Another thing she noticed was his attitude toward her now that he realized she wasn’t the countess. No longer did she feel he would hurt her, but she still didn’t know if she could trust him. He definitely wanted to see Martin put behind bars, but could she trust Grey at all? Men who were out for revenge were not in their right minds—so she’d been told, and of course, written about.
Nevertheless, she found herself gazing into his green eyes, and enjoying it. His intense stare didn’t make her as uncomfortable as it had before. But now her breathing grew faster and whenever he smiled, her heart fluttered. She reined in her feelings, quickly. She couldn’t feel this way about him. He hadn’t yet proven to her that she could trust him. Of course, she would act as though she trusted him, only because she needed to convince him to take her back home. Although she would like to have faith in him, it was just too soon.
In two hours of talking, Grey continued to persuade her to help him spy on Martin. The mere thought started a churning pain in the pit of her stomach, starting slowly at first, but then it soon heightened the longer Grey practically begged for her help. Could a meek woman such as herself accomplish what Grey had instructed? Yet his soothing voice gave her encouragement and slowly confidence built inside of her. The feeling was foreign, and she doubted her ability to become his spy.
“But you don’t understand.” She stood and walked to the hearth to gaze at the fire that was nearly out. “Martin is used to me hiding from him. He’s going to notice when I watch him more, and especially if I’m not in my room most of the day.”
Grey moved to stand near her. He took the poker and knelt to break up the logs. Did this mean he was going to take her home soon because he was starting to douse the fire? Her hopes lifted, and then quickly fell. She was utterly confused. Although she was still considered kidnapped and with her abductor, she didn’t want to return home to face Martin’s threat.
“I fear Martin will question me about my actions.” She rubbed her arm. “And what if he tries to harm me?”
“Miss Templeton,” Grey placed the poker back against the stone wall, stood and faced her. “I will not let you out of my sight as long as Martin is around.”
“I don’t understand.” She shook her head.
“For the past few days I’ve been outside the estate spying on Martin...and of course, you, when I thought you were his wife. I could see you in the sitting room reading a book. I saw both of you at the dining table when you partook of your meals. I saw him in his study, and I saw you whenever you went riding.”
Heat climbed up her neck to attack her face once more. He’d been watching her? Constantly? She swallowed hard. Could he possibly have seen her while she was in her bedchamber? She seriously hoped not.
“You watched us all the time?”
Grey shrugged. “Well, perhaps not every moment of the day. I didn’t watch you while you slept, of course.”
She hoped that meant he couldn’t see her in her room. “So tell me, Grey, how were you able to spy on us?”
He grinned, and her heart flipped. That blasted smile of his gave her this reaction every time.
“There are a few places on the estate where I can hide. I have a spyglass and that’s how I have been able to keep watch over the two of you so closely.”
She tilted her head, keeping her gaze on his, even though it was hard. “Sir, I don’t know whether to think that’s a good or bad thing.”
He chuckled and folded his arms over his wide chest. “I’m not insane, if that’s what you’re referring to.”
“You certainly couldn’t prove it in front of a magistrate.”
His eyes widened for a moment before he threw his head back and laughed. She couldn’t help but smile as his rich baritone filled the room. This was the first time she had conversed with a man, and he actually found her humorous. She quite liked the warm feeling spreading through her body at the moment.
When he finally met her stare again, he shook his head. “The point is, you don’t have anything to worry about. I’ll be watching you, and if Martin tries to harm you, I will stop it.”
It was still hard to believe him. But the truth of the matter was, she really didn’t know him well enough.
“I thank you. That makes me feel slightly better.” She glanced at the dying embers in the hearth. “Why did you put out the fire?”
“Because, as promised, I’m going to take you home now. Does that ease your worry some?”
She hesitated before nodding, but his narrowed gaze told her he wasn’t convinced.
“Miss Templeton? What are you so concerned about?”
“The same thing I was troubled over about five minutes ago.”
He touched her shoulder and squeezed softly. “Will you trust me?”
“I...shall try.” And she really meant it that time.
A half hour later, they started back to the estate, riding on his horse. Although she wasn’t wrapped in a horse blanket this time, she still sat on his lap. The position was so immodest and yet, so incredibly cozy. His arms and legs bracketed her body intimately. Warmth spread over her like comforting arms. There wasn’t any other place she’d rather be at this moment. Never had she felt this rush of emotions that seemed out of control, and since she was tired of questioning them, she decided she would just enjoy them for now.
Besides, he couldn’t see her face and so he wouldn’t know how much she enjoyed this moment.
“Remember,” he said after a while of traveling in silence, “make certain to be in rooms that have windows so I’ll be able to keep an eye on you the best way I can. If Martin tries to corner you in the hallway, casually lead him into the nearest room with a window.”
She swallowed hard, praying she’d be able to accomplish this. She needed to do this. How else could she become the women she writes about in her stories? But it was more than that. Grey had spoken to her as if he believed in her. Never had she had a man put so much trust and confidence in her. She couldn’t’ let him down. “Where exactly will you be?”
