by Gill, Tamara
His rock-solid phallus twitched against her and she sat back, meeting his gaze. “Did you not find release?”
He shook his head, swallowing. “No, but I want you to come to my room tonight. Will you?”
Hallie nodded without thought. She would take all she could of him for the time both she and he had left here. All too soon it would be over and she would have to find new employment. Funds that would have to be handed over to Mr. Stewart. A little distraction before life’s realities was just what she needed.
“I will join you when everyone is abed.” The thought of sleeping in his arms warmed her soul and the night couldn’t come soon enough.
Chapter 14
Hallie received a letter from her cousin later that day and she was relieved and pleased to hear Ammon was doing well and had started to learn his letters. A stab of disappointment that she was not the one teaching her son how to read and write pricked her conscience, but then she reminded herself that her working enabled him the comfort that he now lived in and supplied all the things he needed to learn and grow.
That was until the reality of Mr. Stewart and his blackmailing put everything she’d been working hard toward at risk. She could not allow him to use her in such a way. There had to be a way in which she could be rid of him.
She wrote back, telling them of all her finds and even drawing a couple of sketches of artifacts that she knew Ammon may enjoy, being a boy and liking military things. What boys did not?
After sending down her letter to be posted the following day, Hallie ordered a bath and prepared herself for bed, dismissing her maid early as she did not want anyone here later this evening when she snuck out to join Lord Duncannon in his room.
Her stomach clenched at the thought of being with him again. She hadn’t thought to ever desire another man, but here she was, with the first man who had ever touched her soul and his wickedness, his determination to win her was a pleasure hard to deny.
A knock sounded on her door and she opened it to see Willow, her face stricken.
“Willow, come in. What is wrong?”
Willow looked up and down the passage and then, coming into her room, shut the door and locked it. “You will never believe the gossip I just heard before I retired for the night.”
Dread lodged in her stomach and she clasped her abdomen. “Gossip? What is it?”
Willow’s lips thinned into a disapproving line. “There is talk below stairs that a couple were caught in flagrante delicto in the library earlier today. Mr. Stewart says that he saw them with his own eyes. He did not know I could hear when he was telling Baron Bankes all the details otherwise I’m sure he would not have said a word.” Willow paused for breath. “I know most who were out on the walk with the baron today, but there were several people who stayed behind. Lord Duncannon was one of them and so were you.”
Her friend’s direct inspection of her made her stomach churn. Hallie raised her chin, refusing to break under her friend’s stare. “Mr. Stewart ought to be ashamed in telling such tales. I’m sure he would not like people talking about him if he found himself in that position.” Hallie inwardly seethed. How dare he start such stories about anyone, not only her. It proved her unease correct about him. He was determined to bring her down, and not just financially.
“Oh, I’m sure he would not. Even so, it will not stop him from talking. He seems quite the gossiper.”
Hallie yawned, hoping Willow would notice her need for sleep, even though she had no intention of sleeping, not for the next few hours at least. She wanted to see Arthur and tell him of what Willow had said. Perhaps he could speak to Mr. Stewart to ensure the man didn’t spread rumors about them. That he knew they were in the library it was clear he understood what had happened between them.
Heat bloomed on her face over their actions and she cringed. If she did not have enough troubles already to worry about, now she had this to contend with.
Willow reached out and touched her arm, bringing her attention back to her friend. “I will bid you goodnight. I can see that you’re tired. Goodnight, Hallie.”
“I will speak to you in the morning. Goodnight.” Hallie shut the door behind Willow and slumped against it. She glanced at the mantel clock that ticked just past the midnight hour. She would give it another half hour and then sneak over to Arthur’s room.
Hallie sat in the chair before the fire to wait out the time. She watched as the flames licked the wood, it’s flickering lulling her to sleep.
With a gasp she awoke, sitting up to the sounds of the maid opening the curtains and the sound of birdsong in the trees outside her window. A pot of tea and some toast sat on a silver tray on the small table before her, a pot of strawberry jam to the side that made her stomach grumble at the sight of food.
“Damn it,” she mumbled, rubbing her face to try to wake up. How could she have missed spending a night in Arthur’s arms? She swore under her breath, rolling her stiff shoulders at having slept in a chair instead of a bed. A very comfortable bed with a hot, sensual man who only wanted to please her at her side.
Hallie quickly ate and dressed, her breeches, shirt, and jacket making her progress a lot quicker than had she worn a dress. As usual, she headed for the servants’ stairs, wanting to slip away to the dig site without seeing Mr. Stewart or Baron Bankes, whom she was wondering if she’d ever be able to look in the face again, especially now that he knew some of his house guests were enjoying each other.
If he learned it was her and Lord Duncannon she would not be offered any work anywhere else. He would make sure of that.
She stepped out the back door, glancing up at the cloudless sky and breathing deep the crisp morning air.
“Good morning, my dear.”
Hallie stifled a scream and clasped her throat, heart beating a loud drum inside her chest. “Lord Duncannon. You’re up early.”
“Sleepless night,” he teased and she couldn’t help but chuckle.
