by Claudy Conn
Yeah right, she sighed. Sleep was not happening. All she could think of was his blue eyes, his hands, the feel of his touch, and his hands so skilled in the art of making love. Thinking about it made her burn for him.
Her body yearned for him. The white witch deep inside of her demanded her mate, and for some reason believed that this human was that mate. How could her witch be so wrong? If she could only talk to her mother, she could ask her what was up with her inner witch. She couldn’t get to her mother or even go home. At the moment, she wasn’t sure she would go home even if she could… not just yet. That would mean leaving Mr. Blue Eyes behind, never to kiss him again.
She was up for hours, and just about to nod off to sleep, when something outside her door brought her to attention with a snap.
She knew without using magic who was at her door. She knew as the key dropped onto the floor and the door creaked open, just who would be on the threshold.
“David!” she gasped. “Whatever are you doing, don’t come in here.”
“I won’t hurt you, not the way that Scotsman will if you let him.” he murmured as he quietly entered her room.
Mary and the squires’ suite of rooms were in the other wing. She had no hope of help from that quarter.
“I want you to leave before you go too far,” she said firmly. “Before this gets out of hand and you do something we will both regret.”
His eyes narrowed. “I don’t know what you are talking about. I only want to sit here and talk to you. You must see that you and I…we… are meant to be together. You must see that and stop all this foolishness with the Scotsman. He will ride off for London, or for his homeland, and he will leave you behind.” He sat on her bed. “You must see that, don’t you?”
She pulled the covers up to her neck. She was repulsed by him. Everything about him triggered her inner senses with dread. “David, this is not the time…”
“Why not?” His brow raised. “You allow a stranger, a Scotsman, simply because of his title and wealth to speak intimately with you—kiss you. Who knows what more?” He reached for her hand, but she yanked it away.
“Get out of my room, David…now!”
“No. I mean to only kiss you. Later I will teach you what more we will do, and I, unlike him, will wed you.” His voice dropped an octave. “You must want me. Women always want me.” He reached for her shoulders and grabbed them roughly.
She couldn’t use magic, for then she would have to use her wand and make him forget what he experienced. To do so would lead her father right to her.
She asked herself what a girl of the times was supposed to do when accosted. She was afraid to be thrown out of the house, and therefore, she would not speak up. She jumped out of the bed and picked up a brass candleholder. “Come one step closer or touch me without my leave, and I shall hurt you.”
He laughed as he reached out and slammed the brass candleholder to the floor and threw her on the bed. “No one will hear you. My parents are in the other wing. The servants are a floor above and at the back of the house. Don’t fight it, Exerilla.” He pinned her with his body as he tried to kiss her lips, but she flung her head from side to side and screamed, “Get off you big jerk!”
He tore at the open bodice of her nightgown and Exerilla realized that she was out of options. This wasn’t the time to wonder what a girl in her position living in this era would do. She had to do what she had to do.
She used as little as she could of her witch’s strength and threw him off of her body. She then jumped up and ran for the door. He gave chase and she turned on him and took a stand. “I’m warning you, David, you don’t want to do this. I will hurt you.”
He laughed and growled like an animal. “You want to play rough? Very well, you and I shall play rough little games.”
She took aim and kicked him in the balls. A flush and perfect hit.
He let out a whopping yelp of pain and bent over. She ran the remaining distance to the door, opened it wide and fled. She took the stairs at breakneck speed, then down the hall and into the kitchen where she hid in the pantry and immediately thought of calling her wand. She thought better of it, and used only a low White Magic spell, saying “Hide me from all eyes.”
Such a small spell that used only a brief flicker of magic. She wondered if her father would be able to trace her to this century because of it.
She could only think that David had evidently lost his mind.
He followed her to the kitchen and on a hiss demanded, “Where are you, she-devil?” He opened the pantry, but could not see through the magic and closed it once again.
“David!” His mother’s voice from behind him made him spin around.
