Emma stepped into the foyer, started at the sight of the men standing just inside, then froze. Uncle Silas and Lord Windham stared back at her. How had they found her? What would they do? Good God, she’d not told Aaron the whole truth, yet. Her heart somersaulted. Now there would be no time.

Before she could determine what to do, Uncle Silas stepped forward and took hold of her arm and yanked her toward the door. “You have had your fun. Now it is time you do your duty.”

Emma pulled her arm back, attempting to gain her freedom. “Release me.” She turned defiant eyes on him. “Let go, or I’ll scream. I swear I will.”

“I could not care less if you do. I am your guardian and you are betrothed to Windham. You belong to us.” He said, his tone low, dangerous.

She shrank back like a cornered animal, digging her heals in as he pulled her toward the door. “No. You can’t—”

“Shut your stupid mouth before we shut it for you.” Lord Windham took her other arm, helping Uncle Silas to propel her toward the door while Aaron’s butler watched with wide eyes.

Knowing not what else to do, Emma released a blood curtailing scream. Perhaps Aaron would not save her, maybe he would not, but she had to try. She could not allow Uncle Silas to take her and marry her to Windham without a fight. Now mere feet from the door, she screamed again, so loud that it made her ears ring.

Uncle Silas slapped his hand over her mouth, tugging her harder.

Her heart beat so hard she feared it might explode causing her to perish on the spot. A fate she’d prefer over becoming Lord Windham’s wife. “Do not let them take me,” she yelled at the butler, desperation plain in her voice.

The butler found his courage and slammed the door shut, stepping in front of it. “I am afraid you will have to speak with His Grace before you are allowed to remove Miss Baxter.”

Lord Windham let go of her only to grab the butler by his lapels, pushing him against the door. “You do not give me orders.”

“What is the meaning of this?” Aaron stepped into view.

She moved her gaze to the floor boards when he moved to stand in front of them, his face all hard lines and anger, though she recognized a flicker of betrayal glinting in his eyes.

He ripped Uncle Silas’s hands from her, turning the man to face him. “Explain yourself.”

Uncle Silas squared his shoulders, notched his chin. “Miss Baxter is my niece and I am her guardian. Further, she is betrothed to Lord Windham. I have every right to take her back and enforce the contract we signed.”

Aaron met Emma’s gaze causing her heart to tumble.

She stared back, her lower lip quivering, hands shaking. “Please.” It was all she could do to speak the word to him and she desperately hopped it was enough to persuade him.

He turned back to Uncle Silas. “I am afraid you have it all wrong. Emma belongs to me now.”

Lord Windham came forward, his face flaming red. “That is impossible.”

Aaron strolled over to her with long confident strides then put a secure arm around her. “We are wed.”

“I don’t believe you.” Lord Windham sputtered, looking to Uncle Silas. “He is lying.”

“Afraid not old chap. We were married under special license from the Arch Bishop of Canterbury himself.”

Lord Windham pulled back his fist. “You lying son of a bitch.”

Aaron released Emma catching Lord Windham’s fist in his hand. He squeezed it as he walked the man toward the door. “You have over stayed your welcome.”

The butler opened the large oak door and Aaron propelled Lord Windham through it before turning to Uncle Silas. “Will you be kind enough to remove yourself, or shall I do it for you?”

Uncle Silas hastily took his exit. The butler slamming the door in his wake.

“Thank you.” Emma raced to Aaron’s side. “You have done me a great service.”

He turned to her, his eyes still clouded with anger and betrayal.

Her heart hitched at the knowledge she had caused his upset. “I will leave at once.” She fought the tears rising in her eyes as she started toward the stairs.

“Wait.”

Emma glanced back at Aaron, her pulse pounding.

“It is not my wish for you to leave.” He closed his eyes. “Leastwise not yet.”

She nodded, a tiny flicker of hope sparking within her.

He placed his hand on the small of her back and led her through a nearby door into the public receiving room.

She lowered herself onto a settee and turned her attention to him. Waiting with bated breath. Desperately hoping for something she could not herself imagine.

He paced back and forth several times before coming to a stop in front of her. Staring down at her, he said, “I want to hear the whole story.”

Emma released a breath before starting. Her words coming out in a rush, recounting everything from the day she went to live with her aunt and uncle until the day she’d hidden in his carriage. “I had nowhere to go and no money for which to care for myself. It was a hasty decision to stow away in your coach, but I did not have any other option. Uncle Silas was searching for me. I could hear him calling and his footfalls approaching. I did not think, just reacted.” She held his gaze praying he would understand. “Please forgive me for not telling you sooner, and for bringing trouble to your threshold. I never meant to cause any harm.”

Aaron rubbed the back of his neck n the way she’d come to know meant he was thinking, then shook his head.

“I did not mean to hurt anyone. I swear it.” She pressed her lips together to stop herself from speaking further. She owed him her silence and the chance to process all that had happened.

He released a deep breath, dropping his hand from his neck. “I believe you and I do not assign any blame on you. What your uncle has done is unconscionable.” He began to pace again. “But what are we to do about it now?”

She had no answer. Emma counted his steps in an effort to distract herself. One, two, three…eleven, twelve… Oh, what would become of her?

He pinned her beneath his stare. “You know they will return. And soon, I’ll wager.” He resumed his pacing.

“That is precisely why I must leave right away.” Emma stood prepared to go at once.

“No. That is why we must wed.”

Her eyes rounded. What? How? Did it even matter? Her mind spun. She placed her hand on his chest, stopping his pacing to stare into his eyes. “You wish to marry me?”

“Yes, right away. It is the only way to rescue you from their clutches.”

She dropped her hand from his chest, instantly missing the warmth that had passed between them. “I cannot allow you to sacrifice yourself on my behalf.”

“It is not a sacrifice. I am fond of you. Attracted to you even. And so is Sophia...that is, fond of you, Emma. She needs a mother. I can think of no-one better suited to the role than you.”

Emma turned the words over in her head. She did experience an undeniable pull toward him every time they found themselves together, and would never try to deny her love for Sophia, but was that enough? If she allowed him to wed her, would he be happy? Or would he soon grow to resent her?

Would a husband who detested her be any better than one who abused her? One who only wished to posses her so he could indulge his lust?

“I will go to the Arch Bishop at once.” He strolled toward the door.

She watched, her head spinning. He could be her salvation. The answer to her prayers. “No. Stop.”

He turned to her. “It is the only way.”

“That is not true. I can go elsewhere. Someplace Uncle Silas will not be able to find me.”

“And what of Sophia? My daughter loves you. I can see it in her eyes, hear it in the things she says.” He took hold of Emma’s shoulders, studying her. “You heard her tell me that she wished for you to be her mother.”

A rogue tear left Emma’s eye, gliding down her cheek.

“Can you deny that you love her as well?”

Emma shook her head.

He wiped the tear from her cheek. “Can you deny the attraction between us? The passion in our kisses?”

“No.” Emma answered, her voice raspy.

“Nor can I.” He brought his lips to her in demonstration, kissing her until her knees threatened to give out. “Marry me, Emma. Say you will.”

The fight had left her the minute he brought his mouth to hers reducing her to a puddle of desire. All she had left to do was accept her fate. She nodded. “I will.”