by Imogene Nix
Her breath came in tiny puffs as he edged closer. Crowding her. But she wasn’t scared or intimidated. She welcomed his closeness. Needed it and much more.
Elspeth’s eyelids fluttered as the sensual promise of his kiss called to her. Their lips met and clung, his firm and warm. They pulled at her senses, and she gave in, welcoming the carnality as he devoured her. The thudding of her heart grew stronger, faster...heavier.
Sliding her arms around his broad shoulders, Elspeth skated her fingers over the light material of his jacket before reaching up to tangle in his slightly long hair. Without conscious thought, she pulled him closer, crushing her body against his hard frame. Desiring to find the passion she knew lay just beyond her touch.
The feel of him, his muscular body against her soft curves, left her gasping, and she pulled back just enough to allow herself to take a breath. The subtle scent of arousal wafted on the air.
“Skin against skin, heat to heat. Just imagine, Elspeth.”
His languid drawl battered her, her mind clouding further, driving out the many arguments of why they shouldn’t be here, doing this.
Aeddan’s hands moved slowly, caressing over her almost bared shoulder. His fingers dragged across the small straps that held her bodice in position then burrowed in slightly, teased and touched before retreating. Licking flames of pleasure followed the careful caresses.
Who swayed, she couldn’t say, but their mouths inexorably came back together. Aeddan clasped tight arms around her waist, the grip firm and sure. His hands moved so his thumbs could trace circles over her belly through the light material.
She closed her eyes and welcomed his careful touches. The touch was a mere glance but enough to set the pulsing desire dancing through her. His mouth roamed over her flesh, tracing along her jawline, and she inclined her head, angling up to allow him access to the sensitive skin beneath her ear.
Elspeth’s knees turned to jelly as the sound of moans filled the air. She knew they were hers, but she couldn’t stop them. She held onto him, like a life raft in the roiling seas. Senses adrift. She gulped down air as his fingers inched higher, finally cupping her breasts, the action scorching her through the layers of clothing.
“Aeddan...”
“Soon, my beauty.” His whispered words left her shivering in reaction. The feel of the gaping gown was her first hint that he’d loosened the buttons at the back. “Let me see you. I need to feast my eyes on your creamy skin.” Each word mesmerized her further.
The air was cooler now on her overheated skin, and she shivered, nipples puckering at the unexpected relief from the heat of the locked room as the heavy silk opened beneath his exploration and slid down. The gown hung from her elbows, and he slowly released her from its confines.
His fingers toyed with the demure edging of her corset cover, skimming over the lace and brushing against the skin he’d uncovered. Elspeth couldn’t breathe as the now-familiar tug of want played at her senses. Splintering them until nothing but hunger remained.
“Aeddan?” The emotions swamped her, and she surrendered to the sensations. She forced her gaze to meet his. His eyes were slumberous, while his slashing cheekbones were crested with red. “Aeddan?”
“Elspeth, I want you. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
She nodded. She knew of desire. The maids had talked about it when they thought she was out of hearing, and lately, the uncomfortable feelings she’d been experiencing around him... She knew this was likely her only chance to experience it. She wanted to know the burn of passion.
She lifted shaky fingers to the tiny ribbon on her chemise, ready to remove the material barrier to her skin, but he stopped her. The touch of his hand on hers warm. Her body felt like it was melting in the darkened room. The sound of gaiety echoed from the other end of the large house.
“Not this time. Not like this.” His words were a rasp.
Inside her, the molten liquid that had surged through her veins mere seconds before congealed. Became a lump in her belly. Confusion filled her. “You’ve changed your mind?”
He laughed, little more than a strangled bark of sound. “Oh, Elspeth, I haven’t changed my mind. Not one bit.” Then his mouth crashed down on hers.
Bang! Bang!
