by Meara Platt
“I have no doubts.” Faith’s smile and the unabashed joy in her eyes eased his concern. It was a heady feeling to know this beautiful girl held such love for him.
Her uncle cleared his throat. “And don’t concern yourself about the fee for the license. It will be my gift to you.”
Caleb frowned. “I’ll pay for the license. I may not hold a noble title nor is my wealth as vast as that of the marquis, but I am more than capable of providing for my wife. We will not live off your charity.”
The old man suddenly turned wary. “Are you saying that you will settle Faith elsewhere as soon as you’re married?”
“No, my lord.” He knew losing his precious niece was Lord Boscombe’s greatest fear. Caleb was in no position to settle Faith anywhere yet, for he had no idea where he’d be beyond his temporary assignment in Newcastle. Faith would be safe and loved with her uncle. He had no intention of separating them. “Let me tell you what I propose.”
The three of them settled in Lord Boscombe’s library to continue the discussion. Neither man wished Faith to be present while they spoke of finances, but she was insistent. “I’ll eavesdrop anyway. And haven’t I helped you manage Boscombe Manor’s affairs for the past two years?”
They agreed to let her stay since she’d already curled up like a kitten in one of the leather chairs and had no intention of moving.
Caleb took the chair beside hers. In truth, he liked being near Faith. Craved it, if he wanted to be honest about it, for her joy was contagious and he’d never expected to feel so deeply about anyone in his life.
All bachelors were supposed to be in dread fear of giving up their freedom, but he’d spent too many years amid the blood and stink of battle, had experienced the tragic loss of friends and soldiers under his command, to believe that nonsense. War had an insidious way of trapping you in darkness. Finding Faith again had freed him from that peril. “I know you love your niece, Lord Boscombe. So do I.”
“What’s your proposition?”
Caleb leaned forward to address him. “I’m not settled and still on active duty even though we are now in peacetime. Faith will always have a home with my family if she wishes, and I hope to introduce you to all of them soon. But I would rest easiest knowing she is with you when I’m called away.”
Lord Boscombe smiled in relief.
“However, I do not wish to live off your charity. I must contribute to the running of this house. I will insist on it. And not some token sum you think will mollify me.”
“You’ll allow Faith, who is my heart and joy, to remain with me and you’ll pay me a tidy sum to keep her?” His smile broadened and he chortled. “You drive a hard bargain, son. But I accept your terms.”
“Most interesting,” Faith said when the discussion was over and her uncle had retired to bed, leaving them on their own.
“What? That I have my pride and wish to support you?”
She grinned. “No, that my uncle allowed us this time alone. Without a chaperone. It’s quite scandalous really. Especially since he must sense how eager we are to…engage in the sort of thing that will lead to my ruin.”
“He trusts you and has no idea you’re a wanton woman. The worst sort of wanton,” he teased. “The sort who removes her shoes and stockings in front of a man she barely knows and wiggles her unclad toes in the sand.”
He took her hand and led her into the garden. “Faith, do you have any doubts?”
“No, none at all. I wish I could explain what I feel when I’m with you. It isn’t merely that you’re handsome, which you are and all the ladies think so.”
He laughed. “I hadn’t noticed. I was too busy lusting after you.”
“Caleb, everything is right with the world when I’m with you. Everything is as it should be.” She pursed her lips lightly. “Until I set eyes on you this time as an adult, I never understood what Harriet was going on about when she spoke of her enjoyment with men. Of course, there’s only one man for me. It’s your touch I desire.”
Night had fallen and her slender body was illuminated by moonlight. He put his arm around her waist and drew her up close. He looked into her eyes, able to see nothing but the silver moon reflected in their green depths. “I love you, Faith.”
“I love you, too.”
He kissed her on the mouth, a long and tender kiss that was meant to be gentle. But he was too hungry for her and what came next was heat and passion and clothes falling aside as he carried her behind the willow tree and set her down atop his shirt that he’d practically ripped off his back and spread across the grass.
FAITH FELT AS though she’d been swept up to heaven.
Her shawl, her gown, and now her camisole had been tossed aside so that she lay naked beneath Caleb. He’d drawn the pins from her hair so that the curls fell in a wild tumble and splayed upon his shirt. She felt the prickle of grass against her back through the soft cotton of his shirt and the damp warmth of the salt air against her breasts. The heat of his big body as he settled atop her was intoxicating, and she sighed at the exquisitely gentle power in his hands as he cupped one breast and stroked his thumb over its taut bud. He lowered his mouth and suckled it, teasing it and swirling his tongue over it until she cried out softly and yet begged for more.
He kissed his way lower. “Faith, I’ll wait if you ask me. Lord, it will kill me, but I’ll wait until we’re married to claim you.”
“No, my love. I can’t wait either.” The tension coiled within her from this night’s confrontation needed to be released. She knew Caleb had to be feeling the same. He’d already been accused of ruining her.
He hadn’t yet.
But she wanted him to claim her now. She was his and would never give her heart to anyone else.
Music from the distant fair drifted toward them, as though an accompaniment to the mating dance they were about to undertake.
