Pretender's Game

by Louise Clark

  “Aye, I did, sir,” Chisholm was saying, “and I’ve prepared the suite you requested.”

  “Good. We will be staying for three days instead of the two I’d originally intended. I trust that will not be a problem?”

  “Not at all, sir!” the landlord said smoothly. “We are delighted to have your company for as long as you would like to stay with us. Now, sir and madam, if you would like to follow me, I’ll show you to your rooms.”

  Thea plucked at the skirt of her traveling costume. The heavy velvet was wet and clung to her legs as she walked. She would be glad to change out of it.

  They entered the inn through a wide, welcoming oak doorway, into a central hall warmed by a fire blazing in a deep hearth. The heat wrapped itself around Thea, making her cast a longing look at the hearth, but Chisholm was leading them to a square staircase at the rear of the hall that rose up to the second floor.

  As they marched up the polished oak stairs, Thea whispered to James, “Three days, James? We will be staying here for three days?”

  He looked down at her, a faint smile creasing his cheeks. “Do my plans not meet with your approval, madam wife? Would you prefer to continue on our journey tomorrow?”

  Thea laughed up at him. “Certainly not, sir! I am delighted to have a respite from coach travel.” To her surprise, his smile died. “James? Is there something wrong?”

  He began to shake his head. Then he changed his mind and said quietly, “Later, Thea.”

  The words were ominous. Thea’s imagination immediately took flight.

  Chapter 10

  Chisholm cheerfully described the comforts his establishment offered as he ushered James and Thea down a long hallway to what he referred to as the “blue suite” because the cloth of the window coverings and bed hangings were a marine blue.

  Thea was agreeably surprised by their accommodations, consisting of a private parlor and two good-sized bedrooms. These were joined by a connecting door and were furnished with old-fashioned walnut beds that shone with polish. At the end of each bed stood a chest, also of walnut and richly carved, providing storage. Two armchairs, square and sturdy, but with padded seats and backs, flanked the hearth.

  “My best bedchambers, sir, and I hope you like them.”

  Spontaneously, Thea said, “Oh, they are lovely, Mr. Chisholm.”

  The innkeeper beamed, and James added dryly, “My wife does not exaggerate, Chisholm. These will be quite satisfactory.”

  The innkeeper left with the promise to send one of his maidservants to help Thea remove her wet clothes. “Although,” she said, standing before the fire rubbing her hands together, “I’m not sure what good it will do as the carriage with our baggage hasn’t arrived yet.”

  James wandered over to the window. “I expect them any time. I’m sure something can be arranged.”

  Thea frowned. Clearly he had something more than their present accommodations on his mind. After a moment, she joined him by the window. The view was spectacular. The countryside rolled away to the north, rising up to become mountains that were dark blue smudgy shadows in the distance.

  He pointed to the dark, ominous shapes. “We are headed northwest, Thea, into those mountains. The road worsens from here, as do the accommodations. This is the last comfortable inn on our route.”

  Thea stared out at the looming shadows. The rain that had fallen throughout the day had finally stopped, but the clouds remained. The mountains looked enormous, framed against the threatening darkness of the clouds. Her stomach began to knot. “Thank you for the warning, James. I shall savor the small luxuries I find here all the more.”

  He turned to face her. Gently, he rubbed his thumbs along the dark circles beneath her eyes. “I want you to rest all you can, Thea. Once we leave the road here we’ll have to continue on until we reach Glenmuir.”

  As she stared up into his vivid blue eyes, she thought she saw something more lurking there, another bit of bad news he didn’t want to tell her. “You say that the road deteriorates. Will that hold us up?”

  “It might.” He hesitated then he added, “But we’ll be riding from now on.”

  Thea turned to look out of the window at the rugged blue mountains. His hands fell away, and she found that she missed his touch. “But… but what of our baggage? All the goods I bought from Edinburgh? And my maid. I know she does not ride. In fact, I think she’s afraid of horses.”

  “A sturdy cart can travel the route. My coachman knows the way. He will drive the cart. The servants will ride with him.”

