Then David moved in closer, placing his knees in the bed of dirt and snow, and began to wipe at the brick. His
work revealed nothing.
David looked up and shook his head at James. Then he turned to Kim and his expression became sympathetic. “I’m sorry, my lady, but there’s nothing here.”
James saw the disappointment he felt in his heart wash over Kim’s features. The hurt he witnessed made him want to tear the entire building down.
“That’s impossible,” she said, straightening from his hold. “It should be there.”
“Perhaps, my father had it filled in,” James said, though he doubted his father would have done such a thing. James Hayden III had enjoyed history and been one to fight for its preservation.
Kim turned to him. “Do you think he did?”
“It’s possible. Anything is possible.”
Kim looked at Mr. Paul, having learned the man had been in the service with the family for years. “What do you think?”
Mr. Paul’s gray eyes widened. It was likely he didn’t get asked for his thoughts often from a lady. “It’s possible, my lady.”
“Maybe Mr. Edwin didn’t put his wife’s name in the stone after all,” James said.
She shook her head. “No, it’s somewhere. I know it is,” she said with great passion. “Maybe the stone was removed. Maybe someone else has it.” She gasped and looked at him. “We should write to Julia’s family. Does the book have her maiden name?”
James gave her a soft smile. “Kim.” He said no more.
She sighed deeply and closed her eyes. “All right. I suppose it may be too much to write to a stranger’s family about a two-hundred-year-old stone they may or may not know about.” Then she opened her eyes and looked at him. “But let’s go back inside and see if we’ve missed anything.” She turned to the stablemen. “Thank you so much for your help. Now, please go inside and get warm.”
He’d stopped being surprised that Kim was getting close to their servants. Any good master or mistress cared for the health of their servants, but Kim was different. There was a clear lack of rank in her eyes. They were people. It didn't matter that they lived to wait on her every word.
He knew, that if they were to join the Season, he would have to speak to Kim about how freely she included servants in conversations. Most of the ton would have thought her odd had he not, but since they wouldn’t be going to London, he saw no point.
They were silent as they walked back.
She looked at him and frowned. “I really hoped to see the stone.”
“I know,” he said.
“But I’ll be all right if we don’t.”
He made no comment. Again, he’d learned that once Kim set her mind to something, she got it done. He would not be surprised if she did write Julia Edwin’s family about the stone. She hadn’t said she wouldn’t, had only implied it might be excessive to do so.
He wondered what would happen if she used that same strength and sense of perseverance in other ways. She would likely be dangerous to anyone who got in her way.
They made it into the house where she proceeded to thank Byron—by name—for taking her cloak and muff before she moved toward the library.
“We must have missed something,” she said more to herself than anyone else. “Perhaps, there were additions made the house.”
James gave over his own coat and followed her to the library. “If there were, I’m sure there is evidence of it somewhere.”
“I love that you know nothing about this property.” She removed her gloves. “We’re discovering everything together.” She tucked them into her pocket and then moved to the corner and pulled the bell. Then she turned to him and silently looked him over. “I’m boring you.”
He felt his brows slam down. “What?”
She put her hands on her hips. “I keep going on and on about this stone and clearly you’re allowing it because you’re so agreeable.”
“Agreeable?” he asked.
“Nice,” she said with a smile. “You’re being nice to me, allowing me to go on and on.”
Nice? She was likely the only person in the world who’d ever called him that.
He was nice to her, but he was definitely getting something out of watching her hunt for the stone. He enjoyed her open display of emotions, enjoyed being included on her journey. He was not doing this because he was nice.
A maid, Nora, came in and James requested tea.
Then he crossed to stand in the corner with Kim. He stopped less than a foot away. Not for the first time, he noticed how her gaze didn’t wander to his scars. She held his eyes as if he were any other man. “I’m very entertained by this hunt. If you were not here, I’d likely be doing nothing. So…”
His words trailed away when she lifted her hand and brushed a lock of his hair off his cheek.
She smiled. “You must have been terribly cold outside for a snowflake to have survived.” She rubbed the drop of liquid between her fingers. “What were you saying?”
∫ ∫ ∫
2 0
She’d tried.
Kim had given James’ idea of a marriage of convenience a try for a whole week, but in that amount of time, things had changed.
She’d changed and her feelings for him had changed.
When she looked at him, she no longer saw a man to be pitied or one in pain—though she knew there were still wounds yet to be revealed. Instead, she’d begun to see him as the Marquess of Denhallow and she’d watched as he’d ruled his manor.
The servants respected him, and she’d witnessed more than once as he’d displayed a deep understanding of crop rotations, finance, and business. He did most of his correspondence through his man of business, Mr. Jacobson, who’d come and gone from the house twice.
Mr. Jacobson had seemed anxious when James had disappeared last week. Apparently, he’d needed James’ consent for spending. Then the man had been surprised when James had introduced her as his wife.
