by Bobbi Smith
His gaze searched the crowded room for some sign of Noah or CC, and noting their continued absence, he wondered at Noah’s reason for wanting to be alone with her. After returning to the house as Noah requested, he had discovered that Edward had not been looking for him. The awkwardness of the moment had passed quickly as he’d joined the men in the study, but he still had been left to ponder his brother’s interest in lovely Cecelia Demorest. She was definitely an attractive young woman, but the Widow Woodham seemed more Noah’s type—sophisticated, worldly, sensual….
Still, Matt knew he should be pleased that Noah hadn’t changed so completely that he couldn’t appreciate a beautiful woman. Matt just hoped that he wouldn’t hurt CC in any way, for he sensed that she was an innocent in the ways of the world, and he didn’t want his rakehell of a brother taking advantage of her naiveté.
Thoughts of innocence brought Faith to mind again, and Matt traded his empty glass for another full one. Faith…he could still see her in all her beauty as she’d rested on his bed, and the memory of the way they’d parted filled him with a strange emptiness. He thought of her terror upon awakening and how he’d calmed her fears, and he remembered the kiss. Matt had alternately cursed and treasured that one tender moment. Had he denied his sudden, obsessive need to kiss her, she probably would not have fled his company, but he had given in to his desire, and he had regretted it bitterly ever since.
He drew a deep breath as his gaze darkened in serious thought. If the opinions voiced by Winthrop and Thornhill were reflective of the Crown’s general attitude toward the colonies, no wonder there was so much unrest…and maybe he’d been precipitate in arguing against selling the arms to the rebels. How arrogant the British officers had seemed! He recalled then the conversation between the merchants that he and Noah had overheard in the taproom their first day at the inn and he wondered now at the veracity of their complaints. If mobs of colonists were running about the city, then maybe there was a justifiable reason for it. That conclusion gave Matt pause as he glanced about the room filled with rich, successful loyalists. He found himself wanting to know more about the troubles that were developing, but he knew that this would not be the place to learn anything objective. Deciding to hold his peace for the time being, he set aside his troubled thoughts and rejoined the crowd in the ballroom. Tomorrow would be soon enough to delve further.
The faint stirrings of a chilling zephyr carried the soft strains of music across the stillness of the night-shrouded grounds. Within the darkness of the summerhouse, the sound of the melody intruded, borne on a bitter breeze.
Awareness crashed through Noah’s drugged senses as reality and reason returned, and the icy fingers of the wind branded him with a cold, confusing thought. CC had been a virgin…. The realization both alarmed and aroused him as he lay still embedded within her warmth, and he fought down an unexpected surge of desire at the remembrance of her untutored passion. Keeping tight control over his body’s urgings, Noah drew a deep, steadying breath as he considered the ramifications of all that had happened. He did not doubt for a moment that she had intended to bed him. She had taunted him at the stables, and had they not been interrupted, she would have given herself to him then. Tonight had been inevitable. CC had known it and so had he. And, Noah arrogantly assured himself, no matter how much she might try to deny it, she had enjoyed it.
Cynicism returned as he thought of Matthew, John, and the arms shipment. Irrationally, he found it angered him to know that CC was willing to use her body…to sacrifice her very virginity…just to further the rebel cause. Even as it infuriated him, though, the arousal he was fighting to control would not abate. If she wanted to persuade him, why not? Perhaps if she tried just a little harder, Noah mused harshly, he just might be convinced to lower his price….
Heat throbbed anew through his loins as he gave free rein to his needs. It startled Noah to find that his desires could be so potent and forceful so soon. Never before, even with the most sensual of mistresses, had this happened to him, but he wasted no time thinking about it as he began to move within CC, driven by the need to possess her again.
Languidly secure beneath the protective warmth of Noah’s big body, CC had been drowsily content, blocking out, in her sensual satisfaction, all thoughts of reality. Only when Noah hardened within her and began to move again was she forced to admit to herself what had happened. Stunned by her situation, she went rigid beneath him. How could this have happened? How could she have given herself to Kincade?
