by Meara Platt
“I love you double that.” He kissed her brow as she lay snuggled in his arms. “Stop bewitching me and go to sleep, or we’ll be dull as doorknockers come the morning.”
But his own thoughts kept him awake much of the night.
Where was Rawling?
Was he back in London and now watching them?
Chapter Seventeen
Holly wished she hadn’t agreed to stay with Miranda while Joshua and his brothers went off to speak to Homer Barrow and then check on their new house. It was too late to change plans now that Abigail and Belle were here, too.
Abigail patted her hand as they sat in the parlor, and Miranda poured them each a cup of tea. “I know you want to be with Joshua, but it is easier for him to do whatever he needs to do without worrying about having you beside him.”
“I know you’re right. But it’s very hard to sit here and do nothing all the while.”
Miranda set down the teapot. “My dear, you needn’t worry about that. I shall put you through your paces. First, learning how to handle a pistol. How to hold it, load it, clean it—for you never want to leave that responsibility to someone else—and lastly, how to shoot it properly. You want to hit the villain, not your neighbor’s door or some poor coachman driving past in a carriage.”
“Will you teach me, as well?” Belle asked, obviously as eager as Holly was for this training.
Abigail raised her hand politely. “Me, too. Please.”
“Of course, my chicks.” Miranda was in her element, leading her elegantly gowned troops. She would have made a fine general had women been permitted to serve in the army. All her sons thought so, too.
“Joshua spoke a little about tricks of defense. Do you know any of those?” Holly asked, feeling better now about having to sit home.
“Indeed, I do.” Miranda was now beaming. “Pistol first. Then we shall all have lunch. Education in defense after lunch.”
Joshua and his brothers returned in the early afternoon.
Holly and the other ladies were standing outdoors in the rear garden, in the square patch of grass between the flower beds that gracefully hugged the stone walls. Miranda was teaching them how to properly punch a man in the throat and then gouge his eyes. Her back was to her sons, so she did not see them watching her from the parlor window. “Follow with a swift knee between his legs. You want to drop him to the ground hard and fast. Your knee is your battle mace. Wield it without mercy.”
Holly tried not to giggle as the men began to make faces, feigning mock agony as their mother went through the motions again, especially when she raised her knee. She, Belle, and Abigail lost their composure at the same time.
Miranda finally turned to see what had them holding their sides and tearing up with laughter. “Botheration, the wildebeests are back. Very well, ladies. Go fawn over those undeserving wretches, even if they are my sons, and I do love them.”
They hurried to the parlor, all of them eager to hear what their husbands had to report. Holly was particularly excited to show Joshua all that Miranda had taught them. His expression softened as he took her into his arms and kissed her cheek. “Love,” he said softly, “your eyes are sparkling.”
She nodded. “Your mother is wonderful. She will have us battle-ready in no time. I wish Dahlia and Heather were here to learn this. I can’t tell you how much calmer it has made me. Not that I will let down my guard for a moment, but I won’t be terrified to go about my daily chores or walk outside…or face Lord Rawling if you are not there to protect me.”
He kissed her again. “Much as I hate ever to leave your side, whenever I am not, rest assured someone else trustworthy will always be there. I’ve engaged two of Mr. Barrow’s best men to serve as footmen. But don’t ask too much of them. They’re not hired to serve you so much as to guard you.”
“Let’s hear all of it, Joshua.” Miranda motioned for the ladies to take their seats and gave a nod of approval when each son settled beside his wife. “How was the house? Any sign of entry?”
“No, it was untouched. We searched thoroughly inside and out. Rawling was too busy chasing after us to Harwich to break into the house. But it is something he might do tonight. I expect he’ll be back in London by now, so the two Bow Street runners will be sleeping there and taking turns on night watch.”
He took Holly’s hand and gave it a light squeeze before returning his attention to Miranda. “We’ll have to spend at least another two or three nights under your roof. I hope you don’t mind.”
