She thrust and parried against two men at once, her steps hampered by the uneven ground, her sight hindered by the darkness.
All the while she was achingly aware of the carriage behind them, her brain ticking off the time it would take to hitch the equipage. The fighting would be audible and the nearby danger would urge them to greater haste. If she could not break free quickly, she would lose Amelia again.
Suddenly, more combatants joined the fracas, fighting not against her, but at her side. She had no notion who they were, she was simply grateful to be freed. Leaping back from a thrusting small sword, Maria parried, then spun on her heel and ran for her life toward the coach yard.
“Amelia!” she cried, tripping over a rut but maintaining her footing. “Amelia, wait!”
The small form paused with one foot on the step, one hand shoving back her cowl to reveal a dark-haired young woman with bright green eyes. Not at all the child Maria remembered, but it was Amelia regardless.
“Maria?”
Struggling against the taller figure, her sister tried to step down but was shoved inside.
“Amelia!”
The opposite door opened and Amelia fell out, scrambling to find her footing amidst the jumble of her skirts.
Maria ran faster, finding some source of strength she hadn’t known was in her. She was almost there, the edge of the coach yard only a few feet away, when a powerful force struck into her back and took her to the ground.
Crushed beneath the weight of a man, her foil knocked away, she couldn’t breathe, the air forcibly expelled from her lungs by the blow. She clawed at the ground, her nails breaking in the dirt, her gaze riveted to Amelia, who struggled as she did.
“Maria!”
Desperate, Maria kicked at the man whose legs were tangled with hers, and then pain unlike she’d ever known tore through her shoulder. She felt the flesh rip beneath the plunging blade. Not once but twice.
Then, mercifully, the weight was lifted from her. She gasped her sister’s name and tried to move, finding herself pinned to the ground by the weapon that bore through her. The pain of her wrenching movement was too much.
One moment there was agony. And then nothing.
Chapter 7
“We are bringing a ship into Deal tomorrow night.”
Christopher stared out his black velvet–framed study window at the street below, his fingers rubbing into the sore muscles of his neck. Hackneys rattled by in haste, as no one wished to spend more time in this area of town than was absolutely necessary. “Is everything in readiness?”
“Yes,” Philip assured behind him. “The lander has already arranged the carts and mounts, so transportation will begin posthaste.”
Christopher nodded wearily, suffering from lack of deep sleep. Driving himself to physical exhaustion would not cure the restlessness caused by his current predicament, and Maria’s place in it.
“This cargo is an impressive haul, I’ve heard,” Philip said, his tone lined with the inquisitiveness Christopher fostered.
“Yes. I’m pleased.”
Diluting of the over-proof spirits and packaging of the contraband tea would take some time, but his men worked industriously, and his goods filtered into the retail market much quicker than competing smugglers and gangs.
A knock came to the door and he called out permission to enter. The portal swung open and Sam entered, his hat pressed against his chest in a gesture Christopher had come to recognize as a nervous one. Because Sam had been one of the four men assigned to follow Maria, Christopher was immediately set on edge.
“What is it?” he asked.
Sam winced and ran a hand through his red locks. “There was a skirmish two nights ago and—”
“Was she hurt?” Every muscle tensed, his mind flooding with memories of her sweetly curved body straining beneath his. She was so tiny, so slight of frame…
“Aye. Knife wounds to the left shoulder, one clean through.”
Christopher’s voice became even more controlled, a sure sign of his growing irritation. “The entirety of your purpose was to see to her safety. Four of you, yet you all failed?”
“She was set upon! And there were more of them than there were of us!”
Christopher glanced at Philip. “Have the coach hitched.”
“She’s here,” Sam offered quickly. “In Town.”
“Say that again.” Christopher’s heart raced. “She traveled in that condition?”
Sam cringed and nodded.
A low growl rumbled up from the depths of Christopher’s chest.
“I will have your horse brought round,” Philip offered, retreating hastily.
Christopher’s gaze never left Sam’s flushed face. “You should have kept her abed and sent for me.”
“’Tis a blessing I can tell the tale!” Sam held out his hands defensively, the brim of his hat crumpled in his fist. “When we took her back to her inn, the Irishman went bloody mad.” He scratched furiously at his head and blurted, “He frightened Tim! Tim was quaking, I tell you, and Tim could look the devil in the eye and laugh.”
“Quinn was not with her when the attack occurred?”
Sam shook his head.
His hands fisting at his sides, Christopher left the room with rapid strides, forcing Sam to leap out of the way. Crossing the hall, he paused at the door to the parlor, where a dozen of his lackeys were engaged in a card game. “Come along,” he said before taking the stairs to the street level.
The men scrambled to their feet behind him.
He collected his coat and hat and swept out the main door. Within moments, he was mounted and the others were galloping around from the mews where their horses were always at the ready for whatever task he might send them on.
As they rode from St. Giles to Mayfair, beggars and prostitutes gave way to vendors and pedestrians, but all called out to him, waving hats and arms in cheerful greetings. Christopher tipped his brim as necessary, but the movement was habitual, his thoughts fully focused on Maria.
