by Renée Dahlia
She waited while Van Percy preened himself. Nicholas rested his hand on her back. The connection to him gave her strength and she lifted her chin higher. The silence dragged on as Van Percy made subtle corrections to the piles of paper and the time only served to illustrate Van Percy’s confidence that he had the upper hand. Nicholas cleared his throat and Josephine broke the spell that Van Percy attempted to weave.
‘Excuse me. My assessment,’ she said. Van Percy nodded in her direction and started sorting slowly through one stack of papers.
‘Here it is,’ he finally spoke. ‘At the bottom of the rankings, a failed grade for a student who killed two of the three patients in surgery that day.’
Josephine swayed on her feet at the rush of empathy for her patients and guilt that she had been unable to save them. Nicholas spread his fingers wide on her back to steady her. Granted one of the patients was almost dead on arrival, having been thrown from a carriage accident head first into a fence. She knew, logically, that that one poor soul shouldn’t be counted in her assessment. Or at least, she should get some credit for making his last few moments more comfortable. Josephine’s eyes filled at the memory and she blinked. It wouldn’t do to break down now under pressure.
‘Here is a pen,’ Nicholas said in an authoritative voice. ‘It is simple work to change the F to a B, and one of our negotiated points is fulfilled.’ He handed the pen to Van Percy, and held his gaze firmly on him until he made the prescribed notation.
‘Tomorrow, we will—’ Nicholas began. Josephine interrupted.
‘And alter the official record to reflect the change,’ she said. She had to be sure of it. Van Percy acknowledged her understanding of the system with a little frown. He pulled out the official record for all students and altered Josephine’s F to the agreed B.
‘As a further gesture of goodwill, I will now place the official record along with the assessment notes with the secretary of the Vice Chancellor so they will be added to the university’s files,’ he stated. ‘If you would all be so good as to accompany me, you will see the process in action. Then we can discuss the other points we negotiated.’ He nodded, rocking slightly on his heels with satisfaction. Argh, that motion made her want to throw things. Her jaw clamped shut and she ground her teeth.
Van Percy collected the stack of papers and gestured for them to follow. Once outside, he placed the papers on the hallway floor so he could lock his office. Nicholas clenched his fists and Josephine ran her hand down his arm to prevent him taking the opportunity for a cheap shot. Van Percy picked up the pile of papers and walked briskly along the hallway to the Vice Chancellor’s office at the end of the building. Josephine and Nicholas followed at a slightly slower pace that allowed them to whisper to each other without being heard. Both could blame their injured bodies for the slower speed, although Nicholas gained extra swing and stride length thanks to his crutches.
‘Are you alright?’ Nicholas asked Josephine gently.
‘Relieved,’ she replied, not wanting to let herself think about how she felt just yet. This wasn’t quite over and she needed to stay strong for a little longer.
‘And you?’ she asked.
‘Angry and frustrated,’ he whispered. ‘I just want to smash his smug little face into pieces, and here we are, negotiating and letting him think he has the best of us.’ He sucked in a deep breath and continued, ‘I know that this is the most logical way to get what we want. I don’t want that little blighter holding his fraudulent marriage over us any longer. I’m trying to be a fisherman, letting him run to the end of the line before I reel him in and catch him.’
Josephine laughed at the image and clamped her hand over her mouth to prevent the sound escaping. She breathed in heavily through her sore nose to stop the giggles from bubbling out. This could easily turn into hysterics, so she made a giant effort to control herself. There would be time for that later.
Nicholas stopped walking as she stood there, gasping for breath as she tried to control the laughter. He rubbed his hand up her back. It only took a few breaths to get herself balanced again. He winked at her and shifted both his crutches to one hand to support his injured foot. That freed up one arm for her so they could finish their walk with hands held. His eyes sparkled with amusement and she was glad that they could enjoy such a moment together during a fairly tense situation.
‘Hopefully this is the end,’ he said.
‘I don’t trust him.’
‘Neither do I. I fully expect he will pull out something else nefarious.’
