by Gill, Tamara
Lord Levinstone leaned back in his chair, an amused grin forming on his lips. “Well of course we do. Most people hereabouts are middle-class and commoners alike. The taxes are hideous and there are people without the means to afford the most basic of goods. It’s not to be borne.”
William ran a hand through his hair, not believing the words coming from his lordship’s mouth. “Are you telling me you know of and agree to this illegal trade?”
“Well,” his lordship stuttered. “It’s not really hurting anyone down here in Cornwall, now is it? They only use our caves as storage until the goods are moved on. Not really anything to do with us at all.”
“What’s in it for you?” William leaned forward hoping the movement would clear his head. It did not. If anything, his mind swam with the thought that the smuggling ring had been right before his eyes this whole time and the one woman who’d captured his heart was one of them. This was the most absurd conversation he’d ever had in his life.
“We take a cut.” His lordship became serious. “There is something you must understand before you act on what you’ve found. Not that you can really do anything as you’ll never find contraband in our possession and therefore prosecution would be moot. I have a lot of friends down here, you would be hard pressed indeed to find anyone who’d gainsay me. But,” he paused, steepling his fingers beneath his chin, “there is something you must know. Ever since May’s mother died, she’s taken up the role of protector for me and Matthew. Now, I’ve tried to dismiss her of this folly, as she’s not responsible for either of us. Nevertheless, she continues to worry about the estate and the future of it for her brother. It’s why she’s becoming a nun, so she’ll not be a burden to William in her dotage years. Not to mention her first Season didn’t go as planned and she refused to have another. Between us, I do believe my daughter has a preference to becoming an old maid.”
“And that’s a notion I fund ridiculous.” William stood and paced before the desk. “Matthew seems to adore his sister, I’m sure he would never see May as a burden.” And as for being an old maid, surly after their time together he’d altered her opinion on becoming one of those. “Are you telling me she’s a part of this smuggling ring just as a means to keep funds coming into the home? And you allowed such madness?”
“I’m not proud of it, and it’s gone on for far too long. May believes leaving us and becoming a nun is her only option. That’s why I wrote to you. I need your help.”
“My help?” William turned and faced Lord Levinstone. “What for?”
“I had hoped that if you spent a little time together you may find qualities you liked in my daughter, enough so that you would offer marriage to her.”
William halted his steps, turning to face his lordship. “Marriage to a woman who, after hearing what you’ve just said, I’m now contracted to prosecute.” William tried to calm his frantic heart. Images of them together in bed, the emotions she pulled forth from him sent him into a blaze even now. And yet, she was unlawful. A liar.
A smuggler.
Damn it.
He caught sight of her coming back from the beach, her long dark locks blowing in the wind, her gown pulled tight against her legs and showing the most beautiful figure he’d ever had the pleasure of seeing. And it dawned on him like a tsunami of sea water. He was in love with her. A criminal his job was to capture. He shook his head at the ludicrousness of the situation. “The smuggling must stop. If you wish for me to propose marriage to your daughter, such activities must halt immediately.”
His lordship tsk tsk’d him, smiling a little as if this was nothing but a lark. “Our agreement is for one last shipment. The smugglers will no longer be docking here due to the fact they’ve gained some attention, if you understand my meaning.”
William knew exactly what he meant. That he and his crew had found them out and the smugglers knew it. “What we’ve spoken of here today must stay between us. I will confront May in due course. Are we agreed?”
Lord Levinstone nodded. “Agreed. And good luck to you. When it comes to my daughter, I do believe you may need it.”
William scoffed and walked from the room. He didn’t need good luck. No. What he needed was a miracle. Something told him the strong-willed, independent woman that was May would not be easily swayed to marry him instead of God.
And when she found out about his true reason behind his trip, he doubted she would find that the least forgivable either.
Chapter 7
William was avoiding her. Again. May sat nestled on a settee in the library and watched him over the top of her book. He sat at her father’s desk, his brow furrowed over the paperwork strewn before him. He hadn’t looked at her and had only given a terse good morning when he entered the room this morning. Having not seen him at breakfast she’d wondered why he hadn’t broken his fast with her.
May turned back to the book and the first paragraph of which she’d read ten times already and frowned. Was he still angry with her? Their argument of the day before hadn’t been so grand. Perhaps he was bored, longed for town life and all the well-versed and cultivated young women he could meet there. A tingle behind her eyelids formed and she bit her lip to stop the onset of tears. What did it matter if he’d lost interest in her? She didn’t want a husband anyway. And when she was a nun, she doubted the women at the convent would cause her any angst.
Only problem with all of that was, foolishly she’d fallen in love with the rogue across from her. Utterly, completely, wholeheartedly in love with him. What a conundrum.
May turned her attention to him a second time, and found him watching her, one finger tapping against his lips in thought. He had lovely lips… sensual, and very, very kissable. Unable to form words she simply stared back. Never before had she ever been tongue-tied, and yet he could make her into a blabbering mess with just one glance. There was something seriously wrong with her if a simple gentleman like William could befuddle her so.