Startled, she reared back. “Someone’s at the door!” She whispered, hoping he’d have some way of circumventing the scandal that could eventuate from the situation. She just knew they were about to be found and her gown was gaping open. Her fingers trembled as she fought with the material, heaving it back into place. Her cheeks burned, and she wanted the floor to open up and swallow her.
“Won’t be a moment, Colonel.” He looked at her, his expression grave, and he brushed away her fingers, slowly refastening the small buttons he’d just opened. “You’re now thoroughly compromised. You do understand that?”
Her brain ceased to function. Compromised?
“Elspeth, we must marry now.” In his eyes there was something she didn’t understand. Whatever it was though, there was no anger. No frustration that his plans were thwarted.
Her stomach roiled. “But what about my plans?” Her cheeks flamed as she held her gown together.
“Major! What are you doing in there?” The muffled voice cut through the fraught atmosphere in the room.
“Just a minute, Colonel.” He looked deeply into her eyes. “We can discuss this tomorrow. But accept me now.”
“I...”
“Elspeth, say yes. We can work through the details later.”
Surely it was wrong to want this without understanding all the factors? But she was compromised. The word that struck fear into any decent woman’s heart. Heaven help her though, she wanted to say yes. Oh God, it’s so tempting.
“But I...”
“Say yes, Elspeth. The rest is just details.” His gaze captured hers, and she felt peace filling her.
“Yes, Aeddan. I will.”
He smiled and took her arm, leading her to the locked door.
* * * *
The following morning Elspeth paced the floors of their rented house as she apprised Isabelle of the situation.
“You accepted him? But you barely know the man.”
Isabelle’s words didn’t help Elspeth feel any better. Indeed, she felt worse than before. It was true. She didn’t really know him, but he’d pressed her to accept him after they were caught in the library.
“Isabelle, I didn’t exactly plan it.” She headed to the window. “We were in a...” How can I tell her I was compromised, willingly? This is my sister!
“You did! You and he...” Isabelle’s voice ended on an excited squeak. “What was it like?”
Elspeth turned, her skirts flying around her legs. “No! It wasn’t like that! Oh, Isabelle, what have I done?” She slumped into a seat and covered her face with her hands. “I didn’t want to get married. I was quite content with my lot in life.”
The truth nagged at her. She really wasn’t content. After all, she had once dreamed of a husband and family, but as the years passed that had gradually dimmed until the determined businesswoman had emerged. And then she’d stored away those other dreams—sure they’d never come to pass. When she’d finally accepted she’d never marry this happened.
“I didn’t expect... Well, I certainly didn’t imagine I’d receive a marriage proposal! We came to India to experience passion and to find out more about the interests of our suppliers and maybe find more. That was all.” Elspeth clasped her hands together and squeezed them as she glanced at Isabelle, reclined on the chaise lounge.
“But what can you do about it then?”
“I don’t... I don’t think there is anything that can be done about it, Isabelle.” That was the truth.
He’d said they would discuss the details later, but what would those details be? She’d promised herself to a man, one she suspected hid more truths about himself than he showed to others. What was he hiding from her though?
“Oh, Elspeth, I’m sorry. I sho
uldn’t have pushed you into this plan in the first place. I just...” Isabelle’s voice broke, and Elspeth shoved out of the chair, hurried across the room, then dropped down beside her sister, feeling dejected. She gripped Isabelle’s hands.
“No, we both wanted this. But when one makes one’s own bed...well, one must be prepared to lie in it.” She inhaled deeply before patting her sister’s hand. “So I believe the next thing I should do is write to Louisa and let her know of the development. At least...part of it.”
Isabelle didn’t look totally convinced. Elspeth was well aware of her disquiet, but there wasn’t much else she could do right now, so she turned away.
The door opened, and Jacinthe entered the room. “Miss Forster, a note was just delivered from Major Fitzsimmons.” She handed over the slip of paper, and Elspeth noted dimly how her hand shook as she took it. The writing was bold, slashing and heavy. Masculine.
