Charlotte greeted her in the parlor and rang for tea. The brightness of the room stung Colette’s eyes. For the last four, days she had lived in a dark room, the curtains drawn so Louis could rest. Now it was like coming out of a black tunnel into the bright morning sun. The ladies talked as they sipped their tea.
After a while, Hugh came in and poured a cup. Charlotte excused herself to speak to the cook about the evening meal. Hugh sat across from Colette and sipped his beverage. She studied the man. It seemed all of Louis’s friends were the handsome, roguish types. But it did not matter to Colette. Louis was the most attractive in her eyes.
Would Louis remember what he had said to her before he had passed out? She knew sometimes people could forget things that occurred during traumatic experiences. The next time she saw Louis, she would not bring it up. If he did not recall the words they had said to each other, she would wait until he recovered to bring up the topic.
The silence between her and Hugh stretched to the point she felt she had to speak. “It has been so kind of Phillip and Charlotte to let us stay for so long. I know we have worn out our welcome.”
“Nonsense, you are family.” Hugh said it as a statement of fact.
“I can understand the feeling toward Louis, but you do not even know me.”
“Louis knows you. He obviously cares very much for you, and that is all any of us need as proof. You are stuck with all of us, I’m afraid,” he said with a smile and saluted her with his teacup.
Colette laughed. The noise sounded foreign to her.
“He loves you.” Hugh looked at Colette. “I don’t just mean him saying it back at the house a few days ago. He pretty much admitted as much to us before he got shot.”
“I’m sure once he’s had time to think things over, he will realize he’s better off without me. I have other obligations.” Her thoughts went to the children. At least they were safe and had been spared any part of this drama. What she would not give to see them, to hold them in her arms. “I have too many secrets in my past, and I have done a lot of things I’m not proud of. I am not worthy of his love.”
Hugh shook his head. A churlish grin spread across his face. He sat back in his chair. “Colette, you and I have a lot in common. I must tell you all about it someday. Needless to say, I thought the same way as you. I loved a woman for years, but I never thought I was good enough for her. I had secrets too, but in the end, I opened up to her, and she made the choice.”
“What did she choose?”
“Me, of course! Love has a way of finding you in unexpected places. I thank the Lord e very day when I wake up with Emily in my arms. She makes me whole, and she loves me, with all of my flaws.” He leaned forward. “You need to give Louis the same choice. For what it’s worth, I think you are one hell of a woman. You are strong and brave, from what Louis told us about your history. You have been able to survive and keep your humanity.”
“Thank you, Hugh. You are kind.”
A minute later the doctor entered the room. Colette had failed to hear the doorbell when he had arrived. “Doctor, I did not know you were here.”
“I came through the back. I had a tincture for one of the maids I also had to deliver.”
“How is Louis?” Hugh asked.
“He is young and healthy, which is in his favor. The wounds are healing nicely. I believe the worst is over. I will come by again tomorrow to check on him. After that, he should be safe to travel. He’s resting now.”
Colette shook the man’s hand. “Thank you so much for all your help.”
The older man bowed his head and showed himself out.
“I think I’ll take a walk in the garden.” Colette excused herself. The doctor said Louis could travel soon. They would go home, but what then?
*********
The first thing Louis noticed when he woke was the tenderness in his chest. Then it all came back in a flash of memories. Christ, he had been shot by André. At the time, all he had wanted to do was protect Colette. Where was she? He needed to find her, but he was too weak. His hands and legs moved, then a warm hand slipped into his.
It was Colette. He would know the feel of that delicate hand anywhere. She was with him. Just that knowledge made him relax. There were so many questions running through his head. It took all his strength to open his eyes. There she was, the woman he loved. Her beautiful features slowly came into focus. They only exchanged a few words before his friends entered the room.
“What happened after I got shot?” He had to know if all had gone well.
Phillip stepped up. “Well, after you left me at the docks, we found a few stragglers, including the Americans. The three cowards had found an empty crate to crawl inside during the fight. They were escorted to an English jail and will be questioned officially.”
“As far as the ships with the sailors, it was a hoax.” Hugh spoke up. “We waited for several hours and there was no activity. It appears it was a distraction, but Ethan and Andrew were lucky.”
Louis turned his attention to Ethan.
“There was a large shipment of supplies that were going to be unloaded and sold to the Russians. We arrested all the men.”
“What about André?” Louis feared he already knew the answer.
Hugh cleared his throat. “I was the first one in, I saw him shoot you, and I shot him. He’s dead. I am sorry, Louis. I know he was family to you.”
“He lost that privilege the moment he became a traitor. I still can’t believe I was so blind all those years.”
“Sometimes we turn a blind eye to those we hold dearest,” Phillip said. “Besides, it appears he did his best to shield you from it, knowing where you stood on the issue. By the way, your friend, Henri, is doing well. He is in the hospital and expected to make a full recovery.”
Louis closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them to peer around the room, he noticed Colette was missing. “Where is Colette?”
The men turned around to look.