“I’m sorry about that. I fell asleep.” She continued toward the back-gate entrance of the yard, and could see a carriage was hitched at the stables. Panic assailed her that Arthur being up and the carriage hitched meant that he was leaving. “Will you be joining me up at the dig site today?” she asked, hoping the carriage was not for him.
He shook his head, pulling on his gloves. “No, unfortunately, but then neither will you. I want you to come on a ride with me.”
“On a horse?” She was never overly fond of the animals, certainly not when she was on top of them and the idea of riding about all day wasn’t something that tempted her.
“No, in the carriage. I want you to visit my estate. I’m neighbors with Baron Bankes, if you were not familiar. I have a proposition for you.”
The mention of a proposition was intriguing and she studied him a moment wondering what he meant by it. She glanced toward the stables and saw Greg and Bruce waiting for her. Decision made, she went over to them.
“I’m going to visit Lord Duncannon’s estate today. I’ll not be needing you up at the dig site. We’ll meet up there tomorrow at seven if you’re free.”
They tipped their hats. “Of course, Miss Evans. We shall be there tomorrow instead.”
She smiled her thanks. Walking back, she gave Lord Duncannon her hand and he helped her climb into the carriage. She settled herself on the leather squabs, watched as Arthur joined her, seating himself beside her. The carriage was similar to what her friend and now the Duchess of Whitstone traveled in. Hallie didn’t possess such a vehicle, having to travel about England by stagecoach, only having such luxury as this when she was with her friends who were well-to-do.
His lordship shut the door and rapped on the roof with his fist. The carriage rocked forward and he slipped off his gloves, placing them beside him. Hallie took in his strong, large hands. Without warning, his fingers entwined with hers and he held her hand.
She glanced at him, and yet he was studying the outdoors through the window, a serene expression on his face. Warmth sp
read through her at the sweet and innocent gesture, simply to hold her and be close without anything else insinuated.
Hallie wished it could be so easy as this. Just a joining of two people who liked each other, possibly even more than liked if her emotions were to believed. And if what Lord Duncannon had said in the library the other day was true.
“What is it that you wished to show me at your estate? What is this proposition you speak of?”
He smiled. “Well, as to that, I have a surprise for you that I think you’ll be most pleased with.” He shrugged. “I also wanted to show you my estate, my home.”
She would be a liar if the thought of seeing where he lived didn’t intrigue her. Was his home as warm as Arthur was turning out to be? A beacon of light that she couldn’t help but warm herself against and chase away the chill of her worries?
They traveled in silence for some time and within an hour the carriage rocked to a halt, no sign of any home. Hallie leaned forward and looked out the window, seeing nothing but a dense area of trees in a shallow valley below. “Why have we stopped?”
His mischievous grin made her smile. “You’ll see,” he said, opening the door and helping her outside. They walked down the hill toward the trees and Hallie looked about, wondering what he was going to show her. As they entered the trees, the shadows chilled her skin and she rubbed her arms, wishing she’d brought a shawl. Arthur glanced at her and then, the gentleman he was, shuffled out of his coat and placed it about her shoulders.
“Thank you,” she said, pulling him close and leaning up to kiss him. They were alone here, the servants on the carriage could no longer see them and his sweetness deserved a little something. Even if it were only a kiss.
He wrapped his arm about her waist and they continued on, coming to a low stone wall. “This,” he said, gesturing to the wall and the others she could see, some taller as if they were an exterior wall to a castle. Hallie could see a fireplace, still blackened from the coal and past use. Beech and elm trees grew throughout the structure.
“It is the original site of our ancestral home. Cadding Castle was built during Henry the Seventh’s reign and fell into disrepair when my great-great grandfather decided to build a bigger and much grander ancestral home, Cadding Hall.”
Hallie ran her hand over the large stone blocks, could only imagine how imposing and large the castle would have been. She walked around the stone wall and into the center of one of the bottom rooms that no longer had a roof. She turned to face him. “It’s very grand, but why did you want me to see this?”
“Well, as to that.” He came about the stone wall and joined her, looking at the ruins with interest. “I’d like you to excavate the ruins. I want to rebuild the structure, but I would like any history of the site catalogued and preserved. I thought that if I had someone who knew what to look for, you may be able to help me rebuild it. Preserve it.”
For a moment Hallie wasn’t able to reply. She had not thought he would offer her such a proposition, but she could also not do the work for free. She would need laborers and equipment. This was a large job and would take months to complete. Did Lord Duncannon mean to pay her a salary, or was he hoping she’d do this for free?
“I’m honored, truly, but…”
“I will pay you handsomely. I’m not sure what the going rate is for an archaeologist, but I’ll pay whatever you think is fair. Five hundred pounds, a thousand. Name your price and I shall pay it.”
Hallie shut her mouth with a snap. “I do not need that much, my lord.” The thought of such sums would help her secure her son and she would not have to look for more work unless the position was something that interested her. That is, if she could cheat Mr. Stewart out of what he claimed was his right to have.
While this was an interesting job proposition, she couldn’t help but wonder if he were doing it to keep her close. Keep her in his bed for a little while longer. Not an awful idea, but still, being near him, day after day, night after night would only sink her further into that pit of emotions she’d hidden away for so very long.
