Her friend was shaken but recovered her composure in a few moments. “That was q-quick thinking by Sir Alex, Eve. He saved both our lives.”
“Yes. He was better prepared this time.”
Lydia stared in horror. “It has happened before? Is that what you meant when you said someone tried to kill you again?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Dear God, Eve…. Are you hurt?”
Leaving the handkerchief to Lydia, Eve inspected her right leg. Her jean half-boot had cushioned most of the blow, but when she probed, her ankle hurt. And when she tried to stand, she could put weight on that foot but could walk only with a limp.
“My ankle isn’t broken, just bruised, but I will need help walking. We will wait for Sir Alex,” Eve said, easing back on the ground.
It was perhaps another five minutes before Ryder returned. He was furious, Eve could tell instantly from his expression.
“Any luck?” she asked.
“No. Someone was up there on the wall walk, watching you, but he was gone by the time I arrived. When I followed the stairway down to the cellars and searched the underground passageways, I found wet footprints where someone had recently moved through muddy water. The prints led to the rear of the abbey and came up in the cloister, but from there, it would have been easy to slip out through any of the openings in the walls.”
“And if he went that way,” Eve speculated with rising anger, “he could have hidden himself in any of the ruined farm buildings or disappeared into the woods by the river.”
“Yes,” Ryder said tersely. “Or returned to the picnic grounds and melded into your servant staff.”
“If so, then it could indeed have been one of the servants.”
“Perhaps. But it just as easily could have been anyone who knew we were visiting the ruins. The whole countryside knew your plans for the house party. He could have arrived here long beforehand and lain in wait for you, in the hope of finding you alone. Regardless, there’s no question he’s becoming more brazen. He could easily have been seen.”
“What of Lord Gyllford?” Eve asked.
“I intend to discover if he went missing from his group for any period of time.”
“You suspect Lord Gyllford?” Lydia asked in a high, shocked voice.
Ryder offered her a reassuring smile. “It’s unlikely he’s the culprit, although he is one of several people who might have had motive and opportunity to hurt Eve. But it would be best not to mention this incident to anyone, Lady Keeling, if we hope to eventually flush out our criminal.”
“Of course,” Lydia said uncertainly.
“Can you ladies make it to your carriage?” he said, changing the subject. “I will escort you home and then return so I can start questioning your servants and guests.”
“But I don’t wish to go home, Ryder,” Eve said stubbornly, her anger swelling at the helplessness her assailant made her feel. “I have no intention of acting the coward, particularly when it would only alarm my guests and cause unnecessary delay in your inquiry.”
She saw Ryder’s jaw harden, but she cut off his argument before he could voice it. “And I won’t call off the picnic and give that villain the satisfaction of thinking I am surrendering to his tyranny without a fight. Besides, I doubt he will make another attempt today.”
“Another attempt?” Lydia asked, dismayed.
Eve gave her friend a rueful glance. “I am so sorry you were dragged into the danger, Lydia.”
“No, no…I am fine, truly. But it is appalling to think that someone is actually trying to kill you. You must be terrified.”
“I am, a little,” Eve said, managing an ironic smile. “But I am becoming more inured to the feeling. How is your chin?” she added, forcing herself to show a pretense of calm.
“Better, I think.” Lydia held the handkerchief away so Eve could examine the wound.
“Yes, it is better. The bleeding has stopped. But if you would like to go home now and have this tended to, I will have my coachman take you.”
“No, I don’t want to put you to so much trouble. And I have been looking forward to the picnic.”
“Very well, then,” Ryder capitulated, though obviously not happy about Eve’s decision. “We will stay for the remainder of the picnic.” He helped both ladies to stand. “We’ll explain your injuries by saying that you met with an unfortunate accident. You both encountered a crumbling step and tripped.”
“How clumsy of us,” Eve said wryly, trying to make a jest.
Yet she had never felt less like laughing. Now that the immediate danger was over, she felt a little weak from shock, as well as a burning fury that she once again had been turned into a victim.