Quietly, Exerilla undid the spell and stepped out of the pantry. She didn’t want to cause Mary Horwich any discomfort, but she couldn’t live in this house if David was going to stay overnight in the future. Something had to be done.
“Mary,” she said softly.
Mary looked from Exerilla whose nightgown was torn and dangling off her shoulder to her son with growing understanding and horror.
For a flash of a second, Exerilla’s heart broke for Mary. She could almost read the woman’s mind. She felt what Mary felt in that moment. Her husband was an oaf, but her son was no better.
“Mother, I was trying to have a private conversation with Exerilla, because I discovered that she is carrying on with Lord MacTorry!” he said with a flushed face and some indignation.
“How dare you!” Exerilla said with some authority. “You barge into my bedchamber where you accost me with your unwanted attentions, and then chase me down to the kitchen so that I had to hide in the pantry! You call that having a private conversation?”
“I…I…you ran, you…I…do you deny that you and his lordship were speaking intimately yesterday afternoon, after you had been up at the Towers unescorted?”
“I don’t have to confirm or deny anything that has to do with my business.” Exerilla snapped at him.
“Tart!” he accused flushed now to the roots of his hair.
“David!” disgusted, his mother rebuked him. “Stop this! I am appalled, and ashamed.” She shook her head. “David, this is shocking. Miss Radley is a guest in our home.” She turned to Exerilla. “I apologize for him.” She turned back to her son. “Please leave me with Miss Radley and I want you gone before breakfast. You have your own lodgings and I see no reason why you should not spend your nights there. Good-bye David!”
He bowed himself out silently with his face drawn in fury, but he said nothing more as he left them. Mary put a comforting arm around Exerilla as she led her back up the stairs and asked, “I am so thoroughly ashamed. Did he hurt you, Exerilla?”
“Not really. I am wily.”
Mary patted X’s hand and said, “How can I make an excuse for him? I simply cannot.”
“No need.”
“I am his mother and although I know he has failings, I never thought he could behave…oh my faith! I am at a loss for words, my dear.” She shook her head. “You are a guest in our home and under our protection.”
“Don’t blame yourself. I think he is behaving out of jealousy. Sometimes the green eyed monster can make us do things we ordinarily wouldn’t do.”
“You are most generous to say so, but you and I know the truth. I suppose, I have always known the truth. I am only glad that I was unable to sleep and came down to have a glass of milk.”
“I am well able to take care of myself, Mary,” Exerilla sighed. “I imagine, he is used to getting his own way and reacts badly when he doesn’t.”
“Yes, but this was inexcusable.”
“Do not tax yourself, Mary.”
“This business about his lordship? I would like you to consider the fact that although handsome and charming, Lord MacTorry could break your innocent heart. Such roguishly handsome men often do and then go merrily off.”
Exerilla sighed. “Hmm, I suppose you are right, but he is ever so much fun. As I said, I am ful
ly capable of taking care of myself. I am from the colonies after all, where we are not quite as polite and mannerly as the British.” She laughed and gave the older woman a hug.
Mary patted her and offered, “I will speak to his father about his. That should serve to put on the restraints.”
“His father?” X almost snorted. She closed her eyes as she controlled herself.
“He is far more likely to adhere to his father’s will and his father would never condone such conduct.”
Exerilla was surprised by this, but kept quiet.
Mary and X arrived at Exerilla’s room where they bid one another good night.
This time however, X was not leaving it up to a locked door to keep David out. She slid the dresser in front of the door as well.
Oddly enough though, she thought she would never sleep after this incident. She put her head on the pillow and fell into a deep sound sleep.
* * *
Late morning, brought Jerry Swit’s steps on a narrow sandy path that traced the white chalky cliffs of Dover. As he walked he tugged gently on his horse who wanted to stop and graze along the trail.
His companion was quiet and finally he frowned and exclaimed, “Damnation to hell! I’ve done what you asked from start to finish! I didn’t muck up! I tell you, it wasn’t me!”