They arrived at the Vice Chancellor’s office just as the Vice Chancellor’s secretary was finishing up for the day.
‘Excellent,’ Van Percy said. ‘I was rather hoping you would still be here, although it is quite a late hour. I have the final grades from the year four surgical assessments.’
‘Professor.’ The secretary nodded and took ownership of the stack of papers. Nicholas used only a small gesture to herd Van Percy along the hallway and into a small side room that served the general purpose of a lunch room. Josephine smiled as she watched the interplay. Van Percy outwitted by a superior intellect. Once inside, Nicholas blocked the doorway with his body. Josephine stood awkwardly inside with Van Percy, who sneered at the show of force.
‘It was a small matter to make that alteration. I still have the marriage certificate. Josephine is my wife, and I could legally take her home with me tonight. There is nothing you could do to stop that,’ said Van Percy. Nicholas’ eyes flashed with anger and the tendons on his neck stood out.
‘Just try,’ he spat out, then took a breath of composure. ‘We all know that the certificate is a fraud. Besides, Josephine is her own person and will go wherever she pleases.’
‘Just walk away if you believe it is a fraud. You have nothing to lose if that is what you think.’ Van Percy spoke calmly. Did he really believe they would chance it? This had to be resolved. Concluded so he couldn’t draw out the horror.
‘We both know that the certificate is a fraud; and we both know that it would take time to prove that. I won’t give you the chance to hurt Josephine again while your fraud is proven. And you won’t want to end up like your brother, in jail facing the hangman’s noose.’
Van Percy raised one eyebrow and waited. Josephine’s eyes darted between the two men as they stood staring at each other. Van Percy broke first.
‘I will meet you tomorrow with the marriage certificate, and you will bring the money and my brother. It is a fair trade,’ he sneered. ‘Our freedom for your captivity.’
Nicholas nodded. ‘Ten hundred hours at Chief Superintendent Koekje’s office.’
Nicholas stepped back from the doorway and indicated that everyone should leave. Van Percy walked, proud and confident, out the door and away.
‘I know it seems wrong to let him leave,’ Nicholas said what Josephine was thinking. Her skin crawled at the thought of still being married to that villain.
‘He believes he has the upper hand, which gives us the strategic upper hand. I have no doubt that he will be there tomorrow to collect the money he feels he is owed.’
‘The money. Of course,’ said Josephine with surprise. ‘He was always after my dowry. But how did he learn about it?’ Josephine sagged slightly. She had always been so careful to keep her background quiet. Nicholas slid his arm around her back and she leant into the support.
‘You received a letter this afternoon from your Aunt Hillary. In it she mentioned that she had spent time with Van Percy during her last visit,’ he said.
‘Oh, of course. He started pursuing me directly after she went home,’ Josephine said angrily. ‘Aunt Hillary is very old-fashioned and is always going on about marriage. She thinks it is the only suitable course of action for a proper lady. This is her fault.’
‘Let us not hand out blame just yet,’ Nicholas said carefully. ‘Right now, we need to rest. We have to meet Van Percy tomorrow to conclude this story and we need to be ready,’ said Nicholas.
It was only her stubbornness that kept her awake as he marched her out of the building and into a cab for the journey home.
Chapter 23
Josephine slept deeply, warm and safe in her bed. She dreamed that she was at home, snug in a blanket in front of the fire in their lounge. Listening to her aunt read. A cat lay in her lap purring and she reached out with her fingers to gently pat its fur. To her surprise the blanket shifted around her legs, and a heavy, welcome warmth pressed against her body. Her dream shifted as strong fingers tangled in her hair. A strange breath warmed her ear and she spread her fingers wide on the blanket around her. A soft touch ran up her sides, sensation pulling her deeper into the snugness of the bed. She sank into pleasure; sunk in the depths of this dream of pure enjoyment. The cat and the blanket gradually morphed into a man. A man whose hands roamed freely and whose gentle kisses played down the back of her neck. She sighed, not wanting to wake up. His hands drifted down to her breasts and squeezed the aching bud on her nipples. She gasped with delight and her eyes flew open. Wide.