“Mostly, I’ll be hiding in the group of trees on the east side of the stable. There is also a small hillside directly opposite to the west wing that has trees and tall bushes that will keep me hidden.”
She glanced over her shoulder and looked into his eyes. When he met her stare, her heart skipped a beat. She very much enjoyed his smoldering gaze. Something must be wrong with her, because she could gaze upon him like this for hours without getting bored.
He was entirely too close, and curse her insane emotions, but she did like the newfound feeling. “Grey, I get the impression by the way you’ve talked about the estate and the house that you know the place quite well. Did you use to visit there as a lad—or perhaps, do you live nearby?”
He blinked, and moved his focus back to the road as his jaw tightened. She received the distinct impression that he was hiding something. Of course he wouldn’t be completely honest with her yet. Perhaps he waited for her to prove to him that he could trust her. Funny, since that was the game she played with him.
“Yes, I have spent a lot of time at the estate. That’s why I know where everything is located.”
She dared not push him to tell her more. She must believe he would in due time. Yet, she’d shared information about her life, and it seemed almost unfair that she didn’t know much about his life at all.
Hesitantly, she asked, “Is Grey your real name?”
His eyes locked with hers again, but this time they widened. “Why do you ask?”
“I just want to get to know you a little better.” She shrugged. “Is it wrong of me to want to know the man I’m helping—the same man who assured me he wouldn’t allow Martin to marry me off to the highest bidder?”
His face relaxed and he smiled. Her breath caught in her throat again. This had been happening too much to her, already. Yet, when he looked so incredibly handsome, how could she not react? Nevertheless, she must find a way to stop herself from feeling this way.
“No, I suppose it’s not wrong.”
“So, is Grey your real name?”
“It’s my middle name.”
“Do your friends call you that?”
“Actually, no. They call me by my last name.”
His hand stroked her arm, making flutters inside her belly. Silently, she sighed and relaxed. It was then when she realized she was resting against a chest—a strong, masculine chest, no less.
She hitched in a quick breath and sat up straighter. The knowledge of what he just said to her finally stuck in her mind. She must have heard him wrong. If his friends referred to him by his last name, that meant he wasn’t a mere criminal. He must be respected amongst his peers. And men like this didn’t go around kidnapping innocent women...or doing all they could to see someone hanged. Or did they?
Although she didn’t personally know any criminals, she’d read about them, and Grey didn’t fit the image. He was too kind—once he learned her identity, of course. He was too concerned about her feelings. He didn’t dress like someone who was penniless. And he certainly didn’t carry himself as any lowlife waif would. In fact, if she didn’t know better, she would think he was of noble blood.
“By chance,” she asked hesitantly, “Are you a noble?”
One eyebrow lifted higher than the other as his smile stretched. “Indeed, I am.”
“What’s your title?”
Chuckling, he shook his head. “I don’t want you to worry about it right now, my blossom. I give you permission to call me Grey.”
Oh! His secrets were going to drive her insane, she just knew it. But why he kept referring to her as my blossom didn’t make sense, but it sure made strange things jump with excitement inside her stomach. “Do you plan on ever telling me your title and given name?”
He took a quick glance at her before returning his attention to the road. “Yes, I shall tell you when the time is right.”
She faced the road once more. Gradually, she relaxed against his chest. His pine scent let her know he was well bathed, and he used cologne, too. A criminal certainly wouldn’t smell this dreamy.
It was hard to keep from touching him in some way...another first for her. Even though he was incredibly muscular, resting against him like this was actually comfortable. Really, she shouldn’t enjoy this closeness. What if Grey wasn’t a respectable nobleman? After all, did men with reputable reputations go around kidnapping people? He must have strayed from his upbringing, which meant he would not be a gentleman at all. If that be the case, it was utterly ridiculous of her to even conjure up such fantasies about the kind of man she wished him to be.
Being a wallflower all of her life, she was used to daydreaming about men giving her some attention like they did to her sister. And just as all of the daydreams she’d had before...this one would eventually come to an end.
The steady rhythm of the horse lulled and relaxed her until she couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer. She closed them, but tried to remain alert. All she could hear was the horse’s hooves and Grey’s breathing, and of course, his occasional sigh, which she found herself sighing along with him.
Gradually, his arm moved around her, holding her against him a little tighter. She smiled, and in her sleepy state, she cuddled closer. If only she could stay in her dreams and be like this forever. If only he was a true gentleman—a real knight who came to her rescue, and would save her from the horrid brother-in-law who didn’t care a whit about her welfare. If only...her dreams would come true.
Her eyes hadn’t been closed for very long before the horse came to a sudden stop. As she blinked herself awake, the heaviness consuming her body let her know she’d been asleep much longer than she’d realized. “Where are we?”
“Home,” he whispered.
Her chest tightened with emotion as she glanced down the grove at the estate—Linden Hall was how Martin referred to it. It had only been a few hours since Grey had taken her away from here, and she knew the place would be the same when she returned, yet studying the grand house made her realize how lonely she’d been since the very first day she and her sister settled in. Strange to think she’d enjoyed herself with Grey—even when she was frightened to death and couldn’t trust him—more than she had since moving in with her sister.