  Thea continued to stare at those ominous, frightening mountains. “I suppose you have already made arrangements for riding horses?”

  “Do you not remember the gray mare I purchased for you in Edinburgh? I had her sent here to be fresh and ready for you when we arrived.”

  Thea had a sudden memory of the argument they had had the day he’d taken her to the window of her parents’ house to show her the beautiful little mare. She turned to face him. “James, I—”

  He interrupted, his voice emotionless. “Our route is through some rather desolate country. Villages are scarce. We may be forced to sleep wherever, we can find shelter.”

  She stared at him, trying to read between his words. “Please be more precise, James. I’d like to know what to expect.”

  He hesitated, then said carefully, “We may have to spend a night in the open or in a crofter’s hut.”

  “Oh,” she said blankly. Thea had never seen a crofter’s hut, but the words conjured up frightening images that made her shiver. She lifted her brows haughtily. “Are there any other surprises I should know about, James?”

  His eyes flashed and she braced herself for an argument. Then he said curtly, “No.”

  She relaxed, and her dimple quivered into life as she smiled up at him. “Thank you, James. I do not begrudge you the right to make the decisions, you know, but I do find it easier to cope with what is to come when I am prepared for it.” Her smile died as she looked inward. “The unknown is always frightening.”

  Lowering his head, James brushed his lips gently over hers. “We have three days here. Let us enjoy them. We’ll test the horses, go for walks, eat well, and sleep late. By the time we leave for Glenmuir we will both be well rested. That will make the journey easier to bear.”

  His caress made Thea’s eyes brighten. She reached up to touch his cheek with her fingertips. The beginnings of a smile curled her lips. “I’d like that,” she said huskily.

  *

  By the early afternoon of their second day at the inn the spring sun had warmed the air kept cool by the shadow of the mountains. Dressed in a royal blue riding costume, Thea waited on the doorstep of the inn as James disappeared into the stables to discover why the groom had not yet brought round their horses. She was feeling contented, relaxed, and at ease with her husband and the journey they were making together.

  Closing her eyes, she lifted her face to the sun. There was a slight breeze, rich with the fragrant scents of spring flowers that grew in wild abundance on the moors behind the inn. The courtyard was quiet, dozing in the sunshine. A sense of peace wrapped itself securely around her. She wished she could stay here forever, dreaming in the beautiful weather, with no responsibilities beyond her own and her husband’s pleasure.

  With a little sigh, she opened her eyes. A wonderful dream, but quite impossible, for James would find no pleasure in idleness. His motives were powerful and overriding. What Thea wanted or needed would always take second place. She shrugged the thought away and stepped off the doorstep into the yard.

  A moment later James rode through the arch that led to the stables. He was astride a big chestnut that pranced and tossed its head as it moved. A groom followed leading the beautifully marked gray that Thea remembered from that one brief glimpse in Edinburgh.

  “Impatient to be on the move again, Thea? I thought you were thoroughly weary of travel.”

  A dimple appeared in her cheek as she smiled mischievously. “Inde
ed, sir, ‘twas not impatience but curiosity that set me moving.” She gazed admiringly at the two handsome horses. “I wished to see if the mounts you had chosen were sturdy beasts capable of enduring the mountain roads, or more lively animals.”

  James dismounted in one lithe movement. “And what have you decided?”

  Thea laughed, stepped quickly over to the dapple gray mare, and stroked the animal’s intelligent head. “Frankly, I did not think you would be satisfied with a mere ‘sturdy beast’ for the duration of our journey to Glenmuir.”

  His mouth quirked into a half-smile as he crossed the few feet that separated them. “The mare is a deceptive creature,” he said deliberately. “Beautiful and gentle in appearance, mettlesome and hot to handle in temperament.” He smiled, amusement deepening the blue of his eyes. Lightly, he touched Thea’s cheek. “When I saw her in Edinburgh, I knew I could find no other horse better suited to you, my lovely wife.”