Later, once he’d assured himself that she was well, he would hear reports of the incident in minute detail from each of the four men who had been present. There would be discussion, and the point of error would be discovered. The other men would hear of it, and the failure would be used as a teaching tool. The four men would most likely never be given so important a task again.
Others in his position would take more brutal measures of discipline, but a maimed man was less efficient than a whole one. And loss of privilege would teach the same lesson. When violence was necessary, it was quite simply necessary, but he had no need of it to control those under his command.
Arriving at Lady Winter’s townhouse, he dismounted as two of his men detained the startled groomsmen. Entry to the house was gained by simply swarming in past the outraged butler, and Christopher shoved his hat and gloves at the blustering servant before taking the stairs two at a time.
Altogether the time between his learning of Maria’s injuries and his arrival at her bedroom was impressively short, but not swift enough for him. He pushed the door to her bedchamber open at the same moment Quinn entered the sitting room from his own suite.
“By God!” the Irishman roared. “Step one foot in there and I shall kill you with my bare hands.”
Christopher waved his hand carelessly at the men who followed at his heels. “Take care of that,” he drawled, shutting out the scuffle that ensued with a firm click of the latch.
Breathing deeply, he pulled the scent of Maria deep into his nostrils and thumbed the lock, surprised to find himself somewhat hesitant to turn about and face her. The thought of her wounded did odd things to his equanimity.
“Be grateful I am too weary to give you your due, Mr. St. John.”
He smiled at the breathy sound of her voice. It was weak, yes, but it challenged him just the same. Turning, he found her lost in her large bed, her olive skin pale and her brows furrowed with pain. Dressed in a thin cotton night rail with lace at the
throat and wrists, the infamous Lady Winter looked as innocent as a schoolgirl.
His gut clenched.
“Christopher,” he corrected hoarsely, the betraying rasp forcing him to clear his throat. Shrugging out of his coat, he took a moment to collect himself.
“Make yourself comfortable,” she whispered, watching him.
“Thank you.” He draped the garment over the back of a slipper chair and moved to her side, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Her head turned to keep their gazes locked together. “You do not look well.”
“Oh?” Both brows rose. “I think I look better than you.”
The corner of her mouth lifted. “Nonsense. You are pretty, but I am far prettier.”
He smiled and caught up her tiny hand within his own. “I will not argue with that.”
A loud crash in the next room followed by a curse made her wince. “I hope you have enough men out there. Simon is in a mood, and I have seen him dispatch a small army by himself.”
“Forget about him,” he said curtly. “I am here. Think about me.”
Her eyes slid closed, revealing delicate lids darkened by tiny purple veins. “I have done nothing else for a few days now.”
He was startled by the statement, and confused as to whether he could believe it or not. Which led him to wonder about how he would feel if it were true. He frowned down at her. “You have been thinking of me?”
Without thought, he lifted his hand and brushed loose tendrils of her unbound hair behind her ears. His fingertips returned to her cheek, caressing feather light over the satin-smooth skin. The tenderness he felt took him aback. It made him wish to stand up and back out of the room, return to his home, where everything was familiar and ran like clockwork.
“Did I say that aloud?” she murmured, slightly slurred of speech. “How silly of me. Pay me no mind. It is the laudanum, I’m sure.”
The withdrawal of her admission pulled him forward, urging him to lean closer. He paused with his lips a breath away from hers, the scent of her skin so strong it made his loins tighten.
“Do it,” she breathed, goading him even in her vulnerable state.
The way she pushed him made him smile, and his smile set off hers. Satisfaction flared that he could lift the weight of pain that shrouded her.
“I am waiting for you,” he murmured.
There was a slight, telltale moment of hesitation. Then Maria’s head moved slightly, closing the tiny distance between them until her lips pressed gently to his. The soft, innocent kiss arrested him, froze him in place, his heart lurching from its normal steady beat into a breakneck race.
Unable to resist, he licked along the seam of her mouth, collecting the flavor of opium, brandy, and pure delicious Maria. She gasped, opening the sweet depths to his tentative thrust, her hand clutching at his. When the tip of her tongue ventured in return, Christopher groaned.
Even helpless, she undid him.
Then her free hand moved between his legs, slender fingers stroking the rigid length of his cock. He jerked back violently from the caress, a curse gritted out between clenched teeth.
She cried out softly in pain as the force of his movement rocked her.
“Maria. Forgive me.” Contrite, he lifted her hand to his lips. “Why touch me in that manner when you haven’t the wherewithal to follow through?”
It took her a moment to reply, her eyes squeezed shut as she appeared to recover from the hurt he’d unwittingly caused. “You did not say you thought of me during our separation. I wished to know.”
Some object made of glass broke in the room next door, and then something heavy thumped against the wall. Quinn yelled and someone retorted.
Christopher growled low. “My siege today is insufficient proof of my desire to be with you?”
Her lids lifted, revealing fathomless dark eyes that seemed so desolate to him, far beyond what he would expect from a battle wound. The hopelessness he saw was soul deep and bleak.
