by Ann Cory
“Then what is the truth? Why did those men from last night go through so much trouble to rob you?”
“Out of greed. My father left me a sizable inheritance when he passed. Burton is hard into gambling and scheming. He alleges my father cheated him to claim his winnings, which isn’t true. My father never gambled. Edward, of course, backed Burton up, and with my father being somewhat of a recluse, people believed the rumor.”
“Was your father well thought of beforehand?”
“No. Not after my mother died. He holed himself up in a small house and didn’t talk to anyone. The only reason he had so much money was because he saved every penny. Honest money he’d worked hard for. He had good business sense but people don’t seem to remember that.”
Rebecca sat back in her chair and frowned. “Why don’t you stand up for yourself and clear your name? Clear your father’s name?”
“I’m not sure it would do any good.”
“It’s your name. Your reputation,” she argued. “It’s what you have. Don’t let people take that away from you.”
His gaze turned down. “My name hasn’t made life easy. Most people tolerate me, and acknowledge me if they have to. And of course the curse I believed in has left me a lonely old fool.”
She smiled. “I’m saddened that people don’t see you the way I do.”
His brow arched. “How do you see me?”
“As a kindhearted man. A gentleman in every way. Honest and good with quick wit and charm. You don’t need to live a lonely life or fear things you can’t control. Love will find you.”
“I believe it has.”
Rebecca shifted her gaze away from him and stood.
“Come with me,” she said. “I want to show you something.”
Chapter Seven
Raumont scrambled to his feet and followed her down the porch steps. She walked out onto the lawn and spread her arms wide.
“You have all this land,” she said. “Why don’t you use any of it?”
“For what?”
“Gardening. You can grow herbs, vegetables, flowers, anything you want.” She bent down and picked up a handful of dirt. “This is good, rich soil. All this will be wasted if you don’t tend to it.”
He tried to picture himself digging and planting seeds, but the visual didn’t get very far. “I don’t know the first thing about gardens. Or how to make things grow.”
“I promise it’s easy.”
“I wouldn’t know where to start. Maybe you could stay long enough to show me?”
Raumont watched her bite her lush, sensuous bottom lip. “We’ll see.”
Maybe he didn’t know how to garden, but if it would keep her around he’d try it. Hell, he’d do anything for her. Even right his name and reputation.
He watched her pace around and point, spouting names he’d never even heard of. It fascinated him to no end. Gardens sounded important to her and that meant it was important to him too. She did that to him. Made him want to take action, be an honorable man. Take charge and be worthy of a woman of her caliber. A woman like Rebecca didn’t come along twice.
He drew his attention back to her in time to see her standing before him, hands fisted and seductively placed on her hips.
“Are you listening to anything I’m saying?”
Raumont drew her to him, excited by the heaviness of her breasts against his chest. He dropped his mouth to her ear and whispered, “Every word.”
She brought her arms up and around his neck, pressing her hips and thighs tight against him. He hardened at once. Carefully, he brought her down to the spongy grass. The sight of her looking up at him all flushed and radiant, hair flowing softly over her chest and shoulders, made his resolve buckle. His mouth pressed against hers, hard and demanding.
When he paused to take a breath, Rebecca squealed. Curious, he was about to ask what was wrong when he felt a gentle patter on his back. Raumont glanced to the sky. Gray clouds covered where the blue sky had been.
“It might not last,” he offered.
He realized he’d spoken too soon when the raindrops came down faster and harder. Rebecca raised her hands to shield her face.
In a swift move he lifted her in his arms, carried her into the house and straight up the stairs to his bedroom.
“You’re a strong man,” she rasped.
He figured he ought to be. He’d need to be strong to let her go.
Raumont laid her on the bed and pushed a damp strand of hair out of her face. “If you’d rather go to sleep, we can lie together.”
A provocative smile tipped her swollen pink lips. “I’m very much awake.”
He leaned over and cupped her face. “I’m more awake than I’ve ever been in my entire life.”
Rebecca didn’t want to move a muscle. Raumont had caressed her body in all the right places and she wanted to hold tight to the memory. The way he’d stretched her. Opened her. The torrid way he took her, gentle at first and then with a controlled force. He knew how to stimulate every one of her senses.
