by Janet Woods
His eyes flew open in shock. ‘Good God, he’s bare-assed naked!’ Jeffrey was wrapped in the man’s cloak, and his dirty bare feet dangled from beneath it.
‘He was set upon by vagabonds, and would have chased them into the forest on foot had I not prevented him by tying his ankle to a stake.’
‘I’m in your debt.’ Hauling Jeffrey from the horse, the two of them carried him into the study. The man gazed down at Jeffrey and grinned. ‘The lad was most indignant about the matter and insisted I apprehend the thieves. His clothes are in the bundle attached to my saddle. Unfortunately, he was unable to stand still long enough for me to put them on his back. The activity caused the drink to ferment in his head and he ran in circles until he got so dizzy he dropped unconscious.’ Cocking his head to one side, he measured Gerard with his eyes. ‘He proved easier to handle that way.’
‘I cannot thank you enough.’ Grinning to himself, he turned to the servants who’d appeared at his side. ‘Carry my brother to his chamber and make him comfortable. Be discreet. I’ll expect you to have regard for his pride, and forget this happened. Return to the study when you’ve finished.’
‘Your name?’ he asked when his brother had been carted away.
‘James Langland at your service, My Lord.’
The man was about forty, the flesh sparse upon his bones. Apart from his nose, which curved hugely from his face like a beak, he was personable. An astute pair of light brown eyes gazed at him with interest. Gerard took an instant liking to James Langland. ‘I’ve heard much of you. You were Willow’s tutor, were you not?’
‘The same.’ James smiled. ‘If nothing else, I pride myself on the fact I taught her to defend herself. She’s the best shot I’ve ever come across, and a quick study.’
‘She boasted once she could shoot the eye from a frog,’ he said dryly. ‘I’ve yet to see any evidence of it. The frogs around here seem to have remained intact.’
‘You seem to doubt her, My Lord.’ The languid edge to the man’s voice was at odds with his penetrating eyes. ‘Willow may be a skinny child with a wild imagination and a tendency to dramatize, but I tell you this, sir. If my pupil says she can shoot the eye from a frog, she’s quite capable of doing it.’
‘I believe you.’ Willow would have been indignant had she heard her tutor’s description of her. The thought made him want to laugh.
‘You do, eh!’ James Langland uncoiled from his chair and prowled restlessly around the room. ‘You seem a reasonable man, sir. By now you must know I’m not here by chance. I heard that Willow was under the protection of your house. I came here to satisfy myself she is well cared for. I grew uncommonly fond of the child, and came to regard her as a daughter.’
‘You can satisfy yourself on that account in the morning if you wish.’ He glanced at one of the servants, who’d returned with James’s cloak folded neatly over his arm. ‘Rouse one of the stable lads to see to his horse, bring our guest some supper then find him a bed for the night.’
‘By the way,’ James said casually when all had been done and they were about to retire. ‘The rogues who set about your brother are tied to a tree in the forest. I was unable to catch his horse.’
The man was more capable than most. ‘I’m in your debt,’ he said, reckoning the horse would find its own way home.
‘A refreshing change, indeed.’ James Langland’s smile was ironic in the extreme. ‘Where I’m concerned, it’s usually the other way round.’
The candle wick flickered in a pool of molten tallow. All that remained of the fire was a few warm embers.
Gerard gazed down at the supine form of his wife, enjoying the innocent beauty of her as she slept. He was about to rob her of that innocence, but by doing so he’d disclose the mystery of her femininity to her. She would become all the more precious for the gift she gave him.
He was still dressed in his shirt and breeches. Quickly discarding them, he slid on to the bed beside her and gently kissed her awake.
‘Gerard?’ Her eyelids fluttered open, and she gazed at him so anxiously his heart seemed to melt. ‘I have something to tell you.’
‘And I you. But let it wait until morning, my love. I’ve long awaited this moment.’ He was as amorous as a tomcat and eager to claim what was his. His mouth sought her sweet, pointed nipples through the material of her chemise.
‘Please stop, Gerard.’ He frowned as her hands found his shoulders and pushed him away. ‘I am indisposed.’
