He cupped her head, his thumbs sweeping across her lips. Her lilac fragrance enveloped him, and nearly drove him mad with wanting. He envisioned dropping his face to the softness of her neck and partaking of her creamy skin with his mouth.
Slowly, her eyes closed and her lips parted, as if offering a silent invitation. How could he turn her down? But he must. If only he had the courage to stop himself.
Julian lowered his head and brushed his cheek against hers. That wasn’t good enough. He needed more.
He moved his mouth closer, hovering his lips above hers. A tangy sweet scent breezed from her mouth. Grapes. She’d been eating some for dinner.
She held her breath, which made him want to do the same. She trembled in his arms, but he suspected it wasn’t from fear. How could she be frightened of him at this moment when she was practically melting in his arms? Instead, he was certain she held a different kind of fear. Would he be the first man to kiss her? The mere thought made his heart hammer faster in anticipation.
The excitement building inside of him was just too much to control. He had to kiss her, taste her, devour her with his inflamed affection. He’d think about the consequences later. Right now, however, he must follow his desires in haste!
He swept his lips across hers so very gently. Curses, she was so delicate. He felt if he took the kiss fast and as wild as he wanted to do, he’d break her for sure. But the longer he held himself back, the more his body trembled. He needed to end this torture before something dreadful happened.
As he settled his lips over hers, a tree branch broke from behind him through the stillness of the night. At first he wasn’t certain that was the exact noise he’d heard because of the pleasurable sigh escaping her throat, but then came another branch snapping. And another... The sound grew closer by the second.
He sucked in a quick breath and broke the kiss. Ending their close contact, he held her arms until she regained her footing, and then he whipped around, keeping her in back of him.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Shh. Someone’s here,” he whispered.
Shadows played all around him. It was too dark to see who was coming toward them, but he was ready. Quickly, he reached for his sword.
Drat! He’d left it on his horse. He was without a weapon, which generally didn’t happen to him. It didn’t matter. He had his strength, and he’d been able to knock down a man in a single blow of his fist. If that’s what it took to get rid of the person who dared disturb his and Alexandria’s privacy, then so be it.
NINE
Alexandria’s mind was in a dream-like cloud full of happiness. Why on earth would someone disturb it? And, who could have possibly seen them in this grove of trees, especially when there wasn’t enough light? Nobody could be just taking a leisurely stroll, especially in this section of the estate.
There could only be one explanation. Her heart dropped. It had to be Martin.
As the sound of the footsteps neared, a tiny light followed with it. Whoever it was carried a low-lit lantern. She clutched Grey’s coat and pressed herself up against his back. She knew, without a shadow of a doubt, he would protect her.
The lantern was like a ghostly light bobbing in the dark as it drew ever closer. When the lantern bearer was nearly upon them, the lantern rose, shining a soft patch of light on her and Grey.
“Greystone, is that you?”
The tenseness in Grey’s frame relaxed and he exhales a heavy breath. “Indeed, it is, my friend. You scared the wits out of me, Hawthorne.”
The other man chuckled. “Can you imagine my fright when I saw a shadow too large to be one man? Pray, who do you have with you?” He came closer, holding the lantern higher.
Grey pulled Alexandria around to his side. “Miss Templeton, may I present my good friend, Dominic Lawrence, the Marquess of Hawthorne?”
It was a little awkward to be introduced to someone that she couldn’t see very well. But nonetheless, she felt shy once again—just as she’d always done when being introduced to a man. She curtsied. “It’s...nice to meet a friend of Grey’s.”
“Hawthorne,” Grey continued, “let me introduce you to Miss Alexandria Templeton.”
Although it was hard to see him, she could tell when he bowed. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, as well.” The man stepped closer. “Tell me, Greystone, what has been going on so far since we last talked. Do you still have her in my woodsman cottage?”
Greystone... Why does Lord Hawthorne refer to Grey that way? And was she the woman Lord Hawthorne referred to?
Grey’s body shook with a quiet laugh. “Actually, no.” He slipped an arm around Alexandria, maneuvering her closer to Lord Hawthorne. “This is the woman I had kidnapped earlier today, believing she was the duchess. As remarkable as it sounds, I took the sister.”
“Not good, Greystone,” Lord Hawthorne replied with humor in his voice. “And I suppose you are now returning her?”
Laughter escaped Grey. “I’ll explain things to you later. Right now, Miss Templeton and I were ready to discuss tomorrow’s plans.”
There’s that name again! She really wished she had the courage to ask Grey about the strange name Lord Hawthorne kept using, but she didn’t dare voice her thoughts. She’d wait until she and Grey were alone again.
“Do you want me to meet you back at the cottage, then?” Lord Hawthorne asked.
“If you don’t mind. I won’t be long, I assure you.”
“As you wish. I shall bid you good evening.” Lord Hawthorne bowed. “And Miss Templeton, it was a pleasure meeting you. I hope to see you again soon.”
“As...do I.” Her voice squeaked out, so she quickly cleared her throat.
Grey stayed quiet as Lord Hawthorne retraced his footsteps that led back out of the grove. Finally, Grey chuckled and turned toward her. “I’m actually surprised he found me here.”
