No Recourse

by Mari Carr

  “Oh no, miss. You ain’t gonna sleep here. I’m gonna take care of the horses and you’re gonna sleep in the house.”

  “The house? What house?”

  “Cap’n Campbell’s townhouse. This here is his stable.”

  “Oh, Templeton, you wonderful man. I could just kiss you.” Hayley was thrilled by the prospect of dry clothes and a warm bed.

  “Now, my lady, don’t be doin’ that. I don’t think the Cap’n would like that too much. You git along there and I’ll be in directly, once I got these horses taken care of,” Templeton replied, still blushing slightly. He proceeded to pull the saddle off her horse.

  “I can help,” she said, through a yawn.

  “Miss, you’re dead on your feet and injured to boot. Go along with you now. Cap’n will be hotter than fire when he finds out about this. If ye get pneumonia on top of it all, there won’t be no help for me.” Templeton shoved her lightly toward the door. “Butler’s name is Rogers. A regular nodcock. Don’t take no for an answer if he don’t wanna let ye in.”

  “Okay.” Sleep began to overcome her previous exhilaration. All the adrenaline escaped her body leaving an overwhelming weariness in its wake.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever been this tired. Templeton?”

  “Yes’m?”

  “Don’t worry about Jack. I’ll explain to him this was all my idea. I’ll make sure he understands you were protecting me.” Hayley shuffled slowly out of the stable, her feet dragging as she made her way to the townhouse.

  Templeton watched her go, making sure she made it inside safely and unseen. Then he murmured to himself. “Not me who should be worried. Gonna have to make sure Cap’n knows he got himself one in a million there.” Shaking his head, he smiled as he thought about the spirited woman he soon hoped would be his captain’s wife. Then despite his weariness, he began to whistle as he worked.

  Chapter 20

  It was two a.m. when Jack entered his townhouse. Exhausted and wet from the rain, he quietly let himself in and headed toward his bedroom.

  “Excuse me, sir,” said a quiet voice behind him.

  “Rogers,” Jack said, surprised. “I didn’t expect you to be awake.”

  “Yes sir, usually I do retire earlier but…” Rogers paused as if unsure.

  “What is it?” Jack was anxious to change his clothes before heading back out into the rain again. Damn Hayley Garland. When he got his hands on her, he’d kill her. He was weary to the bone from riding all over Dover trying to track her down. His only consolation was that he’d spotted his uncle and Rawlings still on the manhunt only ten minutes earlier. At least, they hadn’t captured her…yet.

  “Well, sir, I thought I should inform you that you have a guest,” Rogers said.

  “A guest?” Jack asked angrily. “At this hour? Why would you admit him? Who is it?”

  “I am afraid, sir, she was quite adamant that I allow her to come in. In fact, she pushed her way through the door. I was uncertain what to do. She was quite forceful and I didn’t wish to hurt her. She—” Again, Rogers paused as if uncertain how to continue.

  Jack was overcome with relief. “Tell me, this unwanted guest, she wouldn’t happen to be a redhead, dressed in men’s clothing and wearing a long, red cape?

  Relief enveloped Rogers’ face. “Yes sir, you know her?”

  Gritting his teeth, Jack simply nodded and headed toward the front room. “Is she in the study?”

  “Actually, no,” Rogers said, causing Jack to stop and turn, his hand poised to open the study door.

  “No?” Jack asked. “Then where is she?”

  Rogers’ face became a mottled purple as he searched for the answer least likely to throw his employer into a rage. “Well, sir…”

  “Where the hell is she?” Jack’s patience was at an end. He was fearful Hayley would escape again into the stormy night if left alone for too long.

  “Your bed chamber,” Rogers answered, ducking his head.

  Without another word, Jack rushed to his bedroom, his blood boiling with anger. He had expressly told her to stay at the Grange. She had a concussion and stitches, for God’s sake. What was she thinking riding out in a damned storm in the middle of the night? She had recklessly endangered her life—again. She had purposely thrown herself in his uncle’s path—again. The thought threw Jack into a black rage.

