“Might I ask why you didn’t use your knife on our assailants?” She tried to come out from behind him again.
He gently, but firmly, pushed her back. “There was no time to retrieve it. We were also bound together, which made it difficult to reach the knife. In the end I didn’t even need it, since it appears my best means of defending myself is you.”
She poked her head around him. “Thank you.”
“You are welcome.” Without too much thought, he kissed her gently on the lips. But before he could ponder her look of surprise, they were swarmed with men from the party. Nick explained what had happened, then Archer and Linus lifted their assailant to his feet. Apparently, the fight had gone out of him, since he allowed the men to carry him to the nearby gaol after they promised to summon a surgeon.
Nick and Kate followed, walking hand-in-hand. He wasn’t sure who had reached out first, but they were now as bound together as they had been with the ribbon.
Once Archer deposited the man on a cot in a cell, he sent his men to wait in the tavern, which was conveniently located next door. Nick would have liked some time alone with their attacker, but Archer, who was also the magistrate, wouldn’t allow it.
“So,” said Archer, kicking the boot of the man on the cot. “Why’d you try to kill Lord and Lady Layton?”
“Di’n’t try to kill no one,” said the man, moaning. “She’s the dangerous one.”
“I have been told I kick like a mule,” said Kate. “Why did you attack us tonight and why did you attack my husband on the road back from Dorchester last night?”
“How’d ye know about that?” asked the man, who obviously hadn’t been selected for his brains. “And when’s the sawbones gettin’ here?”
“He’s already in the tavern drinking,” said Archer. “Whether he comes here now or when he’s drunk or at all depends on what you have to tell us. Why’d you attack Lord and Lady Layton?” Archer nudged the man’s leg, which made him cry out.
“’Tweren’t my idea! Some cove from Lunnon paid me to do it. But we wasn’t to kill him. Just rough him up a bit so he’d go home.”
“Were you also paid to hurt my wife?” Nick couldn’t keep the feral anger out of his voice.
“She weren’t no part of it. And had we known how hard she could kick, we never woulda come near ye.”
“Who paid you to do this?” asked Nick.
“Never got no name.”
“What’s your name?”
“Smythe. Marcus Smythe.”
“Describe the man who hired you, Smythe.”
“Di’n’t get a good look. Honest, I di’n’t. He just said I was to get ye out of ‘ere as soon as possible. If’n ye’d left after the first time, I wouldna had to attack you the second.”
“So you’re saying this is Lord Layton’s fault,” said Kate in a cool tone of voice.
“In a way, it kinda is. Now when is the sawbones gettin’ ‘ere? I got no more to tell ye, honest.”
From the looks of the man, it appeared he was telling the truth. “We’ll send in the surgeon directly,” said Nick. Then, he, Kate and Archer left the room.
Once they were in the outer chamber, Nick turned to Archer. “Now are you going to tell me the information I seek? I cannot believe these attacks are unrelated to my inquiries.”
Archer sighed. “I’ll tell ye. But not here and not now. It ain’t a simple story to tell and there’s a better place than ‘ere. Meet me at the bluff tomorrow at noon and I’ll tell ye all I know.”
“How do I know you won’t leave before then? For that matter, how do I know you’re not the one who set those ruffians on us?”
Archer’s eyes blazed. It was clear he didn’t like having his honor challenged. “’T’wasn’t me. And if ye hadn’t had such a rough couple a days, as well as a big night ahead of you, I’d take a swing at ye. Ye were a guest in my home. Do ye really think I’d do this?”
“R was a guest in your home, and whoever he is, he’s at the heart of this, I just know it. If it were only my own safety at sake, I wouldn’t care as much. But my wife could have been injured.”
