Worlds Apart

by Stein Willard

  “No need to fear, friend. The girls here are well-trained. What’s waiting for you on the other side of that door, will be worth it.”

  Oasis blinked at the man as she slowly nodded. If only you knew, my man. She entered the room and found Tia lying with her eyes closed. She had changed out of her gown into a nightdress. Marianne didn’t know it yet, but she was going to be rewarded handsomely for her assistance. Oasis walked over to the chair and settled in to watch over Tia. With the quiet and toasty heat in the room, she was just about to doze off when a loud, rhythmic thumping came from the room next door. She threw a quick glance at Tia and found the blue eyes open and looking at her. For a long moment all they did was look at each other. Oasis knew that they were both remembering, maybe even reliving, that night. Tia looked away, but not before Oasis saw the flash of heat in her eyes.

  “Tia.”

  The blonde head turned slowly until those blue eyes were focused on her. Tia didn’t say anything, but her eyes burned with searing intensity. Oasis didn’t know how she had moved so fast, but she found herself kneeling next to the bed. With an unsteady hand, she cupped the smooth cheek and swallowed thickly when Tia leaned into the caress. When they were together the last time, Oasis had refrained from kissing Tia, for romance was not what the blonde had needed at the time. But tonight she wanted to taste those lips. The choice was taken from her when Tia grabbed a fistful of Oasis’ hair in the back and pulled her close. The first touch of their lips made them both gasp in stunned pleasure. Was this what it felt like being electrocuted? A strong current seared through Oasis, urging her to deepen the contact. With the tip of her tongue, she outlined the seam of Tia’s lips and slipped inside the moment Tia allowed her entrance. Again, they both moaned in mutual pleasure as their tongues met and embraced. The grip on her hair tightened and Oasis began a lazy exploration of Tia’s mouth. She found that the more she discovered, the more she needed to find. It was only when Tia wrenched her mouth away to gulp for air that she realised they had been kissing long and deeply for quite a while. She moved back, but Tia grabbed her close again, her chest heaving as she panted.

  “Don’t go.”

  Oasis shook her head quickly. “I’m not going anywhere, only taking off my boots. Is that acceptable to you?”

  “Yes.” Tia suddenly sounded shy, her eyes hooded.

  “You know I won’t…” Oasis began to assure her only for Tia to reach out and touch Oasis’ face.

  “I know.”

  Oasis smiled, getting a small one in return from Tia. She leaned down and began to loosen her bootlaces.

  “Why did you kiss me this time?”

  Her hands froze as she looked at Tia. What a way to shatter the mood. There was genuine curiosity in her eyes. “To whom are you directing the question now, Lady Tia?”

  Tia looked confused for moment, before her eyes cleared again. “I’m asking both of you?”

  “In that case, I’ll give you two answers. One, Benedict Pope understands and respects your position and would not assume that you are a woman to take liberties with. Secondly, The Maverick knew well what you needed, and kissing and romance was not it.”

  “You didn’t even…you know?” Tia was blushing deeply.

  “Even as The Maverick, I too, live by a set of rules. I wasn’t going to take the chance of impregnating you. So no, I didn’t penetrate you.”

  Tia blinked hard. “My opinion of men needs a thorough review.”

  “Not so fast, milady. I assure you, that not all men are noble.” Tia smiled at that. “But even then, I believe that there are those who are.” Her boots came off and she sat on the bed, not sure how to proceed. Their talk seemed to have effectively cooled their ardour. Or maybe not. Perhaps all they needed was to be in close proximity again. “Would you mind if I lay next to you?”

  The blonde snorted as she made space for him. “You’re indeed a different breed, Mister Maverick.”

  Oasis stretched out next to Tia, enjoying the warmth and the citrusy scent that engulfed her. They lay together and stared at the water stained ceiling.

  “Do you realize that we’ve come a long way since the first night I woke and found you in my bed?”

  “Yes, you bit me that night, if I remember correctly.” Oasis held up her hand to look at it as if she would still see the indents of Tia’s teeth.