His mother cast him a surprisingly affectionate smile. “You know it is my greatest pleasure. I’m delighted to have you and Holly with me.”
“Thank you, Lady Miranda. My Aunt Sophie will help me hire a cook, maids, and a butler. More of our furniture should begin to arrive this week.”
“So will your dog,” Tynan said with grin. “I sent word off this morning to my estate manager.”
“Meanwhile, Mr. Barrow has additional men posted to guard you personally, Holly. They’re outside Miranda’s house now. Teams of two at all times,” Finn said. “Unfortunately, most of us don’t know what Rawling looks like. We’d be more effective tracking him down if we had a better description of him. I understand the man has no prominent scars or other unusual features that would gain attention.”
Belle and Holly exchanged glances. “Rose.”
Joshua looked at her in confusion. “What?”
“Rose is our cousin,” Holly said. “She is Aunt Sophie’s daughter. But she and Julian were not in London last week, and this is why she could not attend our wedding. Perhaps she is back now. She’s an artist of extraordinary ability. I’ll work with her to come up with a drawing of him. She can then sketch more drawings, as many as Mr. Barrow needs.”
Miranda immediately rang for her butler. “Send word to Lady Chatham. We need to see her right away, and she must bring her sketchbook and drawing pencils.”
Finn arched an eyebrow. “Miranda, we should have gone to her instead of summoning her to us.”
His mother was unmoved. “Nonsense. There are seven of us here and only one of her there.”
“She has children and a husband, not to mention her business and other responsibilities,” Tynan said.
She called back her butler. “Griggs, hold off. I shall jot a letter to her. There, I hope you are all satisfied. I’ve invited her and Viscount Chatham to supper. You are all staying, of course. I don’t wish to hear a word of protest.” She returned her attention to her letter. “And bring a sketchbook and drawing pencils. There. Done. Hopefully they are home, and my efforts are not wasted.”
Since Rose did not live far from Miranda’s elegant residence, the messenger was back in short order. Griggs reported to Miranda immediately upon his return. “The viscount and viscountess are not in residence, nor are they expected to return to London for another fortnight.”
“Damn,” Joshua said, taking Holly’s hand again.
She understood his frustration. They were all feeling the same. She and Joshua were the only ones who’d gotten a good look at the man. How could their Bow Street men hunt him down with a general description, at best?
Despite this disappointment, Holly was in better spirits as she and Joshua retired to his old bedroom. “Joshua, let me show you what Miranda taught me. I’ll merely go through the steps, not actually try to hurt you.”
“Very well. Show me.” He stepped closer, his nearness shooting tingles through her as always. She found it curious that this already handsome man grew even handsomer with each passing day. “I’ll come up behind you and grab you.”
She nodded and turned her back to him. “Just remember, Lord Rawling is not as big as you are.”
“Right. I’ll bend my knees to adjust my height. Ready, love?” When she nodded, he lightly clamped a hand on her mouth and trapped her arms with his free arm by wrapping it around her like a band of iron. He was gentle but firm. She could not turn to face him, or free her hand, or raise her arm to strike him in the throat. I
n pretense, of course. But he obviously wanted her to understand the difference in their strengths and learn how to overcome it.
She began to ask him questions as he eased his hand off her mouth. “You had me trapped. What could I have done?”
“Your first step should have been to figure out a way to get me to loosen my grip. You could have tried to sink your teeth into one of my fingers or any part of my hand. If Rawling ever has you, that’s what you should do. Try to bite down as hard as you can.”
She nodded. “And what if I can’t?”
“He’s standing behind you, that’s how he would approach you in all likelihood because it will give him the element of surprise. If you can’t bite him, then try suddenly going limp and falling forward. Deadweight, pardon the expression, is much harder to control than someone standing up and struggling. Give it a try, love.”
He took her in his arms and nodded to her.
She allowed her body to go limp and immediately noticed the difference.
