by SpursFanatic
“See,” Henry said. “She is none the worse for wear, and home earlier than expected.”
Rafe nodded towards the door. “Call her in here, Worthington.”
“Why?” Henry asked, sitting up in his chair.
“To prove a point.” Rafe dared him to refuse.
Henry sighed as he sat back in his chair and called out to his daughter.
“Yes, Father?” she asked, entering the room.
Her gaze scanned the table, taking in the empty bottle of tequila and the lack of coin in front of Rafe. She arched an eyebrow at him before leaning down to kiss her father on the cheek.
“Did you have a pleasant visit with Mrs. Winthrop?” Henry asked.
“Yes,” she replied, sitting on the arm of Henry’s chair. “She sent back your copy of the Iliad. She said it was splendid and helped pass the hours.”
Henry gave Rafe an I-told-you-so glare. Rafe glanced at the bottom of Tarin’s dress, then back at Henry. He gave a slight nod towards the hem.
Caked with mud. The Winthrop home was just down the cobblestone walk. Not a mud puddle in sight. Rafe’s eyes met Henry’s and held.
“Tarin,” Henry said, as he looked up at his daughter. “Would you ask Cook to send in some of that blueberry pie?”
“Of course.” With a smile, Tarin released a breath. “Good evening, gentlemen.”
Henry shook his head as Rafe leaned back in his seat. “Now you have proven my daughter lies.”
“No, she just fails to disclose what will upset you. She’s an intelligent woman.”
“She needs to be confined to the house,” Henry declared, under his breath.
“No,” Rafe said as a plan formed in his head, “she needs to learn first hand what can happen to a woman who wanders out alone at night.”
Elbow on the table, Henry pointed a finger at Rafe. “You are mad if you believe I would purposely endanger my daughter.”
“Of course not,” Rafe replied, crossing his arms over his chest. “Let me follow her one night. I will teach her a lesson she will never forget.” He sat forward and added, “And then, you can give us a trial run on one of your shipments.”
#####
The humid night air was stifling inside her heavy, dark cape. Rain had fallen again today, causing Tarin to curse the ruin of yet another dress.
How utterly ridiculous. She had spoiled one dress already and had the hem of another replaced with lace. Why should a woman have to sneak into a men’s seminar on midwifery?
What could Dr. Gregory possibly say that he wouldn’t say in the women’s seminar? Having a child was a woman’s natural process. Men would never experience it first hand.
Why the separation?
Curiosity ate at Tarin like an acid.
With her back against the side of Templar Hall, Tarin peeked around the corner. Mr. Wallace guarded the door like the entrance to The White House. Blast the man.
She had tried to sneak in on several occasions with no success. She had come close twice but had backed away when latecomers brought Wallace to the door.
If Tarin was caught sneaking inside the men’s seminar, she would ruin her chances of becoming one of Dr. Gregory’s first students at the college. Yet, how was she supposed to be a competent midwife and eventual physician when knowledge was kept from her because she was a woman? How did she know what she missed by not being a man?
Tarin peered in the window behind her. Dr. Gregory had a great crowd tonight. It thrilled her to know his lectures were so popular in Boston. They had caused quite a stir since his publication “Man-Midwifery Exposed” was released.
She turned back to peek around the corner. A hand clamped over her mouth. Her heart stopped. A silent scream rose in her throat and held. She tried to turn, but the attacker held her head motionless in one hand.
Tarin lashed out, kicking her attacker in the shin. His hand on her mouth tightened before he pulled her back against his chest. She could feel the heat emanating from him, the incredible strength, the immense height. She felt as though she were in shackles, her arms locked at her sides. Tarin was helpless except for her legs, which were hampered by her skirts. Her kicks were futile against his strength.
Father had warned her about wandering the city alone. So had Kitty.