She swallowed the exclamation of apprehension and turned the letter over, running her fingers over the red, waxed seal. Elspeth broke it with a crack. The paper crackled slightly as she unfolded it.
Elspeth,
We have details to discuss. I will call on you this afternoon and we can plan what happens next. Until then, adieu.
Yours,
Aeddan Fitzsimmons
She breathed lightly, fancying she could catch a subtle waft of him on the paper. Wishful thinking, she told herself, but it didn’t stop the way the blood in her veins thrummed or the heaviness that pooled in her belly.
“So? What does his note say?” Isabelle interrupted her moment of whimsy.
“What... Oh, he writes that he will be calling on me later today.” She clutched the paper to her chest. “So I had best have some afternoon refreshments prepared.” She hurried from the room, unwilling to face any more questions from her sister.
It was too intimate. After all, now it was no longer an academic discussion on what was missing. Instead she realized that it was soul baring. Something she didn’t want to talk about with her sister.
She hastened to her room and opened her jewelry case, slipping the missive within it. She carefully smoothed out the paper before giving a sigh. What would become of them, she wondered. Would there be love along with the passion? Or would their union become like many other fashionable ones, where she furnished him with children and he went on his way once the initial heat cooled?
“I don’t want a conventional marriage. I want more than just a home, husband, and children.” Staring through the window, she closed her eyes and prayed, “Let this be the right decision.”
She turned and shut the box on the letter and headed for the kitchen. They would need refreshments when Aeddan came to call.
Chapter 9
Aeddan prowled into the offices at Government House. The missive he’d received from his lordship had him nearly climbing the walls.
Miss Forster needs protection. Plans are afoot. Meet with me in my office forthwith. RBL
Nothing else. His lordship was more than aware of the growing interest he had for Elspeth. In fact, it was almost more than that, but the exact what was undetermined yet.
He stopped at the desk, where Lytton’s private secretary fixed him with his beaded eyes.
“His lordship has been waiting for you. Take a seat, and I’ll apprise him of your arrival.”
This time, though, Aeddan refused to take a seat. He watched as the man slipped within the office. Time was a factor right now, and he had no intention of wasting it. Not where Elspeth was concerned.
A fierce surge of possessiveness nearly overwhelmed him. That and concern. He’d sent Grundy to keep up surveillance on her house with strict instructions to inform him if anything untoward happened.
Grundy had smiled wryly before hotfooting it out of the house. He’d probably already heard tales of their emergence from the library. She’d been pink-cheeked and disheveled said some. Miss Forster had been distraught when they had left the locked room at the ball said another. Of course, Aeddan had lost no opportunity to spread the news of the betrothal. The grapevine didn’t take long to kick into action when there was something juicy to report.
The door in front of him snapped open, and his lordship waited just beyond the opening. “Come in, Fitzsimmsons. We have things to discuss.”
Aeddan wasn’t pleased at the curt tone in Lytton’s voice, but he followed him into his office. “You requested my presence?” He ignored the chair his lordship gestured to. He’d prefer to stand, nervous tension winding him tight.
“Yes. My wife indicated that after last night’s indiscretion, you intend to wed Miss Forster. Is this correct?” Lytton grimaced slightly, and Aeddan was sure the man was sizing him up.
Aeddan nodded, noting the way Lytton held himself.
Lytton took a deep breath, and his bushy brows drew together. “Right, then. Miss Forster is important to the empire, both in terms of her shipping company, which carries much needed seeds and grains, and also as a carrier of intelligence. Some time ago, we became aware that there was an informer who was carrying tales to the Russians about our movements here. They worked out that we were using The Company to send highly sensitive information back to the Colonial Office.”
“The East India Company?”
His lordship bowed slightly in response to his question.
“Then why...”
“We needed another method. One no one else knew of. One that wouldn’t attract suspicion.”
Aeddan held his breath. So the captains were acting as couriers for Lytton? “And Miss Forster is aware of this?” The muscles in his hand clenched as he fought to contain the concern that welled.