“Thank The Graces,” he whispered and slowly slid his hand to the junction of her thighs. “You’re so soft. So beautiful.”
He began to stroke her intimately, as a musician might stroke his bow over the strings of his beloved instrument. Caleb’s touch was light and gentle at first, as though easing her into these new sensations of pleasure.
She’d never known sensations as powerful as these existed.
She gave herself over to his touch, her body responding as he quickened his strokes, then slowed and lengthened them, deepened them until every pulse inside her was throbbing and he’d set her heart and soul afire.
The music from the fair resounded louder, now humming in her ears.
She drew in a breath and caught the scent of grass that mingled with the heat of his skin.
“Caleb, dear heaven.” She clutched his massive shoulders and kissed them. She loved the hard, muscled feel of his golden skin, couldn’t stop running her hands along his lean body. But where his movements were graceful, his body rubbing against hers with skill and prowess, hers were awkward and frantic.
He was devouring her. He was the fire breathing dragon of her fortune about to consume her in his flames.
“Oh, Caleb. What’s come over me?” When he entered her, she felt herself carried to another realm, to a place of shimmering magic and beauty, for the pleasure building inside of her could only be described as that.
The weight of his body on hers somehow lifted her above herself and left her floating like a fiery ember on air. She was boneless, weightless, and tingling.
Yet she burned with the heat of a thousand suns.
The distant music suddenly roared between her ears, ending with an explosion of fireworks within her that were in tune with the ones at the fair. Her own tranquility shattered as she responded to Caleb’s touch, to his fingers and mouth, and to all of him that filled her body.
She saw sparkles and starlight and shooting stars across the night sky. “Oh, Caleb.”
He kissed her on the mouth, covering her soft moans with the passionate heat of his kisses. He rocked inside her with greater urgency. He
filled her and fulfilled her, moving his powerful body over her and with her, holding her with exquisite gentleness as they danced this timeless mating dance together. Hot skin to hot skin. Her soft curves molding to the hard planes of his muscled body.
He emitted a low, dragon growl and his body joined hers in that other realm of pleasure, lifting them beyond the moon and stars.
They soared together for an exquisitely long moment before gently floating down to firm ground.
“Faith, how do you feel?” he asked, stroking her hair with breathtaking tenderness as they both struggled to calm their wildly beating hearts.
His voice was laced with concern that he might have hurt her.
She smiled, liking that their coupling had been no tame affair.
“Delightfully slain by my dragon slayer.” She cupped his face and drew him down for a soft, lingering kiss. “I had no idea this…what we just did…could be so splendid. Now I shall be a shameless wanton, a most demanding wife who shall crave your body and demand to be pleasured until I’ve wrung you dry.”
He laughed and shifted their positions so that her body was settled atop his. Her hair tumbled over the light spray of golden hair along his chest. “I was worried that I would hurt you.”
“No, my love. You didn’t hurt me.” She eased off him so that she was now nestled beside him in the circle of his arms. “The clouds have cleared away. Look at how brightly the stars are shining. I love this Caleb, huddled in your arms as we look up at the vast, brilliant sky, our future together as shining and beautiful as this glorious tapestry.”
The dragon charm was resting on her breast.
Caleb carefully lifted the charm and held it between his fingers.
She smiled at him. “You did a thorough job of removing every stitch of clothing off me. This necklace is the only thing you left on me. It’s magic, isn’t it? My fortune and this dragon brought us together and will bind us forever.”
“Faith, it’s just a charm. If you lose it again–”
“I know. Our hearts bind us together now. But this charm holds sentimental value for me. I want to pass it on to our children. I want them to know how you and I met.”
She reached up and kissed him again. “I want them to marry for love.”
“How about we get ourselves married first?” He rose and drew her up with him, then helped her to slip on her gown so that she could make her way back to her bedchamber without shocking poor Fleming if she passed him in the hall.
“I’ll see you in the morning, Caleb.” She stared at him, fascinated by the strength and power of his body, the graceful ripple of his muscles as he donned his shirt and trousers.
“Stop looking at me like that, Faith, or I’ll have you again.”
“I can’t help it. It’s my fate. You will meet a dragoon who will devour your heart.”
“Lord, we’re going straight to hell.” He removed the clothes they’d just donned and made love to her again.
CHAPTER TEN
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, Caleb was whistling a merry tune as he strode to where Pharoah was penned with the other horses. He’d claimed Faith last night, the soft, beautiful girl who was now buried deep within his soul. Perhaps he ought to have waited until tonight when they’d be husband and wife, but they were both certain of their feelings for each other and the moment had presented itself.
However, it wasn’t only about taking her innocence or being swept up in the passion of the moment amid the music and fireworks or blanket of stars. Nor did he take her innocence because he was being a possessive arse intent on claiming her for his own.
No, Faith was his because of something deep and savage that had stirred within his heart. A feral beast he hardly recognized outside of battle had awakened in him after the incident with Hawley, a beast determined to protect Faith and make certain she never came to harm. She was his to love and honor, and he knew he’d always be good to her.
No man, not Hawley or any other, would ever hurt her and live to take another breath.
