Lily in Bloom

by Tammy Andresen

  Eric smirked. “If you want to know how she escaped, you should talk to your man Slim. He knows all about it.”

  “Bastard!” Slim roared, charging at Eric. Another sailor's fist clocked Slim in the jaw, sending him crashing to the floor.

  A small smile broke out under Lily’s hand. But Kingsley suddenly glanced at her crate and she stopped cold, closing her eyes, so that they couldn't be seen. She didn't even breathe.

  “Maybe I should pay a visit to James then.” The Colonel turned suddenly and several set of feet followed.

  Eric turned and followed, and only Kurt remained. He waited several minutes then she heard him whisper, “Just a few more minutes.”

  She closed her eyes and waited until she heard footsteps return then Kurt and Eric were prying the side off of her crate.

  “Thank God you’re all right. I was so frightened.” Lily threw her arms around her husband as soon as she was free.

  He wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her hair. “You did wonderfully but it's not over, I'm afraid. We are in a race to the harbor now. I have to warn your brother that Kingsley is on his way and I have to find a way to safely get you off this boat.” He gently stroked a curl that had fallen around her face.

  “Do I have to wear men's clothes again?” She wrinkled her nose and both men chuckled despite the situation.

  “I'm haven't decided yet. But whatever it is, you probably will not like it.” He kissed her one more time then started propelling her toward the deck. “Let's go talk to Captain White.”

  They emerged out on deck to find the crew busy at work. The other ship was almost a speck on the horizon and Lily began to worry about her brother. Captain White could see the anxiety on her face. “Don't worry. We'll catch him.”

  “The larger problem is how we are going to get you off the ship.” Eric grimaced but Lily was glad to finally be part of the dialogue.

  “We could take her off in the crate,” Kurt suggested.

  “Or put her in sailor's clothes,” the Captain added.

  “They will be expecting both and both leave Lily too vulnerable.” Eric ran his hand through his hair.

  An idea suddenly struck Lily. “What if we make it look like you are smuggling me off in a crate but really you and I slip off the boat while they are removing the crate?”

  “A diversion!” Captain White nodded his approval.

  “We would simply blend into the crowd.” Lily was becoming excited about her plan.

  “I don't know.” Eric frowned. “If they find us out, we have little protection.”

  “I'll follow ya,” Kurt added. “Just to make sure you make it safely.”

  They flushed out the plan and the crew began to make preparations for the rouse. A man was being dispatched to the Carter's home to bring the family to Eric's house. While it would be easier for Eric and Lily to go to her family, it was agreed that Eric's house was both larger and more easily defended with a larger staff.

  As the couple walked back to their room, Lily felt her apprehension growing. There were so many variables, any of which could go wrong. She had so many things she wanted to say to her husband but she was afraid.

  Eric closed the door behind them and Lily turned to face him. “Eric, I want to say something...”

  Eric stopped her. “We only have an hour then we'll be in the harbor. Let's save the difficult conversation for when we are tucked into our home.”

  She smiled at the thought of it being their home. “I don't want to have a difficult conversation! Well it's a little difficult for me but...”

  He interrupted her again. Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed her hard. She felt her body responding to his passion and he began to undo her buttons. “We have to change you anyway.” He smiled as he kissed her and her dress fell into a heap on the floor. She couldn't explain why but the events of the evening had sparked a passion inside her, a need to be a little reckless.

  She had wanted to tell him how much she loved him but she decided that perhaps she would show him first. Lily gave him a little push so he was sitting on the bed. She held out each foot for him to unbutton her shoes. Then, smiling slyly, she reached under her petticoat and pulled her pantaloons off. Lily put her foot onto the bed and slipped one stocking off then the other. She gave him a playful push as she loosened her petticoat and slipped it off. She could see his eyes darkening with every piece of clothing that she took off. After two weeks of being his wife, she had lost a great deal of her bashfulness and she wanted to show off. She did a little spin in nothing but her corset as Eric stripped off his shirt and undid his pants, following Lily with his eyes.

