The Cracksman's Kiss

by Killarney Sheffield

  He withdrew and rolled to the side, drawing her into his chest, and cradling her there. The flowery sent of her perfume mingled with his own spicy cologne and tickled his nose. I did not mean to take her. It was so wrong, but it felt so right. She lay in his embrace for a moment, and then flailed, struggling to get up. He held her fast.

  Her voice rose, choked with terror. “Let go of me!”

  “Hush or they will hear.”

  She continued her struggles, and he winced when she caught him in the side with her knee.

  “Who are you? How dare you touch me?”

  Sliding his leg across hers he clamped a hand over her mouth, “Shh. You will wake the whole house, and I have no wish to spend the rest of my life in Newgate.” She whimpered, but stopped her struggles. “I will take my hand from your mouth if you promise not to scream.” When she nodded he lifted his hand.

  An angry hiss of air followed her sharp intake of breath. “Who are you, and what do you want with me?”

  “I am a friend. It was not my intention to frighten you.”

  “A friend would not force himself on a lady.”

  He chuckled at the bitter edge to her voice. “I did not have to force you, my lady. Your sweet body begged me to make love to you.”

  “Is making love what you call accosting a sleeping woman in her own bed?”

  “Have you never been made love to by a man before?”

  “I—that is, well, I am married.”

  A knowing grin touched his lips. “That does not answer my question. Does your husband kiss you and make you cry out for his touch?”

  “No,” she admitted, reluctance tainting her voice.

  “Then I am the first to make love to you.”

  “Why?” Her question was voiced so quiet it was almost inaudible.

  He stroked her cheek. “I could not help myself. You are so beautiful and innocent. I could not bear to think of you lying beneath that withered old man as he rutted. You deserve to feel the pleasure a real man can give you.”

  “I have betrayed my husband,” she cried, her voice brimming with horror.

  “No. You have not betrayed him, your body betrayed you. The earl will never know, and you shall have a memory to cherish each time you must endure his attentions.” His intention had been to console her, but she stiffened as his lips found hers again in the dark. He captured her hands in his when she pushed against his chest, nipping at her lower lip. She softened, his tongue slid into her mouth to tease. She gasped, her body trembling. With reluctance he broke off the kiss and released her hands.

  Her fingers came to rest against his chest. “How do you do that?”

  “Do what?” His lips twitched at the wonder in her breathless inquiry. His hand slid down to stroke her breast, and she responded by arching her back and pressing her soft flesh against his hand. His lips moved to pleasure her other breast, and she seized the bedclothes in her hands giving in to his ministrations.

  The mattress dipped as he sat up, swung his legs over the side, and buttoned his trousers. “I regret I must leave you now, my lady.”

  When she opened her mouth to protest, he kissed her lips to silence her before ducking through the bed curtains. He turned around to shield himself from her gaze as she sat up and slipped off her sleeping mask. In the window’s reflection he studied her. The glow of the fire lent a rosy flush to her skin. Her hair hung loose around her like a glowing shroud. Eyes glazed with passion, she clutched the bedclothes around her chin. He reached over and opened the window without taking his gaze from her enchanting form. A breeze stole through the room, causing the bed curtains to flutter. He clamped his grappling hook over the windowsill and tossed down the rope. Straddling the ledge he scooped up the satchel, and then blew her a kiss over his shoulder before lowering himself to the ground. With a flick of his wrist, the grapple fell from its place. He slung it over his shoulder and jogged toward the hedge-lined drive with distracting memories of the evening’s chance encounter swirling in his thoughts.

  Chapter Four

  Kassie slid from the bed, snatched up her nightdress, and padded barefoot to the window. Slipping the garment over her head, she peered into the darkness. There was no sign of the mysterious stranger. Was she dreaming? Pinching herself, she flinched and then frowned. No, she was definitely awake. She almost wished it was a dream, for dreams returned and had no guilt or consequences. She jumped when someone pounded on her door.

  “Kassandra!” the earl bellowed from the other side.

