Beyond Love

by Glenda Diana

  His musing stopped when he felt her hand on his arm. He hated the whimsical thought burning through him. If it was just an act, was it one she would be willing to continue forever?

  Blake fought against that thought. In less then eleven months she would be nothing but a memory, a faint one at that. That was exactly what he wanted. His gaze slid down to where her fingers twined with his. What a liar he was. She would be forever etched in his mind. Her scent, alone, would haunt him for eternity.

  He felt the earth crumble beneath his feet as he drew nearer to the pit's edge.

  * * * *

  The Blood and Ale was the worst hellhole in London. It was one of many establishments cluttered on the waterfront. The smell of dead fish, human waste, and disease ran through the gutters and the sound of raucous laughter, screams from dark alleys, filled the night.

  To Thomas Coalby it was home sweet home. He knew just where he would find Laran. She never ventured far from her room, she never had to, Thomas thought, as his eyes ran over her. Some of the wealthiest hobnobs journeyed down to their Hell just for a tumble with her.

  Thomas had learned long ago to share his Aunt's affections. Even as a young boy, Laran would demand he bring his friends home to meet her. Every randy young man within miles wanted to be Thomas’ friend, just for a taste at the experienced woman. She took great pleasure in teaching the art of loving, sometimes with two, three, even four of them at a time.

  Laran was only six years older than Thomas’ twenty-two, but she had years of training when it came to pleasure. She had been broken in at the age of ten, as were most girls who lived in the alleys of London. You either fought hard, carving out an existence, or you died.

  “I can't believe you lost the job I got you.”

  Thomas looked at the man reclining on Laran's bed. There wasn't one gent he liked from hobnob hill. It was funny how the hobs thought the commoners to be lowly, for the commons thought of the hobs in the same way. Oh sure, there wasn't one among them who wouldn't like to have the hobs’ money or to have one of their fine homes; after all, they weren't stupid. But, the hobs could learn a lot about life if they took the time to watch the commons.

  “It wasn't my fault,” Thomas stated. “Things were going fine until the Beast got himself a bride.”

  Mr. Green sat forward. “What did you say?”

  “You heard me. I don't know how the woman found out about my activities, but she did.” Thomas smiled. “One of these days I'll have that one.”

  Laran raised a delicate brow at Thomas. “I didn't know you carried grudges, Tommy?”

  “I hold no grudge.” He laughed and sat on the edge of the bed.

  Laran's elegant brows dipped into a frown. “But, you said it was this woman's fault. It certainly sounded like you was resenting that.”

  “'Twas her fault I lost my job, but I didn't have much longer there anyway. She probably saved me from a more brutal end. You misunderstand when I say I'll have her ... I mean I'll have her. The Beast doesn't deserve a treasure like her. I do. When I'm done with her, she'll know what it's like to have been thoroughly loved.”

  “Save your bragging, Coalby,” Green muttered as he threw back the sheet and climbed out of bed. “When did this blessed event take place?”

  “Almost two months ago.” Thomas knew his tasty bit of news would upset the gent.

  “Why did you not inform me? That was your whole purpose in being there!”

  Thomas came to his feet. “I got back here when I could. You don't like the way I work, tell me now. I'm sure the Beast would find my story quite interesting.”

  Green's laugh sent chills down Thomas’ back. “You think your muscles and brawn are impressive, don't you? I thought I'd made myself clear when I took you in. Your strength does not intimidate me in the least and neither do your threats.” Green pulled on his trousers. “One signal from me, and you would not make it five feet down the street.”

  “You'd have to give the signal first.” Thomas laughed.

  “Tommy, stop this,” Laran scolded. She went to Mr. Green's side. “He didn't mean it.”

  Green smiled at the naked woman. “It matters not,” he said with a shrug. “If you ... love your nephew, it would be best to remind him who and what I am.”

  “I will,” Laran purred, rubbing against him. “I'm good at making men remember.”

  Green ran one finger down her rounded cheek. “I thought your talent lay in making men forget?” he teased before pushing her away. His hot gaze came back to Thomas. “I want details. Leave nothing out.”

