by Megan McCoy
“What is his last name?” Gabby asked.
“She didn’t say,” Fergus said. “But I went back to the telegram shop and sent Mariella another message. Maybe she can link the two of them.”
“Maybe so,” Gabby said. “I’m going to go up and check on Bonnie. Lydia told me the doctor left a powder that should help her sleep through the night. I think we should give it to her tonight.”
“That is a fine idea,” Fergus said. “Then come to our rooms, because we have things to discuss.”
She knew exactly what he was talking about, and it caused a wonderful fluttering in her stomach. “We shall see.” She left the room, a smile on her lips.
The fire blazed, and there were a few candles lit to give off a little light. Gabby stood in the doorway and waited for her eyes to adjust to the low light.
“You’ve been a bad girl, Gabby.”
Those words made her tingle. Fergus sat in a chair near the fire. He wore his pants and shirt, and had taken off his jacket and vest. With his dark hair and beautiful eyes, he looked incredibly sexy, and she wanted to…
“I did what was necessary,” she responded. “It brought you back to where you needed to be.”
“You should have found a better way to get hold of me than you did.”
“You’re blaming me for making you better?” Gabby snorted. “Maybe I should have left you to cry in the corner.”
She knew Fergus loved what he called her “spunky attitude,” but she also knew she could push things too far. It was a possibility she was doing that right now. “I still think I should be rewarded, and not punished.”
“Then we are in a quandary,” Fergus said. “What should we do? What sort of reward do you want?”
“A spanking, but not one that leaves me unable to sit down for days.” She’d had a few of those in their four years of marriage, and she didn’t want another one, not just today, but any day.
“Hmm.” He crossed his legs and ran his fingers through his hair. The desire she’d felt earlier deepened. She’d take a hard spanking right now, if it meant she could take him inside her after. The only problem was she didn’t get sex after a rough spanking, because it was for punishment.
She needed to figure out a way to mix the punishment he wanted for her talking back to him, with the pleasure she knew they both wanted.
Gabby put her hands on her hips and sashayed across the floor, keeping her gaze on Fergus’ face. He was smiling, which was a good thing. When she was inches away she turned and bent ever so slightly so her bottom was in full view. She wiggled it, and said, “Do you want this?”
“Naughty, naughty,” he said. “You know I do. Not giving you a spanking is out of the question, though.”
She wiggled her bottom once more, then darted away before he could grab her. She put her hands on the bedpost and said, “Shall I call the maid to undress me, or would you rather use your own fingers?” Gabby turned her head to where Fergus sat.
At first, he didn’t move, and she thought he would not rise to her offering. But then he got up, slowly. He didn’t move toward her, but only stared in her direction. She waited for him to come to her, but instead he sat down.
“Come here, Gabriella.”
It did not bode well when he used her full name. She took a deep breath and let go of the bedpost. Then she turned and walked to where her husband sat.
“Ten swats.”
That wasn’t nearly enough for what had happened this afternoon, she knew. And if she gave in easily it would ring untrue.
“How can ten swats be considered a reward?” She took a step back. “You wound me, Fergus. I’m sorry, but I just can’t accept ten swats. I’ll be going to my room now. Good night.”
She started for the door, but as she’d expected would happen, Fergus grabbed her from behind. He threw his arms around her waist and pulled her against his chest. “You will do as I say, Gabriella.” He carried her, with her legs in the air kicking, to the bed where he tossed her down, face first. He straddled her before she could move, his knees on either side of her hips.
When his breath hit her ear, Gabby shivered. She wanted to tell him not to rip her dress, because it was one of her favorites, but her words caught in her mouth when he gently nibbled on her earlobe.
“You’re a wicked girl, Gabriella, my little imp.”
“I’m sorry if I stepped out of line, Lord Fergus.”
“You will behave, imp.”
“As you wish, Lord Fergus.”
He was off her in a second, and disappointment surged through her. She’d expected a spanking, and then some good sex as part of her reward. Was the lead-up all she was going to get? She certainly hoped not.
“Stand up, and get in the position you in just moments ago.”
Gabby stood, faced the bed and grasped the bedpost. Thank goodness she wasn’t going to lose her dress. She kept her hands tight on the post, as if a maid were about to lace up her corset. Fergus stepped behind her. He ran his hands up and down her sides. The caresses made Gabby shiver with delight. Fergus moved his hands to her hips, up her back, and settled on her shoulders.
After a few moments, he started to undo the buttons on her dress, moving slowly and surely. The lace around her neck loosened and Gabby closed her eyes as his fingers gently touched her skin. She loved the feel of him, the way her body reacted to his touch. Her nipples tingled and her clit pulsed.
Fergus gently caressed her neck, and then, all of a sudden, he grabbed either side of her dress and ripped down. The sound of popping buttons and tearing material jolted her, and she tried to pull away.
“Keep your hands in place,” he said.
Gabby trembled, not from fear, but from excitement. He pushed her ruined dress away from her shoulders, where it caught on her arms. She was left with her shift, petticoats, and corset.
“Take it off, one arm at a time.”
It took quite a while to get her arms free. She shrugged the material down, first her left arm and then the right.