She truly had no desire to face the inevitable fuss her family and guests would make when she and Lydia returned bruised and bleeding. But there was no hope for it, Eve thought with a regretful sigh.
With Ryder’s support, she was able to walk slowly back to the picnic spot. From a distance, the scene looked elegant and civilized in contrast to the rustic charm of the setting. White damask cloths covered the tables where a feast had been laid out, complete with baskets of strawberries and hothouse pineapples and even a succulent roast goose, while crystal goblets and fine china sparkled in the sunlight.
It seemed highly incongruous to Eve, when she had just escaped another near-fatal accident, thanks to Ryder. Most of the guests were already lounging on blankets beneath the beechwood trees as they were served champagne and punch by her servants.
Studying the crowd, Eve felt herself shudder. Her murderous assailant could be right here, looking quite innocent and proper and very much a part of the celebration.
Or he could still be lurking in the woods, observing her at this very moment.
Her gaze flickered to the woods, then returned to the gathering. She saw Macky frown when he spied her limping across the grounds on Ryder’s arm. The two men exchanged a significant glance, and she was sure Macky realized something was amiss.
Then she felt Ryder give her hand a reassuring squeeze, and she glanced gratefully up at him.
“Ready for your performance?” he asked, his tone still holding a brusque hint of disapproval.
“Yes.” Grasping his arm more tightly, Eve squared her shoulders and feigned a smile, bracing herself to face her jovial company when the last thing she wanted to do was pretend to enjoy an alfresco picnic.
Chapter
Thirteen
Four hours later found Eve alone in the small ladies’ parlor she favored when she resided at Hayden Park, staring blindly out the window at the swans swimming lazily on the lake.
Defiance had been her chief emotion for the remainder of the afternoon. She was furious that another cowardly attempt had been made on her life, and even more furious that her friend Lydia had been caught in the middle of the treachery aimed at her.
Her family was horrified. Beatrice had wanted to disband the house party at once and send Eve somewhere far, far away, where she could be safe.
Eve refused to be cowed into hiding, however. She was determined to quell her fear, even if she risked grave danger by remaining.
Ryder’s grimness was palpable. As soon as they returned to the Park, he had sent to London for more reinforcements. And he planned to redouble his efforts to discover where the former steward, Tobias Meade, and his wife Mabel might have gone after being turned off the estate.
But Ryder was clearly worried about future attempts on Eve’s life. He’d alarmed her further at the picnic when he insisted on filling her plate himself, murmuring in a quiet undertone, “I don’t want you eating or drinking anything that is not a communal offering straight from your cook.”
Eve had stared at him. “You are concerned I might be poisoned?”
“It’s only a possibility, but you need to be careful. And after this, you will remain at home, where I can better protect you.”
“But I have guests to entertain.”
“They will have to ge
t along without you.”
“What about the hunt tomorrow?”
“You won’t be attending. You are too conspicuous at public outings and make too easy a target.”
Eve had refrained from arguing with Ryder at the time, even though she had no intention of cowering at home and letting her devious assailant dictate her every move.
Alone in the parlor now, however, Eve shuddered. Her defiance was fading quickly with nothing else to occupy or distract her. In the peaceful lull before the dinner hour, the house was too quiet. She could hear her chaotic thoughts, could feel her nerves shredding. She hated the feeling of helplessness, of powerlessness. She had no command over her life anymore, just as during her marriage. All her hard-won independence had been ground to dust.
Just then she heard the door open behind her. Without even looking, she knew Ryder had joined her. She sensed his comforting presence at her back, a moment before she felt his warm hands come to rest on her shoulders.
Eve exhaled a deep sigh when he began rubbing lightly, kneading the strain and tension from her tight muscles.
“Come with me to the dower house,” he said quietly. “You need to get away.”
She squeezed her eyes shut. How did he know her so well? How had his instincts become so keenly attuned to her?