The candle went out in a hiss of hot wax. What cursed luck, he thought, inhaling the rancid odor of smoke lingering in the air.
Her voice was hardly audible, so ashamed did she sound. ‘The potion Kitty gave me last night was for women’s problems as well as sleeping. ‘It has… ‘ She gave a slight sniff. ‘It has caused my cycle to arrived prematurely.’
He wondered if she was crying. If that proved to be the case, he thought he might join her.
‘You do not mind waiting a little longer?’ she said anxiously.
‘I don’t mind,’ he lied, minding like hell. His romancing of her had built his desires to fever pitch and he was suffering an agony of craving. He cursed the fact that sweet words and lies meant more to women than the truth, on occasion. After that, he cursed the instinct that had made him act the gentleman when he should have demanded she fulfill her marital duties earlier.
Shyly she asked. ‘Will you stay with me a while? You can join me if you would like. I would enjoy it if you held me.’
Join her? Sweet Jesus! He felt like laughing as the funny side of the situation occurred to him. What sort of torment had this virgin wife of his planned? he asked himself, sliding his naked body under the sheets. And what could be worse than holding a woman who smelled as sweet as this one in his arms, who snuggled almost naked against his chest and who breathed gently into his ear?
The answer was not long in coming. Having that woman inquire in a sleepy voice before drifting into sleep. ‘You are comfortable, Gerard?’
Chapter Ten
Spring 1755
‘James Langland!’
Willow would have thrown herself on the man if Gerard hadn’t physically restrained her. He laughed, enjoying the astonishment on their faces.
‘Willow?’ Head inclined, James walked around her, gazing quizzically through his eyeglass all the while. Finally, he said in an accusatory tone. ‘You’ve become a woman while my back was turned.’
‘And you’ve neglected me shamefully,’ she reproached softly. ‘Not one letter in all this time have you sent me.’
‘You are wrong there, cherub.’ James became suddenly sober. ‘My letters were intercepted by your father and returned. Then, when I pounded on his door and demanded he let me see you— ‘ He shrugged, biting off his words as he took her hands. ‘Never mind that, my dear… now I’ve seen you with my own eyes I can go on my way a happy man.’
Tears immediately sprang to her eyes. She was glad Gerard had arranged to have him released from prison anonymously. He’d not have been able to face her otherwise. Gazing at his thin body and the pallor of his skin, she knew he was in need of sustenance. ‘Go? With you looking so scrawny a starving fox would pity you?’
Her scornful remark reminded Gerard of his grandmother. He was grinning when she turned to him and implored. ‘Please convince James to stay for a while, Gerard.’
James’s glance took in the array of dishes being carried into the dining room. His nose twitched hungrily. ‘I need to find employment, cherub. I intend to offer myself as a tutor at the spring hiring fair.’
‘That’s not for another fortnight.’ Sliding his arm around Willow’s waist Gerard pulled her close. His grin became a smile as he sprang his own surprise. ‘If my wife wishes you to stay then you’re doubly welcome.’
‘Your wife?’ Out came the eyeglass again. This time Gerard was subject to a thorough head to toe scrutiny. Finally, James nodded his approval. ‘I cannot decide whether to offer congratulations or commiserations, My Lord.’ His
eyes twinkled with sudden mirth when Willow made an exasperated sound deep in her throat. ‘She was ever a contrary child, but interesting nonetheless.’
‘I agree. Her company does not bore a man.’ Gerard chuckled, prepared to indulge in a small amount of banter at her expense. ‘I’d not thought to marry so unconventional a woman.’
Blushing furiously, she turned her face into his sleeve.
James gave a satisfied chuckle now he’d bested his erstwhile pupil. ‘In return for your hospitality I’ll give your brother fencing tuition of the caliber he will not find outside the academy in Paris.’
Gerard remembered James was reputed to be one of the best swordsmen in England, and certainly the finest shot. ‘I could do with a little practice myself,’
‘I’ll instruct you in the use of a pistol, also.’ James’ voice was dry in the extreme. ‘But first I’ll discover if you’re worth the effort.’ He grinned at the proud flare of his host’s nostrils and the narrowing of his eyes. ‘A contest, Sir. You and your brother against myself and… ‘ His eyes flicked to Willow. ‘A partner of my choice.’
