Setting a rhythm with his finger, he drove her passion higher. Wanting her to come fully undone. Her resistance was fading away, he could touch it in every stroke of his finger. Sliding in and out of her wetness, he sensed her quivering with an unmistakable need.
He knew he had her when she wrapped her arms around him and pulled his head towards her for a kiss. It wasn’t just any kiss. It was a kiss from a woman surrendering to their passion. A kiss that showed him what she was feeling.
Raina kissed Charles with the pent-up emotions she had been suffering with these last few months. The need she had for him to make herself feel complete. When her hands ran throughout his hair, it was all the encouragement he needed.
Their lips molding into one, their lips caressing one another as their tongue stroked the fire even hotter. Raina placed little kisses along his lip, along the way gently sucking his lower lip into her mouth. Then just as quickly her tongue stroked his, tasting him. Wanting more from him.
She sensed her body was going to explode.
Charles felt her losing control. He wanted her to explode in his arms. His thumb began to stroke her clit as he slid in another finger deep into her wetness. He set up a rhythm stroking her. He noticed her unraveling further. Flicking his thumb back and forth quicker, she tightened around his fingers.
Raina grasped onto Charles tighter, she felt like she was being engulfed in flames. Her fingers dug into his back as he brought her to such heights. She didn’t understand what was happening to her body, she only knew she did not want him to stop. It was ecstasy.
“Let go sweet Raina, let go,” Charles whispered in her ear.
He began to suck the very same spot of her neck where it all started moments ago. His fingers softly stroking her higher as his mouth breathed fire onto her body. He felt her body shake as it lost control. Smiling into her shoulder, his fingers brought her body to fulfillment.
As her body arched into his hand, he could feel the wetness coating it. He kissed her deeply, drawing out her gasp into his mouth at her surrender.
Her body surrendered to his touch. Now he only needed her heart to do the same.
Chapter Ten
HER HEART HAD FINALLY surrendered to him, but she will not allow him to know that. One touch from him had brought down every single one of her defenses. She closed her eyes as she felt him pull away from her body. He did not move far from her. She still enjoyed the heat of him caressing her. She could sense him watching her, as he waited for her to respond to him.
How was she to react when she didn’t how to respond to herself? Her mind was a jumble of incomplete thoughts she did not want to understand. She only wanted to feel. Feel him. Every inch of him against her. She was tired of thinking and planning, but most of all she was tired of running.
What would it hurt? To just feel. To savor the touch and taste of the man she loved. What if she were to reach out and touch him the way he touched her? To place her lips on his body the same way he enjoyed her. To let herself be loved and to show her love.
Opening her eyes, she saw him gazing at her. He laid with his hand propping up his head. His dark emerald eyes watching for her reaction to him. Waiting.
Her eyes dropped to his lips. They were parted as if they were waiting patiently for her lips to lay claim to them. She reached her hand up to his face. Her fingers brushed faintly across his lips. They were soft and smooth to her touch. Sliding her hand across his cheek, she felt the soft bristles of his beard scrape her hand.
He had not shaved this evening. It looked primitive to her. Her hand continued to slide into the thick tresses of his golden hair. As her hand brought his head forward to her, she rose to meet his lips.
Raina placed her lips on his parted lips and kissed him. She could hear his groan at her advancement. But he held back.
She kissed him tenderly, exploring his mouth with her lips. Soft, slow, gentle kisses savoring the flavor of him. She slid her tongue inside his mouth tasting him fully, gliding her tongue along his. Slowly skimming her tongue across his lips.
Raising her eyes up to his, she saw the reaction she was having on him. His eyes turned a darker green, with his eyes half closed. She saw the raw desire in them.
Her kisses moved to his neck as her hands found the buttons on his shirt. Her fingers shaking, not from fear, but from the same desire of his, unbuttoned his shirt. The tiny studs came apart like magic at her touch.