“No? Who then? Something went wrong last night,” David Horwich snapped angrily. He had left his parent’s home in a rage and needed an outlet. He pulled hard on his horse that had been nibbling at the grass and jerked the poor animal to attention.
“Mayhap the flaskers are running their course,” Swit answered with a dark frown.
“Don’t be a stupid fool. No drop has occurred, no land runners, no gentlemen last night.” David shook his head. “You are the problem, you careless dolt. You have talked out of turn and that is why our man didn’t show at the Mermaid.”
“Don’t be talking rum at me, David. You know better than that. After my close call in London, I don’t take any chances.”
“What about Sir Jacob? Does he suspect?”
“No. He thinks that I am no more than a skirter, sponging off his generosity,” he grinned wide. “I suppose I am.”
“And the Scotsman? What about him? Damn his soul to bloody hell! Why is he up at the Towers?”
“Can’t figure him out yet. Seems to be on a lark but he does seem to care about the lad. He may has another agenda altogether. Just can’t put my finger on it.” He shrugged. “I do know that he has a younger brother on Wellington’s staff…in Brussels. Mayhap he thinks he’ll make his way there from the Dover port? Not sure.”
“At any rate, something scared off our man last night,” David sighed heavily. “The plan now is to meet tomorrow at the Red Bull. This time, I’ll go. You stay and keep an eye on MacTorry. I don’t trust him.”
“Why? I can’t see him interested in anything we might be up to.”
“Just a hunch, Swit. If he is just here for a diversion from his regular haunts, perhaps we can help him along his merry road and keep him occupied. We need to make sure that he is damn well out of my way.”
“How?” Swit grinned. He was jealous of the Scotsman and his superior attitude galled on him. He knew his lordship was no fool.
“You’ll see, but first things first. We have to get through tomorrow night’s business, and then we’ll bring the Scotsman down a peg.” David sneered.
“Aye, then, I like the way you think Horwich,” Swit said. As he looked into David Horwich’s eyes, it occurred to him that the man was dangerous. He had always lived life on the edge. He had never really crossed the line he had drawn for himself a long time ago. He talked a good game, but he was born gentry. Although he was left to raise himself, he knew when to back away. David Horwich, however had the look of a man who was determined to get what he wanted at any cost.
If there wasn’t a jest, or enough of a profit in the game, Jerry wasn’t keen on it. In addition to that, he had his own set of rules. Horwich was quite another story. He reminded himself to never give the bloke his back.
~ Fifteen ~
A SMALL FIRE burned in the grate and X put her hands to it and remembered the fire his lordship had started for them in the cottage three long days ago.
Mary had indeed spoken to her husband, and he had, in fact, been both shocked and irritated with his son. He had also decided that Exerilla should not go alone any longer to Cressly Towers, which could diminish her reputation and do damage to theirs.
Even though she was still allowed to ride Jack, which she had over the past few days, she had not seen his lordship, only David. She was both bored and, pining for Hunter MacTorry’s company.
Mary eyed her from her chair where she worked her tapestry and said, “What is it, Exerilla, you seem blue-deviled.” She clucked her tongue and added, “Missing your little afternoons at the Towers I suspect and I am so sorry for it.”
“Nonsense, I am fine,” Exerilla returned as brightly as she could muster.
“Nonsense, is it? You have been pacing yourself into a frenzy and as glum as a girl could be these last few days. Is it David? Have you run into him on one of your rides? Did he bother you in any way?”
She had seen David the day before, when he met her while she was riding on the post road. He had been both aloof and gentlemanly, surprising Exerilla and greatly relieved. “No, no, David has done nothing further to make me uncomfortable.”
Anne appeared at the sitting room door and announced with a smile, “Lord MacTorry and Sir Jacob.”
Exerilla actually felt the breath in her lungs travel to her throat and get stuck. Her heart began to beat at a threatening pace. Her knees began to quiver, and she was glad she was seated.