Coaxed from its hiding place, Willow’s face was as alert as a cat who’d just seen a mouse emerge from the wainscot. He had no need to ask who Langland’s partner would be. He could feel the excitement quivering through her body.
‘Allow me to place a wager on my sons.’ Catching the end of the conversation, Ambrose smiled as he was escorted into the room on the arm of John Grey. ‘Twenty guineas.’
‘You’ll lose it, My Lord,’ James advised the earl after introductions had been affected. ‘My partner can out-shoot any man alive, with a couple of exceptions. I include myself in those.’
‘Then you should not be afraid to take me up on it.’ Ambrose’s eyes narrowed. ‘I think, you’re full of conceit, Sir.’
James shrugged off the barb. ‘Undeniably. And I can offer only my note.’
‘It’s not my usual policy to accept notes.’
‘Then I cannot accept your wager.’ James bowed. ‘You see before you an impoverished man, recently released from debtors prison.’
‘I’ll stake the wager,’ Willow offered, eager to provide James with the opportunity to win a purse for himself in the most acceptable way possible. She blushed when every pair of eyes turned her way.’
‘You?’ The earl’s eyes were displeased. ‘You’d lay money against your husband?’
‘And why should she not, father?’ Gerard’s thumb stroked reassuringly against her waist. ‘If I’m not mistaken, she’ll be partnering James.’
The earl looked shaken. ‘She’s but a woman. You must forbid it, Gerard.’ When her body became rigid beside him, he experienced a sudden empathy with her. The marquis had paid scant thought to Willow when he’d banished her with James Langland to Ireland. It was only luck that the man had been of honorable intent and morals. It was apparent James had taken his avocation seriously under duress. He’d sought to give value for the notes once held by the marquis, and had been wrongfully imprisoned for his pains. He could not blame the man for endowing her with male skills. He’d have known no other way.
‘I see no harm in it.’ He grinned when her breath left her body in a rush. ‘Jeffrey tells me she’s a passable shot. I’m curious to measure her ability for myself. It’s not as if it’s a public shooting contest.’
When the earl still looked dubious Willow crossed to his side. ‘I will not enter this contest if it upsets you, dearest father.’ Her voice was sincere despite the disappointment in it. ‘James was as much a father to me when I was growing up, as you are now. He’d not encourage me in anything to bring shame upon you.’ Tears rendered her eyes luminous and emphasised their sadness. ‘I’ll not be able to bear it if you look upon me with censure.’
‘Nothing you do shames me, daughter.’
She was adept at gaining her own way, Gerard thought, watching his father’s hand close around hers. A small invisible knife twisted in his heart as he recalled his baby sister. If his suspicions were correct, the child would have been half-sister to both himself and Willow.
Gall twisted his gut and the brightness fled from the day. He was not the pacifist his father was. Remembering the oath he’d been obliged to swear, he experienced a flare of rebellion against the restraint. Lynchcross had a lot to answer for. One day, he’d bring him to account for his crimes against the Lytton’s, and to hell with who’d started the feuding!
He promptly forgot about it when Jeffrey came into the room. His brother took one look at the food, stared at James for a moment with a puzzled expression then turned an ashen countenance upon the company to state unnecessarily. ‘I have an uncommonly foul headache this morning. I think I’ll return to my bed.’
Gerard winked at James, who was tucking heartily into a platter of bread and butter, fried ham, and boiled eggs. ‘Will you ride with me this morning?’ he enquired, sliding into the seat beside him. ‘There are a couple of problems needing my attention.’
‘Delighted, dear sir,’ said James with a grin.
Gerard had taken such a liking to the man, he surprised even himself, after such a short acquaintance. ‘I would prefer it if you addressed me as Gerard,’ he said, and basked in the glow of Willow’s approval.
The shooting contest had been scheduled for ten days hence, a few days after Kitty and Brian’s wedding.