  “I don’t react well to threats,” Tia said quietly, but Oasis could hear the amusement in her voice. She looked at the blonde and for a few seconds, they stared at each other before they both burst out laughing.

  “I wished I had known that before I slipped into your room,” Oasis muttered after their laughter had died down.

  “Talking about that, how do you manage to come and go as you please in my house?”

  “Now that, I can’t tell you, milady.”

  “Fine, but can you tell me why you found it imperative to ambush me in my bedroom?”

  Oasis turned on her side and waited until Tia was looking at her. “The truth is, I find it incredibly relaxing to be around you in such an informal setting. I sometimes have to make hard choices and commit unfathomable deeds to ensure that the brutes are kept from the common folks. At times like that, there is nowhere I can hide to find peace for my soul. Your bedroom gave me that.”

  Tia turned on her side and Oasis closed her eyes when she felt tears burn behind her eyelids. “I’ve been witness to some of the brutalities of the street and the impact it has on you and the choices you make. I also want you to know that my bedroom is at your disposal whenever you feel need for it.” When Oasis opened her eyes, it was to find Tia’s face close to hers. It came quite natural for her to lean in and take the soft lips in a tender kiss that quickly intensified. Oasis pulled Tia closer until she fit closely into the contours of her body. They broke apart for air, but quickly engaged in another kiss, this time one that spoke of a need for a closer connection. Oasis’ hand moved lower until she found the hem of the nightdress.

  ***

  Tia felt her nightdress being lifted and she hooked her leg over Pope’s hip, allowing him more space to manoeuvre. She had to agree, only in the privacy of her own mind, that it felt wonderful to feel this man’s hands on her. His touch was gentle, yet firm. Focussed, yet hesitant at times. It spoke clearly of his two personas: the awkward Lord Pope and the fierce Maverick. And she loved both.

  She froze.

  Love?

  What does love have to do with any of this? He was…a…NO. She couldn’t. There was no way. She knew well what she wanted and Lord Benedict Pope/The Maverick was not it. He was charming, handsome, gentle and charming. But he was also a man. She wasn’t going to bind herself to a man, emotions be damned. The events of the afternoon infiltrated her dazed mind and she felt herself growing cold. She pulled away from him and she could see that her sudden emotional distance had confused him. He blinked a few times and when he looked at her again, his eyes were clear and watching her closely.

  “Did I do something wrong?”

  Tia shook her head. “I don’t know. I don’t think so.” She rolled over, giving him her back. She couldn’t look at him anymore. It wasn’t his fault, after all, that she, a lover of women, had fallen for him. Nor was he to blame for being who he was. She heard a heavy sound from behind her and the bed dipped. He was leaving. They were in a whorehouse and she was sending him from her bed, while his need for release was pressing. Any of the women downstairs would be stupid to turn him away, even if, according to Marianne, he never made use of the girls when he was in here. She felt the bed move as he pulled on his boots.

  “Don’t go.”

  The movement stopped, but resumed a few moments later. He was going to leave. “I’ll take the chair and you should try and get some sleep. Burton will be here at the crack of dawn.” He sounded cool and curt. Why wouldn’t he? She had pushed him away without a reason. Any man would react to such a blow to his ego. She heard him move over to the chair and then the room was quiet. Suddenly overwhelme
d with the need to make amends or at the very least reassure him, Tia spoke.

  “It’s…it’s not your fault. I’m sorry.”

  “You don’t have to apologise, I understand.”

  He understood? What did he understand? How could he understand when she didn’t even understand it herself? Tears welled up in her eyes. She felt scared and betrayed. And the only other person who could ease her anxiety, she had just alienated. A tear rolled down her cheek and disappeared into the soft pillow.

  “I don’t think you do, milord.” Her statement was followed by silence. She looked over her shoulder and saw that he was riding the chair on its hind legs, his head thrown back; his eyes fixed on the ceiling. She turned back. “The king is marrying me off to form an alliance with the Spaniards.”