Noah felt the change in her, and believing she would willingly succumb to him once more, he murmured, “Relax, love. Let me—”
“Get off of me, Kincade!” she hissed.
Aware that his movements were stoking the embers of her forbidden desire again, she twisted her body and pushed against his chest at the same time in a burst of desperate energy, successfully dislodging him and almost dumping him on the floor.
“What the…” Noah managed to brace himself, and he drew back viciously to stare down at her.
But CC was not intimidated by his hate-filled glare and she took advantage of his momentary shock to scramble from beneath him. As she did, her gaze accidentally grazed his lower body, and she witnessed there the throbbing strength of his need for her. She bit back a groan and rushed to snatch up her chemise.
“You’re the most loathsome man I’ve ever had the misfortune to meet, Kincade!” She refused to look at him.
“Indeed?” His mouth thinned as his eyes narrowed to silver slits. “You didn’t think so just a short while ago, my dear.”
“You…” she fumed, struggling with the buttons on her undergarment.
“If anything, sweetheart”—he sarcastically drawled the term of endearment—“you were begging me….”
Emerald fury glittered dangerously in the depths of her eyes as she turned to face him, and her breasts heaved in agitated indignation beneath the soft, sheer covering of her chemise.
“The only thing I begged you to do was to stop!” she fumed, miserably aware, even as she said it, that he had spoken the awful truth. “Stay away from me from now on! You’re a scheming manipulator, and I don’t want anything to do with you.”
“It will be my pleasure to stay away from you, but let me warn you, Miss Demorest.” Noah spoke slowly and distinctly, lending a deadly seriousness to his words. “You leave my brother alone. Matthew is an innocent in all of this and knows nothing of your intrigue or deceitfulness. I won’t allow him to be used as a pawn.”
Noah’s stance was menacing as he loomed over her, and even his unclothed state did nothing to detract from the power of his regal command. CC didn’t understand what he could possibly mean by saying that she was using Matt as a pawn, but she refused to be cowed by him and stood up to his anger with more bravery than most men.
“You, sir, are the user. Not me! I have forfeited something more precious than gold at your hands this night!”
“What you forfeited was forfeited willingly, CC. You will not convince me otherwise.”
Recognizing the undeniable truth of his statement, she flushed painfully and she was grateful for the concealing darkness.
“Get out…” Her tone was flat and unemotional. “Now.”
Noah dressed quickly and strode from the summerhouse without another word. He paused on the terrace to check his appearance and then reentered the house with the nonchalant air of a man who’d just taken a casual, lengthy stroll through the gardens.
CC managed to pull herself together into some semblance of respectability, but she knew there was no way she could return to the ball without first returning to her chambers and securing Anna’s help. Quietly she skirted the grounds and entered the house through the servants’ entrance. Racing up the back staircase, she did not relax until she’d made it safely and undetected to her bedroom.
Eve was angry and restless. Noah Kincade had mysteriously disappeared after leaving her side and going out on the terrace. Though she’d searched as discreetly as p
ossible throughout the house, she hadn’t been able to locate him anywhere. Determined not to let anyone know of her unwavering interest in him, she had continued to lightly flirt with her numerous suitors and had even encouraged Geoffrey a bit, though she was wont to do it. His presence at her side had been a face-saver, though, for she had not wanted anyone to suspect that Kincade had left her without a thought. When she saw Noah return to the ballroom through the French doors, she was elated and she turned quickly to Geoffrey.
“Geoffrey, darling, would you mind getting me another glass of champange?” She gave him her most seductive smile.