  He reached for her but she danced just out of his reach and the game of cat and mouse added an extra sway to her hips and pout to her mouth. She smiled coyly.

  “Lily,” Eric growled her name, “come here.”

  Lily giggled and danced just out of his reach again. She wasn't sure why, but she wanted him to chase her a little. It made her feel desirable. She turned away from him then turned her face back toward him. “Come get me.”

  He growled deep in his throat as he lunged for her, wrapping his arms around her waist. Their bodies melded together as he began to kiss the back of her neck while running his hands the length of her body, from her neck down to the juncture between her legs and back again. Soon she was breathless and she felt her legs sliding open to allow him to enter. He quickly did just that, placing one hand on her breast and the other between her legs. She moaned, unable to control herself it felt so intense.

  As Eric quickened the pace, Lily felt herself climbing and she leaned back against her husband for support. He groaned into her ear and she reached back to wrap her arms around his neck. “I love you.” She had been thinking the words, but didn't realize she had said them out loud until she heard herself. She felt herself climax as Eric roared in her ear.

  Eric quickly pulled out of her and picked her up, carrying her to the bed. He settled them onto the bed and wrapped her in his arms.

  Lily was suddenly feeling incredibly shy about the way she acted but more so about what she had said. She said nothing and neither did Eric as the silence between them lengthened. Was it better to ignore it or explain her feelings? She was deep in the thought when she heard the soft but distinct sound of snoring. Eric had fallen asleep!

  “Eric, are you asleep?” She gave him a small shake.

  “Mmmm.” He snuggled her closer.

  “Wake up. We have to get dressed and leave soon.” Here she was agonizing over her words and he had fallen asleep!

  “I'm awake.” Eric murmured when a knock came at the door.

  “Fifteen minutes.” Kurt's voice cut through the silence and Eric jerked awake.

  He gave her a lopsided smile. “Sorry about that. I haven't been getting much sleep. Some little vixen has been keeping me awake.” He nuzzled her neck. “You were amazing.”

  She blushed and pushed him away, going to the wardrobe to pull out a skirt and blouse. They had agreed that more modest clothes would help them to better blend in.

  Eric came up behind her. “Are you all right?”

  Nodding, she continued to get dressed.

  “Are you upset that we didn't have that conversation?” Eric rubbed her back as he asked.

  “No, I'm fine,” she mumbled. She didn't sound fine even to her own ears.

  “Nervous?” He tried again. Lily had to appreciate him trying to figure out what was wrong but she couldn't believe he didn't know. She had told him that she loved him and he had not responded, had never told her that he loved her. It stunned her to realize that he was her whole world.

  “If something happens to me, I just want you to know that I am happy with the time that we had. It has been amazing and...” Lily stopped when Eric grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around.

  “Nothing is going to happen to you, I won't let it.” He was squeezing her arms rather tightly.

  “Eric, you're hurting me.” Lily crin
ged and recognition dawned on his face as he let her go and wrapped her into a hug.

  “Sorry, sweetheart. Once I have you safely in my house, surrounded by your family, I will breathe a little easier.” Eric gave her a gentle squeeze then helped her finish dressing.

  CHAPTER 18

  THEY MET THE CREW out on deck as the boat stealthily crept into the harbor. It was midnight and the waterfront was dead quiet. Lily felt the butterflies rising up in her stomach and she hoped that her plan was a good one. Maybe Colonel Kingsley wouldn't even try to stop her. Then again, he had boarded their ship when he himself was a wanted man.

  The men crept off the boat, retrieving, and then loading several of the smaller crates into dinghies. Lily and Eric lay down next to a few crates in the bottom of one of the small boats as two sailors silently rowed to shore. It was cramped but Lily held still. Kurt was two boats behind them. They had intentionally separated to draw attention away from them. The boats pulled up to the peer and a wagon was backed up to the edge of the shore. As crates were being unloaded, Lily and Eric crept behind the pile of crates. Four men began to move two of the larger crates and the couple crept between them and inched down the pier. They climbed under the wagon as the crates were loaded in. The sailors went back to get the rest of the crates. Lily could feel her heart hammering in her chest.

