“That man wanted to grab you right of the street before me, Ivy, and was likely sent by the woman who kidnapped Jackson. Her threat was that we would be made to pay if we pursued charges against her. It seems she worked swiftly.” Which he would consider soon when he could again think clearly, as surely that strengthened his belief that Squire Ringwald could not be trusted.
“I’m sorry. I did not give the matter enough consideration.”
A gray velvet bonnet framed her face, tied with matching silk ribbons. He felt it again, that pain in his chest, but now it was worse, because just minutes ago Ivy Redfern could have been kidnapped… taken from him.
“I credited you with a great deal more sense than you are currently displaying. Clearly you have been used to doing as you wish without restraint or censure.” He was snarling now, like a rabid dog.
“That’s unfair.” The color returned to her face. “You make me sound brainless and rash. I assure you I am neither.”
He moved closer. “Your behavior today would suggest you are both those things. Especially considering both Jackson and I told you that there was danger.”
She looked like he’d slapped her.
“You could have disappeared, never to be seen again, had I not arrived when I did, Ivy. Do you understand that?”
She nodded, and he saw that the truth was hitting her hard.
“I do not want you to disappear, Ivy.” He closed the distance. “It would upset me greatly.” His anger fled as he saw the tears she was fighting to keep at bay.
“I-I am sorry. I have this furiously determined streak, and it tends to blind me to all else. I can also rationalize everything I should not be doing into something I should.”
Rory barked out a laugh. He then took her in his arms and held her close, as much for her as for him. He needed to feel her, needed to know she was safe here with him.
“Promise me you will not take such a risk again.” He cupped her cheeks.
“I promise.”
The kiss was gentle, and yet held so much. Passion, yes, but also desperation from both of them.
“We need to leave London now, Ivy.”
She nodded, and he saw the questions in her eyes, but now was not the time to answer those. When they were safe at Greystone there would be time to discover what lay between them.
“Come, we must alert your family to what has happened.”
“Oh, but—”
“They need to know, Ivy.”
“Forgive me, Rory, you are right, my behavior was selfish and irresponsible. I am not usually like that. Things have unsettled me, and I am not myself.”
“I understand that, and realize the last few days, weeks actually, have been extremely difficult for you, Ivy. But you must show caution now.”
“I will, I promise.”
“It is only because I care about you that I was so angry, Ivy. You scared me.”
“Thank you for being there, Rory.” She kissed his cheek, then walked past him out the door, leaving him to follow.
I’ll always be there for you.
Chapter Fourteen
He waited in the front entrance while they gathered their things, watching the street for anyone who may be lurking there with nefarious intentions.
As predicted, Ivy’s aunt and brother had let her know exactly what they thought of her behavior when he’d told them what had taken place outside the lending library. Chastened, she’d left the room.
He watched her stop halfway down the stairs as she noted no one but he was there.
“Ready?”
She continued slowly.
“You will like Greystone, Ivy, I promise.”
“It is very generous of your brother to invite us, Rory.”
“I hear a but?”
“I know we need to go after what happened today, and I want us to now. But we usually spend Christmas just the three of us. Often we decorate the house together and observe other traditions.”
“And you have no wish to observe any with my family?”
“It is not my intention to sound ungrateful in the face of your generosity, but surely your family wish to spend this time alone also?” Her face was serious, eyes somber.
Today someone had tried to grab her off the street outside the lending library, and that alone would have been enough to put some of the women he knew in bed for a week. But not Ivy. She was strong and resilient, just two more things in a long list for him to admire about her.
“We often have guests at this time of year. But if it eases your mind, we also decorate, and there are many events and happenings in the village that I know you will enjoy.”
“Of course.”
“Of course, none of those are the real reason you have no wish to leave London with me, are they? It is that you are confused about what lies between us.”
“You are right. I don’t understand what is between us.” She reached the bottom step where he stood, their eyes now level. “This kind of thing,” she waved a hand about, looking flustered, “is new to me.”
“I’m not used to it myself.”
Her smile flashed the dimple. “That’s good to know.”
“Leave it for now, Ivy. We can get to know each other better at Greystone. We will have plenty of time to talk there. Let us start our journey before the snow worsens or someone else finds a way to come after one of us.” Rory ran a finger down her cheek, then kissed her.
“Go and rally the others.”
She didn’t hesitate, just turned and ran back up the stairs to collect her brother and aunt.
Soon they were all loaded inside the carriages. The family in one, and the servants in the other.
“Surely it is too cold and dangerous to ride,” Ivy said as she prepared to step inside the carriage. “You would be best served in the carriage with us.”
“I like to ride.” He could also see if anyone approached them if he was on horseback. “And I have many layers on, so I will be warm. But thank you for your concern.”
She hesitated, then looked at him. “I don’t want anything to happen to you, Rory.”
“It won’t, I promise.” He squeezed her fingers softly. “In you get now, it’s cold out here.”
They rolled out of London without further incident, which relieved Rory. As the miles passed, he had time to think about just what he felt for the very sweet Miss Redfern and decided it was a great deal more than he’d felt for her last week. Added to that, it was a great deal more than what he’d ever felt for a woman before. His fear earlier, when he saw that man and couldn’t reach her, had bordered on desperation. Was that how Joseph felt for Milly?
Whistling softly to himself, he rode alongside the carriage so he could catch a glimpse of her sleeping with her face pressed to the window. Perhaps he was beginning to understand the emotion he felt for Ivy after all.
Ivy woke as the carriage lurched sideways.
“Dear Lord, the wheel has broken!”
“It’s all right,” Ivy soothed her aunt. “We have Mr. Haddon with us.”
“And me,” Jackson said, throwing off his blanket. “I am not that weak, you know.”
“Yes, you are, and if you stand about in the cold you will be more so. Stay here, and I will see what has happened, although as we are listing to the right, I think it fairly obvious,” Ivy said, opening the door.