“Of course, Eve. I shall be right back.” Geoffrey hurried to do her bidding. He had been pleased when Kincade had disappeared from the scene and had taken full advantage of the opportunity to dominate Eve. She had been his usual attentive companion and he was eagerly anticipating the end of the ball. As he procured the glass of liquor, his blood raced excitedly as he imagined them in bed together, and he turned back in her direction, anxious to be with her again. Perhaps, he thought avidly, I can convince her to depart a little early…. But as Geoffrey started back, he saw her moving across the room toward Kincade, who had just come back inside from the gardens. He realized then that Eve had only used the pretense of wanting another drink in order to send him from her. The jealousy that had been born several hours before flared to life again as he watched her throw herself at the other nobleman.
Instead of returning to Eve’s side, he drank her champagne himself, taking no time to savor it properly. The mixture of whiskey and champagne hit him hard, and he swore viciously under his breath as he saw Kincade escort Eve out onto the dance floor. A wildfire of emotion swept through him, but somehow he managed to hold himself back from making a scene. With all the dignity expected of one in his vaulted position, Geoffrey sought out another of the eligible young ladies and graced her with his presence.
Noah’s smile was strained as he danced with Eve, but she did not notice. And though he gave the impression of listening to her senseless chatter, in truth his thoughts were far away, wrapped in the searing, exciting memory of CC’s passion. At first, when he’d reentered the ballroom and Eve had joined him, he’d been grateful for the diversion she presented, but now he was finding her company stifling. He found himself constantly searching the crowd for some sign of the vibrant emerald gown and the woman who wore it. Cursing himself for being a fool to even think of CC, he forced all remembrances of the other woman from his mind and concentrated solely on Eve’s less than stimulating conversation.
CC descended the front staircase to find John in the wide hall talking with Matthew. Her smile was shaky as she greeted them, but neither man seemed aware of it.
“CC, darling, I didn’t know that you’d gone upstairs….” John took her hand and kissed it as he met her.
“I needed to rest for a moment and freshen up a bit.” Her words were not a lie. She enlisted Anna’s help, and they had made short order of styling her hair again and smoothing the wrinkles from her gown. Anna had been smart enough not to question her mistress’s unusual condition, and CC had been greatly relieved at not having to explain.
“I hope you weren’t feeling ill.” Matt was quick to worry, for he remembered her need to get a breath of fresh air.
“Oh no. Nothing like that,” she reassured him.
“Good.” His smile was warm with honest affection as he regarded her, and noticing her becomingly heightened color, he wondered what had transpired between her and Noah in the garden.
“CC? Would you care to dance again?” John invited.
“Of course,” she accepted, glad that it had been John to ask and not Matthew. Not that she didn’t like the younger Kincade; she did, very much. It was just that she wanted to avoid any further contact with Noah, and dancing with Matt would have been like waving a red flag before an angry bull. “Matt, if you’ll excuse us?”
“Until later.” He bowed slightly as John led her back inside to join the dancers.
Eve’s grip on Noah’s arm was possessive as they stood together at the side of the dance floor.
“I’m so glad that you came tonight,” she purred, pressing her full bosom against the hard-muscled strength of his forearm as she turned to look up at him.
“So am I,” he replied evasively.
Realizing that it was getting late and that the ball would soon be over, Eve knew that she had to make her play for him now or risk losing him until the social scene brought them together again.
“There is no reason for our evening to end just because the Demorests’ ball does.” Her gaze upon him was openly brazen so there would be no mistaking the invitation she was offering.
Noah was about to decline as graciously as he could when he caught sight of CC returning to the ballroom on John’s arm. She looked totally happy and completely at ease. Though he didn’t quite understand why, he was suddenly furious, and he diverted his attention quickly to the lovely widow clinging to his arm.
“Is there a reason why we have to wait for the ball to end before making our departure?” he asked in low, seductive tones.
Eve’s breath caught in her throat as she looked up at him with luminous eyes, unable to believe her luck. “No. No, of course not….”
“Do you have your own carriage?”
“Yes,” she breathed excitedly.
“Then shall we have it brought around?”
