Less Than a Gentleman

  She searched the room ’til she found a clean sheet, then wrapped it around her waist and tied the ends. Taking a deep breath, she ventured into the parlor.

  The fire in the hearth drew her attention first. It illuminated a makeshift pallet Thomas had made on the floor, several quilts and two pillows. Side by side.

  She spotted him at the table. A lit candlestick flickered between two pewter mugs and plates.

  “Come and eat.” He stood and held out a chair for her.

  She smiled at the simple fare he had prepared for her—cheese, bread, and a few figs. “Thank you.”

  He poured some cider into her mug. “I know you’re tired, so I made a place for you to sleep.”

  “Thank you.” She glanced at the pallet with its two pillows. “I suppose you’re tired, too.”

  “Aye, it’s been a long day. And I still smell of smoke and gunpowder.” He took the kettle from the hearth and walked toward Jacob’s room. “I’ll heat up the water and take a bath.” He smiled at her as he closed the door.

  She nibbled on some cheese as she looked around. Thomas’s plate was empty. He must have eaten while she was dozing in the bathtub. Her gaze drifted once again to the pallet. Did he intend to sleep with her?

  She yawned. She was far too exhausted to get indignant or even worried. Thomas had to be exhausted, too. The man had blown up a barge, battled redcoats, rescued Jane, witnessed a birthing, and proposed marriage in one day.

  Her husband. With a weary smile, she padded over to the pallet. She untied the sheet around her waist and covered herself up from her feet to her chin. Within minutes, she felt herself drifting off.

  It was too hot. She slowly opened her eyes to gaze sleepily at the fireplace. The fire had burned down to a pile of glowing embers. She blinked, coming more fully awake. There was a body pressed against her back. Thomas’s bare arm was wrapped around her, and he’d flung a leg across hers. It was like being embraced by a furnace.

  She nudged gently at his leg, and with a moan, he rolled onto his back. She listened to his soft breathing for a while, then quietly turned to face him. His hair was loose, the dark strands spread across his pillow. She glanced at his eyes to make sure they were shut, then admired his profile in the dim firelight. Straight nose, strong jaw and chin, interesting dark whiskers.

  Would they be prickly or soft? She skimmed a finger over them. Prickly. She glanced back at his eyes. Still shut.

  Propping herself up on an elbow, she let her gaze drift over his bare chest. There were interesting mounds and dips, outlining the muscles along his abdomen and the contour of his hipbones, so different from her own. He wore no stockings, so his calves were bare and sprinkled with dark, curly hair. His breeches were partially unbuttoned, and a line of hair emerged from them and led up to his belly button. His chest was broad and muscular. Between two copper-colored flat nipples, dark brown hair curled. Prickly or soft?

  She tested it with her fingertips. Soft. She skimmed her fingers across the thick mat ’til she reached the thin line that led to his navel. It was so smooth and silky, she soon ended up with a finger in his belly button.

  “Don’t stop there.”

  With a gasp, she jerked her hand away. His eyes were open and he was watching her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. Go—go back to sleep.” She lay down, dragging the sheet to her chin and squeezing her eyes shut.

  She heard a rustling sound beside her and sneaked a peek. He was propped up on an elbow, looking at her. She closed her eyes again. Her skin tingled, just from the knowledge that he was studying her. Would he touch her? Caress her breasts like he had the other night? Take her nipples into his mouth?

  Heat blossomed in her cheeks, then skittered down her chest and belly to her core, where it sizzled and made her squeeze her thighs together. He had touched her there before. God help her, she wanted it again.

  She opened her eyes.

  He smiled. “Do you know how beautiful you are? I could look at you for hours.”

  Stop looking and start touching! She licked her lips.

  His gaze dropped to her mouth. “Caroline?”

  “Yes.”

  He leaned closer, studying her intently. “Yes?”

  She nodded. “Yes.”

  He touched her cheek as he leaned forward and kissed her once, twice, before pulling her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around him as he rolled onto his back, taking her with him.

