Take My Heart (Heroic Rogues Series)

by Marie Higgins

  William sighed as relief poured through him, his heart hammering with anticipation. He wanted to shout with happiness, but kept focused on remaining serious in front of the man. “That particular matter we will have to take up with Mr. Kennedy. Building is his part of the business. I only draw, sir.”

  Burwell laughed and slapped him on the back. “I like you, Braxton. You have a good head on your shoulders, and it’s refreshing to know a man who is not afraid to use his intellect.”

  “Thank you. That is quite a compliment, Colonel.”

  “Since I am already acquainted with Mr. Kennedy, I have no qualms about hiring your team to build new ships for the King’s Navy. The King needs good people on his side, and I am relieved to see we still have a few of the faithful here in Philadelphia.”

  “But of course, Colonel. My loyalties have always sided with the King, and I am appalled to think some of my very own countrymen are turning their backs on their home country.” The forced words left a bitter taste in William’s mouth. By the grace of God, one day soon William would have the freedom to say what he really felt without threat of a hangman’s noose.

  The colonel nodded. “Well said, Braxton.” He grabbed his hat and turned toward the door. “Have Mr. Kennedy pay me a visit and we shall discuss payment. Although I am certain the King will pay quite handsomely.”

  William held his breath again, praying for the invitation he’d been hoping would come for a couple of days now, but the arrogant Colonel Burwell just plopped his hat on his head and walked out of the office without another word.

  William gnashed his teeth and stormed to his desk. The deal he made with Colonel Burwell would make him a very rich man, but the money received would help fund the Sons of Liberty instead of fattening William’s bank account. Right now, they could use all the help they could get. Men like Burwell aggravated William quickly. He contemplated shooting the enemies himself. But that wouldn’t accomplish his goal and would get his neck stretched at the end of a rope.

  He sighed and sank into his hard, wooden chair, turning his gaze to the office window and the busy main street below. Although grateful for his position with Brandon Kennedy, he longed for the freedom during the day to do whatever he wished. Before he married Kat, he’d had that kind of life. In fact, he could have made a decent life for his new wife and children, but Kat had to have more. She had to have a wealthier husband. Well, now she had one and yet all she wanted was to see how many other men she could make kiss her feet and eat out of the palm of her hand.

  William couldn’t complain too much, though. If it weren’t for Kat, he wouldn’t be able to spy on Brandon Kennedy. It helped that Brandon was a comrade with the enemy.

  The brilliant scarlet coat of Colonel Burwell drew his attention as the man stopped in front of a shop and talked with a woman. William wouldn’t have bothered with his curiosity, but two small children stood by the woman’s side.

  Kat!

  William jumped and his chair scraped the wooden floor as he moved to the window. Although the colonel had his back toward him, Kat smiled as she chatted with the soldier. Even from William’s vantage point, he realized the way she spoke with the other man was far different than before. Kat always had to touch, bat her eyes, and use her perfect-shaped lips to pout. But she was doing none of that now.

  Why? Whatever Kat does, she does for selfish purposes.

  After a few minutes, the colonel walked away, and Kat and the children moved to the next shop. William had threatened her this morning to take special care of his children, and it surprised him she’d actually listened. Even the maid walked behind holding Lizzy’s hand.

  Raking his fingers through his hair, he exhaled deeply. His mind hadn’t been focused since Kat had returned from her secret little holiday as his wife, and he didn’t like the confusion swimming in his head. Something wasn’t right, yet he couldn’t decipher what it was. It was as if she were a completely different person.

  The chiming from the bell on the door pulled William’s attention to the front office. His friend stepped into view and pulled off his hat.

  William smiled. “Gabe? What are you doing here?”

  The younger man walked to the desk and sat on the corner, swinging his leg. “I followed your wife like you requested, but I have to say, there is something very different about her.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “To begin with, she would not sit in the front of the buggy with me, but insisted on being in back with your children. Not once throughout the morning has she flirted with any men. When she walked past the soldiers outside the tavern, she just nodded and proceeded on her way.” Gabe shook his head. “I tell you, William, her strange behavior has me worried.”

