Emilia's breath caught. While one of Will's hands continued to grip her tightly against his chest, the other moved down the curves of her hips, covered from view by her cloak.

He didn't hesitate to continue his exploration further, trailing his hand down her leg until he reached where her skirts were bunched at the apex of her thighs.

Will began to whisper in her ear, his voice warm and honeyed. "Do you remember two nights ago when you sat next to me playing cards?"

"Of course I do," Emilia replied, trying to sound calm though her heart was beating rapidly. "Though it seems like forever ago now."

"No, that night seemed to last forever," Will countered. "With you sitting next to me in that dress, taunting me. My hand was twitching with the need to touch you beneath the table."

"You taunted me that night too. We are even," Emilia pointed out, thinking of how he had completely ignored her and then arrived in her bedchamber only to tease and drive her wild.

"Oh no," Will said. She could hear the mischief in his voice. His hand slipped beneath the hem of her skirt, his flesh now pressed against hers. It was warm, and soon Emilia's whole body was on fire.

Will trailed his fingers up her thighs, saying, "Because it wasn't simply that I wished to touch you, Emilia. I also longed to see the look on your face when I did. I wanted to watch you squirm while sitting at that table, trying to pretend that I wasn't feeling you beneath it."

The tips of Will's fingers were now dusting along her inner thigh, and Emilia found that she was squirming.

She glanced around them, realizing what he was doing as he touched her like he had wanted to do the other night. Luckily, Theo was significantly ahead of them, trotting along on Major, and there were very few other travelers on the road. Her cloak did cover his hand, but Emilia still felt rather...exposed.

Emilia struggled to compose her features as Will's other hand move up from its position around her waist to cup her overflowing breasts. His finger dipped into the tight bodice, rubbing it across her nipple. Emilia couldn't help but arch her back, throwing her head back onto his shoulder.

"Keep your eyes on the road, my lady," he whispered.

"Will," she protested. Or rather, she had meant it to be a protest, but it came out more like a plea.

He chuckled and dropped both of his hands though not before giving her a little squeeze. Emilia wasn't sure what was worse: the torture of his wandering fingers or the sudden absence of them.

"That is what you get for trying to lure me to bed last night, too." Will's husky voice was wrapping around her, making her head spin and filling her with need.

"I simply wanted to say goodnight," Emilia replied, though she wasn't exactly telling the truth. Naturally, she had wanted more than that. But there had been the problem of her brother snoring in the corner.

"Well, I certainly didn't simply want to say goodnight, which is why I couldn't trust myself near you," Will admitted, his breath hot on Emilia's neck, making shivers go down her spine. A little moan escaped her lips at the sensation. "Shh, Emilia," Will hushed her, though she could hear the smile in his voice.

Feeling suddenly uncomfortable in her skin, Emilia shifted on the horse, inching backward ever so slightly while still gripping the reins. Will's hands instantly reappeared on her hips, holding her steady. "I am fine," she assured him.

"I wasn't doing that for your sake," Will said tightly. Confused, Emilia ignored him and wiggled her hips once more, searching for a suitable position on the horse's back. Will inhaled sharply at her movement, and she realized that the hard length of him was now pressing into her back.

"Emilia," he growled. "Stop moving."

Emilia could feel her cheeks growing hot as a ripple of laughter simultaneously escaped her lips at Will's predicament. She didn't feel particularly apologetic about it. "You brought this upon yourself, Lord Trotten."

Emilia heard Will mumble something indiscernible under his breath and decided she did not need to know what it was. She could take a guess as to the nature of his discomfort, not dissimilar to her own.

The two of them then fell into a companionable, rigid silence. Emilia tried not to move a muscle, fearing retaliation from Will if she did. She was not sure if she would survive another round of teasing touches. Will seemed to be of a similar mind, his hands staying firmly planted on her waist as they rode.

While the roads were dry and clear of the mud from yesterday, their rate of travel remained slow; there was only so fast that Will and Emilia could push their horse to move with both of them riding.

Emilia reckoned that it was early afternoon when they stopped for a short luncheon, munching on the food that Mrs. Combs had packed for Will and Theo before they'd left. Emilia sat in the long grass, picking at it absentmindedly as she nibbled on slices of bread. Will had stomped off toward the trees at the far end of the field minutes earlier, claiming the need to use nature's facilities, and Emilia now sat alone with her brother.

Theo watched her through squinting eyes. "I am happy for you, Emilia," he finally said.

"Thank you, Theo," she said softly. "And thank you for everything you've done for me. For coming for me."

Theo's eyes shifted downward, looking back down at his cornish pasty. "I messed up so many times with you, Emilia. I had to get something right."