“Sieges are a way to defeat an enemy,” she said simply. “Though your haste is flattering.”
“And the kiss?” he asked. “What was that?”
“You tell me.”
He stared at her, his chest lifting and falling. Frustrated with his lack of control, Christopher pushed to his feet and began to pace, something he never did.
“Would you like some water?” he asked a moment later.
“No. Go away.”
He paused midstride. “Beg your pardon?”
“You heard me.” Turning her head, Maria rested her cheek against her pillow. “Go. Away.”
Giving in to his desire to depart, Christopher moved toward his coat. He did not need this aggravation, and he was not the type of man to woo women. They either wanted him or they didn’t.
“I am not sure how I feel about your men following me,” she murmured.
His hand stilled atop his garment. “Grateful?” he suggested.
She waved him away.
The dismissive gesture rankled. Here he’d waited impatiently for her to return and then, because he did not give her the platitudes she desired, she sent him away.
“I thought of you,” he grumbled.
Her eyes did not open, but one dark brow rose. Only Maria could make that tiny movement convey icy disdain.
Because he felt as if he’d revealed something he should not have, he said, “I was hoping we would stay a day or two in bed when you returned; however, I had envisioned the time spent more strenuously than merely lying about as you are doing.”
Her returning smile was knowing, as if she collected his need to reduce his statement to physical hunger and nothing more. “How often?”
“The sex? As often as I recovered.”
She laughed softly. “How often did you think of me?”
He growled. “Too often.”
“Was I unclothed?”
“Most of the time.”
“Ah, well.”
“How often was I unclothed?” he asked hoarsely, thoughts of her possible musings renewing his hunger.
“All of the time. It seems I am more lecherous than you.”
“I think it’s far more likely that you and I are evenly matched.”
Opening one eye, Maria glanced at him. “Hmm…”
Leaving his coat, he returned to her. “Who is this governess whom you seek at such cost?” He resumed both his seat on her velvet-draped bed and his possession of her hand. It was then he noted how short her nails were, nails that had once been long enough to do damage to his back. His thumb rubbed over the tips.
“She is not the one I want.”
“Oh?” Christopher lifted his gaze to search her pale features. Even with her unhealthy pallor, he found her beautiful. Certainly he knew many lovely women, but there were none he could imagine who had the strength to bear the pain Maria had to be in. “Who, then?”
“Did you not question your men?”
“There was no time.”
“Now I am truly flattered,” she drawled, smiling in a way that hit him with the force of a blow. Had he ever seen her smile before today? He could not recall.
“I am questioning you instead.”
“You look dashing in that shade of brown.” Once again she touched his thigh, caressing his breeches. The muscle tensed beneath her fingertips. “You dress beautifully.”
“I look better naked,” he said.
“I wish I could say the same. Sadly, I bear a few holes.”
“Maria.” He spoke low and earnestly, his grip on her hand tightening. “Allow me to assist you in your endeavors.”
She gave him her full attention. “Why?”
Because I must betray you. Because I need to redeem myself in some way before I do. “Because I can help you.”
“Why do you want to help me, Christopher? What do you gain?”
“Must I benefit in some way?”
“I think you must,” she said, wincing as her bedroom door rocked in its hinges.
&n
bsp; “Maria!” Simon shouted through the door, followed immediately by a grunt and a thud.
Christopher had to admit, he was impressed at the other man’s ability to persevere.
“They won’t harm him, will they?” she asked with a worried frown. “A little rough play is one thing, but I will not tolerate anything beyond that.”
Her concern for the other man was an irritant.
“All I ask of you,” he said tightly, “is what I asked before—I want you available for my use. No haring off. I want you when I want you, not a sennight later and too ill to take me.”
“Perhaps I prefer to decline and manage my own affairs.”
He snorted. “Perhaps I might have believed you if you had not admitted to thinking of me.”
“I am no man’s mistress.”
“I offer the same level of convenience to you. I will come when you call for me. Does that put the arrangement in a more agreeable light?”
Maria’s fingers stroked across his palm. It was an innocent caress, one given almost without thought. Her gaze was distant, her mind occupied elsewhere, her lower lip worried between her teeth. He lifted his free hand and stroked his thumb across the plump curve.
“When we first met in the theater, you mentioned an agency,” she reminded, her breath hot against his skin.
“The agency.” Christopher fought the urge to tell her to keep her silence, to tell him nothing that he could use against her.
“Is that the true purpose behind this offer?” Her head tilted to the side as she studied him. “Because you have need to use me in some way beyond warming your bed?”
“Partly.” His thumb left her lip to brush along the curve of her cheekbone. “I do want you, Maria. I do want to help you.”
Her eyes closed again on a sigh. “I am weary, Christopher. It was a hard journey in this condition. Later, I will consider your proposal.”
“Why did you risk returning?” He sensed there was more than weariness involved. She seemed disheartened and deeply melancholy.
Her eyes blinked open and the way she clutched at his hand conveyed urgency. “Welton is not aware of my…interests or travels. If you truly wish to help me, I have a task for you.”