Peeling his shirt open with her fingers, she touched his bare chest. He laid as still as he could be for her while her hands explored him. She could feel the tenseness of his muscles as her hands roamed over his body. He was rock hard. There was not a part of him soft to her touch.
Raina decided that she needed to taste him too. Where her lips kissed a path from his neck to his chest. Her lips following the dips of his muscled body.
Raina’s fingers encountered his bandage. Charles hissed in pain and Raina drew back, looking at him in fear. He shook his head at her and brought her fingers back to his injuries. Softly pressing her fingers to his ribs, he closed his eyes at her gentle touch. Wanting with all her need to heal him, she replaced her fingers with her lips. As she kissed him with her lips, she could feel his body relaxing into hers.
Raina sensed the pain leaving his body at her touch. Without even realizing it, tears slid from her face and settled on his wounds. She could taste them as she kissed him.
He felt her tears against her kisses. Pulling her up his body, he wrapped her in his arms. He slid his thumbs across her cheeks and saw the tears as they slid along his hand. As he gazed into her eyes, he saw her pain.
“Oh, Raina. Don’t cry for me sweetheart,” Charles whispered.
“If not for me, you wouldn't be hurt.”
“Shh,” he whispered.
As he bent his head, he captured her next words into his mouth. Drawing out her hurt and pain into himself. Their kisses were soft and cautious. Each one holding back from letting their true passions explode. They both were vulnerable to one another.
Pulling back, he looked into her eyes. He knew it was time to stop this before his desire was out of his control. They didn't have time to explore their passion, nor was this the place.
“We need to leave here Raina, it is not safe.”
“I will leave, you stay with your family.”
“I will not leave you alone,” Charles argued.
“You will be in more danger alongside me. I can escape better without you trailing along with me.”
Charles laughed, “You don’t think I can change into a disguise any better than you my dear.”
Raina pulled back at his laughter towards her. Her feelings were hurt when he didn’t take her concerns seriously. Pulling her chemise closed, she laced the ribbons back together, tying it together in a small bow. As she rose from the bed she dug in her valise for her disguise.
Lifting her chin, she glared at him. “No, I don’t think you can, My Lord.”
Raina baited him with his title. She knew it would rankle him. For that was what he was. A titled aristocrat playing at spy. He did not know how to play at the serious game they involved themselves in. It was obvious at the injuries that his body kept acquiring.
Charles rubbed his hands together, “Mmm that sounds like a challenge sweet Raina.”
Raina continued glaring at him, becoming frustrated at his neglect of concern for their predicament. Shaking her head and rolling her eyes, she dug out her costume and got ready to leave. She needed to put as much distance between herself and London as soon as possible. Their little interlude did not help her with her time constraint.
Pausing she reflected on their passion, filing the memories away into her heart before she left him again. As she looked at him she did not regret what they shared but cherished the feelings, he made her experience. Smiling wistfully at him she began to dress.
Putting on her costume, entailed a large part of cosmetic alteration. The clothes were simple, but the rest of the disguise neede
d extra work. She needed to make herself look as plain as possible but without drawing too much attention. While she could not look too ugly for people to notice, she did not want her true beauty to shine. Raina was not a vain woman, but she knew she was stunning. It gathered her an abundance of unwanted attention as she grew into a woman, but she never used that to her advantage. Ever since she could remember, she had to alter her image, so she never got the power to use it to her full potential. Not that she wanted to. Her beauty did not define who she was or what she felt.
As she pulled on the maid uniform and the plain pale brown stockings, she sensed she was alone. When her eyes scanned the room, she saw that Charles had disappeared. When she glanced towards the door, she saw it was still closed. Where did he go? How did she not hear him leave?
Making her way to the door, she opened the door and viewed the length of the hallway. It was shrouded in darkness. There was no sign of him. She noticed the door to his room was closed, and no light shone underneath the door. Closing the door, she made her way back to her bag and finished with her disguise.