“No. It was all arranged with her father. After his death, the captains and we here in Government House saw no reason for the association to end. But other news coming out of the Afghan provinces is concerning. It seems someone has leaked the information that we use Miss Forster’s ships to carry packets, and they have indicated an interest in her.”
“That explains the attention of others then.”
Lytton looked at him, a query in his gaze. “And?”
“And it was pure luck the colonel came looking for us. He’d received a message to find Miss Forster. They—the person looking for her—wished to meet with her privately. In the conservatory. Naturally, I explained I would escort her there, but when we arrived, no one was waiting.”
“They ran.” Lytton stayed quiet for a moment, no doubt running through the information in his head.
They’d gone for Elspeth. They’d shown more than an interest in her. That couldn’t be allowed. They wouldn’t get their hands on her. He’d do whatever it took to arrange her safety. And that of her sister as well.
“Have they indicated what kind of interest?” Aeddan asked.
Lytton spun on his heel, striding to the window, and the uncertainty in Aeddan grew. He waited in the silence, sure he couldn’t possibly want to hear what was to come.
“I fear they may try again to abduct her,” Lytton said. “Take her to Kabul and use her as a pawn or bargaining chip.”
“No! I won’t allow that.” Every muscle in his body clenched tightly, including his now aching jaw.
“After last night, I was sure you felt that way. But Fitzsimmons, the longer she is here, the more dangerous it will become.” Now his lordship looked him in the eye, the tails of his coat still swishing from his spin back toward him. “You were going to act as her guide during her tour of the weaving districts?”
Aeddan nodded, unable to speak as the rage invaded every inch of his body.
“Good. You need to arrange for guards no doubt. Or better yet, marry the woman and offer her the safety of your house. The sister too. If she’s determined to continue her tour, then it will all be aboveboard. Simple for you to arrange.”
Aeddan gave a short nod. “I don’t feel it would be wise to share this intelligence.”
Lytton’s gaze was piercing. “No. Women don’t understand about these thing
s.”
He didn’t really like the plan that was being forced on him, but at short notice it seemed the best option. “And how soon do you...”
“Pop on over and see Dr. Johnson, the bishop. He’ll set you up with a license. Get it done quickly, man. Before they can get to her.” He held out a piece of paper he’d taken from his desk and scribbled on. “Give this to the clerics. It will gain you speedy access.”
His nod was little more than a jerk as he accepted the missive. Elspeth’s safety was paramount.
“If that’s all?” He snarled the question at Lytton who raised an eyebrow.
“I believe that’s enough.”
“One request, sir.”
Lytton grunted.
“Isabelle. When we go, Isabelle will need to remain here. She’s not yet sufficiently recovered.”
“I will make arrangements for the younger Miss Forster, Aeddan. Have no doubt. Now go.”
With that, Aeddan whirled to face the door. He reached out, his hand grasping the knob as Lytton spoke once more.
“Good luck, Aeddan. I fear you may need it.”
Aeddan left the building and strode outside, where the sun was shining brightly. The heavy thud of his heart reinforced the primitive emotions that spurred him on.
Nothing outwardly had changed, but deep within him a realignment of his priorities had taken place. From bachelor to bridegroom, he thought whimsically as he searched for a conveyance to take him to the cathedral.
For the first time, he gave thought to how his parents would react to his marriage. To Elspeth. They were more open-minded than most of their peers, but he felt more than a little concern, dragging her into a world she clearly had little experience in. Even though she was the daughter of a gentleman, she was not of noble birth.
“Needs must.” The reassurance didn’t make him feel better—the conflict he’d been battling for days rose once more. How was he supposed to understand this need that bubbled away? That and the sense of urgency telling him to protect her. She would be his bride and receive the protection of his name, but the emotional war he fought confused him further. Unable to settle the argument, he pushed it from his mind. He’d address that issue later.
