The 12th Kiss

by Laura Hogg

  "A pin fell from his clothes. It had your family crest on it, the eagle with a rose in its talons."

  "Oh?"

  "Who exactly in your family owns one, Benjamin, and wears it around?"

  He sighed. “My father had three younger brothers. How old was this man that you dealt with?"

  "He was old enough to be an uncle, a very healthy uncle."

  "I see. All the men in my family were sportsmen, but—"

  "Benjamin, where are your parents?"

  "Traveling."

  "They were not at our wedding."

  "Please do not ask me to discuss that."

  "What are you hiding from me, Benjamin?"

  "You are one to talk about hiding things, Relief."

  "Talk to me."

  "We do not get on well. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

  "No."

  "I almost killed their daughter."

  She nodded.

  "Joan forgave me after several years of being a good, deeply regretful brother. Our parents, however, never forgave me. I never forgave myself."

  "I'm sorry. Benjamin, how would anyone in your family come to know my pursuer from Asia?"

  "They travel often."

  "All of them?"

  "Two of my uncles journeyed to compete in fights. My parents have been traveling to get away from my detestable presence. It seems that they do not even want to be in the same country as I am in for long."

  "I am so sorry."

  "So am I."

  "Has anyone in your family ever been to Asia?"

  "It is possible. I do not know."

  She was intently focused on this conversation, trying to unravel the mystery. “My harasser had traveled all over Europe. I would not be surprised if he competed in many fights. He reveled in it, especially if the fights were to the death. He had a mild limp and he never forgave my teacher because it tarnished his perfect record, the one that permitted him to be the most feared fighter of his country. But even with the injury, he could still combat in a most vicious manner."

  "I have one uncle who would compete in underground fights, the kind without rules or consequences."

  "Could it be him?"

  "No."

  "Why not?"

  "He died in one of those fights, some time ago."

  "Did he speak often with your father?"

  "Of all the siblings, those two were closest. They communicated often."

  "Now we are making some progress. Benjamin, your cousin—"

  "The Marquess?"

  "Yes. He would inherit your title if you died."

  He chuckled. “He has no need for it, his title being even greater than my father's."

  She touched her chest. “Oh, course!” She shook her head. “Your English titles.” She grinned. “He'd have to be your mother's nephew."

  "Yes."

  "But, don't you have male cousins on your father's side?"

  "One uncle never married, and never had children. Actually, Relief, he disgraced himself. He committed a high crime and fled the country.” He looked briefly at the floor of the carriage then back at her. “That's why my father is such a stickler for proper behavior and decorum. He thinks I'm a disgrace."

  She blinked away tears of sadness for him, and held her tongue, spellbound.

  He continued. “The other uncle died fighting Napoleon. He left a child. Mary is my only paternal cousin, and she ran away with that outcast Hawksworth. My mother's nephew is my closest male relative after my father. A century ago, the families of both my parents were connected by blood. My parents are cousins many times removed. So you can see how my cousin would inherit the title, if he didn't look down his imperial nose at a mere Earl."

  His face registered unhappiness. She touched his arm.

  "Benjamin, my love, I am so sorry."

  He pulled her into the circle of his arms and pressed his mouth over hers, demanding her love, his tongue caressing hers sensuously. Mesmerized by his touch, she quivered under the grip of his possessive hands. She surrendered to her building passion, and then at last, he pulled away.

  "Darling,” her breath came out in a whisper.

  He sighed. “Wife."

  His intense gaze bore into hers. She gulped and lowered her eyes to study her trembling hands. Her breathing was ragged. She fisted her hands, did a silent meditation, and then lifted her eyes to her husband's. “Benjamin, some time ago your uncle had to have made the acquaintance of the man who pursued me."

  "They saw a benefit in joining forces."

  "You could be an easier target if you were going after my killer. We made things tremendously easy and clear to them by falling in love and becoming a couple."