Sliding the pale brown wig out, she set to pulling her long black hair into a bun. She slipped the wig over the bun and secured it tightly to her hair with pins. After she finished with her hair, she set to work on her makeup, she would have to do this in the dark.
She understood why Charles did not want her to light the candle. The house was under surveillance. She saw the guards before she snuck into the house. Now she had to find a way to avoid them when she took her leave.
After putting the finishing touches to her disguise, she sat and laced the standard black shoes she saw the maids wear. As she walked back and forth across her room to get her feet used to them, she grimaced. Those poor girls having to wear such uncomfortable footwear. She practiced the unhurried walk of a maid, emerging herself into her new role. She practiced the mannerisms for a short while, for she could not make a single error outside of this room. If she was to leave this house alive, she must be believable.
Once she realized she was ready, she closed the valise and began to exit the room. She stopped at the brief knock on her door. Frozen, she stood still. If she didn’t answer, she ran the risk of the intruder coming inside. But if she did respond, who did she answer as; Mrs. Whitlow or Daisy the upstairs maid?
It was taken out of her control when the door opened. Expecting it to be Charles, she was surprised to see Ivy Thornhill standing in the opening.
Caught unaware, Raina waited for Ivy to speak first. She waited as Ivy closed the door and advanced towards her. Sitting the valise on the floor, Raina folded her hands in front of her.
Ivy surprised her when she laid her hands over hers and squeezed gently.
“You don’t have to speak a word. I can only imagine the horror you have been living the last few months. I want you to understand you have our family’s full support.”
Tears came to Raina’s eyes at Ivy’s kind words. She was not expecting this. She thought they would be angry at her for bringing danger to their front door. Why was she so sentimental tonight? Every action towards her was touching on emotions she thought she had buried deeply inside herself. It was not time for reflection, she needed to leave. Sincere as Ivy was towards her, Raina knew better. She knew Ivy’s husband Thorn had nothing but contempt for her and was angry at everything she put his family through.
“Your husband doesn’t feel the same way.”
“That is where you are wrong Raina. May I call you Raina?”
“I am Daisy, My Lady,” Raina replied as she dropped into a curtsey.
Ivy frowned at her stubbornness. In time she would win her over. Of course, now was not the time. But before she let Raina escape again, she would offer her friendship.
“Please let me aid you in your escape.”
Raina nodded her head too choked to speak.
This was too much. She had to get out of here before she let her fear overtake her. She was too vulnerable.
“It is time for you to leave, come quickly.” Ivy rushed Raina towards the door.
Raina trailed Ivy. They walked down the stairs and made their way to the kitchen.
“Please allow John to accompany you out of England.”
“I cannot let your servant endanger his life.”
“It will draw less suspicion if you leave with another servant.”
Raina knew Ivy was correct. If two servants were perceived sneaking away tonight, no words would be spoken. But if she were to leave on her own, they would know it was her.
Raina looked John over, he looked similar to the servants employed by the Thornhills. She did not recognize this one, maybe he worked in the stables. It looked like he visited the kitchen a lot.
A little on the plump side, he could pass as her father. For the sideburns on his face were white, peppered with black hairs. He pulled his cap off at her inquiry, his balding pate shone brightly in the candlelight. Glasses covered his eyes and he smiled kindly at her. He was stooped over with his hand gripping the cane by his side. She could see his hand shake slightly and frowned. How was this kind old man to save her if they encountered danger?
Ivy opened the door and spoke loud enough for the guards to hear her.
“Daisy, I hope you and your father make it home safely to your mother. Take every bit of time you need in helping your family out. Your position will still be available upon your return.”
Raina went into a curtsy, “Thank you My Lady for your kind understanding.” Raina spoke in a quiet timid voice.
She watched as John twisted his cap in his hand as he addressed Ivy.
“Thank you, My Lady, for letting our Daisy come nurse her mama to better health,” he spoke in a northerly accent.