And Rafe. Her stomach clenched into a ball. Why hadn’t she called him? He had offered to escort her wherever she needed to go. And heaven knew walking on the strong arm of Rafe Sutherland was a pleasure only the most fortunate of women experienced. But he would have never approved of her attendance at this lecture and would have prevented her from coming.
Now she was in the clutches of a madman just outside a hall full of men and they did not know her plight.
What Tarin did know was that she could not stop fighting. She stomped back on his foot. Perhaps he would eventually tire and let her go. She had to try.
“As soon as you are through kicking me, I’ll let you go.”
Rafe. She relaxed against him, feeling a brief sense of security before anger took over. That dirty, rotten scoundrel. Tarin’s heart started to beat again, rapidly, for a totally different reason. She was going to kill him.
Rafe turned her around to face him. His face was half hidden in the light shining through the window behind him. He held a finger to his lips as he glanced towards the hall. She couldn’t lash out at him or she would be heard.
But oh, she wanted to curse as she had never cursed before.
“You rogue,” she cried in a heated whisper, as she hit him on the arm. “You terrified me.”
“Serves you right for wandering around at night alone. I could’ve easily been someone else, Tarin.”
Ignoring the lead weight of guilt in her stomach, Tarin tried to summon up her life’s practice to stay pleasant in any situation. But, heaven help her, she wanted to throttle Rafe Sutherland as she had no other person.
“How did you know I was here?”
He had the nerve to grin at her. “I followed you.”
“You did not follow me,” she accused. “I was careful to watch for anyone behind me.”
“What kind of spy would I be if you spotted me?” he asked. “Besides, with that perfume of yours, I would find you anywhere in Boston.”
“You could smell me?”
He nodded.
Tarin wasn’t sure if he’d just insulted her or not. “Why did you follow me?”
“I told you not to wander out alone at night.” His clutch on her arm pulled Tarin closer, his grin arrogant. “I could’ve been an unsavory character rather than the dashing hero that I am.”
Tarin rolled her eyes. “You have quite the ego, Mr. Sutherland.”
“Quite.” His smile disappeared beneath a dark frown. “What are you doing here? What’s going on in there?” He nodded back towards the window.
Blast it. Now she had to confide in Rafe and risk him revealing her tomfoolery. If he revealed her secret, all of her plans would be ruined.
“Well, if you must know, I was trying to sneak into the hall.” She lifted her chin.
Rafe leaned around her to glance at the front door. “What’s going on in there?”
“They are conducting a men’s seminar on midwifery.”
That superior, arrogant frown appeared on his face again. “A men’s seminar. So what are you doing, trying to get in? You are certainly not a man.” His eyes ran down the length of her as though she were there for his benefit.
Ugh, he irritated her to no end. She felt as though she were revealing all of her innermost secrets to the world.
“I want to hear what Dr. Gregory has to say that is not said in the women’s seminar.”
Rafe studied her a long moment, her eyes never wavering from his. Tarin waited for the imminent tirade that was sure to come. The “if women were meant to hear it, they would have been invited” speech, the implication that men were superior to women, and that the subject matter was offensive to her delicate, feminine ears.
“I’ll
get you in.”
His sudden grin stunned her. Tarin stilled, unable to believe her ears. “You will?”
He nodded. “But just as long as we are clear on one thing - ”
A thrill ran through her. Finally, she would get in! “Anything,” she said without hesitation.
“I am not responsible for what is said inside.”
Excitement bubbled inside of Tarin. She could not believe he was going to help her. “Of course. Why would you think that?”
“How do I say this… ” he paused, brow wrinkling. “Men tend to be more… direct in their conversations and comments.”
Was that all? “I’ll be fine.” She turned, eager to get inside before the seminar started. “Let’s go.”
His grip on her arm held her back. “What’s it worth to you?”
Tarin planted a hand on her hip. She should have known there would be a price. “I should’ve realized the chivalry you showed the other evening was an uncommon occurrence.”
“Need I remind you, Miss Worthington, that if I were a gentleman, I would not be sneaking you inside in the first place.”