  Thea blushed as she caught his meaning. So James thought her high-spirited and temperamental, did he? That sounded like a criticism. Yet he’d also called her beautiful and gentle. Moreover, his eyes were amused as he spoke, not condemning. Could it be that her husband appreciated fire in a woman? The idea tantalized Thea.

  They were standing very close to each other, so that she could feel his warm breath on her cheek. She smiled at him, lowering her eyes demurely, but peering out from under her lashes. Laughter tugged at James’s lips and desire darkened his eyes.

  Embolden by this response, Thea murmured provocatively, “I know no way to thank you for such a thoughtful gift, James. Perhaps later, when we return from our ride, we can discuss a suitable recompense.”

  He answered by tipping her chin up with one strong finger, then bending to cover her lips with his. His mouth was warm, gently caressing at first, then more demanding as his tongue teased her lips apart so he could deepen the kiss. Fire heated Thea’s blood. Reaching up, she clutched his shoulders as her body melded itself with his.

  It was not until James had lifted his head and her heartbeat had returned to normal that she remembered they were standing in the yard of a public inn, in full view of whoever cared to observe them. She smiled rather shakily and James, who was watching her with hungry eyes, said in a low husky voice, “Be assured I shall hold you to your promise when we return, madam, but now, would you care to try out your ‘sturdy beast’?”

  Thea laughed and nodded. As James threw her up into the sidesaddle, the gray curvetted daintily. Thea gathered up the reins and the mare tossed her head, then snorted.

  James, now mounted on the chestnut, observed wryly, “She does not take to direct commands, but she is well trained and obedient. She will not buck or try to throw you.”

  He paused before adding softly, “She will, however, make life as difficult for you as she can, until you win her trust and confidence.”

  “I do not know if you are describing the horse or your wife,” Thea retorted, shooting him a displeased look.

  “Why, the horse, my dear,” James replied with so much injured innocence in his tone that Thea had to laugh.

  “Then I had best take your advice and do my utmost to gain Firefly’s love. Shall we ride?”

  “Firefly?”

  Thea thrust up her chin defiantly. “A perfect name for the creature, I thought. Independent, lively, graceful, beautiful.” A challenging smile curled her lips and sparkled in her dark eyes. “Impossible for a mere mortal to catch!” With that she dug her heels into the mare’s side, urging her into a wild gallop. With a muttered oath, James followed suit, half his mind admiring Thea’s horsemanship, the other half furious at her wayward action.

  They rode through the countryside for hours. In between spirited gallops, their conversation was light, teasing, flirtatious. The afternoon became a chance to build on the shaky foundations that had been laid in Edinburgh. In those few short hours they acknowledged that the physical attraction they felt for each other could become something deeper and much more satisfying, if only they would allow it to grow.

  That evening, after a substantial supper of roasted capon, Thea retired early to her room. Dismissing her maid as soon as she was changed, she pulled a chair close to the fire and settled down to wait for her husband to arrive. The promise of their afternoon made her certain that he would come to her this evening.

  She spread her hands out to the blaze. As she leaned forward, the light of the fire delicately outlined the shape of her breasts through the fine lace and diaphanous linen of her bed gown. Fully aware of the picture she made, she didn’t move as the communicating door to her husband’s room opened, then quietly closed. She looked up and smiled, watching James’s body tense as he gazed at her.

  He was clothed only in his dressing gown of rich brocade. He crossed the room to her, walking with slow, deliberate steps, which Thea’s pounding heart echoed. Reaching her, he perched on the arm of her chair, resting his forearm on the back, just at the level of her head. His robe fell open to expose one hard thigh. Thea found her gaze riveted to it. She licked her suddenly dry lips.

  “Earlier today you wished to thank me for your gift,” he said, bending to graze her temple with his lips. “I came to tell you that I require nothing more than your pleasure in my surprise, and that has been shown today.”

  She tilted her head to look up into his eyes, and discovered that their mouths were only inches apart. “You do not wish to discuss a recompense?”