They’d had a pleasant conversation before getting to their agenda. And before Kim could excuse herself, James had asked if she wanted tea before they got started. Then James had shocked her again when he’d told Mr. Jacobson how Kim had encouraged her brother to invest in the canal that now ran through Leeds.
He’d called her intuitive.
She’d been amazed and impressed by his thoughtfulness and his confidence in her mind.
She was impressed now as he stood before her.
They’d grown close during the carriage ride, but once they’d arrived at Noxgrove, James had grown distant again. Now, things were settling, and Kim was finding out that she very much liked being married to the Marquess of Denhallow.
His scars no longer bothered her. They were now simply a part of him, like laugh lines. They were evidence of his past.
And she loved his eyes.
They could become quite obsidian when he was angry, like they had whenever the wind had whipped too harshly outside. James had looked ready to argue with the Almighty over his choice of weather conditions.
And now they stared at her, a warm liquid brown, with wariness that made her hesitant.
Was she doing the right thing? By going after what she wanted?
She still wasn’t sure just how much James could do. She didn’t know if his manhood had been scarred, but surely, they could do other things…
She knew it a wanton thought to have at all, but she couldn’t help it. He was so big and strong and protective.
He went stiff as he stared into her gaze. His eyes went wide. Could he see her desire?
“James,” she whispered.
His eyes had dropped to her mouth, but now they slowly climbed to her eyes. “Yes?”
“Come here,” she said around her racing pulse.
He frowned slightly. “I am here.”
She smiled. “Come closer.”
He took the final step that nearly brought their bodies into contact. Now all she had to do was sway toward him a
nd her chest would brush against his.
She pulled in a shaky breath before letting it out.
His scent filled her lungs.
“Kim, are you all right?” he asked.
She’d been staring at his chest, but slowly, she looked up, past the width of his shoulders, the strong column of his throat, and into those eyes that made her think of sweet dark chocolate.
She licked her lips.
His eyes drifted to her mouth again. His gaze turned obsidian.
She shivered. Good. He clearly had not forgotten what desire was.
“James,” she whispered. “Come here.”
“I am here.” His voice was different. Strained. Dark. “I’m here.”
“Lean down, as though I wish to share a secret with you.”
His throat worked. His gaze remained on her lips. “Do you wish to share a secret with me?”
She smiled. “No.” But they could make one if he wished.
His eyes lifted to hers, and she immediately knew that something had gone wrong. His eyes were no longer brimming with desire but anger.
He stepped away and crossed the room just as Nora returned.
Did the man have another sense that alerted him to when others were about to encroach on their privacy?
Nora set out the tea and then, after asking if they needed anything else, left.
“I wish to retire to my room. I’ll see you at dinner.” James was gone before Kim could protest.
She’d acted too soon.
* * *
James called himself every sort of fool as he marched to his rooms. The image of Kim’s upturned face was burned into his eyes. The warmth of her gaze. The plumpness of her lips that had been poised in a grin that told him to come-hither.
He’d allowed himself to think that she desired him, but then he’d remembered his scars. No one would ever want him again. No, what he’d seen had only been an illusion of his own making.
Her kindness bloomed from a need to make him feel better.
Pity.
That’s what it had to be. It was the only thing that made sense.
He knew his face didn’t repulse her anymore, but what he would never accept was a kiss given in charity. He may have stolen her for his wife, taken her from the opportunity to be with a man who she could bear to be seen with in public, but he’d not cross that line.
He’d not become a monster, a beast who mistook a woman’s condolences for actual wanting. He’d not prey on her weakness, her kindness.
She didn’t know what she’d been doing, what it was she offered.
James had been a greedy man when it came to women. He’d not stop at kissing. Her lips would never be enough. If he took any of her, he’d want every inch of her. He’d devour her, inch by inch. No part of her would go untouched by him. He’d leave his mark on her when he was done, brand her with everything he had.
He’d take his time learning her every curve, filling his mind with her beauty, worshiping ever patch of flesh until she was no more, until he was certain she was his. Only his.
He’d ruin her.
It would have likely started out as a simple kiss between friends and James would have accepted it if he’d thought he could control himself.
And maybe weeks ago, he could have, but no more.
She’d not only taken up space in his home, but she was now under his skin. His every heartbeat fueled his devotion to her. If he wasn’t thinking about her then he wasn’t living. He’d likely only stop wanting her when he was dead.
He’d have to keep his distance. Again.
But he’d miss her small caresses and the ease with which she pressed herself against him. He knew very few married couples who were that way.
Lore was that way with his wife Brinley, he recalled. The man couldn’t keep his hands off his curvy wife. When Lore thought no one was watching, James would see him touch her hair.
James touched his own hair where Kim had and was still stroking it as he walked into his room and closed the door.