A light mist hovered over the beach and water, but it was already breaking up as he reached the pen where Pharaoh stood with the other cavalry horses. The heat of the August sun would burn it all away within the hour, if not sooner.
Since the water itself was calm, he’d already taken his swim. He was now washed and dressed, and eager to see Faith again. They’d be married within a matter of hours, assuming all went well. “Captain Sparks, remember to meet me at the parish church at ten o’clock.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll be there with the other captains.” He grinned at Caleb. “She’s a pretty thing, if I may be so bold as to comment. Glad you didn’t hesitate. A girl like that comes along only once in lifetime. That’s how I felt about my Molly. She’s twice the size of yer Lady Faith, but I like a woman with meat on her bones. Besides, I’m an ugly, old war horse. But ye wouldn’t know it to see Molly lookin’ at me.”
Caleb grinned, quite touched by his companion’s sentiment. The man never spoke more than a word or two, and here he was rattling on about his wife and happy married life.
Captain Sparks shook his head and sighed. “It was the way she looked at me that won me over. Love shinin’ in her eyes for me, this big, ugly stranger. I met and married her the same day. When you know it, why waste time worryin’ about what others will think? I never regretted it.”
“Indeed, no reason to wait. We didn’t win our battles by hesitating, did we?”
“No, sir.” The big, hulking captain cast him a soft smile. “One look at that girl will make all the bad years melt away.”
Caleb nodded. “They already have.”
As he and Captain Stark saddled Pharaoh, Caleb noticed that his saddle pouch was partially unstrapped. He frowned, certain he’d secured it after the last time he’d dug into it.
“Something wrong, sir?”
The more sensitive military papers were in a strong box in his tent. Nothing important remained in the pouch. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that someone had searched through it. “I’m not sure.”
He dug in and felt something cool and hard beneath his fingers. He withdrew the object and saw the sapphire and diamond pendant Hawley had given to Faith. She had meant to return it to her former beau last night, but the man’s outburst had startled her and she’d forgotten about it in her distress.
Then Caleb had knocked him out cold.
“Yes, most definitely wrong.” He showed the pendant to Captain Stark.
The man’s eyes popped wide. “Did you purchase that for Lady Faith? I didn’t think ye were so…”
“Wealthy?” Caleb arched an eyebrow. “I’m not. Seems Lord Hawley is still up to mischief. Only he would have done such a thing. He gave this pendant to Faith yesterday morning and must have stolen it back last night after I’d…” Hell, he may as well tell the captain what happened. He trusted the man with his life. He could trust him to keep the incident between Faith and Hawley quiet. “After I punched him. He was alone in the drawing room for no more than a minute, but he knew where it was and must have taken it then. I doubt Lady Faith realizes it’s missing.”
“The weasel. Permission to run him through with my saber,” Captain Stark said, snapping to attention and saluting him.
Caleb laughed. “Permission denied. That pleasure will be mine alone.” He shook his head and sighed. “I know the man was hurt over losing her to me. Even I felt badly about it. I went easy on him last night, but he’s taken matters too far.”
“What will you do to him?”
He arched an eyebrow and winced. “Probably hit him again. Not too clever, is it?”
“A fairly stupid idea, if ye don’t mind me sayin’. But ye’ll feel awfully good about it afterward.”
Caleb rode off, eager to reach Faith. More important, he needed to deliver the pendant to her and make certain it was returned to Hawley in front of witnesses.
He wasn’t surprised to find Faith in a tizzy when he rode up to Boscombe Manor. “Caleb, than
k goodness! Something terrible has happened. I’ve lost Richard’s necklace. I meant to have Fleming return it to him this morning, but it isn’t in its box.”
“It’s all right, Faith. I have it.”
“You?” She eyed him with confusion. “How did you come by it?”
He was relieved she hadn’t asked why he’d stolen it, which he hadn’t done. But how could she not suspect? Hawley had meant to implicate him, after all. “I found it in my saddle pouch this morning.”
Her eyes widened in comprehension. “He planted it in your belongings?”
“It appears so.”
“But how did he get his hands on it? He…why that rotten scoundrel! We left him alone for no more than moment, but he wasn’t unconscious as he would have us believe. He knew it was in the drawer, for I’d just mentioned it to him before you arrived. He must have grabbed it while we were all out of the room. Oh, how could I have considered marrying that wretch?”
She called for her uncle, who must have been off searching for the lost pendant in his study. “Did you find it, Faith?”
She told him what had happened and then turned back to face Caleb. “I hope this is the mischief Madame Zeta warned us about. Do you think he’ll try anything more?”
“I hope not, or else I will have no choice but to call him out. I’d like to shoot him between the eyes, but I don’t think the marquis will appreciate having to train a new heir.”
She sighed and touched a hand to her curls. “I was so distraught and desperate to find it, I had no time to fix my hair. I’ll have Harriet assist me now.”
Caleb caught her gently by the hand. “Not on my account. This is how I first saw you on the hill, your long hair whipping in the breeze.” And how he’d held her last night as he’d made love to her in the moonlight, her hair so soft and silken beneath his fingers.
She smiled. “Perhaps I’ll leave it down for the ceremony. We’re already late and I’d like to return the necklace before we see the minister.”
