The Bride Thief

without proof. Even if he were to locate Champion's stall, that doesn't prove I'm the man he seeks.'

'No, but the bastard could make yer life miserable. We'll have to make sure he finds no evidence against ye. And that means ye absolutely can't risk another rescue. Ever.'

Eric nodded slowly, then offered what he hoped passed for an encouraging smile. 'Agreed.' But in his heart he suspected it was already too late.

The next morning Eric stood in an alcove tucked away to the right of the church's altar and glanced at his watch fob. Thirty minutes until the wedding ceremony was scheduled to begin.

Would Samantha show up?

Clutching the fob in one hand, he paced in the confining space. Would she show up-bloody hell, he'd asked himself that question a thousand times since he'd last seen her. The fact that she hadn't contacted him-did that mean she meant to marry him? Or that she'd cut him out of her life, scandal be damned?

Muted voices reached his ears and he parted the heavy green velvet drapes concealing the alcove enough to allow him to observe the gathering guests while remaining hidden.

It seemed as if every person in the village was turning up at the church to see the Earl of Wesley make Samantha Briggeham his countess. He scanned the growing crowd, noting Lydia Nordfield sitting on a long wooden pew, flanked by her daughters and sons-in-law. Arthur, Eversley, and a dozen long-time members of his staff occupied a rear pew.

His gaze roved over the crowd, noting names and faces, then settled on Margaret. She sat in the first pew, staring at her gloved hands clenched in her lap.

His heart twisted with sympathy and concern. She was no doubt thinking of her own wedding to that bastard Darvin. He considered going to her, but decided to give her some time with her private thoughts. Perhaps being here, in this church, was a good way for her to exorcise the demons haunting her.

He continued to hopefully scan the guests, but not one member of Samantha's family entered the church. Releasing the drape, he consulted his watch fob. Twenty-three minutes until the ceremony began.

Would Samantha show up?

Adam Straton walked toward the church, his heart pounding with conflicting emotions, his mind whirling. Last night, after observing Arthur Timstone head to the main house, he'd searched the Wesley stables. Noting that the building seemed longer on the outside than on the inside, he concentrated his efforts on the rear of the structure. Ten minutes later he located a cleverly hidden door. Pulling it open, he found himself in a spacious stall with a window fitted into the ceiling rather than the wall. Holding his low-lit lantern aloft, triumph pulsed through him. In the far corner stood the magnificent black horse.

There was no longer any doubt in his mind that Lord Wesley was the Bride Thief, but he needed more proof. He had no intention of arresting the man only to have him released due to a lack of evidence. And with any luck, that evidence would be presented to him within the hour. He slipped his timepiece from his waistcoat pocket, noting the time with satisfaction. His most trusted man, Farnsworth, was right now searching the earl's home. With Wesley Manor all but deserted while most of the staff attended the wedding, Farnsworth would hopefully locate the necessary evidence.

Replacing his watch fob, he increased his pace, his gaze settling on the guests entering the church. Yes, today would most likely see the end to the most perplexing, frustrating case of his career-a career rife with countless possibilities once he apprehended the notorious Bride Thief. Yet, while he should have felt nothing but triumph, his imminent victory somehow felt hollow. He liked Wesley. And he loved Margaret. He hated the thought of her losing her brother.

But he had to uphold the law.

Chapter Twenty-four

Eric paced in the alcove like a caged animal, his heart growing heavier with each passing second.

She was ten minutes late.

He couldn't bear to look at his timepiece again, couldn't stand to gaze upon its mocking face.

The velvet drapes parted and he turned sharply. The visibly nervous vicar joined him.

'Is she here?' Eric asked.

'No, my lord.' Extracting a handkerchief from the folds of his voluminous robe, the vicar wiped his perspiring forehead.

Eric lifted a single brow. 'Then I suggest,' he said in a carefully controlled tone, 'that you keep watch for her and advise me the instant she arrives.'

The vicar's vigorous nod set his double chins in motion, and he hastily backed away. 'Yes, my lord.' He exited through the drapery.

Alone again, Eric closed his eyes, desolation crushing him. She wasn't coming. She didn't want him. She'd rather face scandal than marry him.

Damn it, that hurt. In a way nothing else had ever hurt him. And it angered him as well-that she hadn't even had the courtesy to tell him her decision. If she wasn't going to marry him, she could bloody well tell him to his face. And if she wouldn't come here to tell him, he'd go to her and make her say it.

He turned to stride through the drapery, but before he could take a step, the heavy curtain parted to reveal the vicar's face.

'Miss Briggeham has arrived, my lord. However, she insists upon speaking to you privately- before the ceremony. Most irregular.' The vicar's lips puckered with disapproval. 'She awaits you in my office.'

Sammie paced the worn rug in the vicar's small office located off the vestibule. When a knock sounded at the door, she called, 'Come in.'

Eric entered the room, softly closing the door behind him. Their eyes met, and her breath stalled at the sight of him. Dressed in his formal wedding attire, from his perfectly knotted cravat and snowy shirt, cream waistcoat, to his Devonshire brown coat and fawn breeches, he was simply the most beautiful man she'd ever beheld. And for a short, incredibly lovely moment in time, he'd been hers.

'Thank you for agreeing to meet me in here,' she said. 'I must speak with you.'

He leaned against the door and regarded her through hooded eyes. 'You're late.'

'I'm sorry. There are so many details to see to when one is leaving home forever.'

He squeezed his eyes shut for several seconds, muttering something that sounded like thank God.

'I had to say good-bye to Hubert,' she said, her voice hitching on his name. 'I could not leave without explaining things to him.'

Pushing off from the door, he approached her. When he stood before her, his gaze swept her slowly from head to foot. Then he looked at her with an expression that heated her from the inside out. 'You're beautiful, Samantha.'

Warmth rushed into her cheeks, and she looked down at her wedding gown. 'Thank you. The dress is lovely.'

He lifted her chin with his fingers. 'Yes. But I was referring to the bride wearing it.'

The sincerity in his voice, in his eyes, made her want to throw her arms around him and pretend no obstacles stood between them. But time was short, and with so many things to tell him, she couldn't waste another minute.

Drawing a resolute breath, she said, 'I am not here to become a bride, Eric. Indeed, I am here to release you from your obligation to marry me. I have made arrangements to travel abroad, to live my own life. You need not concern yourself with my welfare any longer.'

His hand slowly lowered from her chin, and his eyes went blank. 'I see.'

She grasped his arm and shook it. 'No, you don't. I wanted to speak to you yesterday, but I did not dare. Eric,