  "This all means that someone in my family wants me dead, Relief.” He placed his elbows on his knees, and his face propped in his hands.

  Her heart throbbed with sad anger for him. She wanted to kill someone for doing this to him. She paused. Killing is evil. Not kill, just knock senseless. “I know. It is no wonder that my would-be killer wanted you to see him drain the life from me. He knew it would enrage you. Angry people do not think as clearly. Angry people make mistakes. You would try to find him. You would eventually be careless, and he could hand you over to his partner. Perhaps his partner offered him a great deal of money to ruffle your feathers for him."

  "It all makes sense."

  "It was in Asia.” She turned and looked out the window at the dark streets, but the people walking along did not capture her attention. Dreamily, she went back into the past. “My holy man saw my temper. He taught me not to act on it. He told me that if I did not learn to control my thoughts, I would end up killing someone in anger someday. He said that I had the talent to do it. I learned to restrain myself, but I still feel bits of temper."

  "That's why you let that highwayman go."

  She just gave him a long look.

  "What are you not telling me, Relief?"

  "Perhaps I was wrong. He had hurt your driver, but I knew that if I turned him in, I would be sending him to his death. I am deeply conflicted in situations like that. I only render them senseless, even dangerous ones because I know that I could kill them. Am I wrong?"

  "I choose not to answer that, Relief."

  "Benjamin?"

  "I will not answer that question."

  After a long pause, she glanced back out the window of the moving vehicle. A boy led a small girl by the hand—his sister? Relief recalled Joan, and apprehension tightened her stomach. She curled her fingers tightly. “My Lord?"

  "Yes?"

  "I heard from the guard following Joan."

  He leaned forward and took her hands in his. “Tell me,” he breathed out, anxiously.

  "Oh, Benjamin, you have been hurt enough this day."

  He squeezed her hands. “Now, I demand to know!"

  "She's very happy."

  He gave her a frown. “And this is supposed to hurt me?"

  "Not that. What she said to tell you."

  "What would that be?” He braced himself, lengthening his spine, watching her intently, and seeming to hold his breath.

  "To go to the devil."

  He looked into her eyes for a long moment. That last statement appeared to hit him, draining the blood from his face, as painful as a punch to his stomach. His eyes revealed his pain.

  He cleared his throat. “Please elaborate."

  "Benjamin.” Tears burned her eyes. She lifted a gentle hand to his cheek and cupped it. “She never did forgive you. She only pretended. She hates your parents as well. She said that they stole her. If they had truly loved her, they would have at least showed up to the wedding that they were trying to force upon her. She said that they did it for their own purposes and deuce it if it were the way of things."

  He closed his eyes and lowered his chin. She pulled his head to her breast and held him there. His face was warm against the exposed skin of her neckline. Before she knew it, he placed a soft kiss there. And then another, and another. It be
came more urgent. He worked his way up to her neck. She threw her head back and sighed.

  Relief looked at her husband and touched the back of his head, and whispered in a sultry voice into his ear. “Benjamin, I fear that if you were to lift my dress right now, I would give in to your most wicked delights and mingle great pleasure with you."

  "Give me that kiss, Relief, and I will take you to our home and do just that."

  She closed her eyes. “By giving you that kiss, I will be giving you my soul. Isn't it enough that I am willing to lay down my life for you? I do not know which is worse, controlling my temper so that I don't kill someone, or not making passionate, crazy, reckless, abandoned love to you.” Her eyes came open, her breath suspended.

  His mouth dropped open and his chest began to rise and fall at a much quicker rate. He looked into her face with an expression of agony.

  "Please shoot me Relief, for I do not know how much more of this I can take. I do not want to lose my honor and ravish you against your will."

  Relief smirked. “Try it, my lord, and I will break my own code of honor and kill you myself,” she said, glowering at him through narrowed eyes, voice laced with mirth.

  Benjamin took his wife's hands and gripped them in his. “We will be great together, Relief."

