A tiny smile broke through Emily’s somber expression. Kate wanted her friend to be happy, but she was not sure if Hugh was the man for her. He was older, and if the tales were true, he had a lot of experience with women. If nothing else, Kate was relieved that he had rebuked Emily’s advances. At least Hugh had some moral standards. As much as she adored the man, Kate didn’t want to see him use Emily and throw her aside like one of his other conquests.
Kate continued, “The time apart can help you clear your head and figure things out. Plus, it would make me feel better to know that you are someplace safe. I can’t tell you how upset I was when Hugh told us about last night.”
Emily assured her, “I told you I am fine. Perhaps, you are right about leaving. Being around Hugh will make things more difficult. Besides, there was something I wanted to look into in London anyway.”
Kate hugged Emily. “Thank you. It will make me feel better. May I tell Ethan that you have agreed to leave?”
Emily nodded.
Kate asked, “Will you be joining us for dinner tonight? Louis, has arrived from France.”
“Yes, I will be at dinner.”
“Then, I will see you then.” She gave Emily one last hug before leaving.
Next, Kate checked on Robbie and played with him for a while before his nap. She informed Nana that a guard would always be with them after the incident from the previous night. It would be a while until dinner, so Kate went for a walk. She knew it was not be safe to walk outside alone, so she wandered around the house to clear her mind.
The men were ensconced in the library. No doubt, they were trying to figure out the best way to handle the latest developments. Kate prayed they would resolve this mess soon. The longer things dragged on, the greater the chance more people would get hurt by this madman. Kate still did not believe Arthur was the mastermind. He never struck her as the calculating type. He was more impulsive, which was evidenced by his sudden marriage proposal to her in the past.
Eventually, she ended up on the ground floor in the solarium. It was a lovely room, covered by windows on three sides and overlooked the gardens on the south side. At this time of year, the afternoon sun would blaze through the panes; but today, the clouds had moved in, and the sky had darkened. A storm was coming.
A sound from the doorway caused Kate to spin around. Louis stood there, a look of embarrassment on his face. “I’m sorry, Kate. I didn’t know anyone was here. The butler told me it is usually quiet here this time of day, and I thought I would relax a little before dinner.”
“Come in, Louis. I was restless and ended up here. Looks like a storm is coming.”
The Frenchman came in and stood beside Kate. He peered up at the sky through the windows. “Yes, the weather does not look promising, does it?”
“No.”
“Well, I’ll leave you to your thoughts.”
Kate put a hand on Louis’s arm. “Please don’t leave. It has been so long since I have seen you..” Kate led Louis to a couch, and they sat down.
“I never could say no to a beautiful lady,” Louis teased.
Kate laughed, “I’m always up for your flattery, especially with your lovely French accent. It makes it seem so much more sensuous.”
“Maybe I should teach Ethan a few phrases to say to you in French.”
Kate’s giggled with delight. Louis was always so fun and charming, much like Hugh, but Louis could also be serious when the situation called for it.
“I am happy for you and Ethan.”
“What did he tell you?”
“Enough, but nothing that would make you blush in front of me. He did tell me that he plans to marry you.” Louis answered.
“Yes. When all of this is over and my time of mourning has ended, we will finally be together.”
“He’s been in love with you forever, it seems.”
“Since we were children.”
Louis glanced out the window. Small raindrops hit the glass. “About a year ago, Ethan and I were in Paris. We were in a tight spot, cornered by some unsavory characters. It was questionable if we would make it out alive. They outnumbered us by quite a few. As we waited for reinforcements, we told each other our deepest regrets. We figured we might be dead anyway, so what did it matter. I told Ethan that my biggest regret was not finding out who killed my wife.”
Kate squeezed Louis’s hand. Ethan had mentioned, shortly before she had left for the continent, that Louis had fallen in love. She had never met the woman, but Kate was saddened nonetheless to hear his wife had died.