“Godspeed on your journey home.”
Ivy closed the door behind them. Raina followed John to the cart hitched out in front of the Thornhill’s townhome. Helping her up into the cart, he leaned on his cane as he walked around to the other side. When he stopped at the horses he whispered to them, holding out his hand to give them a treat.
“You over there, help an old man into his cart,” John yelled over at the patrol standing guard over the Thornhill home.
Raina tensed in her seat, gripping her valise. Why is he drawing unwanted attention their way? Did Lady Thornhill not give him any insight to their danger?
“Papa, you can manage fine on your own.” Raina tried to encourage John to climb into the carriage.
“Nonsense my dear, my hip won’t allow it. These boys can help us on our way.”
Raina watched in fear as the guards walked over to John and help him up into the cart. They glimpsed at her for a brief moment and decided she was too plain to take any notice of. When they ignored her, Raina breathed a short sigh of relief that her disguise worked.
“Thank you, boys. What are you standing around here for anyway if you don’t mind me asking?”
“We are looking for a murderer. You best be on your way and get your daughter to safety.”
“That I will do, good evening,” John answered and clicked at the horses to be on their way.
Raina looked over her shoulder as the cart made its way along the cobblestone street. The guards were turned around and were watching the Thornhill residence for any sign of Raina LeClair aka Mrs. Whitlow to make an appearance. Little did they know she came and left as young Daisy returning home to nurse her sick mother. Relaxing in the seat, she sat back and closed her eyes. The last couple of days had taken their toll on her. Her body swayed with the movement of the cart, lulling her into sleep. She would rest for a few moments then she would persuade John to let her off at the first inn they reach outside of London. Then Daisy shall no longer be.
…..
The room was littered with empty bottles and discarded food. That was nothing compared to the stench filling the office. Smoke filled the air as the man at the desk puffed away on a cigar. His scuffed boots propped on the desk as he slouched in his chair. He listened as his mes
senger tried to explain to him that the girl had vanished. Vanished my ass he thought.
“I swear on me mother’s grave, that she is gone.” The young lad explained as he shuffled closer to the door. He saw the anger boiling in the Captain’s eyes. He drew the low straw and was giving him the awful news. He wanted to be as far from this office that his legs could take them.
The Captain kicked his feet from the desk coming to a stand. He ground out his cigar on the desk, throwing the stub on the floor with the others. Leaning his hands on the desk he glared at the boy.
“What do you mean she is gone? Where did she go?”
Grabbing the door, he was ready to make a run for it as he explained.
“Your contact in the house said she left a few days ago. But we have been watching the house sir and the only one that has left is a maid named Daisy. She left with her father to take care of her mum, who is real sick.”
The Captain came around the desk and grabbed the boy by his shirt lifting him up to his face and shook him.
“You, stupid imbecile, Raina LeClair was the girl and Mallory was her father. Where did they go?”
“I don’t know Captain,” the boy stuttered out.
Shears threw the boy up against the wall and dropped him.
“Worthless, the whole lot of you are. Get out.”
The boy ran from the room, Shears kicked the door shut and went back to his desk. Opening his drawer, he pulled out a new cigar. As he lit the cigar, he watched as the man came out of the shadows and advanced towards him.
“Bring her to me and I will consider your debt paid.”
“Mallory will not let that piece out of his eyesight.”
“Kill him, better yet kill her.”
“I am not a murderer.”
“Aren’t you?”
“If I do this for you, you will give me the information I seek.”
“Better yet I will take you to it, My Lord.”
The man nodded and left the office.
Shears leaned back in his chair and drew a long drag on the cigar. He laughed to himself at how easy he could manipulate people. Everybody did his bidding for the right price. And he always made sure he had the prize for everyone who did his bidding. He won’t release this prize; the outcome was much grander. Actually, in the end he would not have to give it up because he would make sure every single enemy of his paid.
Rescued By the Spy Page 8