“So beautiful,” Fergus whispered in her ear. “Now, be a good little imp and lift your petticoats and bend over the bed.”
Anxious to get into place, Gabby almost tripped over the dress that was now pooled at her feet. When her bottom was bare she awaited the first swat. She hadn’t seen any sort of implement, a piece of leather or a crop. So, when his hand came down on her bottom, she groaned in pleasure. There was nothing better than a good, hard hand spanking.
And that’s what she got… ten, fifteen, twenty, much more than the ten he’d promised, but it was definitely not a punishment spanking. This was one that made her want him inside her, made her wet, made her want to scream. But Gabby was cognizant of where they were, of the fact that they were not at home in their house where she could make as much noise as she wanted.
“Not as red as I’d like, but when we get home I will make up for it.”
“I will behave, Fergus,” she said.
“No, you won’t.” Fergus laughed. “And if you did, I wouldn’t like it. Now, for the pleasure.”
He grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled. Since it was still pinned up, there was no small amount of pain.
“Ouch!” She tried to turn and slap at him, but he pushed her further into the mattress. He let go of her hair and grabbed her shoulders, but Gabby managed to roll over and push him enough so that she could get away. But it didn’t last for long. He grabbed her and they tumbled to the ground in front of the fireplace.
They rolled and pulled at each other, and Gabby started to laugh. “Get off me!” she said through her laughter.
“And get in you? That sounds like something that needs to be done, and quickly.”
They rolled together, and her petticoats gathered around her thighs.
Fergus rolled onto his back. He pulled her on top of him, and Gabby worked to keep her petticoats from getting in the way. When he pushed up, she centered herself and took him deep inside her. She threw her head back and bit her li
p to keep from screaming out.
Fergus thrust into her, and she bore down on him, and his cock hit just the right spot. The world around her exploded. Gabby’s body shuddered and she threw her hands up in the air.
“Fergus!” She collapsed on top of him and she felt him pumping inside her.
He rolled them so she was on her back. She wrapped her legs around him as he continued to thrust into her. She held him close, and when he groaned into her ear, she kissed his shoulder.
Fergus held her close, and when he left her she felt, as always, a great sense of loss. He helped her to her feet. They washed each other and then fell into bed, completely naked. Before she fell asleep, Gabby got up and blew out the few candles that still burned. She added a few logs to the fire, and then climbed into bed.
“Fergus, darling, Bonnie was talking this afternoon about you playing hide and seek with Malcolm. She said she could never find you. Where did you hide?”
For an answer, all she got was a snore. She wasn’t surprised he was sleeping, because that was usual for him after sex. But the discussion on hide and seek had bothered her, and still nagged at her. It had something to do with what they were facing, she was sure of it. She made a mental note to ask him about it in the morning, then curled against his chest and fell asleep.
Chapter 6
Three days later, Gabby felt ready for the party, but knew anything to do with the spiritualist was fading away. The woman had not been back since Fergus had kicked her out, which was a good thing. Bonnie’s mood had improved, and at times they caught her laughing.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Bonnie said to Fergus once, holding him in a tight hug. “I wish you could stay.”
Fergus had glanced in Gabby’s direction, and she’d sighed. She knew Bonnie was here on her own, but their life was in London. They couldn’t stay in Scotland. The look he gave her told her he felt the same way. As much as he wanted to be with his aunt, he couldn’t stay here. The only way it would happen was if they brought her to London.
They’d been to the pub two nights in a row, and had not caught sight of Freddy, the man they thought was Honoria’s accomplice. They had hired Juliette’s cousin and his bandmates to play at the party, which was in three nights’ time. They’d yet to receive a response from the telegrams they’d set about Honoria, which surprised Gabby. Mariella was usually right on the ball with such requests.
“The house looks spectacular,” Fergus said as Gabby helped Juliette place a garland over the French doors that led to the garden. They were waiting to decorate the fireplace mantles until the day of the party.
“Thank you from us all,” Gabby said. “Everyone has worked so hard to get things ready. And the food… Oh my, Lydia has prepared things that will amaze our guests.”
“That’s good to hear,” Fergus said. “Hopefully none of Bonnie’s neighbors will try and steal the cook away.”
“Lydia is very happy where she’s at,” Juliette said. “We all are.”
“Also good to hear,” Fergus said.
“Ma’am?” The three of them turned to where Bud stood in the doorway. “There is a woman here to see you.”
“Show her in,” Fergus said.
Gabby set down her end of the garland, then her mouth dropped open as Mariella D’Acosta stepped into the room.
“Forgive me, Gabby, but I thought what I had to say needed to be said in person.” She nodded in Fergus direction.
“Indeed,” Gabby said. “May I ask who is taking care of the newspaper?”
“Lord Ellington,” Mariella said. “I will head back early in the morning.”
Gabby turned to Juliette. “Prepare a room for Miss D’Acosta.”
Juliette nodded, then hurried from the room.
“What is it?” Fergus said.
Mariella looked around, and Gabby felt as if her newspaper manager was worried she would be overheard.
“Bud, tell Lydia we’ll be three for tea,” Gabby said. “And please have the maids check on Bonnie and send tea to her room.”