  "It will never be until you allow me to be myself."

  "I just can't. I deeply regret it Relief. It injures me profoundly."

  "Benjamin, then there is something that I could never tell you."

  "What would that be?"

  "If I could tell you that, I would not have used the words, ‘I could never tell you.’”

  He gave her a stern look. “I could order you."

  "Yes you could. You are my legal husband."

  "In that case,” he sighed, “I demand that you tell me."

  "Make me."

  He raised his brows. “You saucy little chit!” He tickled her sides and she laughed.

  "Stop! Please, oh stop!"

  "Not until you tell me!"

  "Oh please, Benjamin, I beg you, stop!"

  "Not ... until ... you tell me!"

  "Fine, I surrender."

  He stopped tickling her suddenly, pulled her close and looked into her face ardently. She closed her eyes and sighed. She opened them to look into his desperate eyes.

  "Fine, don't tell me, but be my wife."

  "You have no idea how much I want to."

  Twenty-seven

  Relief was repeating a long string of musical phrases in her practice parlor. She found the discipline to be not only enjoyable, but helpful, for it ensured that she continued to master voice modulation. It also made her feel exquisitely feminine.

  She was going over the most difficult part when Honora strolled over to the pianoforte—she expected in order to join her in a song or two. She stopped singing and greeted her sister with a hopeful smile. A rapping on the front door sent her pulse racing.

  "I hope it's Benjamin."

  "Why?” Honora said.

  "Because my heart breaks when he leaves my presence."

  "Wait here, Leafy. Why don't you practice some of your most beautiful phrases? If it is your husband, I will bring him in to see you at your practice. Let him once again be awed by you."

  Light laughter spilled from her lips, and she gave Honora a gentle shove towards the door. “Then I shall go and write some letters and give you two some privacy!"

  Suddenly Relief was jittery. Her heart thudded in her chest as she anticipated his presence. She closed her eyes.

  For you, my love. Her eyes fluttered open; she drew breath from her abdomen, and then placed an elegant hand there. She reached from her soul for the most beautiful melody of her experience, and produced it with loving intention and dedication. Silky, sultry, sad notes filled the room with her longing.

  He walked into the room and froze just within the doorway, beholding her with eyes of wonderment.

  The melody died, its last notes fading in the air. He took her breath from her. Her hand fell to her side, and she leaned over, placing her fingers flatly on the pianoforte.

  "My love?” His brow crinkled in concern, and he strode over to her, placing a hand under her elbow.

  She straightened. “I'm quite well, Benjamin."

  "Was that—for me?"

  She nodded once.

  He stared back at her with anxious desire and pulled her into a hungry kiss.

  Their lips parted slowly, and he tipped back, holding her around her waist.

  "Madam,” he brought his lips to behind her ear and brushed a kiss there. “You once again,” he nudged her neck and left a soft trail of kisses there. “Take me to new heights.” He tugged at the skin near her shoulder with his teeth so softly it sent shivers throughout her body. “I fear that you render it quite impossible for me to ever leave you be.” He drew slightly away and stared at her with serious eyes.

  Alarm sped through her. She was dangerously close to surrendering to him, letting him have it his way. “Benjamin,” she said softly, and with a touch of melancholy.

  "Relief, is something the matter?"

  "I want to leave England and travel."

  "I do not want you to leave the country without me, Relief. I could not keep an eye on you if you do. I do not want to do this to you, but if you go, I will be with you, and no fighting! Otherwise, beloved, you are not free to go. I'm sorry."

  "Benjamin,” she said then frowned grandly. “You would stop me?"

  "From leaving the country without me, yes. And do not even harbor the idea of fleeing again. I will search for you until the day I die."

  She looked to the floor. He nudged her chin up.

  "Relief, my love, I have a proposition for you."

  She blinked back a tear, curious.

  "We will be a happy couple living together and raising our talented children together. You could teach our babies to coo in Italian. What do you think?"