  He raked a hand into her hair. “Kiss me.”

  She skimmed her fingers along his whiskers, then brushed her lips across them, enjoying the ticklish sensation. He turned his mouth to meet hers and kissed her so thoroughly, she was caught by surprise when his hand squeezed her bare rump.

  She broke the kiss, gasping.

  “Sit up.”

  She did. He dragged the shirt up her body and over her head. Instinctively, she covered her breasts.

  “Don’t.” He moved her hands away. “You’re beautiful.”

  “Thomas—”

  “Lie down.”

  “You seem to be ordering me about.”

  “I’m about to explode.”

  Her gaze dropped to the bulge in his breeches. It was bigger than ever. “I suppose you’re feeling a bit rushed.”

  He snorted. “I’ll manage. Meanwhile, allow me to rephrase my request. Will you please recline so I may kiss your breasts?”

  “Oh. Well, if you put it that way.” She lay back.

  Smiling, he brushed her hair away from her face. “You can give me orders, too.”

  “Really?” She smoothed her hands up his arms to his shoulders, enjoying the bulge of his muscles. “I wouldn’t know what to say.”

  “You can say kiss me.” He kissed her cheek. “Lick me.” He ran his tongue up the length of her neck.

  She shuddered.

  “Touch me.” He fondled her breasts. “Taste me.” He lapped at her nipple with his tongue.

  “Yes.” She arched against him.

  “Ravish me. Make me scream.” He sucked her nipple into his mouth.

  “Oh, Thomas.” She raked her hands into his hair. “Yes. Do that. Make me scream.”

  He lifted his head. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I have a strange desire to . . . scream.”

  He smiled as his hand smoothed over her belly. “It will require a full assault on your senses.”

  Her heart raced. “Yes.”

  “And a thorough ravishing of your entire body.”

  Moisture pooled between her legs. “Yes.”

  His hand slipped between her legs and he inhaled sharply. “Slick and sweet. I think you’re ready.”

  “Get on with it!”

  “Is that an order?” He pulled the sheet off her legs.

  She squeezed her legs together. As much as she wanted to scream, she was still a bit shy about lying before him completely naked.

  He smoothed a hand up her thigh. “You’re so beautiful.” Smiling, he leaned over and kissed the red curls at the juncture of her thighs.

  She gasped. “Thomas! Surely, that’s not . . . allowed.”

  With a grin, he stroked his fingers along her inner thighs. “I thought you wanted to scream.”

  “I—I do.”

  “Then let me touch you, and kiss you, and lick you.”

  She gulped. Surely he didn’t mean to . . . She jolted when his fingers slipped between her legs. More moisture seeped from her.

  His movements were shocking; his fingers bold. She clutched the quilt in her fists and shook her head. It was more than she could bear.

  Her thighs fell open, and soon she was writhing along with his incessant fondling and rubbing. Her heart thundered in her ears. Good Lord, he hadn’t exaggerated. This was a full assault on her senses. A calculated attempt to drive her insane.

&
nbsp; She gasped when he inserted a finger inside her. He had warned her about that, too. A thorough ravishing of her entire body. The man was relentless, and she loved it. She needed more. More. “Thomas, please.”

  “Don’t scream yet.” He moved between her legs and lifted her knees, opening her entirely to his view.

  “Is—is that entirely necessary?” Good Lord, he would know what she looked like better than she did.

  He leaned over and kissed her swollen, wet flesh. She jerked in response. Was such a behavior allowed? Surely he had crossed the line. But all thoughts dissolved as he continued to taste her and stroke her. Explore and suckle her. An incredible rising tide gripped her and carried her up and up, then shattered all around her.

  She screamed. Wave upon wave pounded through her. Slowly she became aware of her ragged breaths. She opened her eyes and saw two Thomases peering down at her.

  “I cannot see straight.” She rubbed her eyes.

  He grinned and kissed her brow.