  Eric squeezed her hand. “Don't worry. They won't attack until the wagon is out of sight of the ship. Kingsley won't want to risk it.”

  Finally, the wagon began to slowly move and Lily and Eric crept along underneath it. Lily could feel her legs cramping but she gritted her teeth. Shortly, the group entered into an alleyway and Eric motioned to her that it was time. They slipped out from under the wagon and the sailors adjusted their movements to make them as invisible as possible. They slipped in between two buildings. The plan was to let the wagon continue on as they found a path to another street. They would stay in the shadows until they could find a cab for hire. They moved further back between the buildings but a noise made them both stop cold.

  “Halt. You are under orders from the United States Military.” It became immediately clear that the soldiers were not talking to them but to the sailors transporting the empty crates. “What have you got in those crates?”

  “Special delivery. Has to arrive first thing in the morning,” one of the sailors responded. Lily saw a shadow moving toward them and she tugged on Eric's arm but he squeezed her gently and she realized that it was Kurt.

  The three of them moved deeper between the buildings as Lily heard the soldiers searching the crates. She did not hear the Colonel and at first she was relieved.

  “No Kingsley,” Kurt added grimly, confirming her thoughts.

  “Do you think he's waiting for us or off to the Carter’s?” Eric asked, sounding equally grim.

  “He could have fled. I don't know if word has spread that he is a wanted man but it will soon.” Kurt didn't sound like he believed it. They came out from the alley onto another street and crept in the shadows for several blocks. It was extremely late and there were no hansoms about.

  As the night grew later, Lily felt herself growing more and more exhausted. They had been walking for forty-five minutes. Her only saving grace was that they had seen very few people and had been able to duck into cover whenever they did.

  “How much longer do you think we will have to walk?” Lily asked, trying not to sound too exhausted.

  “Maybe half an hour.” Eric was scanning the street in front of them when he suddenly pulled her into the shadows. Kurt stepped behind a tree when Lily heard what the two men already had noticed, a wagon approaching.

  It was led by two soldiers on horseback and Lily didn't need to see the occupant to know that it was the Colonel. He was heading directly for Eric's home and she knew that he would be setting up an ambush. Her shoulders slumped. “What do we do?”

  Eric waited until he could hear no more before they continued walking. “We keep our eyes and ears open.” Eric quickened their pace and Lily felt her heart hammering in her chest. She worked as hard as she could to keep up but she could feel her strength weakening and she was slowing their pace. Eric picked her up and slung her on his back without breaking stride, in fact, they seemed to be going faster. She smiled into his hair and hung on.

  They turned onto Beacon Hill from a side road, two hundred feet from Eric's front door. Even she could see the men in the shadows across from the house. What surprised her, however, was how many lights were on in the home. Kurt melted into the shadows and Lily and Eric crouched down, between two neighboring homes. They sat down and Eric pulled her into his lap. She leaned against him and closed her eyes. Despite the danger, she could already feel herself drifting off. He stroked her hair. “Kurt is going to try to find a way in, he knows all the doors in the house. But otherwise we will wait them out,” he whispered in her ear.

  She nodded, glad to just be in his arms. She had just drifted off when a loud bang cut through the night. She jerked awake. From their limited view, she could see nothing but she could hear another wagon rolling down the street. Kurt's voice boomed out the front door. “You're loitering. If you don't leave, we will be forced to call for the police.”

  A soldier responded. “We have reason to believe you are hiding slaves on the premises.”

  The wagon Lily had heard rolled by them and she could clearly make out the faces of the sailors from the Anna Marie. Eric pulled her up, and the two dashed to the crew members, hopping onto the wagon. The wagon continued on but before it could reach the drive the Colonel's men halted its path. Lily's heart pounded in her chest as she saw Colonel Kingsley and Lieutenant Colonel Andrews step into view behind the men.

