The Exception of an Earl

by Deborah Wilson

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  * * *

  Camilla tried to pull him closer, but he wouldn’t budge.

  “Why?” Will braced his hand on the stone of the building and Camilla’s mind was transported back to that first time they’d met. His voice was low. “Are you seeking more inspiration?”

  He remembered that night as well. His body was stiff. His face was just inches from hers and he refused to close in the distance.

  He was thinking about that night and the reason she’d told him she’d kissed Anthony.

  Did he assume she compared his kisses to Anthony’s?

  She could move onto her toes and take him if she wished, but she didn’t. “You always inspire me, but that is not the reason I kiss you.”

  “Then why do you kiss me?”

  “Because…” She swallowed and her heart flipped and her mind twisted with frustration. “Well, what other reason would there be to kiss a man?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t know how your little writer’s mind works. So, tell me, sweet Cammie. Why do you wish to kiss me?”

  Sweet Cammie.

  His sensual tone made her toes curl and sent a thrill right up her body.

  “I like kissing you.”

  “Why?”

  She groaned and dropped her hands. She wasn’t actually angry. She was scared. She didn’t want to talk about feelings. She didn’t want to think about feeling anything but his mouth on hers, but apparently, Will wanted to talk about it.

  How odd. She didn’t think other men cared about a woman’s feelings when she offered herself. Why was he being so difficult?

  “Forget it. Let’s go.” She took a step forward and was immediately pushed back.

  He had a hand on her belly. The other still trapped her by the wall. Then his body pressed in.

  “You can’t walk away from this,” he said.

  “Why not?” She pretended annoyance to battle down her growing fear. It was nerve-racking and tantalizing at the same time. Her arms tingled. The darkness, this man, his voice. It had her enthralled.

  He lowered his head. His lips landed on her corner of hers. Softly. His words were gentle. “I believe you were warned about stepping into the shadows.”

  She swallowed and wondered if he were speaking about the alley or himself. There was no denying her growing feelings for this mysterious lord.

  She turned her head and heard her own needy moan before she found his mouth.

  And finally, he gave her what she wanted. Her need climbed with her desire. She pulled him closer. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she tried to anchor him. Control him.

  But he would not have it.

  Suddenly, the hand that had been on the wall was around her throat and with a growl, he took her mouth. His kiss was almost angry. His lips and tongue were aggressive. Bruising.

  Her mind crumbled. Stripped down to the bare basics of a woman. Her hunger for Will seemed insatiable.

  Without permission, her body began a dance against him. A hot seeking motion. It was neither smooth or graceful.

  The hand on her belly slipped down her hip and pulled her closer.

  Will released a strangled sound and broke the kiss. “Why are you doing this?”

  He didn’t stop her movements through and Camilla wasn’t sure if she could either.

  She grew dizzy and to her own ears, her voice sounded like that of a woman who’d had a few wine glasses too many. “I want you.”

  A pleasurable sound escaped him, and he kissed her again. “Why?”

  “Because…” Her heart jumped. “I like you.” She kissed him harder, wanting to both shut him up and claim him.

  But he pulled back and the hand on her hip clamped down and made her stop. “Only like? Did you like Anthony?”

  “I don’t want to talk about Anthony.”

  “Then answer the question.”

  The heat in her blood roared for him to let her have what she sought. She searched her brain for an answer that would please Will enough to give her back his mouth. “What was the question?”

  “How do you feel about me?”

  “I really like you.” Then in a lower tone, she said, “And I really like your lips.”

  He chuckled. “I like yours as well.” He touched his lips to hers gently.

  It was nice.

  It was torture.

  She needed more.

  “I like everything about you, Camilla,” he whispered. “Your hair. Your eyes. Your nose.” He kissed her nose. “Your mind. Your heart.” He kissed her lips again. “I want it all. I want everything.” He deepened the kiss.

  “Yes,” she sighed.

  “What do you want?” His hands pulled her in and traveled up her back.

  “This.” She just wanted this. She wanted to feel good. She wanted this connection.

  “You want kisses?” he asked.

  “Yes.” But only with him. “But only yours,” she whispered. Her words, volunteered, shocked her. She hadn’t meant to share them.

  But Will wouldn’t let her think too long. His tongue flicked over hers and swept coherent thought from her mind. “Why me?”

  “Because…” She felt weightless. All her concerns and troubles felt a million miles away. Only Camilla remained. Camilla, who’d once dreamed of a beautiful life even in the midst of an ugly world.

  She was right there before the man her heart trusted most.

  She felt safe. Everything within her felt calm.

  “William.” she sighed. “I lov—”

  “I hate to cut in.” Raven’s voice broke from the other side of the alley. “But we have to go soon if we plan to be in position in time.”

  Camilla blinked and tried to remember why she was outside the house at such an hour.

  Ruth.

  Will placed his forehead against hers and sighed. “We’ll be there in a moment.”

  Raven’s steps could be heard retreating.

  Camilla waited for Will to demand she finish what she’d started to say.

