to a halt and inserted the key into the lock. Then he opened the
door and stepped back.
He watched Imogen's expressive face as she gazed into the
gloom-filled interior. He was not disappointed. Her eyes filled
with wonder and her lips parted as though in expectation of a
lover's kiss. Only Imogen could have been counted upon to react
in such a fashion to a chamber crowded with dusty artifacts and
the ghosts of a long-lost people.
This is wonderful." Imogen stepped into the room and gazed
around at the array of objects that loomed in the shadows." Did
you bring most of these antiquities back from Zamar yourself?"
No. I confess that I kept the pieces I brought back. They are in
my library." Matthias lit a wall sconce." The items you see here are
those that Rutledge chose to transport back to England after our
first journey to Zamar. As you can see, he favored size over delicacy."
Imogen tugged a shroud off a ten-foot-tall statue of Zamaris
and blinked when she found herself at eye level with the god's
oversized genitals." I see what you mean." She hastily raised her
gaze." Oh, dear, it appears that the arm was broken off at the
shoulder and repaired."
Unfortunately, much of what Rutledge found was damaged
due to his poor excavation techniques. He had no engineering
skills." Matthias stroked the jagged edge of a broken column." And
little interest in the subtle details of the artifacts we uncovered. He
was after treasure or items he believed he could sell to collectors."
Poor Rutledge." Imogen walked around a vase that was as tall
as she was." Such a tragic ending. And so very mysterious."
I trust you are not going to tell me that you believe in that
ridiculous business of the Rutledge Curse."
Of course not. But there is no getting around the fact that
Rutledge did not survive his last trip to Zamar."
Matthias flattened his hand on the column." There is nothing
mysterious about his death, Imogen. He grew careless during his
explorations of the labyrinth. He broke his neck when he fell
down a stone staircase that he had apparently failed to notice in
the darkness. I was the one who found him."
She gave him a searching glance." How terrible that must have
been for you."
A chill went through Matthias. He knew then beyond a shadow
of a doubt that she sensed that there was more to the story." Yes.
It was."
The questioning expression in Imogen's eyes was instantly
replaced by sympathy. Matthias breathed a small sigh of relief as
she moved on to a large sarcophagus.
Have the items in this collection been properly catalogued?"
Imogen asked as she studied an inscription on the lid of the
sarcophagus.
No. I'm the only one who has the knowledge and skill to do it
properly, and I have not had the time to take on the task." Or the
inclination, he added silently. Everything in this chamber was
connected to Rutledge.
Imogen straightened and looked at him with an expression of
gathering excitement. I could do it, Matthias."
Catalogue the collection?" He hesitated." Yes, you could. It
might be interesting to have I. A. Stone's opinions on these items."
Do you think the trustees would allow me to study and record
the artifacts in this chamber?"
I control the trustees," Matthias said." They will do as I say. But
it would mean revealing your identity as I. A. Stone."
She considered that." Perhaps the time has come." Then she
sighed." But first things first. I came to London to deal with
Vanneck. I must get on with it. Have you given any thought to my
new plan to lure him into a partnership, Matthias?"
No."
I cannot waste any more time, sir." Imogen crouched down to
inspect a large day mask that was propped against the coffin." I
want to implement my new scheme as quickly as possible. Before
everyone learns our engagement is a sham."
Matthias moved closer to her and found himself gazing down at
the top of her bonnet." Imogen, has it occurred to you that our
engagement need not be a sham?"
I beg your pardon?" Imogen shot to her feet in startled
surprise.
Matthias stepped back quickly and just managed to avoid being
struck by the brim of her bonnet. Off balance, Imogen flung out a
hand with the apparent intention of catching hold of the edge of
the sarcophagus. Unfortunately she grabbed the top of a tall vase
instead. It started to topple.
Oh, no," Imogen wailed.
Matthias caught the vase before it shattered on the floor. He
righted it carefully. Then he turned back to Imogen. She was
gazing at him with a dumbfounded expression.
I don't think I heard you correctly, my lord," she said weakly.
I think that we would make an excellent match." He reached
for her and drew her into his arms.
She seized the lapels of his coat." Matthias, what are you doing?
There has been no talk of love between us."
What we share is stronger and more enduring than any such
metaphysical nonsense." He untied the strings of her bonnet and
tossed it aside.
She searched his face with a desperate expression that threatened to tear asunder something deep inside him. He had the terrible sense that he hovered on the brink of one of the five Zamarian
hells.
What . what do we share?" she asked.
Passion and Zamar." He bent his head and took her mouth
with all the fierce longing that had been growing inside him for
days.