  He shook his head. He had taken off the fashionable wig he wore during the day. His dark hair was clipped short and he looked different, younger, or perhaps vulnerable, far from the determined, rather hard man he appeared to be on the surface.

  “Then let me give you a present of my own,” Thea murmured, reaching up to wind her arms around his neck and draw his head down.

  “I cannot refuse such a delightful gift, so freely given,” he murmured, his lips caressing hers as he wrapped his arms around her and drew her to her feet. The kiss deepened and Thea felt little flames of desire lick at her insides. She strained her body against his, wanting more.

  James lifted his head to stare thoughtfully at his wife’s passion-darkened eyes and full, trembling lips. Reaching up, he caught her hands and drew them from behind his head, then stepped back to gaze at all of her. She trembled, watching his eyes darken and his face harden with desire. She knew that beneath the soft covering of her gown, her breasts glowed milky white, their tips dark rosy peaks that begged to be kissed. When he bent, her breasts swelled with anticipation, but his caress was not for them. Instead he kissed the backs of her hands, then turned them to caress the soft skin on her palms.

  Thea’s breath rushed out in a long sigh. James looked up and grinned. Tugging gently, he led her over to the big bed, already turned down by Thea’s diligent maid.

  At the bed he kissed Thea again, this time with more intensity. His arms curled around her waist, then cradled her hips, pressing her against his lower body as his tongue entered the dark warmth of her mouth.

  Thea could feel his arousal pressing against her loins, and the knowledge that he needed her as much as she did him, added fuel to the fire blazing inside of her. Their tongues tangled together, in delightful, tantalizing play, stoking fires already burning high.

  He broke the kiss to brush the thin material of her nightdress off her shoulder. The soft caress of his hand was followed by the harder one of his teeth as he nibbled the tender skin. She sucked in her breath with a gasp, her feverish fingers delving beneath his robe to rake hungrily along his damp skin. James paused long enough to shake himself loose of his clothes, and to dispose of Thea’s pretty but unnecessary gown. Then he lowered her to the bed and stretched his hard length on top of her.

  Both were fraught with needs that had been growing all day, and their coupling was quick and intense. They lay afterward, James on his back, one arm outstretched to pillow Thea’s head as she curled against his side.

  “Your passion pleases me,” he said, drawin
g Thea from her drowsy, half-dreaming state.

  She blinked, trying to focus. He watched her lazily, from half-closed eyes, pride and satisfaction clearly written on his face. She had a ridiculous desire to giggle, something she did not think her husband would appreciate at this particular moment, so instead she smiled and snuggled closer.

  “I had not expected to find that in a wife, particularly not an English wife.”

  Some of that passion, in a different form, leapt into life as Thea lifted herself up on her elbow with a sudden swift movement. Her luxuriant golden hair tumbled over her face in a cascade of untamed beauty. Impatiently, she pushed it away. “Did you think all Englishwomen were cold and unfeeling?” she demanded indignantly.

  He grinned and tugged on her elbow, so that she fell back onto the bed and he was able to stretch himself above her. “Icy as a mountain stream and just as shallow,” he said, agreeing with her, to her outrage. “And just like that mountain stream, they babble nonsense from morning until night, forcing a man to stop listening to save his sanity.” He kissed her lips slowly. “But you, my dear Thea, are different. I like the sound of your voice and I find myself interested in the words you say.”

  Thea tried to ignore the enticing promise of his hand upon her breast. “I need you, James,” she said huskily. “I need you each day we are together, and I will need you more when we reach Glenmuir.”

  For a moment his questing fingers stilled. “You surprise me, wife. I would not have expected you to admit to needing anyone, let alone your Jacobite husband.”

  Thea flashed him an annoyed look, then smiled prettily. “We all have our weaknesses, James. ‘Tis only to you that I would make such a monstrous confession.”

  His frown made her grin, until he said softly, “Such an admission warrants a very special reward, and I have the night to deliver it.”

  “Promise?”

  “Upon my honor, madam.”

  “I can ask no more than that.” She sighed as his questing hands made her forget what they had been talking about.