His Lady Ashlynn

by Starla Kaye

  His stomach knotted with dread and he took off running. Surely she wasn’t going to…

  No, no, no! No! This wasn’t happening to her. She would not spend over a month on a ship with Blaine. Heart racing, she dashed away from the poor young sailor she had nearly knocked over in her panic. Must get away. Get off the ship.

  “M’lady!” he called out in concern from behind her. “You should go below to your quarters. We’re about to get underway.”

  No. She needed to get off this ship. Without looking back, she said, “I’ll be fine here.” She gripped the railing tightly. “You can go about your business.”

  “Is there something wrong, M’lady?” he asked, sounding worried and moving closer.

  There most certainly was something wrong! The man she was trying to escape from had boarded the ship. But she couldn’t tell this sailor that. In truth, she had no more time for any of this nonsense. Not if she were going to get off The Pearl before it was too late.

  “I’m fine. You do not need to worry about me.” She flashed him a reassuring smile; at least she hoped that’s what it looked like.

  Another crewman called out to him and he gave her one final uncertain glance, then hustled off to attend to his duties.

  Relieved, she faced the dock area again. The last of the ropes holding the ship to the pier had just been undone. All she had to do was climb up and jump over the side. She was a good swimmer, although her dress might be a problem.

  She heard footsteps coming up behind her and assumed it was the sailor still concerned about her. Ignoring him, she put her hands on the railing and started to push her way up to where she could get a foothold. Go! Now! Before…

  A pair of large hands clamped around her waist, stopping her progress, making her gasp.

  “Not a good idea, Lady Remington,” said an all too familiar deep, cultured voice.

  Watching the ship pulling away from the dock, she craned her head around and scowled down at Blaine. Captain Stromley stood beside him, his expression hard to read. But neither man appeared the least bit happy with her. Angered at being thwarted in her escape plan, she snapped, “Release me at once!”

  “I think not,” Blaine countered, attempting to pull her down. “You have caused me a great deal of bother already this day. I think we should have a talk. In private.”

  “I have nothing to say to you.” The words came out shakier than she would have liked. Her entire body seemed to be far too aware of the man refusing to let her go. His scent surrounded her, the faint smell of cologne mixed with man, mingling with the fishy odor of the water. His body heat, too, held her attention. The early morning coolness she’d barely noticed now warmed by his closeness. “I…I left you a note.”

  He tried once more to pull her down, but she held on tightly to the railing. “You are acting foolishly! Release that railing at once.”

  The ship swayed a bit as it began moving away from the pier.

  Caught unprepared, Blaine lost his balance enough to let go of her. Blinded by her immediate goal, she managed to hoist herself up until she swung a leg over the railing. Then she sat there frozen in horror at what she’d done, unable to get back down. Her heart raced. “Blaine!” she called out in distress.

  Again the ship swayed. Both Blaine and the captain reached for her, but couldn’t quite catch her.

  A spray of water caught her and she gasped in surprise. At the same time she lost the tenuous grip her hands and legs had on the railing. In that second she knew she was going to fall. If she went straight down, she feared she would hit the side of the hull. But if she could somehow swing her other leg over and manage to thrust herself outward…

  “Dear God!” Blaine roared in horror as he watched Ashlynn miraculously get both legs over the railing and dive awkwardly into the water. “Ashlynn! Ashlynn!” He searched for her, jerking off his coat and tossing it to the deck.

  All around him he heard frantic cries of “Woman overboard!”

  He couldn’t breathe. Where the blazes is she?!

  “There!” Captain Stromley shouted. “She’s all right.”

  Relief nearly buckled his legs. Yet the ship was continuing to move away. He shot an apologetic look at the captain and climbed up the railing. “It appears I won’t be sailing with you after all.”

  “Understandable.” The captain gave him a sympathetic glance. “You’re going to have your hands full with that one.”