The sound of a carriage rumbling down the drive distracted her and her attention diverted to the windows.
“Your father is heading into town with Matthew. It seems we’re all alone.”
A shiver wracked her body at the underlying meaning to his words, not to mention the husky tone of his voice that reminded her of their night alone together. Perhaps he wasn’t so very tired of her after all. “Is everything all right, William? You seem as if the weight of the world is on your shoulders.”
Her attempt at lightening the mood didn’t work. Instead, he threw down his quill and leaned back in his chair looking just as serious as before. “Come here.”
May placed her book on the floor, and went to join him. Her limbs felt weak at the determination she read in his gaze, although she wasn’t sure whether it was sexually driven or from some other emotion. Coming to stand beside him, he reached out and touched her hip, making little circular motions upon her gown.
William rose to his feet, and scooping her up in his arms, placed her on the desk, papers be dammed. His lips brushed hers before skimming across her jaw to the little place beneath her ear that tickled when he kissed it. She clasped his waist and urged him closer still. May could feel his excitement against her leg, and she chuckled as he slid up her gown to pool about her waist.
“You do realize we could be caught at any moment.”
Little kisses ran along the edge of her breast and she sighed. “Then we better be quick,” he said, pulling back to meet her gaze.
May reached between them and touched him. William sucked in a breath as she opened his front-falls and wrapped her hand about his velvety shaft. To touch him in this way, to feel powerful and seductive at the same time left a heady warm emotion to coil about inside her. Never did she ever think to have a man in her hands so, and to know that with a few well-placed touches or kisses, he was hers to command.
“If you keep doing that I’ll not last.”
“But you like it, do you not?” May scraped one nail down the velvety skin. “It’s so s
oft and yet rigid. So very rigid.” She tightened her grip and stroked.
William groaned. “May—”
“I yearn for you, William.”
At her words he took her mouth in a searing kiss. A delicious heat simmered between her thighs, her stomach somersaulting with desire. She ran her fingers into his hair and pulled him close. There was a savage edge to what he was doing with her and oddly she liked it. Made her need for him double in its extreme.
He fumbled with her undergarments, the wooden desk creaking under their weight. William took her quickly, each stroke, deep, measured but perfectly titillating. Her body fought for control, but he gave neither.
William’s fingers bit into her hips as he relentlessly gave into their desires. “You’re so beautiful. I…”
She kissed him, her body climbing, aching for the pleasure he’d give her before they were finished. “I what?”
He didn’t reply just held her tighter, taking her deeper, harder, faster. May shattered within his embrace and letting go of all inhibitions, savoured the moment. Tremor after tremor coursed through her veins, and throwing her head back, called his name.
William joined her in her satisfaction, a guttural moan sounded against her neck marking his release.
She smiled, and pulling back, ran a hand over his jaw. A day’s growth of stubble rubbed against her palm. His ocean blue eyes held hers with something she thought resembled caution. “Please tell me what you were going to say.”
“If I tell you what I was going to say I will not be able to un-say it. And not that I would want to in any case, but I fear your reaction.” His voice was low, guarded.
“Please, William.”
He scrunched his eyes closed and taking a fortifying breath said, “I love you. I,” he paused laying her hand on his heart, “find myself unable to think of anything other than you. Since the moment you confronted me on the beach, hair muddled from the wind, cheeks aflame with anger, I knew I had to have you. Desire, it would seem, has given way to a deeper feeling than I’ve never felt for anyone else in my life.”
Her eyes smarted and she blinked less she become a watering pot before him. William loved her? Relief poured through her like a balm with the knowledge. Thankful she wasn’t the only one who was affected by this new emotion. That he loved her was the most beautiful declaration she’d ever heard. May bit her lip, wondering if she should tell him the same and yet, she held the words back. He may love her, but he hadn’t asked her to marry him and what would she do if he never proposed. The heart she so willingly gave would be broken forever.
And if William did happen to ask for her hand, would she say yes? Her future was planned; she’d given her promise to the mother superior. To throw a husband into the equation would be troublesome to a degree. She would never fit into London life and all its rules and regulations. She’d already tried town life during her two Seasons, and had failed miserably at it. Too independent, not willing to conform and abide by the rules. Titter like a debutante, nothing between her ears but air. And she didn’t want a husband. Did she?
May caught William’s gaze and her heart skipped a beat. He’d been patient with their friendship, loving and kind. How could she not want to marry such a genuine man? And yes, marrying William would mean she wouldn’t have to become a nun, and surely God would forgive her change of heart just so long as she was happy…
“I love you too,” she blurted without thought or regret.
* * *
William smiled and pulled her into his arms. “I was starting to wonder if you did or not.” He chuckled, kissing her quickly. “You do realise what this means.” He disengaged himself from her and settled both their clothing back into place.
“What does it mean?” she asked, a teasing note to her voice.