  She twisted away from him and brought her fingertips to her lips, rushed with sadness, torn between two lives she wanted very badly.

  He grasped her upper arm and whispered lovingly into her ear. “I will never give up on you."

  * * * *

  She was delighting in her latest costume, Olivia, Raphael's sister, because it gave her the opportunity to be out on her own and not be approached as Lady Cheltham. She entered a charming little hat shop and inspected a bonnet with an ostrich feather. Mr. Richards approached her, having seen her from the window.

  "Miss, you will pardon me. Where is your escort?” He looked from side to side.

  "I do not require one, sir."

  He lifted a brow. “Women of quality—"

  "Are you questioning my good name, sir? You have not ever made my acquaintance."

  "No, no. Miss, forgive me. I'm just surprised."

  "What do you want, sir?"

  "You, well, to be honest, I could not help but to notice you. You are a most elegant young lady."

  She grinned. “Thank you, sir."

  "Oh my. That is quite a smile you have, Miss."

  "Sir, I am engaged in personal business.” She stretched her neck and glanced over his shoulder in order to dismiss him.

  "Wait, Miss, what is your name?"

  "That is quite my own affair. A proper young lady would not give it out to a stranger."

  "Would it be possible for us to meet at a very public place filled with people and exchange discourse there?"

  She just gave him a calculating look. Then she said, “I am spoken for, sir."

  "Married?"

  "Yes."

  "Oh, I am quite sorry."

  "I dare say you should not be. I am married to a good man."

  "Miss, would you be open to er ... indiscretions?"

  "What?"

  "Upon my word, I mean no disrespect. It's just that you remind me of the beautiful Relief Moore. I am quite in love with her, I will have you know, but she won't have me."

  "Good day, sir."

  "
Miss—” He touched her shoulder. She flipped him, threw him on the floor and marched out of the shop with the elegance of a sophisticated lady.

  * * * *

  Hidden at a discreet distance behind her, Lord Cheltham suppressed his laugh. She was probably the only woman in England who could do that, and for some reason, he was glad that she had that ability. His heart beat fast, half in pride, and half in regret. He wanted to be her protector.

  He rubbed his forehead, frustrated at his predicament and headed down the now dark streets. As he was following her, a couple of ruffians jumped him from behind. He kicked backwards and struck one attacker in the knee. The man yelled out. Ahead, Relief turned in his direction. She ran, almost tripping over her skirts. She lifted them and continued as fast as she could toward the commotion. Lord Cheltham threw fierce punches at the two men and received a few in return.

  Relief stopped abruptly in her boots. She lurched forward but halted and hopped from foot to foot, throwing a little fist into the air. “Go Benjamin!” she shouted.

  He glanced at her quickly and ducked a facer.

  "Stay back, Olivia!"

  She nodded frantically.

  "Kick him in the arse!” she yelled.

  He hit one man in the stomach. He doubled over. The next man swung at him. Lord Cheltham knocked him out with one punch to the face. Relief cheered and clapped. The first man straightened and darted toward him.

  "Benjamin, a dagger!"

  He barely swerved out of the way of the knife. The man swung again and swiped his arm. Blood seeped through Lord Cheltham's shirt. Relief slapped her hand to her mouth, appearing desperate to jump into the fight, still bouncing from one foot to the other. Lord Cheltham got in a good punch to his opponent's face. The scoundrel toppled back but caught himself.

  He rubbed his jaw, spitting out with hatred, “You will find your death, Viscount.” He ran down the dark street.

  Lord Cheltham followed him. A racing carriage came seemingly from out of nowhere. A hand appeared and pulled the rogue up into the vehicle, and they were off as fast as their horses could run.

  Lord Cheltham stood there trying to catch his breath. He bent and grasped his knees, sore, and perturbed. He straightened and marched back. He saw Relief shaking the now barely alert man by his lapels.