“Ethan regretted the fact that he had never told you that he loved you, truly loved you. He vowed that if he ever saw you again, he would tell you, even though you were another man’s wife.”
Kate saw the truth in his expression. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Louis. I’m sorry about your wife; I did not know.”
“I loved Michelle very much. Her life before me had been filled with secrets, but I looked past that to see her kind heart. Perhaps, there were more secrets that she took to her grave, but I will never know. There are some things from which we can never be free. I will never be free until I know for certain what happened to Michelle.”
“How long ago did she die?”
“About two years ago. I came home from a brief assignment, and Michelle was missing. We searched the area and found her outside. The doctor was not sure what had killed her. He thought it might have been a heart condition, but I know somebody murdered her. Even though there was no sign of a struggle, I know something malicious was behind her death. There’s no other reason for a healthy young woman to die.” Louis paused then muttered, “She was carrying our child, as well.”
“Oh, Louis.”
Kate could not imagine the agony Louis must have gone through, to lose both his wife and unborn child at the same time. Her mind drifted, and she wondered if she might be carrying Ethan’s child. It was possible. They had made love several times, and they had not used any precautions.
“I’m sorry, Louis. I shouldn’t have brought up such a subject.”
Louis stirred from his melancholy. “It’s all right.” He patted her hand.
“Well, I do not wish to intrude anymore. I think I’ll go rest until dinner,” Kate said.
Louis rose with Kate and walked her to the doorway. She turned and embraced him before leaving. As Kate left the room, she noticed Ethan at the end of the hallway. A brief look of jealousy crossed his features, but it quickly changed to one of lust. Her blood warmed at the memory of his eyes glazed with desire as he thrust into her. She should assure Ethan that there was no need for him to be jealous; no other man would ever take his place. For now, Kate went back to her room and rested.
Dinner that evening felt strained and subdued. The conversation was sparse. Emily remained silent except to say that she would leave for London as requested. Not even Hugh commented when she announced it. Louis attempted to lighten the mood with gossip about Paris. After dinner, the party made their way to the drawing-room. Kate played a few melodies on the piano. Emily excused herself shortly after dinner, saying she had to pack for her journey the next day.
As soon as the door shut behind Emily, Kate turned her glare on the trio. “Well, if that wasn’t the most depressing dinner, I don’t know what was. Even the meal at Nathan’s funeral was livelier.”
Louis chuckled.
Kate continued, “We need to make the best of the situation, especially for Emily, given all she’s been through.”
Ethan retorted, “What do you expect, Kate? I’m worried sick that there is danger around every corner for the two of you, not to mention for Robbie. I’m sorry if the situation does not lend itself to frivolity.”
Ever since Ethan had learned about the attack involving Hugh and Emily, he had been silent and withdrawn, and it worried Kate. She wondered if this was his usual demeanor when he worked for Sir Darnley’s organization. It was a side she was not accustomed to seeing. Kate felt wary but intrigued.
Well, no matter how vexed Ethan might be, he needed to be put in his place.
“What I require from you, Ethan, is to put on a little semblance of confidence and normalcy until your sister leaves tomorrow.” Kate left no room for argument.
Louis stifled a laugh.
“Do you require a doctor, Louis?” Ethan asked. “You appear to have something wrong with your throat.”
“Thank you for your concern, but I’m fine. I believe I may retire for the night.”
“I will, as well.” Kate cast a final glance at Ethan before leaving. As Louis closed the door, she saw Ethan make his way over to the sideboard for the liquor.
She made one last stop at Robbie’s room before continuing to her bedchamber. The guard sat outside the nursery door and gave Kate a nod good night. Satisfied that her son was safe, she went to her room.
After changing, Kate settled into bed with a book. No matter how much she tried to concentrate, she kept reading the same paragraph over again. She threw the book aside in agitation. Perhaps some fresh air might help. Kate opened a window to the crisp night air and let it caress her skin. A chill went through her as the cool air permeated her warm skin.