She turned her head to see the empty space where he’d lain beside her before she’d drifted off to sleep. In his arms she was safe, protected, at ease.
Heat flooded her face at the memory of her cries for more and whimpers of pleasure. When he touched her she was alive and free, not simply a vessel for healing. He brought out the feminine side of her. The part where she craved a life bound to one man, to please him and be pleased. To not go out and forage for food or walk until exhaustion overtook her. He made her feel wanted. So unlike the way she’d always been. Sturdy, hearty and built for hard labor.
She covered her face with her hands and groaned. For all the elation he brought her, in the morning she had to go. Another day with Raumont and her heart would break. These days would remain the most exhilarating of her life, and like all her journeys, this too had to end.
Rebecca dragged herself out of bed. She hurried to dress and make herself presentable, save for the stray tear she couldn’t stop if she tried.
Partway down the stairs the most mouthwatering aroma met her. She’d forgotten about the feast. She strolled by the dining room and took in the candlelight, fancy dishes and ornate table settings. The romantic gesture moved her. She heard Raumont humming in the kitchen and peeked in to see him carving an enormous piece of meat.
He turned and greeted her with a dazzling smile that quickened her pulse. It continued to amaze her how much his presence affected her. A glance, a word, and oh god, his touch, had the power to reduce her to liquid.
“You are a beautiful vision,” he said and she suddenly felt shy. Never mind she’d been fully naked with her legs spread not long ago.
The look of lust returned to his eyes and she forced herself to think up anything to say. “What are you making? The smell is driving me mad.”
“Roast lamb in a port sauce with roasted potatoes and carrots. I’ve chosen an old vintage wine to accompany the meal that I think you’ll find a perfect pairing.”
Her stomach rumbled its eagerness. “Sounds delicious. Is there anything I can help with?”
“Thank you, no. I need to finish carving the meat and then dinner is ready.”
Not wanting to be in the way, Rebecca moved back into the dining area and took a seat. Within minutes Raumont carried in a large platter of food. He didn’t let her touch anything, instead serving her a generous portion. Everything smelled and looked amazing, so much so that she fought back another round of tears. She’d enjoy one last night and wish it to never end.
Dinner tasted like heaven and the wine complimented the herbs just as he’d said. They spent hours talking about their lives until the last thread of him being remotely like a stranger was snipped away. He’d talked about jobs he’d worked in the past while she spoke of her journeys, her mother and the people she’d helped along the way. It felt good to share her stories with someone and she loved how he listened. She explained to him how to plant and work a garden, thrilled by his eagerness to le
arn.
Time passed quickly though she tried not to notice. When she’d finished her last sip of wine, Raumont reached forward and clasped her hand.
“I’d do anything for you to stay here with me. Even bring honor back to the family name.”
She knew what an incredibly brave feat that would be for him. “It means so much to me to hear you say that.”
“It’s the right thing to do. The Scarpittas deserve to be thought of in a better light, and it must start with me. But it’s not enough, is it?”
Her stomach fluttered. “I’m sorry. I made a promise. My mother taught me the importance of keeping one’s word.”
“I admire you for it. Your sense of loyalty is refreshing.”
“I hate it.”
“Don’t say that.”
“It’s true. I was bound as a child to something that I didn’t even understand at the time.” Rebecca released his hand. “You’re not the only one who has lived a life of loneliness. Where the men in your family embraced love and died grieving that same love, the women in my family shunned love and died old spinsters. If I could give up this life, I would. You’ve shown me there is so much more. Experiences waiting to be had. And more importantly, I’m not sure how or why, but I’ve come to care for you.”
“And I feel the same for you,” he replied and stood with his hand outstretched to her.
In a flash she swept into his arms and allowed the tears to fall. She didn’t care if it made her appear weak. Her insides ached and she didn’t want to keep anything from him. Ever.
“Take me upstairs. Please. I want our last night in your arms in your bed.”
He lifted her face to his and brushed the tears away with the pads of his thumbs. “I’ll always be here for you. Waiting.”
“That isn’t fair. You can’t wait forever.”