The truth was, she desperately wanted to go with him, wanted to escape her fear and responsibilities for a while, even if it would be scandalous. She couldn’t help feeling frightened and on edge, but she was sick of being afraid and wanted to restore some measure of control over her life. Her guests were currently in their rooms, resting before dinner, so she wouldn’t be missed.
“Yes,” she answered simply.
Her defiant mood returned as she accompanied Ryder to the stables, where a groom harnessed the gig for her. And she felt a renewed sense of freedom as they drove the short distance to the dower house.
Halting the vehicle in the drive, Ryder tied the horse and then came around to lift Eve down, taking care to set her down easily so as not to aggravate the soreness of her twisted ankle. As he took her hand and led her inside the house, she realized that she felt safe with Ryder.
No, Eve amended silently. Ryder made her feel so much more than just safe. She needed him, she wanted him. And for the next hour, she was determined to forget her fears, to pretend nothing else existed but the two of them.
“This way,” Eve said, preceding him upstairs to the bedchamber she normally used when she retreated here.
Decorated in elegant shades of ivory and yellow, the room was bright and airy, with late-afternoon sunlight streaming through the lace curtains. Eve went straight to the windows and threw open the sash, letting in the sweet fragrance of the gardens below. The same gardens where she had made love to Ryder so passionately only the day before.
When she turned and saw that Ryder had already begun to undress, her heart skipped a beat. This Ryder was familiar to her, since he had removed his coat and cravat. In shirtsleeves and breeches, he brought to mind images of that long-ago lazy summer on Cyrene, the last of her girlhood.
In silence, they slowly undressed each other, wanting to draw out the moment.
When they were both nude, Eve stood before Ryder unselfconciously, reveling in her newfound confidence. She noted the way his eyes flared and darkened at the sight of her, and knew her own expression was similar.
He made such a picture of male beauty that she couldn’t speak. His magnificent male splendor took her breath away.
Her gaze swept over his powerful torso and lower, to fix on his phallus that jutted proudly against his belly. Mesmerized, Eve stepped toward him, yearning to feel his hard flesh filling her, driving into her.
When Ryder drew her against the incredible lean hardness of his body, the heat and hunger gathered inside her in an unbearable need. If she didn’t have this man, if he didn’t ease the ache within her soon, she would perish.
“I want you,” she confessed in a whisper as he bent and touched his lips to her throat.
“The feeling is mutual, I assure you, beauty.”
“Ryder, kiss me.”
Obeying, he put a finger under her chin and brought her mouth against the burning heat of his. Eve sighed in delight at the tender ravishment of his kiss. But it wasn’t enough.
When his hands came up to cup her breasts, she stopped him. “No, I want to do this. Please?”
His smile was all sensual charm. “Do you mean to seduce me, my lady?”
“Yes,” she returned boldly. “I want to pleasure you this time.”
As if sensing her need to take control, Ryder acquiesced without protest. “By all means, indulge yourself.”
She did want to indulge herself. Ryder had given her a great gift; he had opened her to passion. And she wanted to repay him.
But more important, she wanted to incite the same passion in him. To make him yearn for her the way she had begun to yearn for him.
Moving to the bed, she turned back the yellow chintz coverlet and the linen sheets, then directed him to lie down. He obliged, lounging back against the pillows, somehow managing to look both relaxed and dangerous at the same time. The contrast between his naked masculinity and the soft white bed was riveting.
Her mouth going dry at the delicious sight, Eve climbed up after him to kneel between his spread legs. For a moment, she hesitated, gazing down at him—the expanse of his chest, his taut belly, the powerful sprawl of his thighs, the swollen, jutting erection that reached almost to his navel.
Her heart started beating in wild anticipation. She was determined to make this man, dangerous as he was, feel the same hot, uncontrollable pleasure he aroused in her.
Leaning over him, she trailed her fingers along one flat male nipple to his abdomen, marveling at how silky and hot his skin felt. Ryder tensed when she closed her fingers over his arousal, and his eyes turned even darker, but he lay still while she explored.