After a few minutes, Kate closed the door, climbed into bed, and tried to read again. She gave up after spending another hour of reading the same page. Normally, reading was the best way for her to clear her mind, but tonight it did not work. A different book might do the trick, she thought. So, she grabbed her robe and went to the library.
Although the hour was not late, the house was silent. She held the candle high to light the way. Even though she knew every corner and nook in the house, the darkness made her cautious. Kate descended the steps and walked down the hallway to the library. When she drew closer, she noticed light peeking out from under the closed door. Someone must be inside. Perhaps she should go back to her room. Unfortunately, Kate had always been the curious type, and she wanted to make sure it was not an unwanted intruder. She opened the door, careful not to make any noise.
Ethan sat in a chair by the fire, glass in hand. His head rested in his other hand. The knot on his necktie was loose, and his jacket lay discarded on a nearby chair. Kate had never seen him this way, despondent, hopeless. It made her want to run over and comfort him.
Not caring if she made a noise, Kate opened the door farther. The sound brought Ethan out of his thoughts, and he jerked around to find the source of the interruption. Their gaze locked. With the heat of his eyes on her, suddenly she felt constricted by her clothes, and she could not speak.
Ethan rose from the chair and put his glass aside. He made his way over to Kate, never breaking their stare. He was like a predator stalking his prey, and she wanted him to capture her. The closer he came, the stronger the pounding in Kate’s ears and between her legs. She stood frozen, caught in his sight, powerless to move. The smell of brandy on Ethan’s breath mixed with his raw masculinity aroused Kate. He captured her face and drew her near, almost touching her lips. His stare pierced straight to her heart. He closed the last distance between them, but not before Kate heard his words.
“You’re mine.”
Barely had the words crossed Ethan’s lips than his mouth crushed against hers. The kiss was not gentle; it was possessive and all-consuming. Kate did not hold back in her response, returning the kiss just as fervently. Ethan circled his arms around her, and she felt his erection. The thought of him inside her made her quiver with anticipation. His hand blazed a trail down to her soft bottom and pushed her even harder against his rod. She sighed and rubbed herself against him. He broke the kiss on a curse.
Ethan swept Kate into his arms and carried her over to the settee. They helped each other undress until they stood skin to skin. He guided her until she laid on the settee. His hands swept up and down her body, leaving a path of sensual awakening. Ethan’s touch lingered on each breast before his mouth took over. He took his time, teasing each nipple to a stiff peak while fondling the other. She wanted his mouth on hers once again.
Kate tugged on Ethan’s hair to signal what she wanted. He latched on to her mouth. Her tongue glided along his lips until he opened and plunged his tongue into her waiting mouth. They were both lost in the sensation. Their tongues dueled back and forth, each giving and taking greedily. Ethan’s hands glided over Kate’s body and landed at the apex between her legs. The rough heat of his hands drove her wild with distraction.
At his touch, Kate opened her legs without hesitation. The moisture dripped between her legs. He put two fingers inside her, and it only took a few strokes before she climaxed. Ethan kept going, building the tension once again. She rode his fingers, urging him deeper and faster. He complied and, at the same time, plunged his tongue deeper into her mouth. The throbbing between her legs intensified, and her body tensed, ready for its relief. Ethan pumped his fingers in and out of her while his thumb rubbed over her sweet berry. Heat streaked through her body as she writhed in unbridled sensuality.
Kate broke their kiss to cry out Ethan’s name as the ripples of her orgasm shot through her. Before she completely came down from the euphoria, Ethan replaced his fingers with his cock and drove into her damp entrance. Kate’s breathless moans encouraged him.
The first night Ethan and Kate had made love, it had been about discovery and longing. Tonight, it was about urgency and possession, and Kate welcomed it. Ethan had her splayed on the settee on her back, with one leg hanging off the side. He placed himself between her legs, with one leg bent on the settee and the other planted on the floor as an anchor. Ethan placed his hands on Kate’s hips to help thrust deeper into her. His rigid staff stoked the furnace of her loins.