He sat in the chair and settled her on to his lap. “That you, my darling will have to marry me.”
“Really?” Her eyebrows rose and the smile that burst across her face made the day feel as warm as a summer’s eve. “Who says that I shall?”
“I say.” He increased his hold, her body fitting perfectly against his chest as if made for one another. “Say you will marry me, May. Allow me to look after you, love you, make a life with you.”
“I’m four and twenty. I hardly believe I require looking after, but yes,” she said nodding. “I’ll will marry you just to be yours.”
William kissed her. It only took a moment before it sparked into something hot and full of need, but they couldn’t risk such escapades again and so reluctantly, he pulled back. “I will talk to your father tonight and send word to my man of business to draw up the contracts. Never again will you have to smuggle just to save your family, or become a nun. I have more than enough blunt to keep my estate and this beloved one of your family’s running until Matthew is of age.”
May stiffened in his arms and he realized his mistake. “What do you know of the smuggling?” She wiggled out of his hold and stood.
“Enough.” He sighed, cursing himself a fool for mentioning what he knew and now, having to tell her one of the reasons why he was visiting Cornwall in the first place. “I work for the Crown. I’m here visiting your father as he was indeed a close friend of my own, but it is not the only reason. There have been reports of smuggling coming out of this part of the country. I was to investigate and return with my findings. Prosecute all those involved, if possible.”
She crossed her arms, looking at him in shock. “Prosecute. Do you mean you intend to place the people involved in jail?”
“Not me personally, but the law will deal with those who’ve tried to cheat the system.” Fear flickered in her eyes before she blinked and it was gone. “I know you’re involved, May and I know you have one more shipment to distribute before the next full moon. I cannot allow you to be a part of it.”
“You cannot allow me to be a part of it? I’m not your wife yet, my lord. Illegal or not, I have an obligation to Ste—” She frowned. “The smugglers. I will not break my contract so close to its completion.”
“Yes, you will. You have no choice.” She strode over to the decanter of brandy, poured herself a small glass of the amber liquid and swallowed it in one sitting. William fought the urge to go to her, to promise her protection, if only she did as he wished, what was right after all, but her body language, distant and shielded told him to stay exactly where he sat. “What are you doing?” he asked at length.
“Fortifying myself for the argument we must have.” She caught his gaze, her eyes narrowing in temper. “I will make that last shipment to the smugglers, many of whom I’ve known for as long as I remember. These are my friends and I will not let them down. Furthermore, I do not appreciate the fact you lied to me. Why didn’t you tell me who you work for?”
“It wasn’t necessary,” he answered in a clipped tone. “I do not have to divulge everything about my life to the people I meet. And let us not forget, you were not entirely honest with me either.” Her face paled and he hated himself for hurting her. But he’d always been guarded about his position in the government and what he said was true. Had he not found out about the smuggling, he doubted she would ever have told him. To catch thieves one must remain unknown. “I’m sorry to be terse, but that is my decision and you must adhere to the rules.”
“You know what you can do with the rules, my lord?” She came over to him and leaned across the desk, her cheeks aflame with the temper he’d only seen the first day he’d met her.
“What?”
“Whatever you damn well please. But know this: I will not be taking your orders now or anytime in the future. Nor will I marry a man who’s so pigheaded he cannot turn a blind eye, just once, for the woman he supposedly loves.”
He stood. Honor and love warring within him, and yet, what the smugglers were doing was wrong. He had always been an honest man, and he couldn’t allow this trade to go on if he could stop it. “You’re asking me to break the law, to break the oath that I took for my King and country. The l
ove I feel for you has nothing to do with these pirates of the sea. You’re putting yourself in danger, May. I cannot allow that to continue.”
“It is not your choice, William. I’ve had to sacrifice everything, risk my family, my reputation to keep this estate from sinking under the waves of debt. The smugglers you hate so much have enabled my brother to keep his birthright. I did what was needed, and I will not apologize or change my opinion of this. And I will not change my mind. I’ll see you at dinner.”
William watched her leave, before she halted at the door, a sprig of mistletoe above her head. A numb emptiness threaded through him and even if he wished to get up and kiss her senseless, he would not. He would give her some time, to think over her words and see the sense to what he said.
“Do not bother asking Papa for my hand. I cannot marry you, my lord.” Her voice as lifeless as he felt.
William followed her quickly, caught her at the base of the stairs and pulled her around to face him. “What do you mean you cannot marry me?”
She shrugged out of his hold and moved away. “I don’t believe we’ll be well-matched. You’re too, too,” she gestured at his form, her face one of disgust and hurt, “controlling.”
Damn it, the last thing he wished for her to feel was hurt. He loved her, wanted her only to see the errors of her way. “I am not controlling. I only want what is best for you. I can remove all your worries if only you’ll let me. But I cannot allow you to smuggle any longer. It’s against the law. Please, try and understand.”
She shook her head, her chin set in a determined line. “I’m not a person who goes back on my word. You’re asking me to cheat my friends.”