“She must have left when we came in,” Ethan said. “Do you want me to fetch her?”
“No, I’m sure she’s exhausted.”
Ethan nodded. “She has not left your side for the last four days. When you had a fever, we were all afraid we would lose you. She truly does love you.”
“Of course she does, and you love her.” Phillip added.
It was not hard to admit anymore. “Yes.” Louis let out a sigh.
Before anyone could say more, there was a knock at the door. The doctor had come to check on Louis. His friends left so Louis could be examined. After checking him, the doctor pronounced Louis healthy enough to travel back to France as soon as he wished. He warned against too much activity so as not to disturb the wounds. Louis needed another week or two of good rest, then he could start moving his arm.
“You are one very lucky young man. Another inch or two and the bullet could have pierced through your lung. Also, you had an excellent nurse.”
Louis smiled and thanked the doctor. After he left, Louis felt tired. He was still weak from his injury and the blood loss. Tomorrow he would speak to Colette, he thought, as he drifted to sleep.
Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. The next day was a whirl of activity. The police came to get a statement from Louis regarding André. Agents from the English War Department also arrived to debrief him. Louis also had letters to write to his superiors in France. He had no opportunity to speak with Colette privately.
His wound was healing, and he was able to get out of bed and join the others for meals. Gradually, Louis started moving his arm, even though it hurt like hell at first. Any time he tried to get Colette alone, they were interrupted, since they were still staying with Phillip and Charlotte. At night, Louis fell into bed, exhausted. Finally, after over a week of distractions, Louis was determined to talk with Colette.
It was time to profess his feelings for her. They needed to move on and start their new life, together. He planned on asking her to marry him. It mattered lit
tle to him that she was poor and had grown up on the streets. There were more important things in life than one’s status. He wanted love, and he had found it with Colette. Even though he would always cherish Michelle and keep her memory in his heart, there was room for his new love with Colette. Louis had planned a night of seduction. Earlier in the evening, he had conscripted Phillip to help him.
“What do you need me to do?” Phillip asked.
“After dinner, I will retire to my room with the excuse that I am tired and not feeling well. I want you to wait a few minutes, then suggest to Colette that she come to check on me.”
“May I ask why I am aiding in this scandalous affair?” His friend cocked a brow knowingly.
“Because I am going to ask Colette to marry me.”
Phillip threw his head back and laughed. “Well, it’s about time, old chap. Congratulations. I will make sure that you are not disturbed for the rest of the night.”
“Thank you, my friend.” Louis clapped Phillip on the back.
Dinner went about as usual. The two couples chatted amiably. Since Louis’s injury, Colette had been quieter, a little withdrawn. Louis had a suspicion it had to do with him. They had not spoken about returning to France or their future. He would put all her worries to rest tonight.
The group retired to the salon after dinner. Louis excused himself shortly after and went to his room. He quickly undressed and climbed into bed. The sheets covered his unclothed lower half. His wound was still sore and ached at times, but he would not let it deter him from his seduction of Colette tonight.
A few minutes later, a tentative knock announced Colette’s entrance. There was a weariness about her, but the second she saw him in bed bare-chested, she paused. A faint color brushed up the sides of her neck. He put out his hand. She took the last few steps and grabbed his hand.
With a tug, he brought her onto the bed and wrapped his arms around her. To avoid knocking him over, she ended up straddling his legs. The position made his cock come to life. God, he loved her.
“Louis, you must be careful with your wound.”
“Damn the wound.” He brought her lips down to his and feasted. Colette hesitated only a moment before melting into the embrace. She snaked her arms around his neck as she leaned into him. Their lips and tongues clashed and danced. It seemed a lifetime had passed since they had last shared a kiss.
There was one thing he had to do before they went any further. Reluctantly, he pulled back from her lips.
“Phillip said you were not feeling well and that I should come up to check on you. I see that was a lie.” She smirked, wiggling in his lap.
“I wanted an excuse to get you alone.” He took a breath before he poured his heart out. “My darling, I am so sorry for everything that has happened. But there is one thing I’m not sorry for, and that is finding you. Colette, my love, you are everything I could ever want or need. I love you with all my soul, and if you will take me, I want to marry you.”
Their faces were mere inches from one another. Colette leaned back further and studied his face. Was she trying to see if he was sincere? There was no doubt in Louis’s mind that she could see the love evident on his face.
“Marry me, Colette. We will take the children to the country and give them a proper childhood. Perhaps we can give them siblings as well.”
Her eyes went wide. “You would do that? Take the children?”
“Of course. They are your family, and they deserve happiness. They will become my wards. I want all of you, my love, and that includes those children you have raised.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes.” He nuzzled her neck and laid feather kisses down to her chest. “Say you will make me the happiest man in France.”
“I love you, Louis.”
He peered into her eyes and saw the affirmation clear as day. It was too tempting, so he sampled her lips again. “I love you, my beautiful thief.”
“Then yes, I will marry you.”
He smiled. “Good, because I did not know how much longer I could wait.”
“For what?”