“Did he know you were hiding?”
“Yes, but we are in the shadows, yet the bloodhound still tracked me down.”
She laughed lightly. “Indeed, he did.” She cleared her throat again. “Tell me, why did he keep referring to you as Greystone?”
Releasing a heavy sigh, she noticed the shadow of his arm move up and he rubbed his forehead. “Well, do you recall me telling you I have a title?”
“Yes.”
“Greystone is my title.”
“You used your middle name as your title?”
“No. It was just a coincidence that the title I inherited held my middle name. Associates of mine usually don’t call me Grey. They either call me Greystone or my first name.”
Confusion grew inside of her. Why wouldn’t he tell her his name? She didn’t want to push, but she felt as if he didn’t trust her enough to know that bit of information about him. Her heart twisted. She realized he was in some kind of danger because of Martin, but she really wished Grey would be more open with her. After all, she was risking her neck, and literally becoming someone she’d never been before, for him. She felt as if she were becoming the person she always hoped she’d be, but she never thought she had the courage to do.
“Oh, I see,” she said softly.
“My blossom.” Keeping his voice low, he stepped closer to her and cupped her chin. “Please do not worry about my name. I gave you permission to call me Grey.”
“You would rather me call you that than Greystone?”
“Actually, yes.” He stroked her skin. “Only because if Martin would find out you are helping someone, I don’t want him to know who I am.”
“But I would never tell.”
“You don’t know that. If Martin has killed before—which I truly believe he has—I’m certain he would torture you until you released the identity of the man helping you.”
“Martin doesn’t know your title?”
“No, because I was only recently given this title. However, Martin would be able to ask around and find out I am Lord Greystone.”
Inwardly, she groaned. Grey did have a poin
t there, and she shouldn’t argue. There was still something she needed to know. Strange how she’d put her trust in him blindly without knowing all the answers. “Grey? Would you tell me why you don’t want Martin to know about you? Would you at least ease my mind on that matter?”
Silence stretched between them, and she would give anything to know what he was thinking. She wrung her hands against her middle, patiently waiting for his answer, and praying he would give her one. Already she knew how elusive this man could be. He certainly held secrets.
After a few minutes, he blew out an exasperated breath and ran his fingers through his hair. “The reason I don’t want Martin knowing about me is because...” He released an audible sigh. “I don’t want him to know one of the men he thought he’d killed is still alive.”
Shock vibrated through her. Martin had tried to kill Grey? Why on earth would anyone want to kill Grey? “And this is why you are so adamant about finding the proof against Martin?”
“Exactly. I don’t want him to know I’m alive.” He took her hands in his. “This is why I so desperately need your help.”
Her heart beat with renewed life, especially when she recalled earlier this evening when Grey had nearly come out of hiding to save her from Martin’s physically abusive actions. She wanted to sigh aloud, but refrained. Why she had doubted him a minute ago, she didn’t know, but from now on, she’d trust him with all of her heart.
She squeezed his hands. “And you shall have my help, as much as I can possibly give.”
“That’s all I ask.”
Dare she hope he’d kiss her again? Yet, it was so improper. She shouldn’t have allowed his heavenly lips on hers to begin with, but ahhh...the kiss was so very wonderful. He wouldn’t have kissed her unless he had some kind of feelings for her, would he? Yet, they’d only known each other a few hours. She never believed in love at first sight, and she highly doubted she was falling in love with him now. No, this was definitely infatuation. Nothing more. So how could she convince her quick heartbeat of that notion?
PERHAPS JULIAN SHOULDN’T have given her that bit of information, but he figured she needed to know his motivation for his actions. He didn’t want her to think he was a madman, although there had been a few times since they first met that he’d acted like one.
He was grateful that he hadn’t told her what men Martin had murdered, or Alexandria would have known his true identity within seconds. She was a bright woman and had a quick wit about her, once she’d opened up to him, of course. Indeed, she was shy around men, and there was a remarkable difference in the way she was with him and how she had responded to Lord Hawthorne.
It didn’t matter that he couldn’t see her face right now, his mind knew what her expression would be only because her voice was so soft and caring. If he could see her clearly, she’d be gazing up at him with her sparkling, wondrous eyes, and probably even be dropping her attention to his mouth.
He swallowed hard, his throat suddenly becoming dry. They were alone again, and he wanted more than anything to continue the kiss he’d started earlier. He really should end these feelings now. There was no way he could get emotionally involved with Alexandria Templeton. She was the kind of woman who was after marriage and a family. While Julian wanted those things, too, someday, he wasn’t ready right now.
Thankfully, he needed to return to the cottage to update Dominic about what had happened. Having her return to the house now was the key to stop these insane notions flowing through his head whenever she was around.
Julian felt Alexandria would be safe tonight since Martin was out. Julian would be back at this spot bright and early in the morning to continue watch over his estate.
He lifted her hands to his mouth and brushed his lips across her fingers. “My blossom, it’s getting late and I think you should retire. I thank you again for the food. You are a gem, indeed.”
“Yes, I suppose I should get back inside.”
“Go directly to your room and lock the door. I feel you shall be safe. I’ll be back here tomorrow.”
