Charlotte was so consumed by emotions that it startled her when Phillip spoke. “There are few people who know the story behind my scars. My family doesn’t even know they exist. They were given to me courtesy of a French jailer.”
“Phillip, you don’t have to tell me anything. It’s not my business.”
He gave her hands a gentle squeeze. “I want to tell you. I’m not exactly sure why, but I feel soothed by your presence. I want you to understand why I am the way I am. Why I accept these crazy missions when I could be sitting comfortably in London, fat and married to some pretty girl, waiting for my inheritance.”
Charlotte’s heart swelled at his words. He did feel something for her.
“About two years ago, I was on an assignment in Paris. They sent me to gather information regarding possible smuggling of English goods and to find out who was giving the French their information. It was a routine mission. I was there as myself, the wealthy son of a noble lord. I attended dinner parties, gambling halls, anywhere I could glean information. One evening, I attended the theater with an acquaintance, and I met an actress named Lisette. She was beautiful, exotic, and she enthralled me. She was a competent lover and knew how to keep me coming back to her. By the end of a month, I was convinced I was in love with her. I realize now, it wasn’t love, it was lust, but I didn’t know any better at the time.”
Charlotte listened to Phillip’s story. She imagined a seductive actress with a beautiful body would tempt any man. In London there were rumors that some of the actresses were mistresses for the nobility. She had seen them on stage and understood the allure they might have for some men. A pang of jealousy overtook her, but why? She had no claim on Phillip’s heart.
Phillip continued, “Lisette asked me over one night. When I went into her room, there were two men waiting there. We fought, and they overtook me. Lisette stood there, watching, not saying a word. Just before they knocked me out, I asked why she had betrayed me. She didn’t respond, and the men took me to a secret prison.” His hands trembled at reliving those moments. “They accused me of being a smuggler, a spy, and many other offenses. I found out later that the people who had held me were part of the group I was investigating. They were getting help from the local authorities, which was why they held me in a private cell. They wanted to know who I was working for and what information I had gathered. I wouldn’t talk, so they tried to persuade me.”
Phillip turned to Charlotte. She saw the pain in his eyes as he remembered the torture. She wanted to kiss him, soothe him, anything to take away the pain. Charlotte had never felt such an intense pull toward another human. People had hurt her in the past, but Phillip had survived far worse than she had ever known. Charlotte’s heart bled for him and the suffering he had endured. He was a kindred spirit, fully aware of what it felt like to be betrayed by the one you thought you loved. Lisette had convinced Phillip she was in love with him, and then she had crushed him, body and soul.
Charlotte understood why she felt attracted to Phillip. Her soul recognized another tortured spirit and reached out to him. It wasn’t just his handsome face, his loyalty, or his bravery that attracted her. It was his inner strength and fortitude to keep going, even when the situation seemed hopeless, that resonated with her. Fate had brought them together, and now Charlotte believed she might be falling in love with her handsome protector.
Phillip’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “It was two months before my friends found me. My enemies had done damage to both my body and my mind. After my rescue, I was delirious for a week, and it was another week before I spoke to anyone. I tried to understand why Lisette had betrayed me. It seems I trusted her too much. In my infatuation I had told her bits and pieces about my mission. I did not know she would use the knowledge against me. It was foolish to trust her. Lust clouded my judgment. I honestly believed, once my assignment was over, we would be together. After that experience, I promised myself I would never trust another woman. I can’t let my guard down again.”
Charlotte understood all too well the power of love. She had been just as susceptible.
“Did you go back to find Lisette?”
“Yes, it drove me mad. I had to know why she had deceived me. So, one night, I snuck into her room. She thought I was there to kill her, but I only wanted to know why she betrayed me. She laughed at me and called me a stupid Englishman. Said it had been so easy with me. I had done exactly as she wanted. Lisette’s superiors had told her there was a possibility that I was a spy. Her mission was to get me into her bed and get what information she could from me.”
“What did you do?”
“I left, there was nothing else to do. I would not strike a woman. After all, she was only using what assets she had to make a living. I consider it a hard lesson learned.”
“You didn’t have to tell me but thank you.”
Phillip smiled at her, then leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss on her lips. “I wanted you to know.”
Charlotte knew she had to tell Phillip her story, not because he had confided in her, but because she wanted him to know she trusted him with her secrets as well.
“A little over a year ago, there was a young man with whom I had gotten close. He called on me, took me out on rides, and danced with me at gatherings. I thought he was in love with me. He never said the words, but I assumed.”
Charlotte remembered how foolish she had been. Looking back, she should have noticed the small signs that something wasn’t right.
"Two months later, I was at a party, walking down a hallway, when I heard voices. It was him, and he was with another woman. He professed his love for her. She asked him about him me since she noticed that he paid attention to me as well. He said I was nothing more than a way to get to my family’s money and into my father’s business."
It stung to say the words out loud. Charlotte had never told anyone what had happened, not even her sister, with whom she shared everything. It had been too embarrassing and hurtful.
"I confronted him the next day when he called at the house. He laughed the incident off as though it were nothing. He had the nerve to tell me that if I had been more accommodating, he might not have looked elsewhere."