He didn’t know what to do. He didn’t wish there to be any awkwardness between them now that he’d walked out on her. She’d only been trying to be nice, and he’d been terribly unkind.
A knock sounded at the door. “James!”
Kim had never come to his rooms before.
There was something in her voice. Worry. Fear.
He rushed over and yanked the door open. “What’s the matter?”
A blink later, her hands were around his head, her fingers locked at his nape, pulling him forward.
His mouth struck hers and there was an explosion in his blood. He braced his hands on the threshold and heard the wood splinter in his grasp.
He gasped, and it was just enough for her tongue to slip in and touch his own, rolling against his.
And all his reservations collapsed.
∫ ∫ ∫
2 1
Kim’s heart raced as she felt James stiffen underneath her touch. She’d felt the moment the muscles in his neck turned to stone. His body had become that of a mountain, looming over her, hard and unmoved.
But his mouth was soft. His gasp, which had managed to sound full of both need and pain, had given her the room she’d needed to take more of him in.
But he didn’t kiss her back, she noticed, as her tongue did another sweep against his. She bit his lower lip and licked it.
She heard what sounded like wood breaking but got no reaction from the man before her.
Kim inwardly cursed herself. She’d been wrong to push him. Now, she’d likely ruined everything.
She winced and began to pull away. An apology balanced on the tip of her lips.
But then he moved.
She felt a hand at the back of her head and one at her lower back… and then lower, right before his mouth caught hers up in a kiss that made her shake with extreme need.
He was kissing her!
And he wasn’t holding back.
His arms had forced her body closer, and Kim was shocked to be presented with evidence that he’d by no means been maimed.
His body was whole! Every inch of him where it should be.
And she wanted it.
Now.
He locked his hands on the sides of her head then and broke the kiss like a man would break the surface of a pool, gasping for air.
Kim panted and waited for him to return to her. She had to restrain herself from jumping on him like a wild animal.
Finally! She’d finally gotten what she wanted.
But in the next second, he set her down, maneuvered her on the other side of the door, and closed it on her with a small thud.
Kim blinked and waited for him to open it again, sure he’d not meant to shut her out. Clearly, he’d recall leaving her out here. He would then open the door and drag her in. Then he’d close the door behind them both, and they would finally partake in the beginning of a real marriage.
But when seconds turned into a minute, she frowned and knocked. “James.”
“You lied to me,” he said. “I thought you were hurt when you came to the door.”
She bit her lip. She had called him a little dramatically. But how could she communicate that she had been hurt when he’d run from her in the library?
She decided she could say it just like that. So she did. “I was hurt when you left me in the library.”
“Kim, I’m tired.” His voice sounded drained even with a door between them. “I likely won’t be down for dinner. You should visit your aunt for the evening.”
Her eyes widened. He was sending her away? Over a kiss he’d clearly enjoyed?
And she’d been very clear about his enjoyment.
She banged her hand on the door. “James, open this door.”
“I’m going to bed,” he responded.
She imagined him getting undressed. What did he look like underneath all his clothes? She pressed her ear to the door and… yes, she could hear the distinct sound of fabric being shuffled about
.
He was getting naked without her.
She groaned and then tried to tell herself to stop being such a wanton. She could always use the door that connected their rooms. She’d never dared to use it before.
“And don’t bother going for the other door.” His ability to read her mind was beginning to trouble her. “It is locked and shall remain so.”
She leaned away and sighed. “If you come out, I promise not to kiss you.” Today. But she would try and kiss him again. James had given her the very best kiss of her life. It had been far better than Ralph Hillman’s, and she’d thought no one would ever kiss her better than Ralph.
She stilled, and her stomach fell. She never allowed herself to think of her only lover’s name. Never. Yet a kiss from James had her thinking about Ralph. She waited for the assault of fear to grip her and sighed with relief when it didn’t.
“James.” She pressed her hand on the door. “I’d apologize if it would make you feel better, but I’m not sorry about the kiss.”
He didn’t respond immediately. But when he did, she knew he was close. He was likely standing right before the door. And shamelessly, she wondered if he were nude. “At least you’ve decided to be honest once more.”
She restrained herself from thumping the door again. “I’ll sit outside this door until you open it.”
“You wouldn’t be the first woman to do so.”
“If you are comparing me to your mistress, Miss Page, then I would like to point out that at least she got sex from you.”
She heard the clatter of china crashing against the door and turned just as Nora made it to the hall. The girl had clearly heard. Kim cursed her loose tongue, but she’d never been very good at restraining it. Not since her time with Ralph. Even as her former lover had tried to chain her to his side, he had also encouraged Kim to speak freely.
Especially if her words ended up being shamefully sensual.
When she’d returned home, she’d been forced to control her tongue around her family. Though she’d never been docile, she’d tried to become the perfect woman they’d known her to be.
The result had simply led to her speaking very little and hiding the truth.
Mark of The Marquess (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book) Page 10