  But he straightened and took her hand. “Let’s go.”

  ∫ ∫ ∫

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  * * *

  Will managed to put aside his discussion with Camilla and focus on what they had to do presently. It hadn’t been an easy task, but he managed.

  She sat next to him quietly. Her gaze repeatedly went to him and he offered her a smile whenever she looked nervous. He didn’t know if it was their discussion in the alley or Ruth that had her troubled so he told her, “Don’t worry for your friend. I won’t let anything happen to her.”

  Camilla nodded, but the pinch in her brows didn’t relent and Will wondered for the hundredth time if he were doing the right thing.

  Thankfully, they were going to a very populated area. A theatre in Covent Garden.

  A new play had opened last evening and this was the second performance.

  If anything terrible were to happen, all Camilla had to do was give a shout and the eyes of the crowd would be on her, likely searching for a pickpocket since they were known to stalk the area for wallets and bags.

  “Ruth has trouble breathing in the summer,” Camilla said. “And sometimes in the spring and autumn as well. She is usually only allowed outdoors during the winter, which is quite sad for her. Still, I can’t believe she’d seek the help of someone who could hurt her.”

  “Perhaps she isn’t aware of the fact that she can be hurt,” Will said. “But I wouldn’t worry. We have people in position to stop anything terrible from happening. There are men who are already following your friend and others who are looking for Azalea.”

  “Will and I are only there to observe and jump in if necessary,” Raven said.

  Will offered her another smile. “And we might not be necessary at all.”

  Finally, the pinch in her brow vanished. “So, you both will be safe?”

  He studied her and wondered… Was it possible her fear had been for him and Raven and not for Ruth?

  “I’m ind
estructible,” Raven declared with a grin. “It’s only Will you should be concerned with. He has a bad habit of getting stabbed.”

  She gasped.

  Will glared at his friend and then turned to Camilla. “Don’t listen to him.”

  “How many times have you almost died this year?” Raven asked.

  Will looked at him and could tell his friend was no longer teasing. He was concerned as well.

  Was that why he’d come? Not to simply spend time with Will before he left, but to make sure Will didn’t do anything reckless?

  Will looked at Camilla. “There may have been a time when I wasn’t so... careful. But I promise you, I will be very careful tonight.”

  The noise from the courtyard grew as they neared the center of the action. The carriage stopped.

  Raven got out first. “I’ll look around for out contact and give you both a moment.” He closed the door behind him. “One minute,” he reminded them both, w

  hich meant there was no time to pick back up where he and Camilla left off earlier that night.

  Camilla blushed but smiled. “I suppose you’d like to talk about what happened in the alley.”

  He shook his head. “Actually, I don’t.”

  Her eyes widened. “You don’t?”

  “No.” In the end, Will decided he was glad she hadn’t said it.

  If the confession had to be dragged from her, then he would never be certain it was the truth. Also, he wanted her mind clear when she admitted it.

  She had to want him just as much as he wanted her.

  And not just physically. She had to want everything. She had to love with conviction.

  He took her hand. “If I asked you to stay here, would you?”

  She wrapped her arms around her waist. “I would like to see Ruth. I want to talk her out of this.”

  He thought she might, but he and his people wanted to use Ruth as bait.

  It was terrible, but it was what it was. Ruth had arranged the meeting. Will was only taking advantage of that fact.

  He looked Camilla over. In her purple skirts, she looked like a woman ready to attend the theatre, but her face was a little red, especially her mouth. It was swollen from their kiss. Her hair was also hanging loose from its pins.

  That was likely his doing. “I don’t think it would be a good idea to let you out.”

  “Why not?” She straightened. “I won’t get in the way. I promise.”

  Raven banged on the carriage.

  “You look ravished, my love.” Will opened the door and hopped out. “Completely and thoroughly ravished.” When he turned back to her, Camilla’s face held surprise.

  And for Will, that only endeared her appearance further.

  She touched her hair. “I can fix it.” She could fix some of it. Perhaps she could make herself presentable again, but Will would know.

  As he soaked in everything she began to place back together. Her hair done, she straightened her skirts. “I’m ready.”

  He held out a hand and as she took it, he was still unsure of his actions.

  Instincts told him he should have left her at home, but the voice that was trying to win her over said now wasn’t the time to try to appear controlling, even if it was all for her benefit and safety. He loved her, but love was a twisted thing in her eyes at the moment.

  “Look,” she said. “There are Luke and Emily!”

  He saw them and struck out an arm to block Camilla from approaching them. “Camilla, we’re on a mission. We’re supposed to be looking for Ruth. Besides, your family can’t see you.” He didn’t need the man knowing that he’d taken his sibling out this evening. That would only lead to a quick jaunt down the aisle no matter Camilla’s feelings.

  “I know, but it’s Emily.” She looked at them longingly. “They’re together tonight. She looks happy.”

  Will looked at the couple who stood outside with a few others. Luke was being the doting husband. He wore a smile and inclined his head to listen to whatever his wife had to say.