  “Don't you think we should talk price?” Thomas asked, pulling Laran onto his lap. She wrapped an arm around his neck. Her other hand went to his chest, slowly moving downward.

  Green watched them silently, then a sly smile spread across his face. “Here's my price, if you intend to keep a roof over your luscious Aunt's head. You will go to work downstairs tonight. Otherwise, I'll have you both thrown out.”

  “No,” Laran whispered, trying to remove herself from Thomas’ grip. “Don't make me leave.”

  “Think about it, Thomas. Would you see Laran out in the gutters again, or here where she's warm and happy?”

  Thomas glared at the man. “Fine!”

  “Good. Now let's get to business.”

  “Business will have to wait,” Thomas murmured against Laran's neck. “I've ridden all over the countryside trying to lose those fools following me. I'm in need of a little ... rest.”

  Green yanked the laughing woman from Thomas’ arms. “You can have her later. I want to hear about this new Baroness of Stonecrest.”

  Thomas leaned back on one elbow. “What exactly is it you want to hear?”

  “Start at the beginning and leave nothing out. Then I'll decide my next move,” Green murmured the last part more for his own benefit than that of Coalby's.

  “I could tell you how her red hair is like tamed fire, or that her ripe body could make any man hard just looking at it, or that her tawny eyes could make a man forget to breathe. But best of all, she's all fire. A spitting hellion and one I dream to tame.”

  Laran scowled at the dreamy look on Thomas’ face. “Sounds like your smitten.”

  “Jealous, my dear?” Green laughed. “So, the Beast got some female to marry him? I can hardly believe it. The woman must be daft.”

  “She is. She even told me she thought him handsome. But, daft or not, I'll have her one day soon.”

  “I had not counted on this.” Green murmured.

  “Whatever your plans, count me in ... for the right price,” Thomas stated.

  “And what is your price?”

  “I want her.”

  “Done.”

  Thomas lay back on the bed and smiled.

  Green leaned against the wall and watched the sickening emotions play across the young man's face. A man was weak-headed to fall prey to female wiles. God had created women strictly for the purpose of pleasing a man, nothing more.

  Blake Bradley's new wife had to be an idiot. He smiled. Perhaps the woman wasn't so stupid. She, too, could be out for a little revenge. He could admire a woman who set out to gain her goals in life. But not for one minute did he believe Thomas’ description of her.

  Green felt a tightening tingle in his groin. The thought of his final revenge was exciting beyond reason. It angered him to think that, no matter how low the Beast fell, there was always someone or something there to pull him up. This time when he fell, he would not get up.

  “Laran,” Green growled.

  Slowly, she made her way to him. A sweet smile played on her mouth as she rubbed her hand against his hardness. “Yes, Milord?”

  “Unfasten me.”

  “Now, hold on,” Thomas grumbled, coming to his feet.

  “Don't fret, Tommy. There's plenty for all.” Laran laughed, helping Green remove his trousers. She pulled him to the bed. “Oh, it's going to be a lovely day.”

  “Who says I want to share?” Thomas grumbled.

>   “Oh, Tommy. Would you deny me this pleasure?” Laran purred, running a finger down the front of his pants. “See, you're all hard and aching. Come, love.”

  “I don't...”

  “Then leave,” Green gritted out as he pulled Laran on top of him. “He's a selfish boy. He doesn't like to share his toys.”

  Thomas shrugged and started removing his clothing. He would share, this time. But, when he got his payment, the Baroness of Stonecrest, he would not.

  Chapter Nine

  “Oh, Blake, it's lovely,” Thorton whispered in awe. She knew she should show more restraint, but couldn't help it.

  “The hell it is,” Blake grumbled. “Get back inside before you fall out the carriage window.”

  “I couldn't do that. Griggs would be upset if he had to circle around the block to pick me up.”

  “There would be nothing left to pick up.”

  Thorton laughed at his sour expression. Impulsively, she scooted closer to his side and laced her fingers with his. “'Tis the grandest gift and I thank you.”

