Regardless, Kendal could scarcely stand the idea of her suffering in such a fashion any more than he could the idea of her belonging to another man. Especially one she did not want.
He pulled her into his arms and held her there for a long moment before kissing her deeply, claiming her. She returned his kiss with a fire that matched his own as if needing to confirm for herself that they were both safe.
Desperate with need, they stumbled toward the wall, where he lifted her skirts as her thighs came up around his waist. While their couplings before had been slow and sensual, this was hard and fast, both needing comfort, reassurance.
Their cries rose up in unison until they slid down together, languid with the aftereffects of their passion.
Kendal brushed a loose tendril of honey-colored hair from Sophia’s face.
She smiled up at him with flushed cheeks. “Are we still to be wed today?”
“If so, I must say we’ve gone about it in quite the opposite fashion once more.” He let his fingertip drift lazily over her collarbone.
“The consummation can still follow.” She grinned. “Again.”
His blood immediately went hot. “You wicked woman.”
“So says the wicked earl.”
Ah yes, there was that. Obviously, his membership would need to be forfeited now. Not that he had any complaints. He liked the men well enough, of course, seeing most of them as brothers.
But Lady Sophia Stopford, soon-to-be Sophia Merrick, Lady Kendal—oh yes, she was entirely worth it.
“Shall we go marry, my love?” he asked.
“Yes.” She beamed up at him.
He straightened and pulled her to her feet. “The priest said he’d be at the kirk all day.”
“Then let us go sooner rather than later.”
And after a quick freshening up and straightening their rumpled clothes—Sophia’s requiring several stitches to be right and tight once more—they did exactly that. They arrived at the kirk as presentable as was possible after traveling and nearly dying, all in one day.
The ceremony was swift as they made their vows to one another, each speaking from the depth of their soul as they were joined together forever in spirit as they already were in body. Once they were pronounced married as attested to by the two witnesses who had once helped Kendal sneak whisky from Scotland to England, Kendal drew Sophia toward him and kissed his lovely wife.
He grinned down at her. “You have made me want everything I never thought to need, Lady Kendal.”
Sophia beamed with delight. “As you have done with me, Adolphus.”
He grimaced at the use of his Christian name and led her from the cool, quiet kirk. “Is that entirely necessary?”
“Oh, it most certainly is.” She put her hand on her hip. “In fact, how could you not tell me your name was Adolphus?”
“You never asked,” he said dryly.
“Well, I think it is a fine name.” Her hand slid into his. “For a fine man.” She repeated his name again, saying it slow and sweet, “Adolphus.”
Never had he thought of his name as being anything other than dastardly. But never had he heard it on her lips. Never had he considered himself a fine man, either.
His heart thrummed for this woman who had so set his preconceived notions on its ear and made him want to be the man she saw him as.
“What is it?” she asked, evidently sensing the change in him. “Do you honestly hate your name that much?”
He shook his head. It wasn’t his name, though he would still never forgive his mother for it any more than he would her other transgressions.
The words he wanted to say to Sophia were on the tip of his tongue, near the edge of a vulnerability that should scare him.
Live your life.
They stopped before the carriage that would take them back to the hotel. Not the dismal one where the innkeeper had allowed Sophia to be snatched from him after a few glittered coins were tossed his way. But to a finer establishment, one befitting an earl and his new countess.
“I love you, Sophia,” he said.
She blinked up at him, her blue eyes widening. “You do?”
He reached up and stroked his hand down her soft cheek. “I know I did not come after you of my own volition but doing so has altered my life in the most wonderfully unexpected way. You’ve shown this boring, stodgy earl how to enjoy life. To open my heart.”
“Boring, indeed.” Her eyes sparkled, and she put her hand over his chest, directly over his heart, which belonged entirely to her. “I love you too.”
Her gaze met his. “You’ve shown me that I’m not losing my life by marrying but am enhancing it in ways I never thought possible. I love you…” She gave him a coy look, “Adolphus.”
And while he relished those words on her lips, he wasn’t quite certain he could grow used to, or even like, his Christian name. Even coming from her delectable lips.
Until later, that was, when their bodies were locked in the throes of passion, joined with love. She had moaned his name as she found her release and made “Adolphus” sound like the most beautiful thing in all the world.
They left for London the next day to face their families and the shock of the ton. But beyond that, there was something unexpected and wonderful that neither had anticipated looking forward to during their chaotic cat-and-mouse game through England and into Scotland: truly being together, not only as husband and wife but as a man and woman in love.
17
As exciting a journey as Sophia had on the way to Scotland, she had a far better experience on the way back. Which, ironically, afforded her about as little sleep.
Their days were spent in the carriage, sharing stories from their youth and about their families. Their nights, however, were spent in a different form of learning, through exploration and sated curiosity.
In the end, it took three days longer to return to London than it had been to finally travel to Glasgow, yet neither of them offered a single complaint. When they finally arrived at Gullsville House on Harley Street, Sophia found herself wishing they had delayed a few more days.
Kendal put his hand over hers. “Please allow me to speak on our behalf to your father.”
It was a tempting offer. But one she knew she couldn’t accept.
She folded her fingers over his and shook her head. “I can’t but am so grateful for the consideration.” She drew in a fortifying breath. “I must do this.”
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.” The way he said it—the way he looked at her—not only now, but always, spoke of the truth behind his words.
The door to the carriage swung open to reveal a drizzly day. A perfect setting for reuniting with her father if ever there was one. Kendal offered her his arm and led her to the door, where they discovered they weren’t the only ones to have just arrived.
Aunt Nancy filled the doorway with a shriek of delight when she saw Sophia and raced toward her. “Lord Kendal, you found her.”
Her gaze swept between them, on the closeness of their proximity and how Sophia held onto his arm. Aunt Nancy put her hands to her chest. “And you married her.” She gave a wistful sigh. “I knew you would be just perfect—”
“Is that my Sophia?” The familiar baritone of Father’s voice broke through Aunt Nancy’s excitement.