“Yes.”
“No, I have not come to terms with it, yet. Perhaps in a couple more days.”
His steely eyes narrowed on her and the distaste on his expression deepened. He stepped closer and grasped her wrist. Pain shot through her arm and she grimaced, holding her tongue to keep from crying out. Anger pumped through her, overriding the pain.
“I suggest you accept this notion faster than a couple more days. I want you out of Linden Hall within the week. And you had better not get any ideas of how you can discourage these men. I swear I shall give you to one of them regardless of what you think. Do I make myself clear?”
She wiggled her hand, trying to get out of his grip, but he was stronger. Whimpering, she glanced around the yard and searched for someone to help her. Unfortunately, nobody would come to her rescue. After all, this was his home, not hers.
From out of the corner of her eyes, a movement caught her attention up by the group of trees and tall bushes—the same hiding place Grey said he’d be watching her from. Grey marched toward them in long strides, unsheathing his sword on his way. Malice laced his expression as he aimed his focus on Walter.
Her heart leapt. Grey would be her rescuer!
She didn’t know why he would want to show himself to Walter, because she knew Grey must stay hidden for now until they found the proof needed to put Walter away for good. Panic rushed through her. No matter what, Grey could not make his presence known yet.
Finding the strength she didn’t know she possessed, she yanked her hand out of Walter’s grip. “No!” she shouted, holding up her hand to stop Grey, but looked at her brother-in-law, instead.
“No?” Walter asked in an irritated tone.
“Um, I mean, yes, your warning is very clear, indeed.” She lifted her chin and squared her shoulders. She quickly glanced at Grey. Thankfully, he had stopped, but he hadn’t retreated back into the trees. She switched her eyes to Walter. “I do understand you completely, and I shall comply with your wishes the best I know how,” she finished.
“You had better, or you shall not like the consequences.” The insipid man flipped his hand in a dismissal wave. “Now go and get yourself cleaned up. You look hideous. I cannot have my sister-in-law looking so dowdy when I try to find her a husband.”
“That’s exactly what I had planned to do, Your Grace.” Before turning back to the house, she noticed Grey had darted back into the trees.
Sighing with relief, she continued into the house and directly to her room to change for the evening. Shocked was a mild word for what she was experiencing right now. She still couldn’t believe Grey would risk getting caught like that? His actions just a few moments ago meant only one thing… She could trust him. He was really going to keep watch over her and protect her.
She closed the door to her bedchamber and leaned against the hard frame. Placing her hand over her erratic heartbeat, she smiled. Had she’d been wrong about Grey this whole time? Perhaps he was indeed a nobleman, and if he was, could he possibly be the man of her daydreams?
A chuckle escaped her and she moved away from the door. As she plucked the buttons apart from the jacket of her riding habit, she reminded herself that she couldn’t let her dreams take away her logical mind. She couldn’t jump to conclusions, either. Although Grey had proven himself to her, that still didn’t mean he would stay around and want to court her after all of this was over. It was foolish for her to believe such a thing.
As she pulled the jacket off, her wrist burned with the sting from Walter’s strong grip. Inwardly, she seethed, hating the way he had always treated her. Why hadn’t Joanna noticed? Or, did her sister really care? Joanna landed herself a duke for a husband, so did she really care about Alexandria?
Tears swam in her eyes. It had seemed that ever since Joanna first met Walter, she hadn’t cared about her younger sister’s welfare. Perhaps Alexandria should allow Walter to find her a husband.
Pausing, she stared at the pitiful woman in the full length mirror. A shiver ran through her, twisting her stomach. No, Walter wasn’t trying to find her a husband. All he wanted to do was find her another person who would be responsible for her care.
If only her parents hadn’t died. If only her extended family didn’t all live so far away across the sea. All of her grandparents had, but her aunts and uncles lived in America.
She rubbed the moisture from her eyes and continued cleaning herself up. Determination drove her now, and she would help Grey all she could—or die trying. She could only believe that they’d find evidence to put Walter away, because the opposite of that was unbearable to think about.
~*~
Julian peered through his hand-held telescope—the one he used quite a bit while fighting in the Napoleonic War. This handy gadget helped him tremendously. He scanned the perimeter of the house slowly, looking for anything unusual. So far, everything was going smoothly. Alexandria must have pulled off a splendid performance, because Walter was strutting around the house as if nothing was amiss.
Gnashing his teeth, Julian steamed when he recalled the brutal way Walter had grasped Alexandria’s hand. Fury and hatred had pushed Julian at that moment. He could literally imagine his fingers wrapping around his cousin’s throat and squeezing. Indeed, he would have done that very thing if she hadn’t stopped him. She had no clue as to why he’d wanted Walter out of the house, but regardless, she handled the situation with her brother-in-law quite well. Just thinking about her thoughtfulness made Julian’s heart swell. Up until now, he wasn’t certain he could trust her, but now he could.
As the evening progressed, he watched her wander from room to room, staying by the windows. Occasionally, she glanced out of the glass toward his hiding spot. She couldn’t see him, of course, but it lightened his heart knowing she was watching for him, nonetheless.