  “I think she knows we are watching her, so she is on guard.” William scrubbed his hand over his chin. “She is a great performer, but she will slip up one of these days, and I will be right there when she does.”

  “What are you watching for?”

  “I do not believe she went to visit her sister. I’m more inclined to think she spent time with some soldier. It could have been Colonel Burwell for that matter. I think she knows a vital piece of information that might help our cause, and I am going to catch her before she acts on her knowledge.”

  Gabe nodded. “I’ll be alert for any peculiar activity.”

  William sat behind his desk, stretching his legs beneath the solid oak. He hesitated in asking, only because the subject made him irritable, but he had to know. “Gabe? Has she snuck away from the house to meet secretly with a man since she has been back?”

  “No, not at all. And I have kept constant watch on her.” Gabriel moved to the window and peered out.

  William shook his head. “Something is not right, and it is maddening.”

  Gabe ambled over to him and squeezed his shoulder. “I shall keep following her. I’ll not let you down.”

  William smiled and clapped his friend’s hand. “I know. Keep a sharp eye. She is a sneaky one.”

  When the door closed behind Gabriel, William stretched his stiff neck. Thank heaven the Sons of Liberty had that man on their side. Gabe had discovered Kat sneaking out of the house one week after she and William were married. She enjoyed charming almost every man she came in contact with...all except her own husband. Sometimes William wondered why he repulsed her so.

  Kat was very much like his first wife, Victoria, in that respect.

  He groaned and slunk lower in his chair. Victoria, the sweet, caring, and tender mother of his children. The perfect wife…until it came to performing her wifely duties she abhorred. He tried to convince her making love wasn’t a chore, but a pleasurable, natural experience between husband and wife. Victoria didn’t see it that way. He’d been gentle and patient with her, but he hated knowing she abhorred the act. The only good that came out of their brief moments of coupling were his son and daughter.

  At times during their marriage, he’d felt less than a man, but always stayed true to their vows. On her deathbed, she urged him to find another wife—a mother to raise their children. When he’d first met Kat, he thought she was the one. Just like Victoria, Kat had been innocent and shy, so he didn’t rush her. Within a week, he discovered from Gabe that Kat had been unfaithful. Even with William’s business partner, Brandon Kennedy, for goodness sake! After that, William hadn’t wanted to touch his wife.

  He picked up his quill and concentrated on his sketches, but from outside, a woman’s sweet laughter rose above the hustle from the busy street. He lifted his gaze out the window. Kat skipped with his children down the street. For the first time since Victoria died, a smile highlighted his son’s face as he held onto Kat’s hand and looked up into her eyes.

  The mismatched pair hurried across the street toward his office, and William’s heart melted. Quick as lightening, he cursed the feeling, reminding himself this was only an act. Kat wasn’t the loving and charming person she portrayed, but a she-devil in disguise. He couldn’t allow himself to trust
her.

  Not now.

  Not ever.

  Chapter Five

  It had been several hours since the sun had lowered in the western horizon. William rubbed his eyes, trying to decide what time it was. His guess; three in the morning. Mayhap four. He climbed out of bed after tossing and turning for some time and walked to the window. A sheath of black cloaked the land, lightning flashed in the distance, followed by a low rumble of thunder. Storms had always soothed him, and he was content to sit and watch.

  He parted the curtain just enough to witness the slashes of light in the sky and made himself comfortable in a heavily cushioned chair. The storm advanced in slow degrees, rumbling and stamping its way across the peaceful landscape. Several times his body relaxed, but the persistent roar of thunder jolted him alert and left him emotionally restless.

  The storm was not the main reason his slumber had been thwarted, instead, it was the wayward wife he’d married two years ago. If only he could banish her from his thoughts. But when he tried, he couldn’t erase the memory of his six-year-old son’s glowing smile as he’d looked up at his stepmother.