“If I were to do this I need a promise, a declaration and contracts signed so everything is above board.”
“Of course,” he said, coming over to her and taking her hand. “I will admit to wanting you with me, but this rebuild has been in my plans for the estate for some time. I have the drawings already drafted, I just need someone to ensure the property or anything found here is protected from damage. Anything that was part of the original structure I’d like to include back into the build if possible. That’s where you come in.”
All of it made sense…but still… “I insist that I’ll be given a cottage or a small building nearby to stay in. Our bed hopping has to end while I do this. I don’t want to be talked about as your live-in lover who is being paid for her work at the dig site during the day and paid for my time in your bed during the night.”
He ran a hand through his hair, looking about the ruins for a moment before he turned back to her. “Very well. I’ll have you installed in a nearby cottage that my old groundsman used to live in and we’ll keep our relationship purely business until after you’ve completed the dig here. But after that,” he said, stepping up against her and wrapping his hands about her waist. Hallie relaxed against him, loving the fact that he made her feel so very at home, safe and adored. “I’m going to continue to court you, Miss Evans and nothing will stand in my way.”
Hallie linked her fingers behind his back, wishing it could be so. “I think we have an agreement, my lord.”
“And your price?”
She took a calming breath, thinking of her son and reminding herself Lord Duncannon said he would pay anything she asked. “I ask for one thousand pounds for the work I’m about to undertake, plus labor hire and tools.” She held her breath as he contemplated her fee.
“Done,” he said without question. “I’ll have the money to you tomorrow.”
She gasped and he took the opportunity to kiss her. Hallie forgot all about the dig, the money, everything, and gave herself up to his affection. She would have to tell him after she finished her work here everything of her past and let herself either live or die by the sword he could wield over her soul.
Chapter 15
True to his word, Lord Duncannon asked for a meeting with her in Baron Bankes’s library the following day. They had spent a wonderful day at his estate, walking the grounds, seeing his home, the many family portraits and secret passageways.
He met her at the door and helped her into the chair before the baron’s desk. “I have everything you asked for. I even had my steward write up a contract overnight and express it here this morning.”
Hallie took the parchment from him and read through the contract, noting the amount to be paid, the support she asked for during the excavation prior to his building work to commence. Everything she’d asked for he had completed. She glanced up and saw another package tied with string. Her payment perhaps?
If Mr. Stewart found out how much he paid her, all of her negotiation and acceptance of this work would be for nothing. Overnight she had debated this dilemma and had decided that paying Mr. Stewart some of the money to keep him happy and quiet would be better than paying him nothing at all. It would still leave her ample money to finally take her son into her own care and move back to Felday. To be selective with the work that she wanted to do in future.
“It all looks very good, my lord. Quill please,” she said, placing the contract on the desk, ready to sign. Arthur grinned, dipping the nip into the ink and passing her the quill. Hallie signed and with her scrawl of signature a little of the weight of having no security, having to rely on others for positions to keep the wolves at bay eased. This was the start of a new beginning. She sat back, meeting his gaze. “I’d like for the specifics of the contract to remain between us, my lord. No one needs to know the particular details of our agreement. Do you not agree?”
Arthur nodded without hesitation. “Of course.” He pushed t
he package tied with string across the desk. “One last detail. Here is the one thousand pounds we decided on, delivered today as promised.”
She picked it up, turning it in her hand, having never held so much money in her possession at any one moment. “Thank you. That is very generous.”
He stood and came around the desk, dipping the quill once more and signing his part of the contract, then, rolling it up, turned and handed it to her. “Once you’ve completed your work here, I look forward to having you at my estate, Miss Evans.”
She stood. “I do too.” Which was true. She could not wait to be out from Mr. Stewart’s watchful eyes and with any luck, with the money she would give him today, he would leave her alone for a little while.
“I must go, I’m already late heading up to the dig site.”
“Of course,” Arthur said, bowing. “Will I see you tonight?” he asked as she turned to leave. Warmth blossomed low in her belly and she bit back a small grin. “When everyone is abed, I’ll come to your room. I won’t fall asleep this time. I promise.”
He grinned. “I’ll count the hours.”
Hallie walked from the room, an absurd little smile on her lips and hope in her heart. There was more between them than just physical attraction. He cared, she was sure of it. But did that mean he cared enough to want her when he knew everything? More importantly was she strong enough to tell him the truth and risk her heart a second time?
Later that day, Hallie sat in the tent at the dig site, eating a sandwich and waiting for a shower of rain to pass. Greg and Bruce had asked to return to the stables due to a mare who was in labor. Hallie had waved them off without hesitation and continued studying the small artifacts that had come out of the second trench. Half a statue that may be one of the many gods the Romans prayed to and more pottery pieces. The site was certainly of interest, but Baron Bankes had only wanted a small excavation to prove that there was once a Roman fort here. If her work here these past weeks proved anything it was that most certainly there was. At least she had proved the Baron and his family’s thoughts on the site correct, even if she had not been able to make the site give up all its historical secrets.
