He was a man in love with his wife.
Taylor had succeeded in getting her anger under control until her insensitive clod of a husband smiled at her. He'd just asked her the most appalling question and then had the gall to grin over it.
"I'll be happy to answer your question," she announced in a voice that shook with anger. "You're stuck with me until you find my babies. It's that simple. Find them, and then you can leave."
She suddenly bounded to her feet. She put her hands on her hips and glared at him. "Go where the wind blows you, Mr. Ross, if that is your inclination."
Hunter stood in the doorway watching Taylor. Since she wasn't paying any attention to him, he thought it safe to smile. He wanted to laugh. Lord, she was in a lather and she was about the prettiest thing he'd ever seen. He wondered if Lucas knew how fortunate he was to have married her. She wasn't just beautiful, she was also spirited. Hunter found it an appealing combination.
He didn't want to interrupt, but he'd noticed the lateness in the hour and thought he'd offer to go to the train station to collect her friend. He guessed he'd have to wait until Mrs. Ross was finished giving Mr. Ross hell before he could find out if she wanted him to go on the errand or not.
Taylor kept her attention on her husband. She was determined to make him understand how she felt and why. Her mind raced from one argument to another.
"What either one of us wants isn't the least important," she began. "Both of us must put the children first. Every adult should," she added in a whisper.
Then she remembered an incident from her past she thought would best explain her position.
"I saw a woman strike a boy across his face. It was at the annual fair held on my grandmother's estates. The woman used her fist and the blow lifted the lad off the ground. He landed in the mud. It was a miracle his neck wasn't broken."
Lucas didn't show any reaction to the remembrance. He waited to hear the rest of the story.
"Quite a few people witnessed the act of cruelty, but none of them did anything about it. He was just twelve years old. Someone should have come to his rescue. She was cruel and malicious."
"You did something though, didn't you?"
"I certainly did. The woman was employed by my grandmother. I made her promise not to strike the boy again. I threatened to ask Madam to fire her if she ever raised her hand against him again."
"How old were you?"
"Ten."
"You were awfully young to…"
"My age isn't important to this story," she interrupted. "The woman told me the boy was a distant relation she'd been forced to take in and feed. She didn't want him and she certainly didn't love him. I made certain the boy was taken out of harm's way. That was all that mattered to me."
"How did you accomplish that?"
"I took him home with me."
He smiled. Of course she took him home with her. He couldn't imagine Taylor doing anything less, even at the tender age of ten.
"I would like to meet him someday," Lucas remarked.
"You already have, Mr. Ross. Thomas took over the arrangements for our wedding. He made certain there weren't any problems. He did a fine job."
Lucas remembered the young man. "He was your grandmother's butler."
"Yes. Mr. Ross, the only reason I shared the incident with you was to help you understand that it doesn't matter if you're inconvenienced or taxed or even stuck with me as you so eloquently stated. You and I, and Hunter, too, all have the same responsibility. It is our obligation, indeed our sacred duty, to protect the innocent from harm. I can't take the babies home and keep them safe until you find them.
"I've already given you my word I'll find them. Are you now suggesting I might abandon you?"
She could tell he was getting angry. She didn't care. "You did ask me how long you were going to be stuck with me," she reminded him.
"No," he corrected. "You assumed that was what I was going to ask. Don't jump to conclusions. They're usually wrong."
He moved forward until he was standing just on the other side of the table facing her. "And don't ever tell me what I may or may not do. We aren't at odds over the issue of the children. I recognize my responsibility and so does Hunter. Do we look like we're going to bolt?"
She shook her head. "You really weren't going to ask me how long you were stuck with me?"
"No."
She felt like a fool. She was mortified by her own conduct. She could feel herself blushing. Lord help her, she'd lectured him, insulted him as well, and simply telling him she was sorry wouldn't be adequate.
"I'll pay you," she blurted out.
"What did you say?" He was certain he hadn't heard correctly. She wouldn't deliberately insult him again by suggesting he would take money for doing what she had just pointed out was his sacred duty.
"I'll give you anything you want," she explained in a rush.
She added a nod to let him know she was sincere.
The tick was back in his eyelid. Her offer obviously hadn't pleased him. She was bewildered. "I meant no offense, sir. I was simply being practical. I know you'll find the babies with or without compensation. Honestly, there isn't any reason to get huffy."
"Huffy?" He choked on the word.
"Oh, how like a man to get riled up over a practical matter." She waved her hand in the air. "Forget I made the offer."
"Too late," he told her.
She let out a sigh. She'd hurt his pride, she realized, and it was up to her to repair the damage. The problem was simple; the answer eluded her, however. She didn't know how to soothe him.
Mr. Ross seemed to take exception to everything she said. She was going to tell him she believed he was a bit high-strung when he turned her attention.
"I'll take you up on your offer."
Taylor wasn't the only one surprised by his turnabout. Hunter raised an eyebrow in reaction. He was astonished.
"You will?" she asked.
"Yes, I will," he agreed. "You did say I could have anything I wanted, isn't that right?"
"Yes." She hurried to add, "After we've found the babies."
"Of course."
He gave her a wide smile and then turned to look at Hunter. "Do you want to go with me to the train station? We could get something to eat on our way back."
Hunter checked the time before answering. "The meeting's set for six," he reminded his friend.
"We'll be back by then."
Lucas started for the door. Taylor skirted her way around the table and chased after him. She grabbed hold of his arm and asked him to stop.
"Do you know what you want?" she asked.
"Yes. I know exactly what I want."
Hunter opened the door and walked out into the corridor. Lucas tried to follow him. Taylor grabbed hold of him again.
"For heaven's sake," she began. "If you know what you want, kindly tell me."
He turned around to look at her. He wanted to see her expression when he enlightened her.
"I want"-he leaned down and kissed her hard-"a wedding night."
Chapter 13
Love sought is good, but giv'n unsought is better.
—William Shakespeare,
He rendered her speechless. He was out the door and halfway down the corridor by the time she recovered her wits. Then she went running across the room, almost ripped the door off its hinges when she opened it, and called after him.
"Are you out of your mind?"
He didn't turn around when he answered her. "Must be," he called out in a gratingly cheerful tone of voice.
Taylor sagged against the door frame. Her shouted question caused a bit of curiosity with some of the other hotel guests. Three doors opened along the hallway. Two men and one woman peeked out to see what all the commotion was about. Lucas and Hunter disappeared down the stairwell. She was left to deal with the neighbors. She considered calling out an apology, then changed her mind. She hurried back inside her room and shut the door.