“But I will.”
Raumont took her hand and led her upstairs.
By lantern light he made love to her with such tenderness, it was as if he feared she’d break. He never stopped touching her, stroking her, loving her. His whispered endearments would remain in her memory always. Rebecca knew in her heart she’d never let another man be with her this way again.
Her eyes grew heavy and she fought to keep from falling asleep. At some point she realized she’d lost that battle. A sliver of light shone through the window, enough for her to dress by and make her way down to the foyer.
She couldn’t bear to say goodbye. Raumont said he understood why she had to go, though the sorrow in his voice made her heart heavy. She was glad he didn’t press her to stay. Her path had been set in stone before she’d been born.
Rebecca picked up her basket of tonics and quietly closed the door behind her.
Raumont knew when she’d left. The draft that met his body worked its way to his heart. He warred with himself on whether to go after her or not. He’d fight anything and anyone for her. In the end he knew it was best to let her go. She’d stayed longer than she meant to and he knew it wasn’t easy for her. He planned to make good on his words. He’d redeem his reputation and work to restore the Scarpitta name.
In the soft light of dawn he fumbled in his closet for a worn pair of trousers and a shirt in bad need of mending. Rebecca had given him a sense of purpose and he knew just where to start.
Chapter Eight
Rebecca passed through the gate and paused once more to glance back at the estate. Her eyes misted. It really was beautiful. And the things she could do with the land. A garden truly would be perfect. Perhaps someday the runes would return her here. Raumont claimed that he’d wait an eternity for her, but she could make no such promises.
From her pocket she pulled out her rune stones and cast them into the air. They tumbled for a moment and gently fell into her open palm.
Her lips parted. She didn’t understand.
Rebecca gave them a good shake and tossed them up again.
In a gentle pitter patter like rain they landed in her hand.
Could it be true?
A smile crossed her lips. Even when she’d questioned them in the past, the stones had never been wrong.
She pocketed the stones and brushed her hand against her mouth, still swollen from his kisses. Rebecca turned the knob and entered the house. At the bottom of the stairs Raumont stood silent in clothing she wasn’t accustomed to seeing him in.
“Have you forgotten something?” A look of hope radiated from his coffee-brown eyes.
Her hair fell in front of her face as she shook her head.
“Not at all.”
“Have you decided to stay awhile?”
“Yes.” She tugged the cloak away from her body.
“For how long this time?”
“As long as you wish.”
A gasp escaped her throat when she rushed into his arms. Together they tumbled back onto the stairs.
“I’m so sorry,” she cried. Could she have been less graceful?
“Don’t be.” His grip tightened around her hips.
Rebecca looked him over. “Are you hurt? I have a tonic to help.”
“If I have you,” he stated, “I can’t imagine ever feeling pain.”
Her hands worked at the buttons of the tattered shirt. “Why ever are you dressed in such attire?”
“I thought I’d ready the soil for the garden. In case you came back.”
Again her eyes misted. “You’re such a wonderful, thoughtful man.”
“You bring out those traits in me.”
Her body trembled at the realization that she had the rest of her life to spend with this man. All the dreams she’d ever had were about to come true. She bent over him and pressed her lips to his. He returned the kiss with more aggression and it didn’t take long before heat engulfed her body.
His hand slid below her skirt and skimmed up her thigh.
“Here, let me do something first.” She removed her belt and sword, and pushed them across the floor. “That should be more comfortable for the both of us.”
His eyes shone. “My beautiful angel with a blade. Will you miss a life of taking care of everyone?”
Rebecca thought of all her journeys and all the people she’d helped. It had been rewarding, exciting, at times daunting and most recently dangerous. She was ready to explore the new path before her, and it wouldn’t be alone.
“No, my love. I look forward to spending the rest of my life caring for you.”
About the Author
Erotic romance author Ann Cory invites you to sample her literary offerings in the hope of leaving you with an acquired taste for sophisticated reading.
Ann welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and e-mail address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Ann Cory
Mississippi Twilight
Next Floor Naughty
Snake Charmer
Witching Well
Print books by Ann Cory
Glamorous Garnet anthology
Witching Well
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