  The chair slammed back on his forelegs with a loud bang. “WHAT?!”

  The loud noise made Tia sit up in shock, her hand clutched over her heart. Pope was standing by the bed, his eyes wide with rage. He looked terrifying with his hands fisted at his sides and his body vibrating with anger.

  ***

  Oasis was infuriated.

  It was not unheard of for kings to arrange marriages for strategic alliances—but not Tia. The woman was so fiercely independent and that was what made her such a fascinating person. How could the king even consider marrying her off to a man who’s first instinct would be to break that glorious spirit? She noticed that Tia was staring up at her with fear in her eyes. Oasis took a few steps away from the bed.

  “How…when…?”

  “The queen told me earlier. That’s why I was at the Palace.”

  Bloody hell! If the queen told her that, then it wasn’t just a rumour. Tia will be married off. “When do you expect to meet your…” No, she wasn’t going to say ‘betrothed’. Tia didn’t belong to that faceless man. If she indeed belonged to anyone, then it was to Oasis.

  “Probably at the end of the month. He is already in route.”

  Oasis spun around and glared at the chair. She desperately wanted to break something, but she also didn’t want Tia to fear her more than she already did. She turned back to the bed and found Tia watching her with wide eyes. Oasis went to sit on the bed and pulled off her boots. She lay back and opened her arms. Tia hesitated.

  “Come now, milady. We need to come up with a plan to get you out of this mess.”

  Tia’s eyes filled with tears. “We? You’re going to help me?”

  “Of course. We’re partners, remember,” Oasis responded solemnly. A myriad of emotions flashed through Tia eyes before she leaned over and placed a tender kiss on Oasis’ lips and then curled up in Oasis’ arms. She fitted perfectly in her arms and Oasis wasn’t going to let some gout-ridden Spaniard take Tia from her.

  “Do you know who it is?”

  “The Archduke of Seville.

  “Have you met him before?”

  “Once, about six years ago.”

  Oasis nodded. “That’s good. Can you tell me everything you remember about him, even the smallest details?”

  ***

  Tia’s eyes opened slowly and she lay quietly, motionless. She wasn’t alone. Her ear was pressed to a warm, heaving chest and she could hear the strong thumping of a heartbeat. The familiar scent of sandalwood and cigarette smoke filled her nostrils and a small smile plucked at the corners of her lips. He had stayed. He also said he would help her. She sighed deeply and curled her arm around the narrow hips.

  “It’s Burton, open the door.”

  Tia’s eyes shot wide and she quickly sat up. When she glanced at her bed partner, it was to find him smiling at her. It didn’t look like he slept at all, if the dark circles under his eyes were any indication.

  “Good morning.” He swung his legs off the bed and pulled on his boots. Before he went to open the door, he roughly pushed his fingers through his dark curls. Tia watched in rapt fascination as the rich curls bounced about and settled haphazardly on his head. The door opened and Burton slipped in. He looked at Tia and back at Pope. “Did you experience any problems during the night?”

  “No.”

  Burton went to sit on the bed next to Tia. She smiled when he pulled her into a tight hug before he kissed her cheek. Pope shook his head slightly before he looked away. “How do you feel? Did you sleep well?” Burton’s eyes were sharp as he questioned her and Tia knew the moment, he realised that something had transpired between her and Pope. His eyes narrowed slightly and she quickly placed her hand on his.

  “I promise you on the graves of my parents that nothing happened. He held me as I slept, that’s all.” Over Burton’s shoulder, she could see Pope’s eyes resting on Burton with deadly intent. Tia pushed at Burton. They needed to get out of here before the two men got it in their heads to start a brawl that would expose them all. “I need to get dressed. Will you two go find Marianne, please?”

  The two men moved stiffly around each other as Tia used her hand to shoo them out of the room. She was rinsing her face in a bowl when Marianne entered. Together they quickly dressed her in a sombre dark dress and a cloak.