  As Blaine spotted his betrothed attempting to swim toward the pier, he dove down to go after her. What the older man had said held a great deal of truth. She would try his patience, would challenge him in many ways. Yet he looked forward to it.

  Ashlynn could hardly move her arms and legs. Her gown weighed twice as much as she did, making her fight to keep from sinking even as she struggled to swim. She was beginning to wonder if she would make it to the pier. Why in heaven’s name had she done such a foolish thing? She could have been killed. Did she truly want to get away from Blaine so badly as to risk her life?

  Just when she started to sink again, gasping for breath, a strong arm flipped her to her back. As she blinked in surprise, Blaine hooked his arm over chest. Worry creased his handsome face but he said calmly, “Try to relax. I’ll get us to safety.” Then he began sidestroking toward the pier.

  “Ohmygod! Ohmygod! Ohmygod!” Abigail’s panicked cries overpowered the other voices of the many people lining the pier. “Is she all right? Ohmygod!”

  “Calm down, Abigail,” Braden snapped. “Blaine has got her.”

  Then there were arms reaching down to pull her up, other arms reaching for Blaine. She was so embarrassed by what she had done, by all the trouble she was causing. She could only imagine how he felt about her right now. Probably more than ready to be done with her. Oddly, she was saddened by the idea.

  Braden tugged her away from the dockhand who had dragged her up out of the water. The expression on his face was thunderous and he didn’t seem to be able to speak. But regardless that she was dripping water everywhere he pulled her against him, hugging her so hard she finally squeaked.

  The instant he released her, Abigail latched onto her and hugged her as well. “Whatever were you thinking?” she sobbed out, continuing to hold her tightly. “You…you could have died.”

  “The excitement is all over with now,” Blaine stated firmly from nearby. “You may all go about your business. But I thank you for your assistance.”

  Ashlynn began shivering and tried to wriggle free of her twin’s hold. “I’m all right, Abby. You can let me go now.”

  If anything Abigail held her more tightly. “Don’t ever scare me like that again.”

  Someone thrust a blanket around her shoulders. And finally a familiar pair of strong hands tugged her away from Abigail. She turned and faced Blaine, wearing a blanket about his shoulders as well. Even dripping wet he took her breath away. He’d saved her life, for she’d been certain just before he’d latched onto her that she wasn’t going to make it. She’d caused him so much trouble and yet he’d saved her.

  “I’m sorry,” she said shakily. The words weren’t near enough, but it was all she could manage as a shiver raced over her, her teeth chattering.

  He held her at arm’s distance for a second, simply gazing down at her. Then he heaved a sigh and pulled her hard against him. “As your sister said, ‘don’t ever scare me like that again.’”

  She felt him shivering from the cold as well. No doubt he was every bit as miserable as she was, but he appeared in no hurry to let her go. In truth, she enjoyed having him wrapped around her. His big body gave her comfort even though she knew she didn’t deserve it.

  “We’d better get the two of you home and into dry clothes,” Braden interrupted. “We can drop you off at your house, Blaine.”

  “You can drop us both off at my house. My mother keeps clothes there that should fit Ashlynn,” Blaine countered in a tone that implied his decision was final.

  “I must protest—” Braden began. />
  Blaine thrust out his regal chin and held tighter to her. “I must insist.” He calmed a bit and added, “Your sister and I need to have a discussion and come to an understanding. There will be nothing for you to worry about, I promise you that. And I will bring her to your house before evening.”

  “Do I have a say in this?” Ashlynn questioned, squirming out of his hold, but remaining at his side.

  He shook his head. Yet it was Braden who said, “No.”