"Messed up?" Emilia questioned in disbelief. Theo was the sole person she continuously relied on. Emilia had been so young when her parents died that he'd always needed to look out for her. Young bachelors like himself weren't known for wanting the additional responsibilities of nagging little sisters, but Theo never complained. She would always be indebted to him for that.

"Father wished for me to take care of you, Emilia," he said, shaking his head. "And look what has happened. I had finally come to terms with my responsibility in your ruination, and then you're kidnapped right from under my nose."

Emilia put her hand out on Theo's arm. "My ruination was never your fault, Theo. And I never should have gotten in the carriage with Trevor. It was rather daft of me."

It was her turn to shake her head. "After I turned down his proposal, he asked if we could still be friendly, wondering if I would take a morning ride with him. I knew it was odd, but I felt it unkind to say no. Trevor was being so nice about being rejected."

"He was nice because he had another plan," Theo said, his jaw clenched.

"Yes, well, I know that now," Emilia agreed.

"You should never feel bad for saying what your heart tells you to. It is alright to say no until you wish to say yes." Theo gave her a small smile, and Emilia did not have to wonder who he was thinking about.

For years, Theo had escaped romantic entanglements, saying no to all sorts of propositions and arrangements from some of the ton's wealthiest and most fashionable ladies. Of course, when he met the one woman he didn't dare refuse, she ended up being the future Queen of England.

"Any word from Adelaide?" Emilia asked gently.

The small shake of his head and the look in his eyes told Emilia all she needed to know.

"She's carrying my child, Emilia. You do not know how much it kills me that I cannot be there for her and see her every day to ensure she is alright. She's probably not resting nearly as much as she should be in her condition." He gave her a wry glance.

Emilia tried not to chuckle, knowing he was likely right. Instead, she commented, "I am certain she is fine, and she's simply making careful choices by not writing to you. It still hasn't been long since Prince George passed."

Emilia attempted a reassuring smile, but Theo did not appear convinced. He grew silent as they saw Will treading through the long grasses toward them.

"Ready?" he asked as he reached them.

Emilia and Theo both nodded, and the three of them situated themselves on their mounts once more. Emilia held the reins, steering the horse back onto the road.

"So," Will began as they continued on their journey. "Would you prefer to get married tomorrow or the day after tomorrow?"

Emilia laughed, but then Will said, "You think I am merely joking, but I have never been more serious. I've waited too damn long for this." He brushed his lips along the curve of her ear. "For you."

"How would that even be possible, Will?" Emilia asked, surprised at what he was suggesting.

"I should have no problem acquiring a special license," he replied casually.

"In that case," Emilia said, leaning into him with a sense of contentment, "tomorrow sounds ideal."

"Perfect." Will gave her a little squeeze, his arms around her waist again. "But first, there are some things I need to tell you, Emilia. I know you say you do not care, but I need to make sure you understand that there are risks that might come with marrying me."

"Will," Emilia said carefully, knowing that she needed to fill him in on what she already knew. "I know that the king has been blackmailing you into doing his bidding in Parliament because your parents helped fund the French artillery for Napoleon."

She immediately felt Will stiffen behind her.

"KINGFIELD!" he bellowed.

"No, Will—" Emilia tried to cut in, but he was already shouting at Theo.

"I told you not to tell her!"

Theo, who had been riding in front of them, jerked Major around. "What are you talking about?" he hollered back at Will.

"You told her about—"

"Will!" Emilia pressed. "It wasn't Theo!" As the words came out of her mouth, Emilia grew annoyed. Theo knew?

"What?" her brother shouted, a look of confusion on his face.

"It wasn't Theo," she repeated hurriedly. Will sighed, and she could hear the vexation in that little breath of air.

"Was it Leo?" he asked then. "That meddling little bastard, it was him, wasn't it?"

"What's going on?" Theo yelled once more, but they ignored him, too busy in their own conversation.

"No, it wasn't Leo, either," Emilia rushed to say, exasperated. Leo knew too? "If you would simply let me finish, Will."

"It wasn't?" Will asked, his interest piqued. And then, "Weston...of course, it was him—"

"It was Trevor!" Emilia nearly shouted.

"What?" Will breathed.

"What was Trevor?" Theo yelled. They had almost caught up to him. His horse had been dancing on his hooves, anxious to continue.

"Trevor told me about Will's blackmail in the carriage yesterday," Emilia explained when they were close enough for Theo to hear her without shouting.

"Shit," Will suddenly swore. He grabbed the reins from Emilia and gave their horse a little kick. "How the hell does he know? We need to get back to London. We need to get back to London now."