Phillip’s fists clenched. "I would have punched the man if I had been there.”
Charlotte appreciated the sentiment.
"The best part was when he said, if I proved my love for him, he would consider not taking a mistress after we married."
"What did you do?"
"I slapped him so hard his head snapped back."
Phillip laughed at her description.
"I told him he was mad if he thought I would marry him, and I demanded he leave. Two weeks later, he was engaged to another wealthy woman. I hope he is miserable."
Charlotte saw understanding and sympathy in Phillip’s eyes. He knew what it was like to give one’s heart away and have it broken.
"I made myself a promise that no man would have my heart again. They can't be trusted. Men believe women are only as useful as their dowry, and they think a woman’s body is theirs to use as they please."
"Not all men are that way, Charlotte. My sister was lucky enough to marry a man who loves her. He's a duke now, but he wasn't when they met. Neither of them is concerned about wealth or power. They love each other whole-heartedly."
"Then they are lucky indeed. But my pain is still fresh, as is yours. That is why I took this trip with my family."
"To forget?"
"Yes, to escape the memories and to find something to occupy my mind. I must say I found it," Charlotte laughed. She had gotten more than she had bargained for. Here she was in the middle of nowhere, not even sure which country they were in. And, she was pretending to be married to a man, while fighting an attraction to him.
Now they were together. Phillip’s shirt laid on the bed, and Charlotte couldn’t help but notice his hard, sculpted chest and his strong, masculine hands laying so close to her. They had shared their darkest secrets, and the
more Charlotte discovered about Phillip, the more intrigued she became.
She stood and placed the bowl of water and towels on a table by the door. Phillip sat on the edge of the bed and removed his boots. When she turned back, she noticed for the first time, his beard was almost full since he had gone days without shaving. It made him dashing and rugged. Charlotte smiled.
“May I ask what has brought a smile to your face?” Phillip inquired.
“I was thinking about how much I like your beard. It’s striking.”
“It’s not all the rage, but if you like it…”
“I do; it makes you look dashing.”
Phillip laughed, “I thought ladies liked men without beards. Doesn’t it make me look older?”
“Yes, but in a good way. I think you are more attractive.” Charlotte didn’t know why she had said such a thing. She didn’t think Phillip would care for her opinion either way.
“Thank you for the compliment. I won’t shave it off then if you like it.”
Charlotte stood speechless.
Phillip broke the awkward silence. “Thank you for telling me your story, but you didn’t have to do so. I know how hard it is to discuss certain things, especially matters of the heart. I suppose that makes us alike. We have both been hurt, and neither of us wants to repeat the experience.”
“No, we don’t,” Charlotte agreed. It was as she guessed, Phillip didn’t want a relationship, perhaps a dalliance until the journey was complete. She could agree to that. If it were all she could get, she would be happy. She wanted to experience everything she could with Phillip. “I told you because you trusted me enough with your secret. I wanted you to know you are not the only one who has been wounded by love.”
“Well, what shall we do then? Here we are, two people who have sworn off love, but I won’t deny I am attracted to you Charlotte. I want to be honest with you.”
A warmth spread up her body at his words, a spark of desire that burned for more. “I feel the same way; but I don’t want to get hurt again.” There needed to be truth between them before anything further could happen. Charlotte knew to go down this path would risk her heart, and she accepted the possible consequences.
“Then we will leave our hearts out of it, but we won’t deny the attraction we have for one another. We will simply enjoy our time together.”
Charlotte saw the raw hunger burn bright in Phillip’s eyes. A delicious shudder ran through her as she answered, “yes.”
**********
Charlotte kept his gaze as she walked across the room to stand in front of him. She turned around, pulled her hair to one side, and asked, "would you please undo my dress?"
Phillip’s cock grew in anticipation. Their sexual banter had only increased his lust for the woman before him. He wanted Charlotte to burn with the same fire of desire that built inside over the last few days.
Tonight, he would have a taste of her. He took his time unfastening the hooks to her dress. When he finished, he placed his hands on her shoulders and slid the dress down her arms. Charlotte gasped at his touch on her bare arms. The dress was halfway down her arms, and she couldn't move. She was at his mercy, a prisoner to his passion.
His breath brush her neck as he dropped light kisses upon it. Charlotte bit her lip and tried not to moan from the simple sensation. She closed her eyes and sighed
Phillip turned her around and took in her beautiful body. He cupped Charlotte’s cheek. She leaned into his hand, savoring the touch. He lowered his mouth to hers, claiming her lips. The kiss began gently but quickly blossomed into a firestorm. Phillip wrapped his arms around Charlotte’s body, drawing her tightly to him. She wrenched her arms out of her dress and was finally able to embrace him.
He took control of the kiss, cradling her head in his hands. Lust burned in Phillip’s brain and he could think of nothing else but bedding this extraordinary woman.
His dick was ready to explode. It had been so long since he had been with a woman, but he knew it wasn’t just that, it was because it was Charlotte. She was everything he could want in a partner; strong and steadfast, but also soft and gentle. Making love to her would make it all the more difficult to leave, so he would guard his heart even closer.