“Please…”
Noah took charge in his usual manner, and after speaking privately with Matt for a few moments in the music room, he searched out Edward to bid him thanks and good night. CC, it seemed, was nowhere to be found as he and Eve were making their departure.
“Edward, please relay my deepest appreciation to your lovely daughter for her hospitality this evening,” Noah told his host.
“I shall do that,” he agreed, puzzled by her absence. It was in the poorest form not to be available to bid her guests good-bye. “Also, I had a private matter to discuss with you, and I was wondering if you could luncheon with me tomorrow.”
“I’d like that.”
“Shall I meet you at the Demorest home? Say about noon?”
“I’ll be waiting.”
CC had heard Noah as he’d ordered the Woodham carriage brought around, and though she’d tried to deny it, a shaft of pure agony had penetrated her heart. Kincade was the vile, amoral beast she’d thought him to be. He had gone from her to Eve without a pause, and just the thought of it left her feeling sick. CC disappeared from the ballroom when she noticed Noah and Eve moving toward the front hall. Seeking refuge in the seemingly deserted music room, she was determined to remain out of sight until they were gone.
“Is something wrong?”
The sound of Matthew’s voice behind her surprised CC, for she had thought she was alone. Sweeping about to face him, she forced a cool expression.
“No, why do you ask?” CC was not about to reveal the truth of her feelings to anyone.
“No reason. I just hadn’t expected to find you alone when you have a house full of guests,” he shrugged.
“You’re absolutely right,” she said hastily, “and I suppose I’d better rejoin them.”
Girding herself, CC started reluctantly toward the door, knowing that she would come face-to-face with Noah in the front foyer as she made her way back to the ballroom. Only Matt’s next words stopped her.
“Please, CC,” he spoke earnestly, “I wasn’t criticizing you for taking a moment to relax. You don’t have to rush back to the ballroom to be with your guests. After all, I’m a guest, too.” The engaging smile he gave her lightened her heart. “Stay. We can talk for a while.”
“I’d like that,” she managed, relief stealing through her at being saved from a confrontation with Noah and Eve. “I’d like that a lot.”
Chapter Ten
Anna greeted CC at the door to her bedroom when at long last CC finally made her way upstairs to retire for the night. Noting the strained exhaustion in h
er mistress’s unusually pale features, Anna wondered what had really taken place during the long hours of the ball.
“Miss CC? Aren’t you feeling well? Shall I help you undress and have a bath sent up?” Anna offered as CC sank down wearily on the bed.
“A bath would be heavenly, Anna. Thank you….”
“I’ll tell the others right away.” Anna hurried off to order the bath, leaving CC alone for the first time in hours.
Exhausted, CC sighed as she slipped off her shoes, and then, eager to get to bed, she stood up and began to undress by herself. It was when she stripped off her chemise that she first noticed the smear of dried blood on the inside of her thigh. A potent rage filled her at the sight of the damning evidence that testified to her own weakness. How could she have been so stupid as to surrender to Kincade? She knew what kind of man he was! His behavior tonight only convinced her all the more firmly that he was an unprincipled opportunist.
Quickly, lest Anna return and discover her foolishness, CC rushed to the washstand to scrub the telltale stain. Even as she washed the reminder of Noah’s possession from her flesh, she could not erase the memory of him from her mind…the sensual heat of his touch, the thrill of his kiss, the rapturous glory of his total possession….
CC muttered a vile curse under her breath. Lord Noah Kincade was a filthy, arrogant…Her hatred of him at that moment was so fierce that she couldn’t think of any expletives horrible enough to wreak on his character.
CC frowned as she reflected on all that had happened during the course of the night. Noah had assumed, just as Matt had, that she was engaged to John. He had accused her of attempting to use Matthew, though she wasn’t sure how she was supposed to be using him or to what end. And even though she had fought him almost from the start, he had insisted that he was only taking what she was offering….