“I do not believe Mr. Archer is involved,” said Kate, squeezing Nick’s hand. “I know him to be an honorable man and we can trust him to meet us tomorrow and tell us everything he knows. Oscar used to tell me that during the war, some men were forced to do things they might not have done otherwise. I am confident that if Mr. Archer did anything during the war which wasn’t strictly legal, he would’ve done so for reasons we both can understand. I’m sure he wasn’t behind these attacks, just as I am certain you aren’t trying to hurt anyone in Weymouth. You simply want answers.”
Her words seemed to calm old Archer, who nodded. “So ye’ll hear me out on the morrow, milord?”
“Yes. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to see to my wife.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Kate was exhausted as she and Nick finally reached her cottage. The events of the day, coupled with the attack that night had taken their toll. She and Nick were still holding hands, and she reached into her pocket with the other to find the ribbon which had bound them. She knew it was just as well that it had been cut, but she was sad, just the same. And she feared it might be a bad omen for their future.
The moment they entered her home, Nick bolted the door behind them.
“I’d like to check for signs of intruders,” said Nick, as he picked up the fireplace poker, breaking his grasp of her hand.
She immediately felt the loss of his heat. And from the look on his face, he did, too.
But he was determined to protect her, so Kate followed him from the sitting room to the kitchen and spare room in back, then upstairs to her bedchamber. She was hit with several emotions she couldn’t quite identify when they entered, but he left as soon as he determined there was no sign of an intruder. He returned downstairs with depressing speed.
“Nick, what is the matter?” she asked, when they returned to the sitting room.
“You mean, besides the fact someone attacked you tonight?”
“They attacked both of us. I was equally concerned for you, but I believe Smythe was telling the truth. There won’t be another attack tonight, so you need not worry.”
“Need not worry? Until we get answers I will most certainly worry. I cannot be any other way as long as you may be in danger.”
“Would you like some brandy?”
“Excuse me?”
“I believe it would help calm you.”
“I don’t need to be calmed. I need to be ready to defend you.”
She poured them each a brandy, nonetheless. She hoped he didn’t notice that her hands were shaking. She turned to give him his glass, only to find him standing but a few inches from her.
“Thank you,” he said as his fingers brushed against hers.
She couldn’t read the expression in his eyes, so she simply took a slow sip of her drink. Then licked a drop off her bottom lip. His eyes followed her tongue, which she thought was interesting.
“I hope you do not take offense that your wife has a decanter of brandy,” she said, since she couldn’t talk about what was truly on her mind – their upcoming night.
He smiled, calming down just a little. “On the contrary, it only confirms that you are the perfect wife.”
He was teasing her now and she could feel him relax. “And what constitutes your perfect wife?”
“For one thing, she wouldn’t suffer fools gladly.”
“But she’s your wife. Doesn’t that mean she would have to suffer at least one?” Now Kate was relaxing.
“Minx,” said Nick, as he kissed her cheek. “My ideal wife wouldn’t know I was a fool. Indeed, she would argue with anyone who said I was.”
“So, she is not very clever.” She was definitely relaxing, as she took another sip of her brandy.
“Actually, she is so clever that I would find myself continually trying to match wits with her.” He kissed her other cheek, but this lasted a bit longer
than the first kiss, bringing out the heat in Kate’s skin.
Nick ran a finger across her cheek. Just one finger, but Kate felt it throughout her entire body. She wasn’t sure if it was the effects of the drink or the effects of him, but she was warming…everywhere.
“My ideal wife would be by my side.”
“To share life’s troubles and joys?” she asked, repeating their vows.
He slowly nodded. “And to love me. Could you, Kate? Could you love me?” His question was hesitant, as if it required no caution but great courage to ask. “If I remain the earl?”
He’d been leaning in to kiss her, but his words broke the spell. She put her hand on his chest, which felt vaguely like warm, breathing stone, then pushed him back. “You believe I would love you only if you remained the earl?”
“It is the only way I could remain married to you in good conscience.”
“Do you think a title means anything to me, other than fearing I would say the wrong thing to the wrong person and embarrass you? If I weren’t afraid for your safety, I’d kick you out of this cottage for having such little faith in me. I don’t care about your title. Quite frankly, I’d much rather be Mrs. Nicholas Chilcott than the Countess of Layton. And right now, I can’t imagine why I’d want to be either.”