“As you wish.” Her voice had changed to disappointment as she slowly pulled her hands away. “When should I search through Martin’s rooms?”
“Wait until he leaves the estate tomorrow.”
“What if he doesn’t?” she asked quietly.
“He will. I’ve been observing him closely the past few days, and he leaves to ride into town at least twice a day.”
“I wonder why I haven’t noticed.”
He chuckled. “Because you are either in the library or riding your horse during those times.”
“Oh,” she said with a laugh. “I suppose you have been watching us lately.”
“Indeed, I have.” He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Now hurry inside. We shall talk tomorrow.”
Julian watched her hurry back to the house and disappear through the doors. He crept closer to the edge of the grove, and through his spyglass, watched until the light in her room came on. He breathed a sigh of relief and hurried to his horse.
As he rode back to Dominic’s cottage, Julian couldn’t stop the grin from stretching across his face. Fate had turned out better than he’d hoped since he’d first planned to steal the duchess. At the time, he was determined to do anything to get the woman to confess her husband’s misdeeds. He’d never harmed a woman before, but he was willing to be a little rough with the duchess. Desperate for answers, he was going to make her talk. Instead, he kidnapped the sister, and she was literally a godsend. She would be able to do something her older sister probably wouldn’t do—find him the proof he needed.
He rode fast and soon reached the cottage. As he walked in, he noticed that Dominic had added more to the place. A few more chairs sat next to the fireplace, and an afghan quilt lay across the sofa. Julian shook his head. Why his friend hadn’t done this before Julian had brought Miss Templeton here, he wish he knew. Nevertheless, the scent of something delicious cooking in the kitchen filled the air and made his stomach grumble. He’d forgotten he hadn’t eaten—and also forgotten that Alexandria had brought him some of her dinner.
He headed for the kitchen, untying the sack around his waist that held the food. Dominic glanced up from the pot over the fire and gave him a nod.
“I hope you are hungry, good man. I’m making my famous stew.”
Julian chuckled. “I’m hungry, but I’ll eat what Alexandria brought for me.”
“Alexandria?” Dominic arched an eyebrow. “You are on first name basis now?”
“Uh, actually no. She has yet to give me permission to call her by her given name.”
Dominic gave him a cheesy grin. “You don’t say. And yet you hold to customs regardless.”
Julian rolled his eyes. “It’s the least I could do since I wrongly kidnapped her.” He strode to the table and sat on the chair, laying out his feast on the flat surface. His mouth watered just from the scent before he could even take a bite. Thankfully, his friend had brought more things for the kitchen, as well.
“So tell me what happened today.” Dominic moved closer and stopped by the cutting table, leaned back against it, and folded his arms across his wide chest. Julian was a head taller than Dominic, but they had so much in common as young men, they had bonded instantly. As they matured, they realized how much they loved cooking, and even competed a time or two.
“I’m dying to know how you kidnapped the wrong sister,” Dominic continued, “especially when I gave you specific details about what the duchess looked like.”
Shaking his head, Julian scratched his chin. “Therein lays the problem, my friend. You did not tell me that her younger sister has the same blond hair and loveliness.”
“She does?” Dominic tilted his head. “I thought the younger sister was a wallflower.”
“She is a wallflower, but only because she’s shy. She’s certainly a very lovely flower.”
“Tell me what transpired today,” Dominic urged again. “This sounds like a very interesting tale.”<
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As Julian explained, his friend’s smile widened more and more until he was finally laughing. Although it really wasn’t a laughing matter, especially since Alexandria was the victim, Julian had to admit it was humorous, only because the situation made him look like a fool.
“Are you about finished?” Julian asked in irritation.
Dominic’s laughter subsided and he turned and walked back to the boiling pot over the fire. “I’m happy to hear that she has agreed to help, although...” His voice trailed off.
“Although what?” Julian wondered.
“I really doubt she’ll be much help.”
“Why do you say that? Of course she will. She can search through Martin’s rooms to find evidence.”
Dominic sighed heavily as he removed the pot from the fire, bringing it over to the cutting table and setting it on top. “Unfortunately, my good man, I’m sorry to say, but I haven’t had any luck in my search.”
Julian hitched a breath. His heart threatened to sink, but he held on to hope until he heard his friend’s story. “Why?”
“I visited all the pubs your cousin frequents, and the men he consorts with all tell me that Martin was in town during the middle of March.” He shook his head. “I went to several taverns, and the men there said the same thing. If Martin was gone at all, it was only one day, not a sennight.”
Groaning, Julian smacked his hand on the rickety table, causing it to wobble. “That can’t be right. It was him, I know it. He is the only one who would want my family dead.”
“I agree.” Dominic spooned him some stew into a chipped bowl. “But this only proves that your cousin isn’t an imbecile. He is covering the evidence too well, and it’s going to be the devil trying to find proof.”
Julian leaned his elbows on the scarred table and rested his head in his hands. His mind scrambled through all that Alexandria had told him. She might not have seen Martin leave, but she knew he’d been gone for two weeks in the middle of March. At least her sister knew. If only her sister wasn’t so ill and could talk to him...
Stealing the Duchess Page 7