“For you.” He arched his groin up to meet her junction, and she moaned in reply. “I need you now, Colette.”
“What about your wound?”
“You must do most of the work, but I can take care of the important part.”
She let out a giggle. Within a few minutes, Colette had removed her clothes. Next, she pulled back the bed to see his glorious erection, hard and ready to sink into her. She settled back on Louis’s lap and sensually rubbed her damp apex over his steely rod.
“Lord, woman, you know how to torture a man.”
She answered with a mischievous grin. “We have all night.”
“I won’t last that long.”
The overwhelming urge to be inside her only strengthened when she put her hand on his member. With a leisurely movement, she stroked up and down his shaft. His head fell back. She set fire to his body, arousing every sense.
Colette’s mouth replaced her hand, and he was lost. Her tongue licked his cock, sending shocks of pleasure straight to his balls. The woman used her mouth like a weapon, making him powerless in her grip. Colette began a rhythmic sucking, hollowing out her cheeks to give more pressure. He thought he would come right then, but he restrained himself. It felt so good, but the ache to be inside her was too great.
“Colette, my love. Ride my cock, let me fill you.”
She did as he asked and positioned herself on top of his manhood. Taking hold of him, she glided the rigid staff between her wet folds. She lowered herself until her pussy devoured his length. The feel of being embraced in her channel was almost too much. The desire to pound into her overtook him.
Louis thrust upward with his pelvis while Colette came down to meet him, ramming him deeper. As he pulsated into her, Louis grabbed one breast, bringing it to his mouth so he could lap at her supple flesh. He took one nipple then the other in his mouth, sucking each tit to a hard pearl. Colette mewed with satisfaction as both his cock and mouth pleasured her.
“Yes, Louis. Give me more.”
Not one to disobey an order, Louis grabbed her neck to bring her mouth down to his. Immediately his tongue plunged in, taking possession. He kissed and explored all she had to give. When he knew he was close to climax, his fingers found the sensitive bud between her legs. He rubbed her clitoris, teasing it, making Colette moan. He wanted them to finish together. His cock was a prisoner in her warm chamber, and he never wanted to be free.
The tension in his balls grew until it unleashed a storm that traveled up his shaft. At the same time, he rubbed Colette’s bud harder. She ground against his hand, trying to find her own release. With swift, deliberate strokes, he felt her muscles tighten around his dick, and he was lost. The warm spill of his seed inside her was long and fulfilling. Colette let out a loud cry as she climaxed. They came together in a shuddering wave of completion.
Colette’s head collapsed onto his shoulder. Her warm, shallow breaths tickled his skin. This was what he craved, the woman he loved totally satisfied in his bed. With his good arm, he embraced her and planted a tender kiss on her head.
“I will love you always, my darling.”
Colette lifted her head. “And I you.”
“What do you think about marrying here? There is no rush to go back. I have written my report to my superiors in Paris. I can send for the children.”
“You mean it?” She could barely contain the joy in her voice. “You would bring the children here?”
“Of course. They would be upset if they did not see us get married. Besides, our friends are here. What better place to start out new life?”
“I would like that very much.”
Louis pushed back a stray hair which had fallen across her eye. Every moment with Colette felt like the first. Each time he saw her, he loved her even more. He wanted to make her happy, and if it took him the rest of his life, he would do it.
EP
ILOGUE
Two months had passed since Louis had been shot. Since that time, the couple had been busy. They had rented a house near Phillip and Charlotte while they stayed in London. Louis had gone to Paris to fetch the children and to report to the Ministry about André’s network. He had taken Henri back to Paris with him.
After Henri had been discharged from the hospital, Louis had his friend stay with him and Colette. The men had cleared up any misunderstandings and had grown closer. Henri would oversee Louis’s business in France while they stayed in England.
The French authorities had taken most of André’s associates into custody, including Jacques. There had been multiple arrests of conspirators including some of the people whose names Colette and Louis had compiled on their list. With any luck, it would be the end of the Fox’s reign of terror.
The day Louis brought the children to her was one of the happiest in Colette’s life. She had all the people she loved with her now. During their time in London, she had gotten to know Louis’s friends and their wives much better. Everyone was so accepting of her.
The wives took her and the children around the city, showing them all the sights. At night, they went to shows or visited Covent Garden. Even though they were not married yet, Louis and Colette shared a bed. Louis said he was never letting Colette out of his sight—or his bed. Their love grew with each passing day.
They spoke about Michelle and shared memories of her. Michelle would be happy for them, Colette thought. She would never be forgotten by either of them. In a way, Michelle had brought them together.
The day of the wedding finally arrived. Phillip and Charlotte had insisted the celebration take place at their house. Surrounded by their friends and family, she and Louis said their vows. When Louis kissed her, Colette knew it was forever. During the reception, Charlotte and the other wives came up to her. Each lady gave her a kiss on the cheek and congratulated her.
The Secret to a Spy’s Heart: A Steamy Victorian Historical Spy Series (Romancing Intrigue Book 4) Page 24