Eve felt shy and brazen and emboldened all at once as she slowly dragged the tips of her fingers over his sex. She could see Ryder’s jaw tighten when she teased his heavy sacs, pulling lightly.
Then bending, she pressed her lips against the swollen head of his shaft. He sucked in a breath as she began to nibble on his scalding hot flesh, yet she wasn’t satisfied. She wanted to do more than just kiss him—although she wasn’t quite certain what to do next.
When she paused, his hand came up to rest on her hair. “Take me in your mouth.”
Eve obeyed, feeling a delightful sense of feminine power when his body went rigid at the first touch of her mouth. His taste was highly arousing all in itself, and she wanted more.
Following her instincts, she set about indulging her desire, taking him deeper into her mouth, sucking lightly, absorbing his scent and taste greedily, finding immense pleasure in the strangled groan he gave as his hands clenched the sheets on either side of him in an effort to remain still.
“Eve.”
Pausing in her erotic ministrations, she raised her head to glance up the length of his body. His gaze was devouring, possessive, intense. “You are driving me mad,” Ryder rasped, his voice hoarse.
Eve smiled in satisfaction. “It is only fair, since you do the same to me.”
His hands came up to fondle her breasts, eliciting a sensuous gasp from her. “What do I do to you, sweeting?”
“You make me feel wild…fearless. I need to feel that way just now, Ryder.”
His dark eyes softened. “I know.”
For a moment as she met his gaze, she couldn’t move. She hadn’t exaggerated in the least, Eve realized. Ryder made her feel wild and reckless, her senses out of control. And she imagined that she was making him feel the same way. He seemed just as aroused as she was, the look in his eyes demanding, hungry, wildly hot.
As their gazes locked, Ryder couldn’t move. Arousal beat a fierce, driving pulse in his veins as he regarded Eve. She was every man’s dream temptress, yet this was his dream come to life. Her hair was a bright
waterfall cascading down around her face in a tumble of gold fire, curling around her taut nipples and lush breasts. It was her eyes, however, that held him spellbound. His heart thundered wildly against his ribs as he read the emotion there in the blue depths. Passion. For him. His sleeping beauty had awakened.
Scarcely daring to breathe, Ryder tightened his fingers on the sheets, fighting the urge to reach for Eve and draw her up to him, not wanting to spoil the precious moment. He was determined to let her have her way with him.
His fortitude was rewarded when she bent to him again and slid her lips down over his cock. After another few minutes, however, when her tender sensual assault brought him near bursting, he could bear no more.
Taking over, Ryder put an end to her ministrations; grasping her shoulders, he lifted her up and rolled over her, pressing her down among the pillows.
“I thought I was seducing you,” Eve said in breathless surprise.
“You were. You are. But now it’s my turn to torment you. Now, hush, love.”
He bent to her, covering her lips with a light kiss before finding the silken column of her throat. Surrendering to his demand, she twined her arms around his neck to draw him closer.
A sigh of desire and need whispered from Eve as his lips moved lower, down over her collarbone, nuzzling her pale skin, savoring the smooth, hot texture, relishing the honeyed taste. Her ripe breasts were straining for his touch, and when he found one sweet mound, she arched harder against him, offering him the budded crest. He took it tenderly between his teeth, nipping her, suckling her taut nipple, making her whimper. At the erotic sound, Ryder could feel a throbbing ache shoot like fire through his loins.
His hand slid down along her belly and between her bare thighs, seeking and caressing. She was already hot and aching for him, he realized with elation.
A tremor rocked him when her hips surged to greet his stroking hand. He knew he should go slowly. And in other circumstances—some distant time in the future—he might be able to manage it. He would make love to Eve for hours, slowly arousing her, lingering at each plateau and savoring her response, drawing from her the deep sensuality that she had always repressed in herself.
Fever Dreams Page 23