There was a moment when Nick didn’t do anything but stare at her. Then he pulled her to him with a passion which was wholly engulfing and kissed her. Thoroughly. Inflaming her body, as he mixed up her wits.
* * *
Nick couldn’t believe what Kate had just said to him. The entire day was certainly one for the ages. He’d awakened that morning with no plans to marry. Now he didn’t just have a wife, he had a wife who preferred being Mrs. Chilcott to the Countess of Layton. He could imagine no other woman saying that to him.
Yet his conscience demanded that he try one more time to make her realize the obstacles which would lie ahead if Simon was successful in taking the earldom. “If I lose the title, there won’t be much money.”
She shrugged. “I have never had much. And I do have an inheritance from my parents, though I doubt it will be what you are used to.”
He had a feeling she had no idea just what he was used to. “We will likely be thrown out of the ton.”
“This is sounding better and better.”
“And we might have to live with my brothers and sisters until the dust settles.”
“I have always wanted a family.”
“I don’t deserve you,” he said. And he could hardly believe what was being offered to him.
“I believe,” she said, as she moved her hands up to his shoulders, “that we deserve each other. We have lived similar lives, even though you were an earl and I was an orphan in a fishing village. We’ve both known loss and loneliness and longed for love. I know I’m being scandalously bold, but we shall blame it on the brandy. I believe we would rub along well together. But I do have one question for you…” She took a deep breath and met his eyes. “When you vowed to try to love me, did you mean it?”
“More than anything I’ve ever said.” He kissed her and they melted into each other. She was still new at the mechanics of kissing, but was catching on quickly. And there was nothing about her heart or soul which needed training. He could feel her intentions as they held each other. “And if it is the effects of the brandy, we shall always have a decanter on hand.”
She laughed then. And he realized he would be a fortunate man for the rest of his life – come what may with his title.
“Always believe in love,” she said. “I don’t need anything but you.”
“Will you take me upstairs?” he asked, as he kissed her neck and his hands trailed down her arms.
He could feel her heat, as she nodded and said “yes” in a shaky voice.
“We do not have to do anything other than sleep,” he said, not wanting her to be afraid. “I know this wasn’t the plan when you agreed to the handfasting. I will be perfectly happy simply lying next to you in bed.” That was a bit of a lie, but he didn’t want to press her further than she was willing to go. They had a lifetime ahead of them. Though he hoped the wait would be shorter than that.
She looked up at him, brushing a lock of hair from his forehead. “You might be perfectly happy simply lying next to me. But I won’t.” Her smile went straight to his heart. “Unfortunately, I do not know anything about the act of love, so you shall have to teach me.”
“It will be my eternal pleasure,” he said, as he kissed her. “Pray take us upstairs.”
She led him up to her small bedchamber, which had a bed that would barely accommodate both of them, a small wardrobe, a wooden chair and a small fireplace. The bed, while small, seemed to fill up the entire space. Neither said anything as they surveyed the small room lit by the candle Kate carried.
“Would you like me to light a fire?” asked Nick.
“Are you saying you cannot keep me warm?” She couldn’t prevent her grin.
Nick had never seen anything so alluring. “I shall be much better than a fire, minx. And I always will. I would like to start by kissing you all over.”
“All over?” she asked, her voice but a whisper.
“All over,” he said as he bent his head to take her lips with his. She was tentative at first, but she opened enough for him to taste her. She melted into him with an ease that bespoke years together, instead of just the few days they’d known each other. Had it only been days? It seemed like the beginning of a lifetime.
* * *
Just the previous night, Kate had been doing everything she could to keep Nick alive. They had shared a bed, but other than a few caresses when he’d been delirious, it had been as innocent as possible when you were lying next to the most handsome man of your acquaintance.