Touché. Tarin dropped her hand. “So what kind of compensation are we discussing?” Surely, he would not expect her father’s shipping?
“I’m not sure,” Rafe replied, closing the distance between them. “Any suggestions?”
Tarin swallowed hard as their eyes held. Oh no, no, no. A kiss would not be wise. Not when he was proving to be more desirable by the second.
She was already entirely too attracted to him. To engage in a kiss in the moonlight would surely find her completely at his mercy.
“N-No, no suggestions…”
He took her chin in his hand. His thumb grazed her jaw. “None?” he whispered.
Heaven help her, she couldn’t think when he touched her. Not when her body screamed for a kiss that could only bring her trouble.
“What kind of woman do you take me for?”
He devoured her mouth with his eyes. “An intelligent, beautiful woman who’s passionate about her interests.”
Oh, he was sinful. Downright evil. Tarin wanted to grab him by the shirt and show him just how passionate she could be.
“So you propose a kiss, then?” she asked, her voice shaking.
He hesitated, brows drawn low. “Did I?”
Heat exploded in her face. Tarin had never felt so mortified. “Never mind –”
“Okay, I accept.”
Her gasp was lost in Rafe’s mouth as his lips covered hers. All coherent thought vanished. He was not demanding or forceful as his arrogance would dictate, but gentle and coaxing as he feasted on her lips thoroughly, nipping and tugging with excruciating ease.
It was she who brazenly wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed him for more. While his low moan encouraged her, it became obvious to Tarin that Rafe would not be rushed.
Under the cloak of night, with only the stars as witness, the kiss was the most moving, sensuous indulgence she had ever experienced. His obvious skill made her heart race as he maneuvered them into a thrill well beyond Tarin’s imagination.
Large, strong hands caressed her back inside the cape, causing a tingling sensation to race down her spine. His tongue toyed with hers, tasting, sucking as though he had every right to do so.
Tarin could not contain the groan in her throat, wondered at the swirling heat low in her belly. She did not understand what he did to her, knew it felt incredibly sinful, but was helpless to stop him.
There would be other seminars, she thought in the back of her mind. She would sooner stay here all night, kissing Rafe Sutherland in the moonlight.
Applause from inside startled her. Rafe broke away with a harsh frown, his finger to his lips again, reminding her to be quiet.
Tarin's legs shook. She did well to breathe, much less speak. She planted a hand against the brick wall to support herself.
Inhaling a deep breath, she stomped her foot in the dirt. She knew it. Knew the man had the ability to make her forget her goal. Just seconds ago, Tarin was willing to forego the seminar for a few kisses from Rafe Sutherland. Was she mad?
Rafe motioned for her to stay put while he went around to the front door. Nodding, Tarin watched as Mr. Wallace greeted him enthusiastically.
She saw Rafe look inside the hall over Mr. Wallace’s shoulder. He started to enter then said something to Mr. Wallace as pointed his thumb over his shoulder.
Surely, he hadn’t told Mr. Wallace of her presence?
“What are you doing?” she asked, when he came back to her side.
“I told Wallace I had to relieve myself and then I’d be back. I told him to go in without me – I’d get the doors.”
The man was smart, if not gauche.
“There’s a small closet off the lobby. You will have to stand in there. I will stand outside of it to keep watch.”
“Won’t Wallace be suspicious?”
Rafe shook his head. “I told him my wounds got stiff if I sat too long so I preferred to stand.”
“Brilliant!”
He grinned. “It’s the truth.”
Before she could remark, Rafe snatched Tarin’s hand and dragged her along behind him. A moment later, she was safely ensconced in the closet. With the door slightly ajar, she could hear Dr. Gregory remarkably well over her pounding heart.
Tarin listened as Dr. Gregory covered the same, convincing material he had in the ladies seminar. However, his talk of the immoral tendencies and results of employing men as mid-wives surprised her. The men’s resulting crude comments and questions shocked her, but Tarin remained steadfast in her silence.
