Quinton pushed through the doorway when the butler began to slam the door shut. “Where has he taken her?”

  The butler gulped, moving toward the wall furthest from Quinton. “Taken who?”

  Quinton knew he was intimidating the man, but he didn’t care. He only cared about getting to Sera. He moved slowly toward the man, like a predator stalking his prey. “Where has Bromley taken Lady Sera?”

  “I don’t know. His lordship doesn’t tell me where he goes,” he said, but Quinton saw the flicker of information pass through his eyes. This man knew where they were.

  Striking quickly, Quinton grabbed the man by his throat, hauling him against the wall. In a deadly quiet tone he said, “I’ll ask one last time. Where has he taken her?”

  The man flushed red as he gulped for air. Seeing his struggle, Quinton lowered the man to the floor, easing his grip so he could breathe. As indignation returned to the butler’s face, Quinton leaned forward. “Don’t lie to me again. You will regret it sorely,” he warned, almost growling the threat.

  “Gretna Green.” The man rubbed his throat once released. “He took her to Gretna Green to elope.”

  The man flinched when Quinton moved toward him again. “What!”

  The butler gave up all pretense of bravery and spilled all the information he had. “He didn’t think Lady Sera was happy in her engagement. He w
as sure that she would still want to marry him, so he set out to rescue her from an unhappy union.”

  Quinton didn’t wait to hear any more. Turning, he raced back to his horse. There wasn’t a moment to waste. He had to catch up to them before they got too far.

  One of the Duke of Dorchester’s men waited by his horse. Vaulting into the saddle, he called out to the man, “Tell the duke that Bromley has taken her to Gretna, and that I am following them. I will return her home.”

  The man nodded, quickly taking the message back to Sera’s father.

  Pushing his horse, Quinton stormed through London, determined to catch up with them. He wasn’t going to lose her. He wouldn’t. The only man Sera would marry would be him. He guaranteed it.

  Could she have gone willingly with the duke? Quinton shook his head, forcing out the thought. She wouldn’t betray him like that.

  Thinking of the time he had spent with her since their engagement, Quinton knew she wouldn’t do that. They had become friends. And he had fallen in love with her. No, she would never willingly go with the duke.

  But the fear was still there.

  She hadn’t expressed any feelings for him. While it was obvious they had fallen into a sort of casual friendship, she hadn’t said she felt anything stronger for him.

  Was she in love with the duke? He knew she had strong feelings for Lord Bromley, but she had told him there was no love between them, only friendship.

  He clung to her words as he rode through the city.

  He wanted her love for himself.

  ***

  The sun was beginning to set when the carriage rolled to a stop at an inn. “Where are we?” Sera asked groggily, her head only slightly aching. Looking out the window, she saw the dim light of the sun setting and jerked up. Had she fallen asleep?

  “We are stopping to change horses. We should be able to get some food while we are here as well, but we must not linger too long.”

  “How long have I been asleep?”

  “Quite some time.” He gestured to her head. “You must have hit your head quite hard. How is it feeling?”

  She rubbed it, testing its tenderness. “It only aches a little.”

  She saw relief pass over his face and she felt a little tug on her heart. Bradford wasn’t a bad man. In fact, had things turned out differently, she knew he would have made an excellent husband. It just wasn’t meant to be.

  “Good. I was getting worried.”

  He helped her out of the carriage. “I have a room ready so that you may see to your personal needs. You have ten minutes,” he said with a nod, turning to head into the tavern himself.

  She grabbed his arm before he could leave. “Bradford,” she said, speaking quietly. “I know you care for me. I appreciate you trying to help me, but you need to take me home. Everyone will be so worried.”

  He shook his head. “I wrote a letter to your father before I came to meet you. I explained what I was doing and that we would return home once we were married. It was to be delivered a few hours after we left. He should already know by now that you are safe.”

  She shook her head softly, then looked into his eyes. “Quinton will be worried sick.”

  “He is only marrying you for your money.”

  “Maybe.” She nodded sadly. “But I know he cares for me. He will worry and I can’t bear the thought of it.”

  He searched her face, the light slowly leaving his eyes. “You really do love him, don’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  “And there’s nothing I can do to change your mind? I would be a good husband to you, Sera.”

  She cupped his cheek. “I know you would, Bradford. You are a good man. I know you will make some woman really happy. That woman just isn’t me.”

  Sighing deeply, he nodded, finally accepting defeat. “I’ll bring you home. I wouldn’t wish you to suffer any further hardships because of me.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I’ll have them hurry with the horses, so we can be on our way at once.”

  Smiling, she reached up to her toes and kissed him on the cheek.

  “What’s the hurry? I hear Gretna isn’t going anywhere anytime soon,” Quinton drawled.

  Sera froze, still on her tiptoes from leaning up to kiss Bradford. Blinking rapidly, she couldn’t believe that she had heard his voice. Turning slowly, her body sighed. He had come for her.