Both gentlemen strode into the room, looking merry and ready to do much more than the polite as they greeted first Mary Horwich and then turned to her.
Exerilla smoothed the neatly fitted skirt of her mint green day gown over her lap, pleased that she had worn this color which always made her green eyes greener. She couldn’t believe she was preening for a man she would have to say good-bye to in a few months.
His glance took her in from the top of her black hair, right down to her little slippers. She saw the glint in his blue eyes as he looked her over and she felt a rush of pleasure.
All at once, Sir Jacob pushed him aside and laughed, “Out of my way, man, and allow me to greet Miss Radley properly.”
She laughed and saw his lordship’s eyes fill with amusement, “Out of your way?” He shook his head and took the hand she reached out to give him, bending low over her ungloved fingers, putting them to his lips in a way that sent sparks skittering up her arm, and straight to her fluttering heart.
Not to be outdone, she suspected Jacob was merely having fun, he took up her free hand and said, “Ravishing, Exerilla, simply ravishing.” He turned to his lordship and gave him an amiable smirk.
“And I am enchanted, as always when I find myself in yer company, lass,” his lordship murmured quietly.
Sir Jacob released a friendly if impolite snort and said, “Don’t believe his dribble. He will break your heart, but I…I never shall.”
This light banter had served to save the moment for X who was attempting to recover her composure. She smiled prettily at both gentlemen and said, “Ah, but Jake, such nice dribble, that we must allow him, if not my heart, a smile,” She was proud of herself as she had noted that this was the way a young woman of the era would dally with a gentleman.
It was absurd. Hunter MacTorry had seen her naked. She had seen him naked; he had touched her in a way that had sent her to the moon. Oh yeah, they were well past the stage of light flirtation, nevertheless, she found it appealing.
Mary interjected to offer refreshments, but Jacob waved his hand apologetically saying they couldn’t stay long.
Exerilla felt immediate disappointment and said, “Oh…” with which her voice trailed off. Oh, she asked herself, and then almost closed her eyes as she thought, I am suc
h a brilliant conversationalist.
His lordship smiled regretfully and said, “Sir Jacob has a notion to take out the yacht today just for a short sail and satisfy Jerry Swit…”
“Not so much satisfy, as keeping him quiet about the thing,” Jacob said and chuckled. “He’s driving me mad with his nagging about the yacht.”
“Meeting the dashed silly fellow at the docks, but we did want to stop by and see how it is you are neglecting Princess Tat,” his lordship’s blue eyes found and locked with hers.
Mary’s face brightened and she interjected at this point, “Oh how I love sailing. When Samuel and I were first married, we had a sloop, and I enjoyed those days on the water immensely.”
Jacob sat down with Mary and they began a conversation about sloops versus schooners. He told her that he thought he would rather have something he could take out without a crew.
“Well,” laughed X as she turned away from watching the two. “I would never have guessed it. Mary and the squire, sailing?”
“Ye haven’t been with them long enough to know a lifetime’s worth of who they really are,” his lordship said on a quiet note.
“I suppose you are right. People are more than what you may think from a glance, and still…” she allowed her voice to trail off.
He took that moment to say, “Why haven’t ye been up to the Towers?”
She shook her head, “Complicated.”
“Someone forbid ye? The squire? Why all of a sudden?” He pursued.
“Stop this now,” she whispered and gave him a meaningful look.
He wouldn’t be warned off and asked, “Was it David? Did he ask his parents to keep you from coming to the Towers?”
“He seems to think you mean to take advantage of me,” she dimpled. “And you do.”
He chuckled. “Ye had a will of yer own lass,” he said softly.
This was true, but it incensed her all the same, and she gave him an evil eye as she hissed, “I do beg your pardon, so I had, though my will was nothing to your experience.”
“Touché!” he answered. “I sounded even to m’self, a downright cad. Sweet Exerilla, I was wrong to say such a thing. Ye never had a choice. I took it from ye the moment I knew I had to have ye for m’own.”