“While he expends his strength trying to regain his balance and lift you back against him, that’s when you smack him in the face with your head. Hit his nose, if you can. But if he’s too tall, then try to bash him under his chin.”
“What else?”
“There are certain parts of the body that are tender and will respond reflexively. Sit down and let me show you.”
When she took a chair, he told her to cross one leg over the other, and then he gently tapped her right below the kneecap. Her leg jumped. “Do you see? You had no control over that response. Love, get up, and let me come up behind you again. I’m not going to grab you, so just relax.” He tapped behind her knees, and her legs suddenly gave way.
Joshua caught her, of course.
Holly was amazed and quite enjoying this lesson. “What did you just do?”
“I’m showing you more vulnerable spots on the body. If you hit them just right, your assailant will have no control over his response. Let’s try this again. I will come up behind you and grab you as I did the first time. Try to bite my hand. If that fails, fall forward, then bring your head up sharply and smash my nose. Or under my chin. Remember, all you need to do is loosen my hold enough for you to turn around and punch me in the throat or poke my eyes. Once I’m blinded and struggling for breath, then you bring your knee up to my bollocks.” He laughed as he went over the motions again. “Kindly do not use your full force on me. I’d like an heir or two before I’m turned into a eunuch.”
“Oh, dear. We mustn’t ever let that happen.” She turned in his arms, her body suggestively rubbing along his as she faced him and gave him a searing kiss.
He groaned when the kiss ended, obviously aroused and eager to take it further. “Blessed saints. That would work, too.”
“Ugh! I wouldn’t consider it.”
He raked a hand through his hair, his expression quite fierce and suddenly serious. “Love, I want you to do whatever you need to do to save yourself. If it means kissing him or rubbing yourself against his groin—”
“Joshua!”
“Save your life, Holly. I don’t know if he means to harm you in that way, but you do whatever is necessary.”
He was going to make her cry if he persisted. The thought of touching any other man in that way was unimaginable to her.
“The point is to use the element of surprise to get him to loosen his grip on you.” He took her into his arms and held her tightly. “Do you think I will care what you do to escape that madman?”
“Please, Joshua. No more. Don’t make me think of this possibility.”
He sighed and kissed her gently on the brow. “Very well, love. We’ll go back to lessons on beating him to a pulp.”
She snuggled against him. “Yes, I like those much better. What else do you have to teach me?”
“Well, your legs are also weapons. If he knocks you to the ground, use your feet. Kick him in the bollocks or in the gut. Kick him in the knees. Don’t stop kicking him, and if you can catch your breath while you are kicking the tar out of him, then scream at the top of your lungs and keep screaming until he runs off.” He eased her out of his embrace and took hold of her shoulders so that she was directly facing him and meeting his gaze. “If he runs, you let him go. Do not chase after him. Will you promise me, Holly?”
She pursed her lips, not happy about this oath he was asking of her. “Would Wellington have allowed the enemy to retreat and not chased them at Waterloo? Would Julius Caesar have done the same at the battle of Alesia, allowing his Roman legions to sit idle while the Gauls got away?”
His eyes widened in surprise. “I am impressed by your knowledge of military history. But,” he said with obvious exasperation, “you are small and slender. You are not Wellington or Caesar. The point is to escape him, not fall into his clutches again.”
He caressed her cheek when she opened her mouth to offer more protest. “You know I would die inside if anything ever happened to you.”
Reluctantly, she nodded. “I know. Very well, I promise.”
How could she stay peeved when he was the most wonderful man in existence? “I think you’ve just gone through the lesson Miranda had planned for us tomorrow.”
“Repetition can’t hurt. And always keep your eyes out for a weapon to use.”
“I will.”
She tried out all he’d told her, softly so as not to hurt him.
“Well done, love.” He came up behind her again.
“Is this still practice?”
He laughed. “No, this is just me desiring your body.”