  Yesterday, William had anticipated a visit by the little group at his office, but instead Kat took his children home. When he returned to the house after work, his eager little boy described in great detail the morning, and both James and Lizzy presented him with gifts—a silver clothing brush and brown slippers.

  The joyous moments with his children felt like Christmas all over again. It softened William’s heart to know Kat had indeed, treated them well, yet she’d left a gaping hole of suspicion buried deep in his chest, making him uneasy.

  The morning had snuck on him, and finally, the sun rose in the sky. William lifted himself from the chair and dressed for the day. Brandon Kennedy would be back in the office today, and William awaited the news of their new contract with the King’s Navy, but more importantly, he hoped he’d hear more about Colonel Burwell’s activities. William still sought an invitation to the colonel’s weekend party, and he’d not let up until he physically held the invitation.

  Making his way down the stairs, he listened for Kat’s voice, but a hollow silence hung in the air. At last, signs of regularity. He knew it wouldn’t take long before she went back into her idle habits.

  The cook had a honey butter scone, a hot cup of strong coffee, and the morning newspaper waiting for him at the table when he entered the dining room.

  “Good morning, Horace,” he greeted the older black woman.

  “‘Mornin’, Mistah Braxton.”

  William sat, then flipped open the paper. “Did my children tell you about their eventful morning yesterday?”

  “Oh, yessuh.” The older woman laughed, the extra amount of flesh on her chin and neck shook in rhythm. “James is still talkin’ ‘bout it dis mornin’.”

  William lowered the paper and stared at her. “This morning? James is up this early?”

  “Why, yessuh, Mistah Braxton. Him and Miz Braxton went outside to watch Levi and Hiram exercise de horses.”

  “What?” He jumped out of his chair, knocking it over in the process. He strode to the window and looked toward the stables just down the hill.

  His son stood beside Kat, his eyes wide as his head swung back and forth between Kat and the horse. Then his son laughed for the second time since his mother had died. Kat reached down and stroked James’ cheek, her face lit with merriment as she laughed along with him.

  What was her purpose? A throb in the base of William’s skull began, pounding harder the more his anger climbed. He fisted his hands and slammed them on the windowpane. He’d find out right now about that scheming woman’s plans.

  Putting aside his morning meal, he marched outside toward the stables, ready to verbally shred his wife apart. He neared and the joyous peals of laughter from his son filled the quiet morning air, decreasing his anger. Crisp morning wind whipped around his son’s head and teased the baby curls dampened against his moist forehead. James glanced William’s way, broke away from the fence and ran toward him.

  “Papa, do you know what?” The red-faced boy continued without waiting for a reply. “We’re watching the horses get exercised, and in a few minutes Mercy will let me ride with her.”

  William knelt in front of James and brushed his hand across his son’s pink cheeks. Kat met his gaze over James’ head. She smiled and tightness gripped his chest.

  “Good morning, William,” she acknowledged, her voice filled with sweetness.

  He wished she wouldn’t say his name in such a soft tone. The sound compared to heavenly harps as they played in his lonely ears, making him long for a relationship that would never happen. More importantly, it made him wish for the wife she would never be.

  He nodded. “Good morning, Kat. What is this I hear about you going for a morning ride with my son?” He stood and took a step toward her.

  “Yesterday James mentioned he had not been riding, and I thought—”

  “You should not think without consulting with me first.” His voice boomed through the air, loud enough that it startled the horse standing by the fence. The animal snorted and jerked away from them.

  Kat’s smile faded and the light in her green eyes dimmed. The urge to apologize hung strong on William’s tongue. He shouldn’t have spoken so roughly. But he remained stern in his decision.

  “As you wish. I will do so now.” She lifted her chin. “Will you allow James to go on a short ride with me this morning?”

  Before he could answer, his son yanked on William’s sleeve. He tried to ignore the young child, but James would not let him.