  ***

  They rode in silence in Braden’s carriage to Blaine’s town house. He’d insisted on Ashlynn sitting on the seat beside him, since they were both soaking wet. Actually, he’d needed her as close to him as possible. He was still having trouble accepting all that had happened in such a short time. He had ridden home from Oxfordshire with unsettling feelings of trouble ahead. Then he’d found out his gut had been right, she had disappeared and left him a note saying she couldn’t marry him because he deserved a better wife and telling him not to look for her. Foolishly he’d left Braden’s home with bruised pride and almost taken too long to get over it. If he’d arrived at the docks even a half hour later, The Pearl would have sailed off with her on it. She would have disappeared from his life completely. He couldn’t bear the thought. She would drive him on one merry chase after another, he was certain of it. But this saucy young woman would brighten his often dull days.

  “Are you sure about this?” Braden asked, glancing from Blaine to his sister and back to Blaine. The driver had stopped in front of his town house.

  “Yes,” Blaine stated, reaching over to squeeze Ashlynn’s hand on her lap.

  “I will be fine and home soon,” Ashlynn said quietly, raising her chin in determination.

  Before Abigail could protest or Braden could add anything else, Blaine opened the door and climbed out. He reached inside to assist Ashlynn down and she came without a second of hesitance. He was proud of her, certain she understood part of why he had insisted upon bringing her here. The discussion they had would not be all verbal.

  They walked in silence to his front door, which was opened by his butler, Sterling. The elderly man who had been with his family for over forty years raised an eyebrow at their sodden appearance, but said nothing.

  When he faced Ashlynn her cheeks were pink and he was certain she was mortified at what his butler probably thought of her being in his home, bedraggled and wet. He could only imagine what Sterling thought. Later he would explain some of the circumstances because not only was the man his butler but also a valued friend. They had been through much together over the years. For now he said, “Show Lady Remington to Mother’s suite. Then have a maid help her with a bath and finding her something to wear.” He nodded toward the stairway. “I would like a bath as well.”

  Sterling moved across the foyer, but Ashlynn hesitated. She lowered her voice and said nervously, “I really should not be here. It isn’t at all proper.” Yet she hadn’t resisted his decision to bring her to his home. He still wondered about that.

  He thought about how he had already taken his hand to her bottom on several occasions, how he had already kissed her and she’d kissed him back. And he thought about what he really wanted to do with her right now, more than making it hard for her to sit. His body thrummed with a need that had been growing stronger for weeks. He had worked hard to control his desperate longing for her. He had kept reminding himself that in only two short weeks he could have her, could show her all the delights of being a woman. But things were different now…

  “Truth be told, Lady Ashlynn, what I really want to do with you is far from ‘proper.’” He heard her quick intake of breath, watched her eyes widen, her cheeks grow pinker. “That has nothing to do with spanking you.”

  She swallowed hard, glancing in the direction of Sterling. “Must you really…” Closing her eyes for a second, she sighed. “Of course that is why you brought me here.”

  Sterling was halfway up the stairs, unaware that she wasn’t following him. He was focused on his task. Blaine was focused on the enticing sight of the disheveled woman far too near him. He moved in front of her, heard her indrawn breath, saw her stiffen her spine, waiting, curious.

  “You will have your bath, Lady Ashlynn. You will also get your sweet bottom warmed in due time.” He inched even closer, reaching to cup the side of her face.

  She didn’t move, barely breathed.

  Resigned to what he had to do this very second, he lowered his mouth and captured hers with his own. Her lips were so soft, far too tempting for him to ignore another moment. They tasted salty. If he could have nothing more physically pleasing this day, he would have this kiss.

  Slowly her arms moved around his waist and she snuggled into him, both of their blankets fell to the marbled floor. Her response was nearly his undoing. He groaned and eased his tongue between her lips, into the heat of her mouth. She didn’t pull away or resist as she should have, simply gave in to what he wished of her. Within seconds she was responding with every bit as much desire. Until she trembled in his hold. Until he shuddered with powerful need.

  Until a loud harrumph interrupted them.

  Immediately he broke away, stepped back, struggling to slow his breathing. His erection pressed against his sodden trousers. Another moment and he would have disgraced himself in front of them all.

  Her cheeks crimson, she whispered, “How can I face him?”