  “Do you think it’s right that she never knows the truth?” she asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Do you think Luke will be faithful to her this time?”

  “Again, I don’t know.” And he knew, before he even looked at her, that his words would trouble her.

  She looked at him. “I honestly thought he loved her.”

  “Perhaps he does. Look at him. See how he tries to please her.”

  “But he touched another woman.” She frowned and trembled with indignation.

  “People make mistakes.” Will didn’t know what he was saying. He only wished to make her feel better. “I would never touch another woman, however.”

  “You can’t know that.”

  Again, Will was hit with the urge to make her brother disappear.

  If only Azalea took men as well.

  “What are you thinking?” She narrowed her eyes. They were a distance from the streetlamps, which meant that no one could make out their identities unless they came close.

  They were amongst a group of other carriages. The smell of horses was high and drivers and footmen walked by, but no one looked at them.

  From the shadows, they could be anyone.

  A lord and lady.

  A man and his doxy.

  Or simply two lovers in the dark.

  Sadly, love wasn’t on his mind at the moment. It was pain and the amount he could give Luke. “Trust me, Camilla. You don’t want to know my thoughts at the moment.”

  Her brows climbed high. “I’m sorry.”

  He crossed his arms. “What for?”

  “I keep looking for examples of love, but it’s terribly hard to find. I don’t know who I would be as a wife. I didn’t have a family like yours. My father never treated my mother like yours did.”

  He shrugged. Frustration made him say his next words. “Then don’t look for examples and simply be it.” He honestly didn’t know what he was saying. He wasn’t sure where the words came from or what they were to imply.

  He just wanted her to be with him. He wanted her to love him.

  But her gaze became studious and she nodded. “Maybe you’re right.”

  She turned back to look at her brother. Emily and their little party made progress toward the entrance of the theatre. “Would you want to know?” she asked quietly. “If someone you loved was hurting you, would you want to know?”

  “That’s a complicated question.” Also, he didn’t love anyone but Camilla and he didn’t want to think about the possibility of her hurting him.

  She moved closer to him and touched his arm. “I don’t think I’d want to know.” She looked frightened. “If I… If I ever married, and if I were happy, I don’t believe I’d want to know the truth.” Her eyes widened. “And perhaps they knew that. Perhaps that’s why everyone kept everything a secret from me.”

  He covered her hand. “Camilla—”

  “I want to be happy,” she whispered. “I want things to be how they were before… everything.”

  “And I wish I could give you that, Camilla. I would cut off this very arm if it would give you the past, present, and future you’d always wished for.”

  She smiled and squeezed his arm. “That’s sweet, but please don’t cut it off. I like this arm. I like it around me best.”

  He chuckled. “Very well.”

  Even though she’d tried to make light of the moment, he knew she was still troubled by her predicament.

  He hadn’t been joking about his arm. He’d gladly give it to whoever would take it, so long as Camilla’s life was transformed. If she woke tomorrow with her parents happily in love and her brother’s betrayal nothing more than a terrible dream then he’d hardly miss the limb.

  Camilla moved closer and Will wrapped the arm she so loved around her waist.

  She leaned her head against his chest as they stared out at the thinning crowd. “When will Ruth come out?”

  “In a few hours.”

/>   “What?” She straightened. “Hours?”

  He smiled at her. “She’s supposed to meet Azalea sometime after the last act. The play just finished intermission.”

  “Then why are we here so early? Why did Raven make it sound like we would be late?”

  “This is all part of being a good spy, Camilla. The sitting and waiting takes up a great deal of time.”

  “But you said we were supposed to find Ruth.”

  “Our sources say she’s inside. We’re here by the carriages because this is the most likely means of escape. Raven is on the next road. We’ll keep our eyes open and wait to see if she or anyone suspicious comes out.”

  She sighed. “Well, I wish someone had told me. I’d have brought a book or something.” She leaned her head back against him. “How many times have you done this?”

  “Too many to count. Come.” He hoisted her up on the driver’s seat and then joined her. They readjusted themselves to their previous position.

  She wrapped her arms around him. “Do you enjoy this?”

  “Sometimes.” Will kissed her hair. “There is a thrill that comes when patience is rewarded but being here with you makes the wait easier.”

  She tilted her head and smiled up at him.

  He cupped her cheek and groaned. “Just once and I swear I’ll be the very best spy in the world.”

  Her mouth opened for him and they put everything into that short embrace before both pulled away with a sigh for more.

  “What happens after you catch Azalea?”

  “What do you mean? Do you mean what happens to her?”

  “No… I don’t think I want to know anything about that.”

  “Well, you should know that Van Dero only wishes to speak to her. We won’t kill her. We don’t do that to our enemies... anymore.”

  Anymore?

  Camilla closed her eyes. “I mean you.” She snuggled closer. “What’s next for you? What’s your next mission?”

  She brought up the one topic William had been avoiding. “There won’t be another mission. This is it.”

  ∫ ∫ ∫

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  * * *

  Having dealt with her own disappointments over the last week, Camilla knew what it sounded like from another mouth.