  Blake's gaze lingered on her upturned face, then lowered to their interlocked fingers. Again he was astonished by how small she was compared to him. She had the ability to make him feel invincible, as if he could conquer the world. But that still left one small problem ... could he defeat and conquer the emotions she induced in him?

  His heart rate increased when her fingers played with his in a most seductive manner. When he glimpsed her tongue running across her bottom lip, his heart did a double slam against his ribs. He touched her face with his free hand and lowered his mouth to hers.

  Roger cleared his throat, then smiled at the man next to him. “They have forgotten us.”

  Lucas shrugged. “Want me to smash in his face as a reminder?”

  Blake glared at Lucas and fought his embarrassment. In truth, he had forgotten about them. It was Thorton's fault, she was playing the imp again and he had fallen for it. What he should have done was pull her across his lap and beat her lovely bottom.

  “I wouldn't suggest it,” Blake stated menacingly.

  Again Lucas shrugged. “Just a thought.”

  “An unhealthy thought.”

  Thorton's eyes darted between Blake and Lucas while her mind worked on a way to break the increasing tension. “Don't you think London is beautiful, Roger?”

  “Not, particularly,” he answered cheerfully.

  “But look at all the building, the carriages, I've never seen so many people.”

  “London stinks,” Blake stated, still glowering at Lucas.

  She couldn't argue with him on that point. London did have a rather repugnant odor, but that didn't diminish its beauty. She never thought a place could be so big or that so many people could live within its limits. For her, it was a truly wondrous adventure. Thorton started to tell Blake just that, but instead clamped her lips tight. He was in a sour mood, and if she gave her opinion, it would only fester his ill temper more.

  Blake saw some of the excitement fade from Thorton's eyes and felt like a first-rate ogre. Like always, he hated being in Town, but he should have remembered that Thorton had never seen London. He should have kept his mouth closed. He wanted to say he was sorry, but couldn't with Roger and Lucas watching them.

  “Here we are, at last,” Roger announced as the carriage came to a halt. “Hope everything's in order. That old crow should have came with the staff to make sure they properly did their job.”

  “The staff knows how to do their job. Stop grumbling,” Blake murmured. He assisted Thorton from the carriage and guided her toward the front door of his townhouse.

  Old memories came flooding back to haunt him. He wanted nothing more than to head straight back to Stonecrest. But he had given Thorton his promise. Besides, he would never turn tail and run from a pack of rancid memories.

  “It ain't too bad,” Roger stated, walking through the front door. “I'm impressed.”

  “I shall tell the staff they have your stamp of approval, sir,” Griggs said, entering behind Roger. “I'm sure it will make their day, Milord.”

  “Don't get snippy,” Roger huffed.

  Griggs dropped Roger's bags at his feet. “I wouldn't dream of it, sir.”

  “Enough,” Blake ordered. “You're both worse than children.”

  “That's like the pot calling the kettle black, ain't it?” Roger said, smirking.

  Thorton ignored them. The house was beautiful. The marble floors shone, the crystal chandelier sparked from high above, and the aroma of clean freshness filled the air.

  Blake turned away from the bickering old fools. The smile that came to Thorton's face made everything else fade from his mind. He found himself trying to see his house through her eyes. It had been more than three years since he had used his townhouse, so he was more than surprised to see the accomplishments his staff had made in two days’ time.

  Thorton suddenly spun away from Blake's side. Lifting her skirts, she made a mad dash up the long staircase to the upper landing. First, she looked to her left, then her right. She beamed as she made her descent.

  She came to a teetering stop on the bottom step, dropping two handsful of skirt. She knew Roger, Griggs, and Lucas were watching, but her gaze stayed pinned on Blake. Lifting her hand, she arrogantly crooked a finger for Blake to come to her. Her laughter rang out when Blake responded to her summons by crossing his arms over his chest.

  With an impish smile, Thorton took his arm, leading him to the stairs. She took her place on the bottom step, threw herself against him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

  “Your home is beautiful,” she whispered in his ear.