This was no dream. This was reality. She wanted this reality. Her Nicholas lay strong behind her, wrapping her in a warm embrace, his skin hot against her back. She reached up above her head, her fingers threading into his hair, the other hand pressed under the pillow. She wriggled to alter her position and free her other arm and he groaned as her movement pressed her closer against him. He helped her roll onto her back giving her the freedom she wanted while also moving to lie next to her. She reached out for him and set herself to the task of exploring him. From the dusting of hairs across his chest that disappeared under the blanket to the strength in his shoulders. She traced his arm muscles as he lay beside her, watching her.
‘You are beautiful,’ he murmured against her neck, and started kissing his way down towards her breasts.
‘I’m too tall,’ she protested between gasps as his clever mouth found her nipples and sipped at them.
‘Nonsense. You are the perfect height for my favourite activity.’ He lifted his head and stared into her eyes. She saw the truth and laughed. He groaned at the noise and pressed his erection against her hip. A shiver of delight traversed her skin, pooling low in her belly.
‘You see, I can kiss you—’ and he did just that, ‘—while also fitting myself just here.’ He smiled against her mouth and rolled on top of her so that his erection lay on her at the base of her stomach. Warm and heavy. Her breathing quickened at the thought of repeating this activity and she kissed him back with everything she had. He growled into her mouth and reached between them. His clever fingers found her special spot. He stroked with the same rhythm that he used with his tongue; sensation growing between them. He slipped a finger inside her. She panted as he built a rhythm with his finger until she couldn’t stand the pressure anymore.
‘Now, now, I want you.’
‘Soon,’ he murmured. His word created a hot breath of air that added to the sensations surging through her. He pressed in another finger and worked with her in long controlled thrusts. She felt the pleasure swarm up and overwhelm her and she cried out as the waves of joy hit. Her body shuddered then relaxed as the climax faded. This was better than any dream she’d ever had before. Her hands that had clutched so tightly in delicious tension were now unfurled as her body dozed loosely.
***
Nicholas pressed forward. She was wet and ready and he started to push himself inside. She was still a little tender from yesterday’s effort in the carriage and she gave a little whimper as he entered her. He strained every muscle to hold still so she could adjust to his size. He gently rocked as he entered her to help her take him in, and soon she was ready for him. Slowly he slid inside, allowing her to become accustomed to him. She grabbed him on the backside and pulled him all the way in. He groaned and bent to kiss her. Her hands dug into him and she responded to his kiss by opening her mouth to him. She sucked on his tongue in imitation of his thrusts, their tastes mingled together. She came apart around him, squeezing him. He growled as he came and collapsed on top of her, spent.
After a time, Nicholas reluctantly rolled out of bed leaving Josephine to snooze, completely sated. He had to visit Koekje early to finalise their strategy. He dragged on his clothes and rushed down to the kitchen to steal a scone for a breakfast on the run. He dashed off a note for Josephine and left it on the table.
Nicholas arrived at Koekje’s office with plenty of time to spare before Van Percy arrived for the planned rendezvous. He wanted to have all the plans in place before Josephine arrived. To ease some of her burden in getting Van Percy out of her life. It was time they moved on with their future, so he was keen to get this last interaction done and dusted.
Koekje and Nicholas had just enough time to enjoy the coffee that Koekje’s secretary had brought in when they heard a knock on the door. Nicholas rose to open the door. Josephine marched in, her head held high. Her bruised face spelled determination. She stood tall, regal, with her hands on her hips.
‘Did you imagine that you would do this without me?’ she demanded.
‘Is this your troubled fiancée?’ said Koekje. ‘She is very big.’ Josephine’s mouth gaped open. Nicholas rushed to speak into the awkward pause.
‘She is tall. Statuesque. Beautiful,’ he said.
‘As you say,’ said Koekje with a nod.