Would he make good on his promise by keeping her safe? Only time would tell...
SEVEN
Alexandria’s heart beat in fear. She didn’t really want to come back to this place, not as long as Martin still resided at Linden Hall. So, although she didn’t fully trust Grey, he was her only hope of freedom right now, so she must help him.
Grey maneuvered the animal into a cluster of trees and stopped. He dismounted and then carefully hooked his hands around her waist and lifted her down. She held onto his shoulders, and kept her stare on his eyes as he lowered her. Alexandria’s body brushed against him, but he didn’t seem to mind...and remarkably, she didn’t mind, either. Silently, she cursed the fact that she’d been a wallflower all of her life and had never enjoyed such privileges.
His Adam’s apple jumped and he licked his lips. “I’ll let you go from this point. We don’t need Martin or the servants to see us together,” he said softly.
“No, we don’t.”
“Remember, you shall be fine. I won’t take my eyes off you.”
He said the last part so very tender, and the color of his gaze darkened slightly. It was hard not to trust him at this moment, but she couldn’t get rid of the nagging thought in the back of her mind reminding her that he hadn’t proved to her that he was a man who could be trusted.
She realized he still held onto her—and she held onto him. Suddenly, her throat turned dry, and she didn’t want to move away. “I’ll remember.”
“I think we should meet later tonight,” he said.
Hope sprang in her chest. Perhaps she had interested him in some way. Dare she believe? “You do?”
“Yes. I want to know everything that’s happened and what hasn’t. Then we can plan for tomorrow’s day.”
She nodded as her hopes slowly deflated. He didn’t show any signs of being repulsed by her company, which was slightly encouraging. But at least she’d get to see this handsome man again. “Yes, that’s an excellent idea.”
“Where should we meet?”
Her mind froze, and for the life of her, she couldn’t think of anywhere on the estate that would be private. Of course, it didn’t help her un-functioning mind because she was in his arms and she couldn’t stop gazing into those irresistible eyes of his.
The longer he watched her, his mouth slowly stretched into a grin. “There is a grove of trees by the pond. I’m sure you’ve ridden by that place many times since you’ve been here.”
“Uh...yes, I have.”
“In the evening, the grove of trees is very private. Not even the moon can light inside of them. I think we should meet there.”
“All right.” She licked her dried lips. “What time?”
“What time do you have supper?”
“Eight o’clock.”
“Then meet me there after supper.”
“Should I bring you something to eat?”
His smile widened, if that were possible, and his green eyes glimmered with happiness.
“I thank you for thinking of me. And yes, that would be wonderful if you could bring me something to eat.”
“Then I shall be delighted to do so.”
She didn’t know how long she stood standing in his embrace, but he acted as if he didn’t want to move, either. Finally, he cleared his throat and slowly dropped his arms. She quickly folded her arms to keep them occupied, because they suddenly felt empty. A strange hollow feeling encased her as sadness crept upon her.
“I shall see you later this evening.” His voice came out low.
“Yes.”
He didn’t move except for his gaze, and it dropped to her mouth. Urgency swept through her, and she wanted him to yank her back in his arms and cover her mouth with his
for her very first kiss...the kind of kiss she’d dreamed about since she’d discovered boys were not as disgusting as she had first thought.
She scolded herself for thinking this way. He was not the kind of man she should share her first kiss with, but since he’d discovered she was the wrong sister, he’d been so gentle. He’d listened to her and believed in her, which was something men had never done to her before.
His body swayed toward her, and she held her breath. But he took a step back. She released the pent-up air in a rush between her lips.
“Don’t forget, I’ll be watching you.” He winked, turned and mounted his horse. He glanced at her one last time before riding toward his hiding spot.
Disappointment washed over her. She’d been rejected many times in her twenty-three years, but never before had she felt this lonesome before.
ALEXANDRIA MADE IT to the stable before anyone on the estate noticed her. Nobody would know she’d been missing for a few hours, only because she wasn’t important around here, anyway. The setting sun brushed the sky with reds, yellows, and oranges. One of the stable boys gave her a nod before returning to moving hay around the animal’s stalls. Immediately, she noticed Buttercup had returned. She was grateful her horse knew the way back, but it hurt that her disappearance hadn’t alarmed anyone when she didn’t return with her horse.
Sighing heavily, she pushed weary fingers through her hair. She’d styled her waves into a bun this morning, but over the course of her adventure, they had all come out. She could only imagine what she looked like—a horrid mess. And to think this was what Grey saw the whole time he held her captive. How humiliating!
Well, for certain, tonight she would show him what a proper lady looked like. With any luck, she would be able to help him become the respectable nobleman she knew he could be. Excitement gave a bounce to her step. She was absolutely giddy, like a schoolgirl again. She wanted to laugh out loud as she skipped to the manor. It took all of her willpower not to throw her arms out and twirl around in pure glee. Perhaps she would when she entered her bedchamber, where no one would see her.
Stealing the Duchess Page 5