Last night he’d promised to behave like a gentleman. Tonight, he had made her no such promises. And she was glad of it.
With a start, she realized they had started to kiss while standing near the bed, but were now lying on it. She tried to drag her mouth from his. She was unsuccessful, not because he wouldn’t let her go, but because she was quite enjoying herself. Finally, she pulled back.
He proceeded to kiss her neck. She had no idea it was so sensitive. However, she had a feeling that unless she interrupted him now, she might never find out what she needed to know.
“Nick?” she asked.
Somehow, he thought that was an invitation to return to her mouth.
“Nick?” she said with a bit more urgency.
“Yes, love?”
“I….” She wasn’t sure how to explain. But he must have heard the uncertainty in her voice, for he ceased kissing her. But his eyes were so dark and his lips so full, she had a hard time not melting right back into him. “Nick...”
Now he sat up, separating from her a bit more, but still holding her hand. “Are we moving too quickly?”
“I do not know. I have nothing by which to judge it. Are we moving too quickly?”
“Not in my book,” he said with a grin. “But tonight isn’t about me.”
“I do not believe that’s true, since you will be one of the participants.”
“And I am delighted to be one. But this is unfamiliar territory for you.” He was stroking her hand and she was becoming quite dizzy from it. “How much do you know about the act of love?”
Almost nothing at all. “It wasn’t a subject Oscar discussed with me, other than to tell me a kind and loving husband would take care of me in all ways. I do not know if he even meant in the bedchamber. For all I know, he simply assumed you would see to the bills and make sure I was careful when I went riding.”
An odd expression came over him. “I will gladly help you with your riding, though we may not wish to start with that.”
She sighed. She had so much to learn. “That was an improper suggestion, wasn’t it?”
“Now that we’re married, it isn’t.”
“But you alluded to the act of love?”
; “Yes. It is possible for you to…ride me.”
“Certainly not with a saddle!”
He couldn’t prevent his laugh, but before she could get too embarrassed, he leaned over and kissed her. “Well, there are such things, though they may be a bit advanced for our first night together. But, in general, a lady can ride a man. I would lie on my back, then you would put a leg on either side of me and lower yourself down.”
Well, that sounded interesting. “So I would have nothing on beneath my nightgown.”
“I hope you wouldn’t have anything on at all. But that is completely up to you.”
She wasn’t certain if she could be that bold. “I might take a chill.”
“I will put another log on the fire. Indeed, I would gladly deforest the entire village if it meant I could see you unclothed. After all, you saw most of me last night and you even undressed me to do so.”
“You had a fever.”
“I’m feeling rather warm now.”
“You said this riding was more advanced. Is there an act of love for beginners?”
“I suppose the usual way to begin would be for you to lie back on the bed.”
“Would I need to be unclothed?”
“You wouldn’t need to be, but I would certainly enjoy the sight.”
“That’s because you are a rake.”
“It’s because I have a beautiful wife.”
“And you are a rake.”
“The two need not be mutually exclusive, though I assure you my raking days are behind me.”
And that brought up another question. “Would they be, truly? I know your lot has mistresses and you never stay faithful. But I wouldn’t like that kind of marriage. I realize it is a bit late to have this conversation now, but do you plan to be faithful?” She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear his answer, but she still needed to ask.
“I wonder where you got this information about mistresses and ton marriages, since it doesn’t seem to be the type of thing your Oscar would have mentioned.”
“I believe I first heard about it from Mrs. Johnson.”
“That does not surprise me. While it is true that much of ‘my lot,’ as you put it – though I must point out they are now ‘your lot’ as well – does behave that way, it was never something I wished to do when I thought about marriage in general. After all, I was conceived in an adulterous relationship and it caused harm to a great many people. But I confess, those were my thoughts when marriage was just a hazy concept. Before I knew whom I would marry.” He put the tip of her finger in his mouth, then lightly nipped it before sucking on it.
Always Believe in Love (Emerson Book 4) Page 15