  Blake lifted her, then took two steps away from the stairs, leaving her feet dangling. “This is your home, too,” he breathed against her mouth, just before he gave her a soul-rendering kiss.

  Thorton sighed, never was there a time that his kisses did not turn her to butter. She clung to him with one arm; her other hand made its way to his hair. In a sign to deepen the kiss, she pulled at his long locks.

  The faint commotion coming from behind them broke through Blake's lust-filled mind. He had to break off the kiss before they got carried away. He lowered her down the length of his body until her feet touched the floor. Thorton's head rested against his chest as a lusty sigh slipped out.

  Roger had to shake his head over the ridiculous scene. The couple continuously forgot they weren't alone. Roger, however, couldn't blame his son; Thorton was the kind of woman who made a man forget everything. He glanced at Griggs and almost laughed. The old buzzard was wearing the silliest grin Roger had ever seen.

  After observing a smoldering kiss like that, it was beyond Roger's comprehension how the chit believed she could just up and leave in less than a year. Hadn't she realized she was falling in love with his son? And did his son honestly think he could let her walk away? Roger felt the familiar ache in his head, the same ache he got every time he thought about the road his family was traveling.

  “It's good of you to move so an old man can get to his room,” he grumbled.

  “There's nothing old about you,” Thorton stated. “Well, perhaps your clothing.”

  Roger absently ran a hand over the rumpled, travel-weary suit. “My clothing is fine. Besides, I ain't going anywhere. Find something else to harp about. You've about worn out this subject.”

  “I do not harp.”

  “Huh!”

  “And what do you mean, you aren't going anywhere?” she asked, closing the distance between them. “If you don't attend these parties, neither shall I.”

  “Good,” Blake said. He smiled at Griggs. “Pack up. We're going home.”

  “Yes, Milord,” Griggs murmured, as he shifted the bags beneath his arms and started toward the door.

  “Wait,” Thorton said. “What I meant was we would not go to other parties. I certainly would attend our own.” She smiled when Blake's smile turned into the fierce scowl she knew so well. “Of course, if we attend other functi
ons there will be no need to have our own,” she said over her shoulder as she entered the drawing room.

  Griggs stepped forward and cleared his throat, bringing Blake's hot gaze to him. “Might I make a suggestion, Milord? We could always ship the Mistress off. I hear there are several ships in port. We could send her to a land far away. I know, it seems rash, but it might save you from a life in the suds.”

  Blake's eyes shot fire at the infuriating servant. The old buzzard was laughing at him. He had the urge to strangle his life-long companion. “Shut-up. Take the bags up to our chamber and see that dinner's served on time. And for the rest of this miserable visit, leave out your dry wit.”

  “Yes, Milord.” Griggs laughed as he climbed the stairs. “Are you coming, old man?” he shouted at Roger.

  Roger gasped. “You ol’ Sapscully! When you talk to me, talk with respect!” As he started up the stairs, he shook his finger at Griggs. “Call me an old man, will you? Why, you're older than I am.”

  “Sorry, sir, I thought that was how you wished to be addressed from now on. Was that not how you referred to yourself a moment ago? But, then again, I'm just a lowly servant...”

  “You're a blunderbuss! If I thought Blake would let me, I'd throw out your skinny arse.”

  “I pray not, Milord,” Griggs said in mock horror. “Where else could I find such a position as this? One so gratifying and with such rewards?”

  “Clamp-it,” Roger mumbled. “I've a good mind to ship you far away.”

  “That certainly puts my fears to rest, Milord.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Thankfully you don't possess a good mind, sir,” Griggs announced, as he walked away.

  Blake shook his head. In all his years growing up, he had never seen Roger and Griggs say more then a few words to one another. Now it seemed all they did was bicker and jest. Blake turned to find Lucas standing near the front door smiling.

  “It would seem Town agrees with some,” Lucas observed.

  Blake felt a familiar growl clawing its way up from within. Sarcastic remarks were plentiful these days and he didn't want any more. His gaze moved to the drawing room. Thorton thought she had him on this one, but she didn't understand that, at any given moment, if he so decided, their visit could come to a quick conclusion.