They were in the dining room now; Alexandria at one end of the table and Walter at the other. Julian noticed his cousin speak a few words to her, but thankfully, nothing more than that. Julian’s little blossoming flower kept her head down and ate her meal the whole time Walter talked. Julian’s gut twisted knowing that she had to put up with his cousin’s company, and he prayed she wouldn’t have to do that too much longer.
Suddenly, Walter threw his linen napkin on his empty plate, pushed away from the table, and stormed out of the room as if in a terrible fit. Julian switched his telescope back to Alexandria, and a grin stretched across her pretty face as she looked toward the window. Julian’s heart leapt. Now he wanted to know what was so humorous about Walter leaving the room that way.
Within minutes, she had pushed away from the table and left the room. Exhilaration shot through Julian. She’d be coming to their secret spot any minute now.
Walter dashed out of the front door and toward the stable. His voice was raised in anger as he shouted commands to the servants to prepare his horse. Soon, Julian’s cousin was on his way away from the estate. This would make Julian and Alexandria’s meeting much better, indeed.
Chuckling, Julian shook his head as he hurried toward the place they’d planned to meet. He couldn’t believe how much he enjoyed watching her this evening. She was certainly different from when he’d kidnapped her earlier today. Then again, when he’d kidnapped her, he thought her to be someone else. Strange how things had worked out for the better. Fate had more interesting plans for him.
This evening, she was wore a lovely baby-blue gown with yellow floral designs. Her sleeves were up to her elbows, and the neck of the gown was round and looked to be decorated with white ribbon. Seeing her dressed this way made him want to change into his own evening attire and step into his rightful role as Duke of Linden.
While she sat in the sitting room earlier this evening, he noticed her blonde hair was up in a presentable bun, but wisps of her locks were left unattended as they curled around her forehead and ears. Literally, she was breathtaking, and he couldn’t stop staring at her. The more he watched her, the more he missed talking to her and holding her.
Visions of when he returned her back to the house floated through his memory. He’d continued to hold her after lifting her down from his horse, and he had allowed the intimate moment. She had stared at him with her beautiful, wondrous, amber eyes, and even watched his mouth a time or two. It was during that moment when he’d felt the distinct desire to kiss her good and hard. He’d struggled not to follow his instincts, and thankfully, he was able to pull away and leave without devouring her.
But now, because he’d watched her for these past few hours, he wanted her back in his arms. He wanted to know what it would feel like to kiss and caress her, and have her return those same affections.
However, it was still too soon. They barely knew each other. She certainly didn’t know him that well, and he wasn’t ready to tell her the truth. Although he knew more about her, he still thought she’d be safer if she didn’t know his true identity. He’d tell her, just not now. And because of that, he didn’t feel this was the proper time to kiss her.
He blew out an exasperated breath. It would certainly be hard to control his urges while seeing her tonight, dressed so pretty, and as they hid in the shadows together. Good heavens, he was a man, a man with needs. It would be impossible to keep from pulling her against his body and kissing her senseless, but he must.
He made it to the grove of trees before Alexandria arrived. He paced from tree to tree until he saw her coming his way. She wore a black, hooded cloak, probably to keep herself from being noticed. He hurried to the edge of the trees until she saw him. Reaching his hand out, he took hers in his and pulled her inside the shadows.
“Do you think anyone saw me?” she asked, lowering the hood of her cloak.
“No, I think you are safe. Walter left the estate on his horse. I’m sure he won’t be back for a few more hours.”
“I hope you are correct. That will give me time to visit with my sister, and hopefully look through his study.”
“No.” He touched her shoulder. “Don’t search through his room tonight. Because we cannot presume how long he’ll be gone, I don’t want to risk the chance of you getting caught.”
“Yes, you are right, of course.” She smiled.
Even though they were in shadows, he could still see the outline of her delicate face. He couldn’t quite look into her eyes. He suddenly wanted to pull her out of the trees and into the moonlight just so he could see her and gaze upon her loveliness.
“Tell me, what did Walter say to you as you were entering the house after we had arrived?”
“He told me how disgusting I looked and he threatened me once again that he was going to find someone to marry me. He’d mentioned that if I didn’t go along with his plans, I wouldn’t be happy about the consequences.”
“He’s the devil, I say!” Julian grumbled. “I actually wanted to strangle him at that moment. I did not approve of the way he was grasping your arm.”
“I had wanted you to strangle him, as well. But I couldn’t let him see you.”
He smiled at her tenderly, but he didn’t think she would be able to see his face well. “I shall never forget your thoughtfulness.”
“And I shall never forget yours.”
Her voice was so soft, so sweet, it took all of his willpower not to pull her into his arms. “I’m sorry he hurt you.” He rubbed her shoulder, not wanting to take his hands off her, even though he should.
“Don’t be,” she replied. “His words and actions made me want to find the evidence to have him arrested. Believe me, Grey, I will find some proof that he was responsible for those murders.”
He loved how she had blossomed just in the small amount of time he’d known her. From what she’d mentioned before, she didn’t enjoy talking with men because she didn’t know how. She was doing such a fine job of it at this moment, and he couldn’t help but feel proud. “What about at the dinner table? I could see him saying something to you, but then he stormed out of the dining room, angrier than an irritated bee.”