  “Please, Papa? I really wanna go with Mercy.”

  William arched his brow at his wife. “Mercy? When did he start addressing you by that name?”

  “When I gave him permission to use my nickname.”

  “I thought your nickname was Kat.”

  “No. You are the only person who has ever called me that name, which I still do not understand.”

  “’Tis because of the wild streak in you. You are a wild cat.”

  “So you think, but I also know you call me that to taunt me further.”

  “Aye. The name fits the reputation of the woman I married quite well.”

  “Papa?” James tugged on his sleeve again. “Mercy said I could call her that. Please do not be mad.”

  William glanced down into the grayish-blue eyes of his son and smiled, knowing he couldn’t deny him anything. “I am not angry, James, but I would like to talk to Mercedes for a few minutes. Will you go to the house and help Horace in the kitchen?”

  James frowned. “No. You are gonna yell at Mercy again, and I wanna go riding.”

  “James.” William gave him a sharp tone. “Do as I say.”

  “James, honey?” The mysterious woman crouched to the boy’s level. She smiled, her eyes softening. “If your father does not wish you to go riding with me, we must obey. Perhaps he thinks you are still too young. I should have asked before inviting you.” She pushed an unruly lock of James’ chestnut hair off his forehead.

  William’s heart softened. Frowning, he gritted his teeth and wished he wouldn’t react in such a way when she displayed such kindness. Obviously, it was just an act.

  “But...” James mumbled, then looked back at him. “Papa? It’s all right, you know. I’m a big boy, now. I think I can ride a horse as long as Mercy helps me.” He moved away from her and over to William’s leg. “‘Sides, you need not worry about me. I like her now. She is not mean anymore.” His grin widened. “Even Lizzy is starting to like her.”

  Anger welled inside William, threatening to suffocate him. He swallowed and forced a smile. “Fine. You can go riding, but not today. You and Kat can go another time. Right now I need to speak with her.”

  His son pouted and hung his head. “Oh, all right.” James turned to Kat. “We shall have to go riding another time.”

  She stood. “That is fine.”

  With wilted shoulders, James m
oved back to the house, dragging his feet with every step and kicking his feet in the damp soil.

  Once the boy was out of sight, William turned his attention back on Kat and glared. “What is going on?”

  He stepped closer and the fragrance of her lilac scented soap eased his anger. He closed his eyes and breathed deeper. Realizing what he was doing, he jerked them open and clamped his teeth.

  Not knowing what was happening to him, he vowed he wouldn’t let the deceiving woman get to him. Yet, when he gazed over every inch of her face, his heart leapt to his throat, ignoring the anger he wanted to keep. Her beautiful forest-green eyes had a hint of liquid as if she struggled with her emotions. Her heart-shaped lips parted, and a scent of mint blew across his face.

  Without being able to control his actions, he touched his finger to her chin, stroking it across her delicate, smooth skin and down her neck until it rested on the high collar of her jacket. Her beauty and the softness of her creamy skin turned his mind to mush. He was helpless to stop the burning sensations ripping through him. He waited for her to swat his hand like she’d done before whenever he touched her in a personal way. She didn’t, and his heart picked up rhythm.

  He arched his brow. “Kat, why are you doing this?”

  “Doing what?”

  “Why are you trying to act like somebody you are not? Your words are confusing and I have grown weary of your game.” Although his words were harsh, he kept his tone soft.

  The corners of her lips lifted. “I am confusing you?”

  “Yes, and I do not like it one bit.” He slid his finger from her chin upward to touch her delicate earlobe.

  “But, William, can you not see? I have changed.”

  “Nobody can make such a drastic change.”

  “I have.” She touched the lapel of his coat. “I am not the same woman you first met.” Her shy smile widened. “And you need not worry about your children. I have come to care for them.”

  A powerful jolt shot through him as if he’d been scorched. Between the heat from her hand touching him and her unbelievable words, his confusion grew by leaps and bounds. Dare he believe his children might get a mother after all?