She turned in his arms, rubbing herself against him once more to purposely arouse him, although it really did not take much at all. “Good, and this is me seducing you. Is it working?”
“Hell, yes.” He swept her up in his arms and carried her to bed.
“Joshua, we have our clothes on! They’ll get wrinkled.”
Before she knew it, his big hands were all over her, and in the next moment, she found herself undressed, and his lips were on her skin, fiery wherever he kissed her. “Blessed saints, I love your body,” he said, his voice achy and rasping.
He removed his clothes, almost tearing them off in his eagerness to join her under the covers. When they coupled, she took the lead, enjoying being in control and watching Joshua’s magnificent muscles flex and ripple, and his handsome face resplendent as he found his release.
He was awake and grinning at her when she opened her eyes the next morning. “Did you sleep well, love?” he asked, nuzzling her neck.
“Yes, very. Why are you smirking?” She caressed his cheek, running the palm of her hand along his rough stubble of beard.
“You were incredible last night. Utterly wild and wanton. My well-pleasured low brain is still in hot, twitching spasms.”
Groaning, she slipped the covers over her head. “Is this any way to talk to your wife?”
He laughed and nudged the covers off her head. “Who else would I ever say it to? Only you, love. I marvel at my wisdom in falling in love with you. How do you feel this morning?”
“Wonderful. I won’t ask you because your hyena grin says it all.”
When she stretched, he emitted a moan and drew her up against his body. “I’d have at you again, but we have a lot to do today. Although I could be persuaded to stay abed a little while longer.”
“No time for frolic.” She sat up, modestly covering her body.
Joshua had no such qualms, obviously quite proud of his performance last night and feeling very conquering male about it. He tossed off his covers and rose to prepare himself for the day, not bothering to apply so much as a scrap of handkerchief to cover the most intimate parts of his body. “We’ll spend most of the day at the house, interviewing applicants for our staff positions, and directing the movers as they deliver more furniture.” He poured water from the ewer into the basin and picked up the soap beside it. “What time do you expect your Aunt Sophie?”
“Sometime in the late morning
, about ten o’clock I’d say. Our first interview starts around that time, and Draper & Sons ought to be delivering our dining table and chairs. Dahlia and Heather will come by in the afternoon. Dahlia has more fabrics to show me for our curtains. She wants us to select colors and designs for our bedchamber, dining room, parlor, and the guest bedchambers.”
He had been scrubbing his face with the soap, but quickly rinsed off and turned to her. “Shoot me now, and put me out of my misery. I’ll leave that to you.”
“Don’t you care?”
“I care only that you like it.” She tried not to gape as droplets of water slid down his neck. Really, she ought to be used to him by now, but he still stole her breath away. “Whatever pleases you, will please me.”
“Must you always be so difficult?” she teased, scrambling out of bed and donning her robe. “Will you at least look at her suggestions for your office and the library? They’re to be your domain mostly.”
He nodded. “If it will make you happy.”
“It will. Why are you in such a jolly humor today? You are so amenable to everything I say.”
He picked up a towel and languidly wiped it across his chest. “Don’t think too hard about it, love. My low brain is still in happy spasms. The Visigoths could be invading London, and I’d still be smiling and wanting to take you back to bed.”
Joshua was dressed—finally—and seated at the breakfast table, having coffee with Lady Miranda by the time Holly had washed and dressed. She joined them in the breakfast room and placed a scone and jam on her plate.
Griggs came to her side as she took the seat beside Joshua, setting her plate down on the table. “Mint tea, Mrs. Brayden?”
She nodded. “Yes, thank you.”
He poured her a cup and then returned to discreetly standing against the wall.
Ronan came down soon afterward, looking hungover, his condition given away by his watery, red eyes, obvious headache, and his mother’s disapproving scowl. “Holly, you must find a lovely girl for Ronan to marry before he turns into a complete dissolute. Someone with an iron hand to keep him in line.”
