The Smithfield Bargain: A Regency Romance (The Wolfe Family Book 1) by Ferguson Jo Ann

Author:Ferguson, Jo Ann [Ferguson, Jo Ann]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9781504009027
Publisher: Open Road Distribution
Published: 2015-03-17T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

As Bradley stepped toward Romayne, the light from the lamp on the closest table gave life to his flaxen hair. She was not mistaken! This must be Bradley Montcrief. Above his smile, his gray eyes twinkled warmly. His hands, edged by the lace cuffs of his sleeves, reached for hers. Pulling away, she shook her head. She did not want to touch a dead man.

“My sweet Romayne, you cannot comprehend the depth of my delight when I chanced to hear that you had returned to Westhampton Hall,” he continued as calmly as if she had welcomed his touch. “When I think of that harrowing night and the sight of those bridle-culls stealing you away, I knew I must not delay a moment in coming to the Hall to beg you to forgive me.”

He paused, clearly waiting for her response, but words were impossible. She continued to stare at him. His voice sounded the same. The elegant cut of his burgundy coat that he wore over a bright green waistcoat made him as much the sprig of fashion as ever. From the top of his thinning hair to the tip of his brightly shining shoes that peeked from beneath his pantaloons, he was the Bradley Montcrief she had mourned for.

This could not be. James had told her that Bradley and his man were dead and buried in the cemetery of a nameless Scottish church. James would not have lied to her about Bradley … would he? Hadn’t she already agreed to play a part in this scheme? She was unsure.

“Romayne, my sweet, sweet Romayne,” he murmured as he took her hands again. “Can it be that you find it impossible to forgive me? I vow to you that I sought you through that hellish storm, but those squires of the pad had vanished with you into the Scottish night.” He pressed his hand to the ruffles cascading from his collar. “Think of my agony when I imagined you suffering their abuse! Now to see you, so unchanged, my heart cannot begin to contain the joy within it.”

“You’re alive!” she finally managed to whisper.

“Although they left me with no carriage and no provisions, I found help. We returned to the carriage, hoping to see some sign of you. All we found was Scribner’s corpse and the remains of one of the damned highwaymen.” He hurried to add, “Forgive my crude words, my sweet.”

“Of course,” she whispered, unaware of anything she said. Bradley was alive! Then why did she feel only the emptiness she had when she had assumed he was dead? She should be deliriously happy.

“Our search for you lasted for days, but nothing led us to you. Then I returned here to give your grandfather the terrible tidings that you had vanished.” His smile faltered. “Another night I care not to recall.”

“I thought you were dead. I heard gunshots. I saw—” Her voice shattered on the razor-sharp memories.

“What you thought is over, my sweet. The nightmare is past for both of us.

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