  He understood that she was worried about Sterling having witnessed them kissing. Considering the state of their drenched appearance and that she had come to his home without a chaperone, he believed the kiss of little importance. Still he said gently, “He will not judge you badly.”

  When she looked doubtful, he added a smile. “As a matter of fact, Sterling is quite pleased that one day you will be my bride. He has already told me that I need just such a wife…one who will challenge me on occasion.”

  She appeared ready to protest the marriage idea, he was certain of it. He didn’t want to discuss that issue right now. He turned her toward the stairs, gave her backside a light pat. “Seek your bath and a change of clothes, My Lady. I will meet you in my library when you are ready.”

  With a slight slump to her shoulders, she headed up the stairs. He was pleased that she hadn’t asked “Ready for what?” They both knew the answer to that.

  ***

  Ashlynn had taken a long time with her bath and in putting on Blaine’s mother’s clothes. She didn’t want to face him again. She still believed that she’d been right in attempting to leave London. Her actions today alone should be proof enough to him how poor a wife she would make him. Everything she’d done was beyond improper behavior for a respectable lady. But she’d been desperate to give him the freedom to forget her and seek a more suitable woman to marry. Except the idiot man had come after her, even dared to board the ship. Which had made her panic, made her behave even more improperly. She couldn’t believe she’d actually climbed the railing to jump from the ship. She could only imagine what her father was going to think about all of what she’d done when he found out. And find out he would.

  Her heart pounded with dread as she slowly made her way to the library. You can turn around right this instant and leave. Surely she could convince Sterling to find Blaine’s carriage driver to take her to Braden’s home. No. You will not skulk away like a coward. He deserves better treatment than that. He saved your life, for pity’s sake.

  She sucked in a steadying breath as she stopped in the doorway of the mahogany-paneled room lined with books. Blaine sat at a massive, elegantly carved desk, studying some papers. He looked up and she couldn’t read his expression.

  “Close the doors,” he said calmly, shifting the papers into a small stack and moving them to the side.

  “I…I should leave.” She didn’t move to obey his request, nor did she step away to leave.

  “Close the doors,” he repeated.

  Stubbornly she resisted. A few seconds later, she gave in and closed the tall door
s. Her stomach knotted. This wasn’t good at all. “I do not wish to be taken over your knee…to be…” She couldn’t finish the statement; he would know what she meant.

  He simply pushed his chair back, remained seated, and said, “Come here.”

  “No.” Her palms were sweating, her knees weakening.

  He raised an eyebrow. “Come here,” he said again, more forcefully this time.

  “No,” she said quietly, worrying her lower lip, toying with the side of her skirt with one nervous hand.

  His expression grew tighter; a vein pulsed in the side of his neck. “If your father were to have caught up with you instead of me, you know he would have stropped you for running away.” He was tempted to find his own razor strop. “What you did was dangerous.”

  “I… I…” She couldn’t come up with a good countering comment.

  Guiltily, she shifted her gaze from his. What he’d said was true. Her father would indeed stripe her well for her foolish behavior. Running away—even if she believed the reasoning rational—had been a childish action. Plus she’d endangered the young maid’s life while taking her down to the dangerous docks area. There were many unsavory men who hung around there.

  “You have more than earned this spanking. And if you make me come fetch you…well, that wouldn’t be a wise choice.” He waited for her to submit to him, but she could tell that his patience with her was growing thin.

  It took another few minutes of tense silence for her to finally heave a defeated sigh and walk toward him. But her determination to stand up for herself had returned to a certain extent. “I truly dislike you.” Lie. You want to dislike him.

  He flinched, and then blew out a breath, shaking his head. “No, Lady Ashlynn, what you dislike is the situation you have been forced into.” He motioned her around the desk.

  For some insane reason, she obeyed. When he took her hand and drew her to his right side, she frowned down at him. “Certainly I dislike the arranged marriage part.”