“Oh, speaking of dinner, here is your food.” She parted her cloak and untied the rope around her waist that had the fastened bulky burlap sack to it.
He took it from her and fastened the rope around his waist. “Thank you. It smells divine.”
“There is roasted duck, a few apples and grapes, and some bread and cheeses.”
“It sounds heavenly.”
“Indeed, it tasted heavenly as well.”
“All right now, tell me what happened with Walter during the meal.”
She laughed. “Oh, that. Yes, it was very humorous and I struggled not to laugh at the time, but it was very difficult.”
“What happened?”
“He kept throwing insults at me, and I refused to acknowledge him in any way.” She flipped her hand in the air. “I realized tonight he absolutely hates it when I ignore him—just as much as he gets irritated when he can see his words don’t affect me.”
Julian threw back his head and laughed. “Oh, my little blossom. I can’t believe you did that to him. Walter needed a dose of his own medicine. That man needed to realize he cannot push people around.”
“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without your help, you know.” Her voice softened.
“My help? What did I do?”
“You encouraged me. You made me feel that helping you was of great importance. I wanted to be important to someone.”
His heart clenched. The poor, sweet, woman. How could she have gone all these years without feeling important? “You are helping me, and you’ll never know how much I appreciate it.” He took her hands in his and squeezed them. “And you are important…very important to me. I don’t want you to ever forget it.”
“I thank you for your kind words, Grey.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her his real name. He wanted to hear her say his name so badly, but no…it was too soon. “I will continue to bestow my kind words upon you as long as you continue to bless me with your sweet presence.”
He was sinking into temptation fast. Perhaps he needed to get them into some light just so this moment wouldn’t seem so private and intimate. Yet, at this point, he didn’t think it would help. The urge to take her in his arms grew stronger by the second. He was just a normal man, after all. How could he resist her innocent charm?
“Grey, you say the kindest things to me. I fear if you don’t stop now, I will be lost forever,” she said breathless.
“It is I who am lost, my blossom. I fear I cannot think of anyone but you.” He slid his arms around her shoulders and started to impel her closer, but she was already closing the space between them on her own and slipping her arms around his waist.
He cupped her head, his thumbs sweeping across her lips. Her lavender fragrance enveloped him, and about drove him mad with wanting. He envisioned dropping his face to the softness of her neck and partaking of her creamy skin with his mouth.
Her eyes slowly closed; her lips parting a silent invitation. How could he turn her down? But he had to. If only he had the courage to stop himself.
Julian lowered his head and brushed his cheek against hers. That wasn’t good enough. He needed more.
He moved his mouth closer, hovering his lips above hers. A tangy sweet scent breezed from her mouth. Grapes. She’d been eating some for dinner.
She held her breath, which made him want to do the same. She trembled in his arms, but it wasn’t from fear. How could she be frightened of him at this moment? Instead, he was certain she held a different kind of fear. Would he be the first man to kiss her? The mere thought made his heart hammer faster in anticipation.
The excitement building inside of him was just too much to control. He had to kiss her, taste her, devour her with his inflamed affection. He’d think about the consequences later. Right now, however, he must follow his desires in haste!
He swept his lips across hers so very gently. Curses, she was so delicate. He felt if he took the kiss fast and wild as he wanted to do, he’d break her for sure. But
the longer he held himself from adhering to his thoughts, the more his body trembled. He needed to end this torture before something dreadful happened.
As he settled his lips over hers, a tree branch broke from behind him through the stillness of the night. At first he wasn’t certain that was the exact noise he’d heard because of the pleasurable sigh escaping her throat, but then came another branch snapping. And another… The sound grew closer by the second.
He sucked in a quick breath and broke the kiss. Ending their close contact, he held her arms until she regained her footing, and then he whipped around, keeping her in back of him.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Shh. Someone’s here,” he whispered.
Shadows played all around him. It was too dark to see who was coming toward them, but he was ready. Quickly, he reached for his sword.
Drat! He’d left it on his horse. He was without a weapon, which generally didn’t happen to him. It didn’t matter. He had his strength, and he’d been able to knock down a man in a single blow of his fist. If that’s what it took to get rid of the person who dared disturb his and Alexandria’s privacy, then so be it.
Chapter 5
Alexandria’s mind was in a dream-like cloud full of happiness. Why on earth would someone disturb it? And, who could have possibly seen them in this grove of trees, especially when there wasn’t enough light? Nobody could be just taking a leisurely stroll, especially in this section of the estate.
There could only be one explanation. Her heart dropped. It had to be Walter.
As the sound of the footsteps neared, a tiny light followed with it. Whoever it was carried a low-lit lantern. She clutched Grey’s coat and pressed herself up against his back. She knew, without a shadow of a doubt, he would protect her if this person coming up on them was indeed Walter.
As the unknown person was nearly upon them, their footsteps stopped. The lantern lifted a little higher, shining on her and Grey.
Sweet Summer Kisses Page 29