  She pressed a hand to her racing heart. “I had no idea. I think I’ll like being married.”

  “I know I will.” He pulled off his breeches and tossed them aside.

  She gasped. Good Lord, he was huge. And so stiff. “You—you didn’t use some of Dottie’s ointment, did you? The one that promotes swelling?”

  “What?”

  She sat up. “I think you used too much.”

  “Caroline, this is me.”

  “How? I’ve never seen such mammoth proportions. ’Tis not natural.” She scooted away.

  “How many fully aroused men have you seen?”

  “Well, none, but you weren’t that big the other day.”

  “I wasn’t this aroused. And I happen to have more than a small prick. Now can we proceed?”

  She frowned at him and crossed her arms.

  He pointed to the quilt. “Lie down.”

  “You’re giving orders again.”

  His voice started low with clenched teeth, but rose with increasing volume and frustration. “Please be so gracious as to recline for me, Miss Munro. I need inside you before I explode!”

  “Now that’s reassuring! Unfortunately, I highly doubt you can get inside me. I could never accommodate such a huge— I would have to be the size of a bloody cavern!”

  He laughed, then winced. “Don’t make me laugh right now.”

  “I’m not trying to. I find nothing amusing about the prospect of being torn asunder.”

  “I won’t hurt you. Well, it might hurt a little, but believe me, I’ll do my best to give you pleasure.”

  She gave him a doubtful look. “Everyone knows only the man enjoys intercourse.”

  “Where did you hear that?”

  She shrugged. “I’m not really sure, but I’ve heard it said.”

  “By unfortunate women with dullard husbands. Trust me, I’m going to give you pleasure.”

  She gave his manhood a suspicious look.

  “Trust me.” He pulled her closer. “You liked what I did before, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then you’ll like this.” He slid his hand to the back of her neck and kissed her. He explored her lips and mouth slowly and thoroughly. He caressed her back with butterfly strokes of his fingertips ’til she tingled all over. And wanted more.

  He pushed her gently onto her back and lay beside her, his body pressed against her. His manhood strained against her belly, sending flutters to her woman’s core. With a moan, she raked her hands into his hair. He nuzzled her neck, scraping her slightly with his whiskers.

  He caressed her breasts, then suckled them. Heat pooled between her thighs once more, and she found herself wanting him, wanting him to take her and fill the aching emptiness.

  When he touched her core, the burst of sensation was so enticing, she opened her thighs. He moved between her legs and reached down to position himself against her.

  She gulped.

  “Wrap your legs around me.” He pressed against her.

  She winced. “It hurts.”

  “I’m sorry.” He entered her slowly, then stopped. A smile spread across his face. “You’re a virgin.”

  She huffed. “Did you think I wasn’t?”

  “I thought you were, of course, but I just now realized I would be the only man inside you. I really like that.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Congratulations. Can we get this over with?”

  “As you wish.” He plunged in.

  “Aagh!” She hit his shoulder. “That hurt!”

  “I’m sorry.”

  Sure you are. She gritted her teeth. She felt ripped in two, seared with heat, and stuffed like a sausage. Slowly, the burning pain seeped away, and still he lay over her, propped up on his elbows, not moving.

  “Are you all right?” she asked.

  “I’m fighting for control,” he whispered in a strained voice.

  “Why? I’m not struggling with you.”

  He shook his head. “Timing. Timing is everything.”

  What on earth was he mumbling about? She patted his back. “It will be all right.” And hopefully, soon it would be over and done with.

  He slowly pulled himself back ’til only the tip of his manhood teased her.

  She sucked in a hissing breath. Suddenly, she no longer wished for him to finish quickly. Or even finish at all.

  His eyes glimmered a steely blue. “I’m in control now.” He pushed back in.

  “Oh, my.”

  He continued, and Caroline realized he was correct. He was giving her pleasure. A great deal of pleasure, and this time it was even better, for the pleasure was shared.