  She shut the window before answering, “Yes, my lord?” She scanned the room for any trace of the visitor. If the earl demands entrance to my room will he know or suspect what happened?

  “Did you hear anything within the house?”

  With haste she crossed to the door hoping he would not demand entry. “No, my lord.”

  “Be sure to keep your door locked.”

  “Yes, my lord.” Kassie waited until his footsteps recede down the passageway before returning to the window. Pressing her face to the glass, she squinted into the dark, seeing nothing but shadows. Confused, she turned away and climbed back into bed. The subtle scent of the stranger’s cologne still lingered as she replayed the encounter over and over in her mind, struggling to convince herself she had not enjoyed the man’s caress. I am sinful! What would my father say? I am supposed to be a pious and faithful daughter. I have shamed myself and my family. Why did the mysterious stranger sneak into my room? Did he sense my sinful longing and seek to take advantage of it?

  The sun was painting the sky various shades of pink when sleep finally claimed her.

  * * * *

  “My lady?”

  Kassie snuggled further into the bedclothes.

  “My lady?”

  She groaned, not wanting to emerge from her dreamy cocoon. “What is it?”

  “You have overslept,” Sally said from the bedside.

  Kassie sat up, her body achy and limp. She could have sworn she only just fell asleep.

  Blinking, she looked out the window. The sun was already shining with promise in the midmorning sky.

  “Are you feeling alright, my lady?”

  She yawned. “I am a bit tired.” And guilt-ridden, embarrassed…

  “Shall I have your breakfast sent up and tell his lordship you are indisposed this morning?”

  Kassie smiled. “Umm, that would be lovely, Sally, thank you.”

  After the maid left, Kassie swung her legs over the side of the bed and slipped on her robe. A tell-tale heat crept up her neck and flushed her cheeks when she recalled the events from the night before. Was she really visited in the night by a stranger who made love to her? The tingle between her legs made the question horribly redundant. Would her husband be able to tell she had lain with another man? A twinge of guilt rendered her in a panic. The earl must never find out! He would surely cast me out, or worse… The familiar thump of the earl’s cane in the hall alerted Kassie to his approach, and she hurried back to bed, scrambling under the covers before the door opened.

  He crossed the room and fixed her with a stern stare. “Your maid tells me you are ill this morning.”

  She lowered her gaze to the bed covers and plucked at a loose thread on the satin spread.

  “Too much excitement last night,” the earl concluded. “I think I will cancel the trip to Bath. I would not want it to overexert you.”

  “Oh, no. Please, my lord. I am only a little tired this morning, nothing to be worried about,” she hurried to reassure him, unwilling to forgo the much anticipated trip.

  The earl contemplated her for a moment, his thin white brows bunching. “Very well, you will rest in bed today. Your maid can pack for you, and if you are refreshed by then, we shall leave the day after tomorrow.”

  Kassie nodded. He gave her another careful look, and then left the room. She leaned back against the pillows, her stomach churning as she swallowed her guilt.

  Sally entered a few minutes later with a breakfast tray
which she set across Kassie’s lap. Upon lifting the silver lid she grinned. “Bernard was not around this morning so I took the opportunity to slip you a cup of chocolate.”

  “Oh, Sally you are such a treasure.” Kassie picked up the steaming cup and sipped the hot chocolate, savoring the rich flavor. Today was a special day in deed; whole day to herself with no silly schedule to adhere to and a cup of her favorite treat. She sobered when she recalled the reason for her reprieve.

  “A trip is just the thing you need, my lady.” The maid chattered on, sorting through the wardrobe and packing it.

  Kassie ignored her cheerful prattle as she sought to put a face to the stranger. Try as she might, she could conjure nothing beyond a shadowy form and a husky voice. An inkling of something familiar pricked her recollections. Do I know the man? He seemed to know me or at least of me.

  “…the commotion around here last night must have kept you up.”