Imogen gave a muffled cry and wrapped her arms around his
waist. She pressed herself against him and parted her lips beneath
his. He felt the storm rise within her even as the thunder rolled
through his own veins.
He threw himself recklessly into the gathering gale. Imogen
tightened her hold on him. Her soft hips nestled intimately against
his rigid shaft. When he broke off the fevered kiss to explore the
secret, scented place at the nape of her neck, she shivered.
Matthias, I do not comprehend what you do to me," she said
breathlessly." I vow, it is the most amazing sensation."
A cold rain swirled out of the tempest, chilling the fire in his
blood. Matthias dragged his mouth away from the silken skin at
the base of her neck." No. I will not have you this way."
What is it? What's wrong?"
He caught her face in his hands and forced her to meet his eyes.
When this is finished, I will not stand accused of employing secret
Zamarian lovemaking methods to seduce you."
But, Matthias"
I want you more than I have wanted anything since I went in
search of Zamar. But unless you feel an equal passion for me, this
embrace goes no further."
Oh, Matthias. You feel toward me what you felt for Zamar?"
Yes."
She went very still in his arms. Her long lashes lowered to
conceal her gaze. For a shattering moment Matthias thought that
he had lost her. He knew then which of the Zamarian hells it was
that ya
wned at his feet. It was the third hell, the one in which a
man faced a thousand years of living alone with only phantoms for
company.
Imogen lifted her eyes to meet his. She smiled tremulously." It
was grossly unfair of me to accuse you of employing Zamarian
lovemaking secrets to seduce me. I apologize. I was angry because
you had ruined my plans with your announcement of an engage
ment."
I know."
In truth, I have only myself to blame for what happened in the
garden the other night." She hesitated." I wanted you to make love
to me then and I want you to make love to me now."
Matthias realized that he could breathe again." Are you
certain?"
She stood on tiptoe and wound her arms around his neck." I
have never been more certain of anything in my life."
Imogen." His arms tightened fiercely around her. He started to
lower his head.
Imogen halted him by the simple expedient of putting her
fingertips against his lips." My lord, let me clarify this matter."
Clarify?"
We are agreed that we venture into this embrace with
complete understanding between us."
Yes."
Your fears that I will hurl accusations at you afterward have
been put to rest?"
Most assuredly." He began to nibble on her fingertips.
Her eyes glowed." Then, under the circumstances, I do not see
any reason why you cannot teach me one or two ancient
Zamarian lovemaking secrets, do you?"
Relief and laughter welled up inside him." No reason at all." He
caught her hand before she could remove it from his lips and
kissed her palm.
Imogen sighed and leaned into him. Her fingers curled around
his. Matthias moved his mouth down to her vulnerable wrist and
gloried in the small quiver of desire that went through her.
She stood on tiptoe and returned his kiss with unabashed
enthusiasm. He moved his mouth up along the curve of her cheek
to her ear. She speared her fingers through his hair. He shuddered.
We'll take this slowly," he promised.
If that is your wish." She unwound his cravat.
We shall savor every moment. We shall drain each second of all
sensation before we move on to the next."
You remind me of one of the new poets, sir." She began to pry
at the fastenings of his shirt." Or is that Zamarian verse that you
are spouting?"
I would have you remember this occasion for the rest of your
life," he said earnestly.
I am hardly likely to forget it." Imogen yanked impatiently at
his shirt. The sound of the fine linen being ripped apart was very
loud in the dusty chamber." Oh, dear."
Matthias grinned into her hair.
I seem to have torn your shirt, sir. I am most dreadfully sorry."
A light-headed feeling came over him." Forget the shirt,
madam. I have a vast number of them."
How fortunate."
Matthias tipped her face up again and gazed at her soft, full
mouth. At that moment he dismissed his plans to make slow, deliberate love to her. A fever was upon him. He burned, and from the
looks of his shirt, so did she.
He swept Imogen into his arms and carried her through the
ghostly remains of ancient Zamar to a bench that had been positioned against the far wall.
A cloud of dust rose as he settled Imogen on the shrouded
cushions. Matthias winced, but she did not seem to notice. She
looked up at him with glowing eyes. There was a great deal to be
said for a lover who shared his intellectual interests, Matthias told
himself. He had very likely discovered the only woman in all of
England who would not complain about being seduced in a gritty,
grimy museum.
He kissed the tip of her nose and then straightened to rid
himself of the dangling neck cloth. He flung it over a sarcophagus
and then swiftly freed himself of his coat, waistcoat, and the
damaged shirt. He smiled briefly at the sight of the tear in the
expensive linen.