  She wrapped her arms around him. “Oh, Thomas. You have excellent timing.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  Matthias jerked awake, mentally shoving aside the nightmare that had haunted him since childhood. Sitting up, he glanced to the side.

  Caroline slumbered quietly beneath the blanket he had fetched for the two of them. Her fiery curls, gleaming in the morning light, spread upon the pillow like a halo. How would she react when he confessed his true identity? Would she be delighted with the wealth of Loblolly, or would she be as appalled as he was over the prospect of owning slaves?

  He jumped to his feet and pulled on his breeches. Regardless of how Caroline felt, he needed to take her and her family to his uncle’s home, where they would be safe from Hickman. It might be difficult to move Virginia and her baby, but what choice did he have? Once it became public record that Matthias Murray Thomas had married Caroline Munro, the entire Munro family could be in danger.

  He pumped fresh water into a pitcher. The best way to keep them safe would be to keep his false name, but then the wedding would be false. He couldn’t do that to Caroline. How angry would she be when he confessed?

  With a sigh, he soaped up his face. She’d said she loved him. He had to believe it.

  While he was shaving, she awoke. She sat up and glanced around.

  “Good morning.” He wiped his face dry.

  A blush colored her cheeks. “Good morning.” She quickly donned Jacob’s shirt.

  “I thought we’d go see how your sister is faring.”

  “I—I need to go to my room first and put on a proper dress.” She stood, tying the blanket about her waist like a skirt. “I look very strange. I hope no one sees me.”

  “I think you look beautiful.” He touched her cheek. “I am honored to be your husband.”

  Tears glimmered in her eyes. “I—I’m a little overwhelmed. I never knew it would be so . . .”

  “Wonderful?”

  “Frightening. I feel like I’ve lost my heart. If anything should happen to you—”

  “Nothing will happen. I love you.” He kissed her quickly. “Now, we have a wedding to go to.”

 
She nodded, her eyes clouded with worry. “I hope so.”

  After she ran to Jacob’s room to bundle up her dirty clothes and use the chamber pot, he led her outside and they ambled along the river.

  He glanced at her, wondering why she was so quiet. Shouldn’t a bride be happier on her wedding day? “You’re not ashamed of making love to me, are you?”

  “No, of course not. I’m grateful we had that time together.”

  He reached for her hand. “Caroline, we have our whole lives together.”

  Her eyes glinted with pain. “Yes, I know.”

  That was it. His throat constricted with the realization. She was defining their “whole lives” as a limited number of days. He’d admitted he was a wanted man, and she thought he would end up hanging from a rope. How could he convince her she was wrong when she could be right?

  And he wasn’t the only one in danger. If Hickman had any idea how involved she was with the partisans, he wouldn’t hesitate to hang her as a traitor.

  Matthias tightened his grip on her hand. “Caroline. Whatever happens, always remember that I love you.”

  Her eyes glimmered with unshed tears. “You feel it, too? That something dreadful will happen?”

  “No. Nothing will happen. I won’t allow it.”

  Her sad smile seemed to indicate that he was somewhat simplistic, but that she still loved him.

  “I think I should take you and your family to North Carolina.”

  Her eyes lit with hope. “Oh, yes! We could go to my parents’ home. ’Twould be the safest place for Ginny and the children.”

  “Aye.” Matthias nodded. And the safest place for Caroline, too, although he would have to leave her there to rejoin the army.

  He felt the horsemen coming first. The ground vibrated beneath his feet. He pulled Caroline behind the cover of trees, then peered through the branches and spotted green coats. Tarleton. And Greville was riding in the rear. They stopped in front of the house. “Come, I want to hear this.”

  “Careful.” Caroline hurried alongside him. “Someone might see you.”

  “Pugsley left yesterday, remember? Bertram is probably sound asleep, and the dragoons are staying on the front lawn.” Matthias dashed to the servants’ entrance with Caroline close behind him. They entered the secret passageway, and he eased open the peephole.