  Kassie blinked and focused her gaze on the maid folding a petticoat with care. What is it she was saying about a commotion? “What commotion?”

  Sally placed the garment in the bottom of a large trunk, then glanced at her and reached for some tissue. “A thief stole the earl’s Egyptian artifact late last night.”

  “Really?” Kassie’s heart skipped a beat as she recalled the stranger telling her to be quiet or he might end up in Newgate. He had not been afraid of being caught in bed with her; he had been afraid of being caught stealing the earl’s artifact. The scoundrel could have at least had the decency to be repentant for his misdeed where she was concerned. Her face heated. “Did they catch the man responsible for the theft?”

  The girl shook her head and placed paper between the folds of a delicate muslin dress. “No. No one seems to know who it was.”

  Kassie’s thoughts flickered with the flames of the fire. Had she screamed, the household would have been alerted to the thief’s presence in her bedchamber. The earl lost his priceless treasure because of her. If he found out he would be furious. Kassie nibbled on a piece of toast from the tray. If the thief was caught, would he tell of her deception and infidelity? Her hands shook, and she tried to ignore the fear gripping her in icy fingers. “Do you think it might have been one of the earl’s guests who stole the artifact?” Kassie wondered out loud.

  Sally glanced at her. “It could have been, but the earl seemed to think it was the work of a professional thief. No one saw him enter or leave the house.”

  Bile rose in Kassie's stomach. Not only did she betray her husband, she did so with a professional thief. The man was probably very dangerous, and she had given herself to him like a common trollop. She closed her eyes and prayed God would forgive her for her terrible sins. Perhaps God would punish her by denying her a babe. She might have to endure the earl’s disgusting attentions for years. Was it wrong to wish the earl’s touch had the same effect on her as the mysterious stranger’s? With a groan she pushed the breakfast tray off her lap and shrank under the covers.

  Confusion addled her mind. It was wrong of her to lay with a man who was not her husband, but it felt so good… Why did her husband’s touch repulse her when a complete stranger’s turned her inside out? She should be mortified by her behavior, but all she could think of was his lips brushing hers, how her body tingled at his slightest touch. Was she completely immoral?

  “My lady?”

  She poked her head out from under the covers. “Yes, Sally?”

  The maid’s brows furrowed with concern. “Are you feeling alright?”

  Kassie moaned and hid her face behind her hands. “Oh, Sally. I have done something terrible.” The mattress sagged as Sally perched on the edge of the bed.

  “Whatever it is you have done, it cannot be so bad.”

  “It is horrible, Sally. I am a truly terrible person.”

  “You have a kind heart, my lady. I do not believe you could do anything bad.”

  Kassie sobbed even harder. “Oh, Sally, I have done something unforgivable.”

  Sally took her hand and patted it. “We are friends, are we not?” When Kassie looked up and nodded through her tears the maid continued, “Then you can trust me to help you. Tell me what it is you have done you think is so terrible. I promise I will keep it a secret until I die.” She made an ‘X’ across her heart with her fingers.

  Kassie wiped the tears from her face with her sleeve. “My husband will never forgive me for what I have done.”

  “Then we shall never tell him,” Sally vowed.

  Kassie sniffed. “I drank too much wine at dinner even though I knew it would anger the earl. I was abed when I was awakened by a man in my room. At first I thought it was my husband, but then he touched me and made me feel things I never felt before. When I realized it was not my husband I should have screamed, but I did not because I did not want him to stop.” She began to cry again. “Do you not see Sally? I allowed the thief to steal more than my husband’s artifact, and I helped him escape. Lord Everton will surely cast me out or have me arrested. I betrayed him. I betrayed God and my father, too!”

  Sally hugged her. “No, his lordship will not cast you out, my lady, because we will not tell him.”

  “What if the man is arrested and he tells my husband what I did?”

  The corners of Sally’s brown eyes crinkled as she worried her lower lip between her teeth for a moment, and then she smiled. “I shall tell him the man is a liar. I was with you all night and did not see anyone come into your chamber.”