  Did she not have a care for her injuries and that the doctor had warned her to remain abed? He could only assume that the other rider had been Templeton, who was supposed to be guarding her at the Grange. He would kill his valet in the morning. Tonight he had a wayward firebrand to contend with.

  Swinging the door open, he stormed into the room ready to teach the impetuous Miss Garland a lesson she would not soon forget. Her sleeping form on his bed stopped him dead in his tracks. Curled on her side under a mountain of blankets, her head rested on his pillow with her hands tucked under her cheek. One quick survey of the room revealed her breeches and shirt hanging on a chair by the fire—drying.

  She had helped herself to one of his shirts. Her hair, pulled back into a loose cue at the base of her neck, had broken free of its constraints and several long, thick strands were swirling around her pale cheeks. She’d replaced the bandage on her forehead, as the clean, white pad was spotless and dry. Even with her injury, she never looked lovelier. She was so fierce and passionate when awake that the calm, peacefulness of her at rest struck him to the very depths of his soul.

  Slowly, he released the breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. The image of her in his bed had been playing in his dreams since the first night he’d met her. He pondered what to do next, torn—as usual—between ravishing her and beating her. Neither seemed likely to cool his blood completely. Nothing would ever calm the passion she stirred inside him.

  He moved toward her. As he walked, he removed his wet shirt. Sitting down, he pulled off his boots and stockings. He paused for only the briefest second before peeling off his damp breeches, all while keeping his eyes on her sleeping form. Naked, he walked to the opposite side of the bed, extinguished the candle and crawled under the sheets.

  Hayley awoke with a shiver as something large and cold brushed against her.

  “What—” The rest of her words captured as a mouth came over hers.

  Jack was in bed with her, kissing her as never before. All rational thought left her as she wrapped her arms around his neck and lost herself to the touch of his tongue against hers. This kiss seemed different from all their previous ones. Hayley wondered how each kiss from this man could be so unique and compelling. It was a gift. His hands left her hair and traveled down her arms and around her waist. Without breaking the kiss, he tugged at her—actually his—shirt and reached beneath.

  “Hey,” she squealed, breaking the kiss and jumping back as his icy hands touched her bare skin. “You’re freezing.” Then another fact made itself apparent. “And naked.”

  Shadows cast from the fire and faint moonlight hid his features. She could only see the outline of his face so close to hers.

  “I warned you before about being caught alone in a man’s bedroom, Miss Garland.” His voice was deep and quiet and she couldn’t quite discern the tone behind it. Was he angry? She was sure he must be. He had to know she was the one who’d intercepted the earl. She was certain he had seen her from the ship.

  “Jack,” she said softly. “I know you’re probably upset with me, but—”

  “I’m not upset,” Jack interrupted. “In fact, I’m delighted.”

  Delighted? Not likely.

  “If you would just let me explain—”

  “No explanation is necessary,” Jack said, interrupting her again. “You came to my bed fully aware of what would happen. I’m simply taking what you’re offering.”

  “What?” Hayley started to leap up. A strong arm across her shoulders halted her attempt to flee.

  “Jack—” she began, only to have her protest stopped with another kiss. A powerful kiss tha
t would have blown the shoes off her feet had she been wearing any. Damn the man. She was powerless against his kisses and he knew it.

  Speaking against her lips—as if unwilling to separate even an inch—he said, “I can’t let you leave here without touching you.”

  Hayley’s heart pounded so hard she couldn’t believe it was still residing in her chest.

  “I can’t let you leave without tasting you,” he added.

  His tongue flicked across her top lip before moving to sample the bottom. She should protest. She knew where this was leading, but she simply didn’t care. She wanted him. For the first time in her life, she wanted a man to touch her.

  Jack’s mouth nuzzled her neck before moving to take her earlobe between his teeth. His breath was hot in her ear. “Let me touch you.”