When it was just the three of them in the room, Gabby crossed to her second in command. “I’m shocked to see you.”
“I didn’t want this to be sent where anyone could read it,” Mariella said.
They waited to get to the point of things until tea had been delivered and the door closed.
“Tell us,” Gabby said after she’d poured the tea.
“This woman, Honoria, my source at Scotland Yard believes her to be a confidence woman whose real name is Mary Beth Carnard. She’s been arrested several times for theft, but officers can never make the charges stick. She works with her husband, Freddy Carnard.”
“That nails it,” Fergus said. He explained to Mariella about the man named Freddy. “Contact your Scotland Yard friend and tell him to get up here as soon as possible.”
“I will tell him when I return tomorrow,” Mariella said.
“Not soon enough,” Gabby said. “They are trying to steal from Bonnie!”
Mariella held up her hand. “Please, let me finish.”
Gabby stared at Mariella, and then nodded. “I should have known you wouldn’t come all this way just for theft.”
“Try murder,” Mariella said.
Gabby felt her breath catch in her throat. “Whose murder?”
“A maid in Bath,” Mariella said. “Honoria pretends to be a spiritualist and her husband steals from the people she bilks. In Bath, he was in a bedroom taking jewelry while his wife held a séance downstairs when a maid walked in, or so the officers have deduced. She was found dead, and jewelry from the owners, and several guests, was missing.”
“Bath,” Gabby whispered. She turned her gaze on Fergus, who looked shocked. “When Malcolm died, didn’t you tell me he was courting a woman in Bath?”
“Her name was Evie, if I remember correctly,” Fergus said.
“Evie Hughes?” Mariella asked.
“Yes, I believe so.” Fergus said.
“That is the woman whose maid was murdered.” Mariella sat back in her chair. “There has to be a connection between the young woman’s death, and your cousin’s death.”
“My cousin’s murder,” Fergus said. “We need to go into town and send a message to your friend tonight, ask him to come here as soon as possible. They are here. And I think they killed my cousin.”
It was after midnight when the message had been sent and Fergus and Mariella were back home. Gabby had stayed to keep an eye on Bonnie, even though the older woman was asleep. Gabby wondered if the powder the doctor had left for her worked too well, for Bonnie slept a great deal of the time lately.
Gabby sat up in bed, waiting for Fergus. It wasn’t until they were gone that she’d remembered she wanted to ask him about the hide and seek game, and where he and Malcolm had hidden. It had been nagging at her for days, and when they were together she always seemed to forget about it.
Now, as she watched him strip off his clothing and climb into bed, naked, she almost thought about letting it wait until morning. But she had a feeling it would be a busy day, so it was best to soldier on.
“I’ve been thinking,” she started, but stopped when her husband put his hand on her thigh.
“So, have I.” He squeezed, then turned to her for a kiss. It was utterly delicious, and once again, Gabby had to fight the urge to put off what she had to say until the morning. But when he tried to kiss her again, she turned her head.
“Has the magic gone away?” Fergus asked, humor in his tone.
“I don’t want to be distracted,” she said. “Days ago, Bonnie told me she used to play hide and seek with you and Malcolm.”
He laughed. “You’re forgoing sex to ask me about a game I played as a child? I’m wounded.”
“Darling, I’m just curious where you hid.”
He moved away from her, and she felt his loss. “I’m sorry if I ruined the mood. I was just thinking about it while you were gone.”
Fergus was quiet for quite some ti
me, but then he said, “There’s a hidden room in the upstairs library. I’d forgotten about it.”
He got up and reached for his pants.
“I didn’t mean for you to search now.” Gabby patted the spot next to her. “Come back to bed and we’ll look in the morning.”
“Oh no, you’ve whetted my appetite now,” he said. “Get up, get dressed, and let’s go searching.”
This was not what she’d expected to happen. “We should look when it’s light outside,” she said.
“We’ll use a few candles, and it will be like one of those gothic novels you love so much.”
“Right now, what I’d love is your mouth on my nipples.”
Gabby got out of bed and reached for her dressing gown. “If I had known this was going to cost me an orgasm, I would have waited to talk about it in the morning.”
Fergus stopped in the doorway. “Please, you love the chase as much as I do, now let’s go.”
They each held a candle to light the way, as they walked down the hallway. Fergus stopped at Bonnie’s room to look in and make sure his aunt was sleeping.
“I find it interesting that the only night I heard noises was our first night here,” he said.
“She’s been sleeping well since the doctor gave her the power,” Gabby said. “I feel it has calmed her nerves.”
“I suppose so,” he said. He closed the door and they made their way to the library. Once inside he lit a few more candles, then went to the bookcase.
“It’s a priest hole,” he said as he pressed on the books. “It’s small, but it kept us hidden from Bonnie. I don’t even know if she knows about it. It was built in the Jacobite era.”
Gabby watched as he continued to press and pull on the books. When nothing happened, he pounded his fist against the wall, and the bookcase shuddered. Fergus fell to his knees and pulled on a floorboard. The wall opened, the space barely big enough for a man to press through.