  “You would do that for me?” Kassie wiped her tears on the corner of the bedspread.

  “Of course, I would.” Sally smiled. “Now get some rest and do not fret. Soon we will be in Bath. I am so excited! I have never been outside of London.”

  Chapter Five

  Kassie followed the earl up the gangplank of the monstrous ship. “Oh, look! What are those big grey animals over there? Have you ever seen such strange creatures?” She leaned over the railing and pointed with her fan.

  The earl rapped the rail with his cane. “Control yourself, girl! At least hang onto the railing lest you fall overboard.”

  Biting back her rebuttal she gripped the railing, glancing at the choppy water below.

  “Those are elephants.” A masculine voice from behind startled her. “They are part of Astley’s new show.” Kassie pivoted, keeping a hand on the rail. The comté was making his way up the gangplank.

  He smiled. “Have you never seen one before?”

  She smiled back before cast her eyes downward for fear the earl would find fault with her for welcoming the comté in such a way. “No.”

  “It is a pleasure to see you again, Lady Everton.” He took her hand, bowed, and placed a light kiss on the back of it.

  Kassie was almost sorry her gloves were the recipient of his caress. He straightened with a delighted look, the skin around his eyes crinkling with good humor. It seemed the man was always smiling, as if he found the world and its inhabitants constantly amusing.

  Tucking her hand in the crook of his arm, he took her parasol and held it above her. He escorted her up the ramp to the main deck, nodding to the earl who stood waiting with a displeased look on his face. “Everton,” he acknowledged with a tip of his head.

  “Ashton.” The earl frowned at Kassie before turning to his nemesis. “What are you doing here?”

  He released Kassie’s hand, but continued to shade her with the parasol. “I am going to Bath to take in the waters, the same, I presume, as you.”

  The earl merely grunted, taking Kassie’s hand. “Come along girl, we best settle in our stateroom before the ship sets sail.” Snubbing the comté he dragged her away with a bony grip.

  When she peeked over her shoulder, Ashton tipped his hat and grinned. The sun’s rays highlighted his dark hair with light bluish streaks she never noticed before. His tanned skin left no doubt he was of robust health. The comté is a picture of male perfection. She glanced at the earl out of the corner of her eye. Unlike my frail husband.


  Sally was waiting in their stateroom. The sitting room was large and furnished in elegant style. It contained a settee, two comfortable looking armchairs, a bookshelf full of leather bound volumes, and a small card table on which sat a box of chess pieces. A door on the left wall opened to reveal the earl’s bedroom. Kassie grimaced at the thought and followed Sally through a similar door on the right, leading to her own room. The bed hung on thick chains which swayed with the subtle rocking of the ship. The only other items in the room were a wardrobe in the corner, beside which an oriental dressing screen and a washstand were placed.

  Enchanted, Kassie wandered over to one of the two small round windows and peered out the portholes to the wharf below. Well-dressed gentlemen mixed with the sailors and dock workers hurrying about their business. With reluctance, she turned away from the scene as the earl addressed her.

  “Dinner is at seven. I will come to collect you then.”

  As he twisted with his awkward gait to leave, Kassie placed her hand on his arm to stop him. “May I stand on deck and watch when we leave port?”

  He scowled at her fingers resting on his finery. “It is much too dangerous for a girl to be wandering the deck alone. You will stay in your rooms unless you are with me. Is that clear?”

  Kassie nodded and removed her hand. It was disappointing she would have as little freedom here as at home.

  The earl left, the key scraping in the lock. She wandered back to the window as the ship shuddered and a whistle blew. How dangerous could it be to watch as we sail from port on the deck if the earl is with me? She clutched the window frame, bracing her feet as the ship began to move along the channels down the River Thames. The little porthole from which she viewed their departure restricted her enjoyment of the sights. She turned away in disappointment and meandered back to the sitting room, trailing her fingers along the smooth walls of the stateroom. Sally was seated in one of the chairs mending a silk stocking.