‘I’m right here,’ she said. A red flush washed across her face. It made her bruising more apparent and she vibrated with tension. He leapt out of his seat, marched to her and gathered her into a hug with his arms wrapped tight around her.
‘This—’ she said, wriggling away from him. He held her firm. Ran his hands up and down her back to soothe. Kept his eyes focused on hers. She shook her head.
‘No. This isn’t going to work. I don’t want a hero who rushes about. Saving me.’ Those last two words spat at him. Her eyes flashed.
‘I left a note with Betsy to ensure you arrived in plenty of time for the final showdown with Van Percy. I knew you would want to see him vanquished.’
‘But you didn’t want to bother me with any of the details of that process?’ she said with a disbelieving look on her face. ‘Surely you understand that after yesterday, I simply have to be involved in the whole plan.’ He blinked. It wasn’t enough to talk to her and keep her informed. If he wanted a future with her, it was only going to work if he gave her the space and means to fight her own battles.
‘You are right,’ he said.
‘Yes. I’m right. If … if this is going to work we need to be a team. No more secrets,’ she said.
‘No more secrets.’ He pressed a kiss to her forehead. ‘I love you, Josephine. I did this for you. But you are right. I need to do this with you. Together.’ Her body relaxed against him, although her eyes darted away before coming back to focus on him. As if she thought, well, I’ll believe it when I see it.
‘I promise,’ he whispered, ‘I will always talk to you first. We will be a team. I love you.’ She lowered her chin in a sharp little nod, then looked deep into his eyes. He hoped that she saw the truth there. She leant in and kissed him. On the lips. Yes! He started to breathe again. Amazed to realise that he’d been holding his breathe while he waited for her agreement. He returned her kiss. Her lips now familiar against his. She parted her lips and pressed her tongue in. She tasted sweet. Like victory. Like home. Together, a team.
‘Shall we continue?’ Koekje interjected in a bland tone. Nicholas blinked and they both lifted their heads away from the kiss. He’d been so intent on Josephine that he’d forgotten his surroundings. Koekje’s office came back into focus.
‘Yes. By all means,’ she said. He dropped his arms and stepped back.
‘Shall we sit, my dear?’ he asked. She nodded, brushed down her skirt and marched in a regal manner to a chair.
‘As I’ve already outlined, there are several legal hurdles required in order to release you from this marriage. On what should we focus first?’ said Koekje. Earlier, Koekje had expressed his gra
titude to Nicholas for his actions at the riot. Koekje even went so far as to state that Nicholas had saved him from Van Percy’s bullet.
‘I just want this farce of a marriage annulled,’ said Nicholas.
‘He has asked for too much. I don’t want to give him his brother and all that money. Could we concede on one?’ said Josephine.
‘The brother can rot here,’ said Koekje.
‘Which do you think is more important to him?’ Nicholas spoke at the same time as Koekje. He heard the whine of frustration in his voice. Normally, this was the part of the job he loved—to figure out a strategy that made the other party think they got what they wanted. The trick was to give them less and still get everything he wanted from a deal. He clenched his fists then shook out his hands.
‘I couldn’t say which is more important to him, but Miss de Groot arrived this morning after you left with some information that might be useful. At least with regards to the money,’ said Josephine. Nicholas swivelled in his seat, all his attention on her.
‘Miss de Groot’s father is the Vice Chancellor of the university,’ she said, directing her comment to Koekje, ‘and she discovered something rather interesting last night.’
‘Continue,’ said the two men in unison.
‘Professor Van Percy visited the Vice Chancellor late last night and asked him to be his reference on his application to the Board of the university’s General Hospital.’ Josephine paused. Nicholas sat up straight in his chair as the timing of that became apparent.
‘After he left us?’ Nicholas asked.
‘Yes. And when Mr de Groot asked about the required funds to join the Board, Van Percy told him that he expected to have them to the Board by tomorrow. That would be today,’ she said. Nicholas ran his hand through his hair.
‘How much?’ asked Koekje.