He tossed the garment aside and looked down to find Imogen
watching him intently. There was a sweet yearning in her expression that made him catch his breath. The tip of her small pink
tongue appeared at the corner of her parted lips.
You are quite beautiful, my lord," she whispered in a soft,
husky voice." Indeed, I . I have never seen the like."
Matthias gave a hoarse laugh." You are the only truly beautiful
creature in this room." He lowered himself into the sea of green
muslin skirts. His head spun as he sank beneath the waves.
Matthias." Imogen clutched at his bare shoulders.
He gathered her to him and kissed her until Imogen shivered
and her head fell back over his arm. Then he reluctantly freed her
mouth to follow the beckoning line of her throat. She twisted
beneath him, lifting herself until he could feel her breasts crushed
against his chest.
When his kisses reached the decorous neckline of her gown, he
reached around to unfasten the bodice. It fell away, revealing a
linen chemise that was so thin, he could see the outlines of two
rosy nipples through it. His whole body clenched.
He lowered his head and kissed her breasts until he had dampened the fabric that covered them. Imogen cried out and began to
kiss his shoulder with a frantic eagerness.
Matthias reached down, grabbed a fistful of her skirts and the
hem of the chemise. He hauled the whole lot up to Imogen's waist,
revealing the triangle of tawny curls that shielded her secrets.
With a husky groan he bent his head and planted a kiss on the
inside of one silken thigh. The scent of sunlight on a Zamarian sea
filled his head. Very reverently he closed his hand around her,
cupping her warmth.
Imogen's soft gasp was intoxicating. He felt her turn to liquid
against his palm and thought that nothing had ever thrilled him so
much in his entire life.
This is beyond anything." Imogen's nails sank into his shoulders. Shiver after shiver rippled through her." My lord, I do not
care a fig if you employ every secret Zamarian lovemaking tech
nique that you have ever discovered. I would learn them all this
afternoon."
Unfortunately, I do not possess the patience to run through the
entire repertoire." Matthias fumbled with his breeches, freeing
himself." But I promise that eventually we will practice every
single one. Wrap your legs around me, my sweet."
My legs?"
I need to be inside you." He raised one stocking-clad knee and
eased it into position around his waist." I will go mad if I wait any
longer."
Imogen obediently circled him with her thighs." Matthias, this
feels very strange. Did you learn this position from that ancient
Zamarian marital scroll you mentioned?"
He stroked her gently." Some things are universal."
He felt her soften and open for him. His hand was slick with the
dew he had coaxed forth from her snug passage. He used the
moisture to lubricate the dainty pearl that throbbed above the
entrance. Imogen moaned.
Good heavens,
I don't . I cannot ." Imogen swallowed the
rest of whatever it was she had tried to say.
Matthias raised his head to look down into her passion-dazed
face." Look at me, Imogen. Open your eyes and look at me."
Her lashes fluttered and then lifted. She smiled slowly up at
him, a smile that contained more mysteries than the ruins of lost
Zamar.
Matthias surrendered to the powerful need that consumed him.
Parting her carefully, he fitted himself to her and forged slowly
into her hot, clinging passage.
Imogen froze in his arms." Perhaps you have not got it right, sir.
Your translation may have been faulty."
He clung to his sanity and his control with every vestige of his
strength." What are you talking about?"
This particular Zamarian lovemaking technique obviously is
not suited to a man of your proportions, Matthias. We must try
another."
You're a virgin," he whispered against her nose.
What the devil does that have to do with your poor translation
of the Zamarian instructions for this method?"
Nothing," he admitted.
I am not suggesting that we stop. I merely wish to try another
technique."
We must master this one before we go on." He brushed his
mouth against hers." Do you recall how it was for you the other
night in the garden?"
She looked up at him with anxious eyes." Yes. But this is entirely
different."
Wait and see." He started to ease himself slowly out of her
clinging channel. The sensation was an indescribable, exquisite
torment." Take a deep breath." He reached down between their
bodies and stroked her firm little jewel. He was rewarded with a
tiny tremor of response.
Imogen inhaled sharply. And then she began to soften around
him. She was just as tight as she had been a moment earlier, but
some of the tension in her body began to dissipate. Matthias sank
himself slowly, carefully, back into her.
Imogen sighed and scored his back with her nails.
He withdrew partway again and kissed her chemise-covered
nipples." Better?" he whispered.
Yes. Yes, I . I believe this particular method may work after
all. Have I got it right?"
Perfect." Matthias clenched his teeth and fought to hold
himself in check as he thrust slowly back into her warmth.
Absolutely perfect."
Matthias." Without warning, she trembled and convulsed
beneath him.
Amanda Quick - Mischief.txt Page 18