  ***

  Burton glared at Oasis from across the other side of the hallway as they waited for Tia to finish dressing. She had allowed him one punch already and that was more than enough. No matter how Tia would feel about it, she wasn’t going to allow Burton to lay his hands on her again. She thought to warn him beforehand.

  “You’ve punched me once, Burton, and I had deserved it.” She took a step closer to him and stared up at him with hard eyes. “The next time you try it, I’ll make sure that you’ll rue the day you were born and Tia won’t be able to do anything about it. Do what you must, as her brother to protect her, but don’t waste your time looking at me as the villain. Believe me, I’m the least of your troubles.” The door opened behind her but she made sure to keep eye contact with Burton. This moment could be the determining factor for whether or not the two of them would be able to work together as a team in the future.

  “Gentlemen,” Tia’s voice cut in, warningly. “I’m ready if you’re done with your posturing.”

  Oasis turned to Tia and bowed. “I believe your manservant will take it from here. If you’ll excuse me.” She left them standing there as she made her way to the exit of the whorehouse. It was still very early and the streets were deserted, but Oasis had a full day planned ahead of her. First, she needed to find Caleb. She had need of some good news and she hoped the net they had cast yesterday had caught something. She walked briskly down the street, vaguely surprised by the number of acquaintances who were only now making their way home, too. A carriage drove past her and she caught Tia’s gaze. The closer she got to the woman, the more lost she felt sometimes. Like this morning, for instance. She had greeted the new day with the beautiful woman in her arms, but after the news of last night and the failed attempts at making love, Oasis felt raw and filled with dark, pent-up energy.

  She unlocked the side door to the inn and slipped inside. Everyone was still asleep as she moved soundlessly to the chamber she used when she stayed over. She entered and stopped instantly when she found herself staring down the barrel of a pistol. Sleepy, steel grey eyes met hers, before the pistol was lowered.

  “Good heavens, Ben! I almost shot your stupid head off.”

  Oasis peered around Caleb to the bed. A pretty blonde was fast asleep under the covers. It seemed as if only one side of the bed had been utilized. She glanced at the chair and back at Caleb. Interesting!

  “Let’s go talk in the kitchen. I could do with a cup of tea.”

  “You dandies and your tea,” Caleb mumbled as he followed Oasis out the door. “What are you doing here so early, anyway? It’s not even six o’clock yet.”

  The kitchen was empty, but a Good Samaritan, probably Sylvie, had stoked the fire and fixed a pot of tea. Oasis served them both.

  “So? What are you doing wandering the streets at the crack of dawn?”

  “I was over at the whorehouse with Lady Tia.” She su
ppressed a grin when Caleb’s mouth fell open in shock. “We had to spend the night there after she injured herself when the wheel on her carriage came lose. She suffered a concussion and the doctor deemed it unsafe to subject her further to the jostling of a carriage ride.” She took a sip of tea. “And what’s your story?” She grinned when Caleb blushed. “Who’s she?”

  “Her name’s Susie Hogarth. I met her when we escorted her sister home after saving her from that cult.”

  “Oh?” Oasis was genuinely surprised. That was almost six weeks ago. Caleb rarely, if ever, stayed longer than a few days with a woman. This blonde seemed to have truly enticed her friend. “Must be serious then?”

  Caleb drank from his tea. “I think so, yes.”

  She slapped him on the back, causing his tea to spill over the rim. “Congratulations, my friend. I’m truly happy for you. So, the times that you said you were out raising hell with the boys and the whores, you were actually courting the beautiful Susie?” She chuckled when Caleb turned even redder. She was happy that he finally found someone who saw past his dusky skin to the real man. She would love to get to know Susie better, but only once they had tied up all the loose ends first. “I have a few things to discuss with you.”

  “What do you need?”

  “Did you find him?”

  “Not yet,” Caleb responded quickly. “But I have a guy tailing Leland. We should hear something by today.”

  “Good. Another thing I need you to do, is to find out from Lady Tia’s driver who was placed in charge of guarding her carriage.”