**********
Charlotte’s body burned with Phillip’s kisses. His hands ran down her back and pushed her dress to the floor. He guided her toward the bed and laid her down, never letting up on his assault of her mouth.
Phillip’s tongue pressed against her lips, asking for admittance. She opened her mouth on a moan of pleasure and allowed him in. The feel of it all overwhelmed her. While their tongues were intwined, his hand traveled to her breast. Even with her undergarments on, Charlotte felt the glorious pressure as he squeezed her breast. A pulsating ache started between her legs, a craving to be touched and only Phillip could ease her longing.
The strings on Charlotte’s chemise came undone under his skillful hands. He rubbed the smooth globe and found her taut nipple waiting for him. Phillip gave a gentle squeeze to which Charlotte mewed and ran her fingers through his hair. After freeing her breasts from their confinement, Phillip placed his mouth over her nipple, and suckled. He alternated between playfully nipping her breast, which made Charlotte writhe, and soothing it with his tongue. She was so responsive to his touch. Never would she have believed coupling could feel this way.
Phillip traveled from Charlotte’s throbbing breasts to her luscious mouth. He took her lips between his and kissed any doubts away. The carnal desire burning between them could not be denied.
They were so caught up in their sensual interlude that they did not register the knock on their door. The knock came again. Charlotte froze, and Phillip jumped off the bed.
“Stay right there,” he ordered. He approached the door and asked, “Who is it?”
“My lord, I’ve come to collect the dishes from your supper.”
Phillip recognized the voice of the maid and sighed with relief. “One moment.” He collected the tray with their dishes and opened the door to hand it over.
While Phillip dealt with the maid, Charlotte put herself back together and crawled under the covers. She wouldn’t meet his gaze as he approached the bed. There would be no lovemaking this night. The knock on the door reminded her of the uncertainty and danger of their current situation. Phillip laid down and pulled Charlotte close to him. She settled her head on his chest.
He spoke softly and kissed her head. “We’re safe. In the morning we will take horses, it will be faster, and we can stay away from the main roads.”
“I trust you.”
Chapter 7
Phillip awoke with a slight pressure on his chest. It took him a second to remember the events of the previous night. He realized the weight was Charlotte’s head resting on his chest as she slept. It was the first time he had ever woken up with a woman. In the past, he had left them before morning. The feel of her breath blowing against his bare chest was a pleasant sensation. He brushed his hand down her back.
Charlotte’s eyes fluttered open. Her right hand, which rested on his abdomen, flexed and rubbed over his taut stomach. Suddenly, her hand froze when she realized where she was. She glanced up at Phillip.
The moment their eyes met, desire for Charlotte flooded through Phillip’s body. Those round, innocent blue eyes studied him. Her hair had become disheveled from sleep, and loose strands cascaded down the side of her face. It was the most erotic thing he had ever set eyes on. He couldn’t help himself and leaned down to kiss her rosy lips. Phillip remained in control, although it was difficult. After a few moments, he broke the kiss. Charlotte laid her head back on his chest and wrapped her arms tighter around his waist. She didn’t want to get up either. Phillip wished they could stay there all day, but he knew they must get moving.
“Come on, time to get dressed,” he said, kissing the top of Charlotte’s head before getting up.
Phillip helped Charlotte button her gown, then she redressed his wound. They ate a qui
ck breakfast in the main room and set out on horseback within the hour. Earlier, Phillip had asked the innkeeper for directions toward the French border. With any luck, they would be there in the next few days. He expected Ethan and Hugh to meet them at Louis DeColigny’s house. Once they were on French soil, he would breathe easier. They would still have to be careful since there were spies and traitors everywhere. Wartime was profitable for those willing to sell information to the highest bidder.
The couple kept to the woods, which made for a slower pace. Phillip stayed alert to the slightest sound and constantly scanned the area for anything suspicious. Charlotte was a competent rider and easily kept up. The pair rested at noontime. In the afternoon, they took the main road to make up for lost time. They rode until the light faded from the sky.
Phillip wasn’t sure how close they were to the next town. With night coming they needed to find a secure spot to camp. They veered off the main road and made their way back into the woods. Phillip searched for a location on higher ground so he could see as much terrain as possible. A spot under a large set of boulders on top of a hill made for good protection both from the weather and prying eyes. They dismounted, and Phillip surveyed the area.
It would have to do. Phillip tied the horses to a nearby tree and only loosened the saddles in case they needed to make a quick getaway. While he worked on the horses, he glanced at Charlotte who was running her hands up and down her arms for warmth. A fire might attract attention, but he couldn’t allow her to freeze. He asked Charlotte to gather kindling while he finished with their mounts.
They settled under the boulder. The innkeeper had given them food, which they were rationing. Phillip started the fire, and they ate in silence.
“Thank you for the fire. I didn’t know if it was safe to have one,” Charlotte said.
“We can have a small one; I’ll let it die out. I think, we are deep enough in the woods that it won’t attract attention from the road. Be ready if we must leave quickly. We are close to the French border. With any luck, we will be there in the next day or two.”
The Way to a Spy’s Heart: A Steamy Victorian Historical Spy Series (Romancing Intrigue Book 1) Page 6