  Uncertain whether it was question or a command, she realized it didn’t matter because he didn’t wait for a reply. His hands were sliding her borrowed shirt over her head. Naked except for her panties, the slightest amount of fear began to creep in as she realized that no man had ever seen her undressed.

  The familiar sense of being powerless began to race through her as he bent his head and took her nipple in his mouth. Gasping, she froze. Then resisting her initial fears, she slowly raised her hands to Jack’s hair, relishing the feeling of his hot breath and wet tongue on such a sensitive area.

  His hands roamed over her waist and stomach gently rubbing the soft skin as his lips traveled to her other breast. Hayley breathed a soft sigh and she felt Jack’s smile against her body. When he was finished his ministrations to her taut nipples, he began to slowly inch down, his mouth and tongue caressing her abdomen, teasing her navel. With two fingers, he tugged her panties down. She stiffened, trying to grab Jack’s hands to stop him.

  “No,” she whispered, but he didn’t stop until her panties were completely removed. “Jack,” she said more forcefully. “Wait, please.” She hated the pleading sound of her voice, but her previous passion quickly turned to ice-cold fear.

  He moved until his body was parallel to hers. Elbow bent, his head resting on his hand, he lightly caressed her stomach as he bent over to kiss her again.

  “Why wait? You must be as aware as I that this is inevitable.” His voice was soft with no trace of the previous anger.

  She caught a glimpse of his dark eyes as he gazed at her. “Jack.” Her voice quivered. Clearing her throat, she began again. “I need a second to think.”

  She sensed his smile more than saw it. “Hayley, my love, if I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that thinking in bed is never a good idea. What I’m going to do to you is best felt, not thought about.”

  Throughout their conversation, his hand continued its light touches over her breasts, around her throat, her stomach.

  Leaning over her, he continued to touch her. “For example, when I do this…” He placed his hand between her thighs, his fingers traveling to her most private place. They gently prodded and caressed her mons, eliciting a shudder of ecstasy before pausing briefly to rest at the entrance to her body.

  Her breath came in heavy, short pants, though whether from fear or excitement she wasn’t sure. Jack brought his face closer to hers, watching her reaction. His thumb brushed her clitoris, while he slowly slid one finger into her.

  She gasped, her eyes wide and focused on Jack’s face. He kissed her lightly as his fingers moved slowly over her most sensitive places.

  “Are you thinking, firebrand,” he whispered, “or feeling?”

  Hayley couldn’t force her mind to focus on anything except his fingers and the feelings he was creating in her untried body. Her treacherous hips betrayed her, thrusting forward to capture more of Jack’s finger. His soft chuckle brought her back to her senses, waking up another voice, another laugh, one she’d been a fool to think she could escape.

  “No.” She pushed his hand away and attempted to escape. Her entire body trembled with cold and terror. Jack sat up and caught her.

  “Wait,” he said softly, though his hands on her shoulders were anything but soft. He wasn’t going to give her an opportunity to leave the bed. “I’ll stop,” he said as Hayley began to fight him in earnest. He released her instantly.

  Panic and fear took over and she was no longer in control of her actions. She stumbled as she hastily retreated to the far end of the room. She was gasping for breath, her teeth chattering, her body betraying her with violent tremors.

  “Hayley.” Jack was obviously frantic to understand why she was so frightened and trying to figure out a way to calm her down. “I won’t hurt you. I’m sorry. I should have stopped when you said no. I swear, I won’t touch you again. Please calm down.”

  Taking deep breaths, she felt guilt and sorrow for the concerned look on his face. After several moments, she regained control of the shaking and her breathing came more naturally. Glancing down, she noticed her knuckles were white from the death grip she had on the back of a chair. She slowly unclenched her hands.

  Not again. Please God, not again.

  She closed her eyes in embarrassment, afraid to look at Jack, afraid to see what he must truly think of her. She was standing before him completely naked and acting like a lunatic. How could she explain? She doubted he’d ever want to see her again after tonight. At least, that was the response of the other man she’d dated—although that panic attack had left him with a black eye after he’d merely kissed her. She’d never gotten this far with any man.