  She was surrounded by sailors but she could see Andrews and Kingsley searching for her. Eric held her tighter. “Step aside. You're blockin' the street,” one of the sailors called.

  Kingsley smirked, his eyes had finally found her. “Well, hello, Miss Carter. It's lovely to see you again. As always, you are a difficult woman to track down.”

  Lily said nothing and she looked down as Andrews studied her face. It was Eric who spoke, not to the Colonel but to Kurt. “Have you sent for the police?”

  “Yes, sir,” Kurt said as he moved down the driveway with several men behind him.

  “I want to know the game.” The Colonel had not taken his eyes off of her. “Is it still Miss Carter or have you become Mrs. Sampson?”

  Lily still did not respond but looked back at her husband instead. “You'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out,” Eric casually answered. The soldiers had not moved and Lily could see they would soon come to blows.

  “Do you want to end this now Kingsley?” Eric looked at the other man levelly. Kurt and what looked like seven other men, holding guns of some sort, reached the end of the drive. The soldiers were flanked on two sides.

  “You are prepared, Sampson, I'll give you that. I think you have the advantage here.” Kingsley had barely taken his eyes off of her and she felt herself growing restless under his gaze.

  Lieutenant Colonel Andrews had also fixed his eyes on her and she shrank back into Eric. Tracker had taught her not to speak to her attackers and she thought the lesson was appropriate now. It might only provoke them.

  “She ain't normally this quiet. She's kind of a yapper. Most women are, I guess.” Slim spit and shrugged. It was the first time Lily had had a chance to see and be seen by Slim and she felt the bile rise in her throat. If she had a gun in her hand she knew what she would do with it.

  It was then that she broke her silence. “You should keep better company, Colonel. It can't be good to have men who double cross you in your employ.”

  A cold smile touched the Colonel's lips. “I should like to hear more about it. Perhaps you could tell me sometime.”

  “Slim can tell you himself. I hear it isn't the first time.” She turned her gaze toward Slim who had gone pale.

  “But it would be so much more interesting coming from you.
” Eric's arm came down over her shoulder and wrapped around her torso while she held onto his arm. She rubbed her hand up his arm and gave it a squeeze. His other hand touched her cheek and she leaned into it.

  It was Eric who then responded, “If you would excuse us, Colonel. It is late. As fun as this is, perhaps we should continue it some other time.”

  Andrews was staring intently at her and he took a half step closer. She wondered if he had made the connection between her and Billy.

  “Another time.” Kingsley nodded and the wagon began to back away as the soldiers melted into the night.

  Kurt approached them then the group proceeded up the driveway. Eric hopped off the wagon and Kurt began to furiously whisper in his ear. She saw Eric's shoulder's drop and she began to worry—first about her own safety then about that of her family. Finally, she could no longer stand it. “What is it?”

  Eric grimaced as he looked at her. “My mother is here.”

  “Oh.” For a brief moment she was relieved that it was not serious. She looked down at herself, however, and realized she was dressed in very plain clothes and had been awake all night. Eric had told her that his mother was extremely tough and that she had not liked Caitlin. What would the sister of a duke think of the woman her son had married on a boat after a kidnapping? This was horrible.

  Eric helped her down from the wagon and held her hand as they approached the door. The look on her face said it all and even Eric chuckled slightly. “Is it as bad as I think?” she asked softly.

  “Worse.” His brow furrowed. “Don't worry. She'll love you.”

  Lily knew he was lying and she braced herself as they entered through the front door. It was a strange feeling. She had only been here once before but it was technically her home. The entry was quiet and she felt herself breathe a sigh of relief. Perhaps she had been granted a reprieve until the morning.

  At the top of the stairs, two people appeared— a younger man, who looked strikingly like Eric, and an older woman who, even in her night dress, appeared extremely regal.