Dr. Gregory’s thorough and uncouth details of a love affair between a lady of French descent and her physician brought an unconscious gasp from Tarin’s lips. Rafe’s chuckle outside the door raked along her skin like a silver fork on china. Tarin knew he thought she should not have sneaked in. But damn him and all men, she could not help it if they were all heathens.
As soon as applause began, Rafe snatched her from the closet and whisked her out into the night. They were blocks away before Rafe slowed their pace. Anyone passing them on the street would think they were out for a leisurely stroll.
“Did you believe the tales he told, Rafe?” she asked, still trying to catch her breath.
“Yes,” he replied, his voice firm. “Men have urges, Tarin. Some just don’t have the honor or morals to control them appropriately.”
Based on what Dr. Gregory said, neither did some women.
Then it struck her. She was one of those women. Minutes ago, she had forgotten everything important to her while wrapped up in Rafe’s kiss.
She balled her hand into a fist. “Now do you see why I fight for this?”
He guided her across the street and onto the walk. “Why do you fight for this here, Tarin, when you can go nearly anywhere in the world and practice freely?”
Tarin glanced up at the moon, her heart heavy. How did she tell him of her need to save lives? To keep others from feeling the bitter agony and utter helplessness she felt at her mother’s passing? Yes, she had been a child, yet the frustration and anger she felt for the London doctors had never diminished.
“’Nearly anywhere in the world’ is not home. And in England, their views are just as twisted as here in America.” She took a deep breath and sighed. “It’s about saving lives. Making a difference.”
Rafe nodded as he strolled beside her, his eyes ahead. “Why this? Why midwifery?”
She shook her head. “It’s not so much midwifery as a means to an end. I want to be a physician. And Dr. Gregory’s crusade is the best – the only – opportunity I’ve had.”
“And you will go to any lengths to gain it.” His was a statement more than a question.
“Yes.”
Rafe’s jaw hardened, but he spoke no further. She wondered what he thought, what caused the muscles in his forearm to tense.
They walked along in silence until they reached her front do
or. “Thank you, Rafe… for everything.”
He crossed his arms over his massive chest, a sure sign she would receive a healthy dose of arrogance. “So, now you have no reason to be out at night alone.”
Tarin felt a flash of irritation. What a pompous bore. Did the man think he owned her now that he had gotten her into the seminar? “Granted that is why I was out tonight –“
“And on several other occasions…” he rudely interrupted.
How did he know? Had he been following her before tonight?
She jutted her chin. “That is my right,” she boldly stated, wondering why this man could bring a rise to her temper when no other had before him. “You have no say in the matter.”
“I may have no say, but you have no sense.” His stare was hard, his dark eyes as black as the night surrounding them.
“Earlier I was intelligent.”
“When did I say that?”
The man was a professional irritant. “Before you kissed me.”
“Oh, that’s right,” he replied with an arrogant grin.
Tarin had never been so mad at herself. Obviously, the man had been toying with her when he kissed her earlier. What had been a completely bewildering, deliciously exciting experience for her had been no more than a cheap character boost for Rafe – the man all of the women were in love with before he left ten years ago. Ugh!
“You are without charm, Mr. Sutherland.”
“So you’ve said.”
She turned to go and saw her father drop the front window curtain.
She sighed. Heavenly days, now he spied on her, too.
Her hand touched the doorknob.
“Tarin.”
She turned to face him.
“I catch you out alone at night again, not only will I tell your father what you’ve been up to, I’ll alert Dr. Gregory and the Boston Daily Times.”
Clenching her fists, Tarin huffed. “Well, Mr. Sutherland, should you find the need to do so, I will make a point of also notifying them that you were my accomplice.”
Grinning, he pointed at his chest. “Me? Why I had every reason to be there - I’m a man.” His grin disappeared. “You could lose all you have worked for. Be smart, Tarin.”