To Willow’s surprise, Gerard offered no objection to her attending the wedding ceremony, but insisted on accompanying her, advising they’d stay only long enough to toast the couple’s health and extend their best wishes.
‘Arrangements for the nuptials are well in hand,’ Mrs. Breton informed her when she waylaid her in the hall the day before the event. ‘The celebration will go ahead with as little disruption to the household as possible.’
The door to the study opened. Gerard stuck his head through the gap and caught her eye. ‘When you’ve a moment to spare, Willow.’
‘My business with Mrs. Breton is finished.’ They exchanged a smile as housekeeper bobbed a curtsy and moved towards the kitchen.
She experienced elation when Gerard’s long legs covered the distance between them. His black coat and breeches gave him a dangerous appearance as he towered over her. Grinning, he stooped to steal a kiss. ‘Walk around the lake with me.’
Guessing her indisposition must be nearing its end, he’d decided to step up his campaign. He twisted the small silky tendril of hair escaping from under her cap around his finger. ‘It’s not often I can enjoy your company alone.’ He abandoned the curl and stroked along the creamy skin of her jawbone until he found the niche under her chin. She almost purred like a kitten when he tipped her chin up and kissed her again. ‘This morning I saw some ducklings amongst the reeds. We can sit in the pavilion and see if they venture out.’
Obviously enchanted by the prospect, she spread her fan and gazed at him over it. Her eyes were slumberous, her voice low and husky. ‘I’d very much like to see them.’
And would very much like to tease me in the pavilion with your kisses, no doubt. A pulse in his temple leaped into life at the promise in her eyes. She was too quick a study, and had fast learned the power of her femininity. His grey eyes hid his thoughts. This wife of his was driving him to distraction. His courtship of her had turned into a self-inflicted punishment. He could think of little else but the act that would make her truly his. His mind was filled with her, every breath he took was perfumed with her being. He lusted for her like a starving man for sustenance. When she took his arm, his skin was alive and singing to her touch, as though there were no layer of cloth between.
The air was alive with the promise of spring as they skirted the lake. Blue and yellow irises flirted at the edge of the water, spiders spun delicate lace to sparkled invitingly amongst the reeds. Clumps of daffodils bobbed and curtsied to each other amongst the poppies, like courtiers clothed in green and gold. The breeze had an April softness and a suggestion of rain over the next hill. As soon as the thought left h
is mind, the lake became circled by ripples that widened one into the other.
She started to laugh when he took her hand and urged her to sprint across the bridge towards the pavilion. ‘La, Sir!’ she cried, shaking the raindrops from the cornflower blue ruffles of her petticoat and turning laughter-bright eyes towards him. ‘You were in a devil of a hurry to get me here.’
He drew her impatiently into his arms. ‘If you’d sooner be drenched than kissed I’ll gladly throw you into the lake.’
Her breath caught in her throat when she saw the expression in her husband’s eyes. Beneath the laughter was a raw, hungry desire that set her heart beating like an erratic drum. It was daunting to think she evoked such emotion in a man. What was up to then a pleasant game, no longer seemed quite so funny. ‘I’d sooner be thrown in the lake than be the cause of the suffering I see in your eyes.’ She continued to speak, despite the glimmer of a smile he gave. ‘I truly wish to be a good wife in my duty to you. If I seem to tease, it’s because I have no instruction in the propriety of relationships between husband and wife.’ She bowed her head in demure obedience. ‘It’s your right to chastise me if you wish.’
‘And what is your preference in the matter?’ The time was past to play such games, and his voice had an edge of sobriety to it. ‘I’ve seen marriages a plenty where the wife is martyr to her duty. Is that the chastisement you’d have me inflict on you?’
‘Indeed, no.’ Her chin tilted in determination at the thought. ‘I do not wish for that. Indeed… I wish I’d not raised the matter.’ Out of her depth, she sought desperately for words to help her from the trap she’d set for herself. ‘You’re not the type of man to treat a woman with contempt.’
‘I’m a man like any other.’ Tipping up her chin, he gazed into her eyes and smiled. ‘The fact that you tease, leads me to believe you’re as eager as I for our union.’