  Why should Jack be any different from anyone else?

  Who wants to be with a woman you can’t touch?

  Deep inside, she’d hoped Jack would be the exception. What she felt for him was different from anyone else in her past. She had—for a brief moment—wanted him to touch her, wanted him in a way she’d never thought possible.

  “Hayley.” His soft voice came from across the room. “Look at me.”

  “Jack,” she whispered, unable to lift her gaze. “I’m s-sorry. I should leave.”

  “Look at me, Hayley.”

  She sensed he was on the verge of coming to her and the idea frightened her enough to allow her to open her eyes and gaze into his. She was surprised by what she saw, or actually, what she didn’t see. There was no disgust or pity in his gaze, only concern.

  “I’ll leave,” she said again.

  Jack shook his head. “Oh no, you’re not going anywhere tonight. Not until we discuss what happened here.”

  “No,” Hayley answered. “There’s nothing to talk about. I think it would be better if I left and we forgot about this.”

  She watched him look at her and then the door. He was gauging his chances of stopping her. Under ordinary circumstances, she could definitely make it before he reached her. Unfortunately, she didn’t intend to escape into the cold rainy night without any clothes on.

  “I want to get dressed.” She felt exposed and embarrassed.

  Slowly, he got out of the bed and bent over to pick up a dry pair of pants. He slid them on as Hayley swayed slightly at the sight of his naked form. She’d never seen such an incredibly handsome man or one so physically fit. Hayley had felt the strength in his arms and legs before, but seeing them without clothing made her suddenly feel helpless. The terror reappeared and she had to avert her eyes to control her overwrought emotions.

  When would this feeling go away?

  Why couldn’t she be normal?

  Quietly, she walked to the fire, praying her clothing had dried. Donning her shirt, she reached for her damp jeans. She began to pull them on only to have them taken from her. She flinched as Jack—silent as a stalking panther—came up beside her.

  “You’ll get sick if you put those back on.” He was careful not to touch her or get too close. Hayley grimaced, feeling foolish for making such an ass of herself. He was obviously afraid he’d set her off again.

  The thought of him no longer touching her crushed what was left of her already breaking heart. Ever since the first night they’d met, she’d
felt comfortable with his small caresses and touches. She couldn’t understand why he alone could touch her so casually and she didn’t freeze up or act like a crazy woman. She was mistaken to believe her phobia was cured and now—thanks to her typical overreaction—she had driven away the only man she’d ever truly wanted.

  “God.” Anguish rife in her voice. “What’s wrong with me? Why does this always happen?” Her frustration and anger broke through. Picking up a glass from the table by the fire, she threw it against a wall, shattering it and cracking the plaster. “Fuck!”

  Running her hands through her hair, she paced the room. Tears gathered in her lashes and she urgently attempted to choke them back. She dashed them away swiftly with the back of her hand. “I’m sorry about the glass,” she said, and then, after a brief glance at her destruction, she added, “And the wall.”

  “Sit down, Hayley.” Jack was calm and slightly detached as he spoke. Ignoring him, she continued to walk the length of the room, gathering her belongings. She had to get out of the room before she did anything else she would regret.

  His strong hand reached out, stilling her movements. “I said sit down.” His voice was soft, yet firm, but what stopped her wasn’t his words, but his hand. It rested lightly on her shoulder. She tensed up, waiting for the cold grip of fear to consume her, but it didn’t.

  Confused, she looked at Jack’s face and saw he was as puzzled and tense as she. He seemed to expect a reaction as well. When he realized she wasn’t going to run away, he repeated his request. “Please sit down. We’re going to talk even if I have to tie you to that chair. Do you understand?”

  She smiled at his imperious tone. His demand gave her hope. Perhaps she hadn’t scared him away. He’d seen her at her worst and he still wanted to talk to her. Relief flooded her body. Words flowed out that she’d never spoken aloud before.