With each thrust, Kate lost another part of herself to the sensations coursing through her. She felt the weight of her breasts move in time with Ethan’s thrust. She heard the noise each time he buried himself in her, and his flesh slapped against hers. Ethan’s palms were moist from the heat radiating off her body, and his groans grew thick with desire. During these precious moments, it was only the two of them, slaves to the carnal lust that had overtaken them.
Ethan rammed into her, his body hard and primal against hers. Kate wrapped her legs around him and allowed the wave to overtake her. At the pinnacle of her ecstasy, she teetered on the brink before falling into a sea of pleasure. Kate cried out her love for Ethan at that moment. Ethan thrust into her twice more before his body coiled, and he released inside her. His chest heaved from the exertion of their sexual escapades. He leaned over Kate, his hand on the back of the settee so as not to crush her. After a moment, he opened his eyes and looked at her. He leaned down and planted another kiss on her swollen lips.
“Thank you,” Ethan said and laid his head on Kate’s chest.
“For what?” Kate combed her fingers through his hair.
“For being so wonderful. For being the love of my life and my anchor in all this chaos.”
Kate grinned and arched up to kiss Ethan again. “I should be the one thanking you for being here for Robbie and me, for helping us, and for forgiving me after everything I put you through all those years ago.”
“We have both made mistakes, and we’ve both changed. The important thing is we are together now.”
Ethan stood up and eased himself out of Kate. She felt empty without the connection to him, but she knew she would never be alone again. They collected their clothes and made their way up to Ethan’s room. Once the door was locked, they settled into bed, with Kate nestled in his arms. She knew it was time to tell Ethan about his sister. He needed to know the entire picture, and if Kate knew Emily, this infatuation with Hugh would not go away any time soon.
“Ethan, you need to know that Emily is not leaving just because we have asked her to for her safety. I mainly convinced her to leave because of Hugh.”
“What do you mean?”
“I believe Emily is attracted to Hugh.”
Ethan shifted under her and let out a curse. Kate had to keep him calm. “I believe it’s an in
fatuation. Emily knew Hugh as a child, and it is natural for a girl of her age to fixate on a man. It could have been any of your friends.”
“I do not want to think about any of my friends romancing my little sister.”
Kate leaned on her arm so she could face Ethan. “Now listen, I told Emily it would make things easier if there were some space between her and Hugh. From what I gather, the affection only goes one way; Hugh has not returned the sentiment.”
“He bloody well better not,” Ethan barked. Kate placed her other hand on his cheek.
“I know it’s hard to think about it, but she’s twenty years old. There are girls her age already married with children.”
“Like you were?”
The color rushed to Kate’s cheeks. She knew Ethan did not say it to be hurtful. He was frustrated and not ready to admit that Emily was old enough to show interest in men. Up to this point, Emily had never paid men much attention.
“I’m sorry.” Ethan kissed the hand on his cheek.
“Don’t worry; everything will be fine. Emily will leave in the morning, and after a few weeks, she will forget about Hugh. I’m sure Hugh will be called back to the continent with his regiment, and distance will heal all wounds. Be gentle with her tomorrow, please.”
“I promise,” Ethan agreed.
“Thank you.”
Kate leaned in and kissed Ethan. He captured her neck and kept their lips locked longer. After a moment, the kiss grew deeper, and before she knew it, their bodies where entwined, lost to their sexual desires. Kate went mad when Ethan placed his lips between her legs and kissed her womanhood. The feel of his tongue scraping up and down her entrance made her go mad. His tongue and fingers sent Kate over the edge, time and again, before he finally buried himself inside her. Ethan rode her hard, until they were both spent.
Chapter 22
The Spy's Lady: A Steamy Victorian Historical Spy Series (Romancing Intrigue Book 2) Page 16