  “Quinton?” It came out as a question, but it was really said in reverence. She was so happy he had come for her. She knew he would.

  She gathered up her skirts to run to him, but his words cut off her progress. “Please, don’t let me interrupt. It seems as if I came just in time.” His eyes blazed, cutting through her.

  Her step faltered. What was wrong with him? Could he really believe she had come willingly with Bradford?

  Closing her eyes, she realized what the scene must have looked like when he arrived. She had been kissing the duke.

  “I think you misunderstand the situation, my lord,” Bradford finally said, stepping slightly in front of Sera.

  “Oh, I think I understand perfectly.”

  Sera flinched at the bitter cold in his voice.

  Quinton’s gaze raked over her. “Should I have bothered coming after you, Sera? I could pretend that I never found you.”

  Tears filled her eyes. She wanted to run to him, have him hold her in his arms, but she knew that wouldn’t happen. He thought she had betrayed him. Ran away from him.

  His muscles were tense, rigid, almost as if he were ready to strike out at any moment. Raising her eyes to his face, her stare blazed into his green eyes. “Bradford, would you mind leaving us for a moment?” she asked, keeping her eyes locked with Quinton’s.

  “Are you sure that’s such a good idea, Sera? He seems quite upset.”

  She nodded. Continuing to look at her fiancé, she couldn’t help seeing the grin Bradford did little to hide. “I’ll be in the tavern if you need anything.”

  Neither Sera nor Quinton answered him before he left. A few minutes passed without a word, both staring at the other.

  “You can’t possibly think I would run away with him, could you?”

  He shrugged, but still looked tense. “You looked quite cozy with him when I arrived.”

  She sighed in exasperation before walking closer to him. “He had just agreed to take me home.”

  His startled look made her want to laugh. His eyes looked into hers, probing her soul. “Do you mean it? You were coming back to London?”

  She nodded, finally reaching out to him. “I was coming back to you.” She stepped into his arms.

  A grin cracked his lips. “You mean you don’t want to become the Duchess of Wathersby anymore?”

  She pretended to think it over. “Well, a duchess would be nice.” Seeing the smile wipe off his face, she laughed. “But I would much prefer to be the Countess of Surrant.”

  Tucking his tongue in his cheek, he said, “I think I could arrange that.”

  She laughed, flinging her arms around his neck. “I love you.”

  His arms tightened around her waist, his whole body leaning into her. “Say it again.”

  Leaning away from him, she looked deep into his eyes. “I love you, Quinton.”

  His whole body relaxed as he rested his forehead against hers. “I might have been a little worried that you ran off with him.” His hand cupped her neck, their lips almost touching. “I love you, Sera. So much it hurts.”

  With a cry of happiness, she rose up the rest of the way to his lips, placing hers firmly against his.

  He groaned and the sound shot to the depths of her soul, speaking to her more strongly than words ever could.

  They embraced in the fading light, locked in each other’s arms, their love uniting them as one.

  Quinton kissed her again and again, one kiss fading into the next. Sera had never felt so wonderful, so complete in her whole life. Everything finally settled into place. This is the man she would marry. This is
the man who she would love for the rest of her life and beyond. She never wanted to part from him.

  “Let’s go to Gretna Green,” Quinton said, breaking their kiss. “I don’t want to go another day without you as my wife.”

  A surprised laugh escaped her lips. “But what about my family?”

  “They knew that I was coming after you. It won’t take them long to realize what we’ve done.”

  She laughed again, but the idea wrapped around her soul and made her glow. She could be married to Quinton by tomorrow night.

  Quinton looked back at his horse. “Do you think Lord Bromley will let us borrow his carriage?”

  A sly smile crept to her lips. “I think he owes it to us.”

  “So, what do you think?” He looked into her eyes, begging her to say yes.

  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she gave him another quick kiss. “I say yes. Take me to Gretna Green, Quinton. Make me your wife.”

  She saw his grin before he swooped down, kissing her again, claiming her entire soul.

  Pulling away, he took her hand, tugging her toward the tavern. “Come.”

  “Where are we going?” she asked with a laugh.

  “To speak with Bromley so we can leave.”

  “Now?”

  “Now.” He nodded firmly.

  As she trailed behind him, she couldn’t help but smile. She had found love, and she would never, ever, let it go.

  *****

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  MASQUERADE SECRETS (SCANDALS & SECRETS - BOOK 2) - EXCERPT

  CHAPTER 1

  London, 1835

  If boredom could bring tears, Lady Aubrey Langston would be crying buckets by now. She sat in the parlor, sipping tea with other women of the ton as they waited patiently for the men to rejoin them after they finished their after-dinner cigars and brandy.

  The meal portion of their evening had gone well, although the conversation had been quite dry. Why she was forced to endure such tedious company was beyond her. It was just the way society worked.