"I'm sure it is," Suzette reassured her. "Or they'll bring in whoever does or tell Richard so he can. They certainly won't just leave the body lying about here forever."
Lisa grimaced at the very idea, and sighed. "I do wish I was not so squeamish about such things."
Suzette shrugged idly as she paced to the window and glanced out. "Everyone has their flaws, and as they go, yours is not so bad. It isn't often you run into blood. Imagine if you fainted at the sight of pastries or something."
Lisa chuckled at the ridiculous idea as she'd intended, but then they both fell silent and glanced toward the door as it burst open and Daniel hurried in. Robert was on his heels, but Suzette's attention was on Daniel as he hurried across the room. The man was looking very pleased.
"It's done, they've gone," he announced as he paused before her and reached to pull her into his arms.
"That's good," Suzette said, peering up at him uncertainly. The man had seemed to be pushing her away and trying to make her behave since she'd met him, so she was a little surprised to find herself in his arms and to see his head lowering as if he meant to kiss her, right there in front of Robert and Lisa.
He didn't kiss her, however, not on the lips at least. Instead, his head moved to the side at the last moment and he pressed the kiss to the side of her neck below her ear and murmured, "The blackmail and murder are resolved and there's nothing more to keep us here. You know what that means."
"Gretna Green," she sighed, tilting her head a little to the side as he pressed butterfly kisses along the column of her throat. The gentle caresses were sending shivers down her back and raising desire to fog her mind, so it was a minute before his words sank in, and then she stiffened and said, "The murder is resolved too? Was Freddy the murderer as well as the blackmailer?"
"No," he murmured against the flesh covering her collarbone.
"Who was it then?" she asked with a frown.
Daniel straightened, a smile curving his lips when he saw her expression. "God, I love it when you get that annoyed look. It just makes me want to kiss you."
"Daniel," she growled, but his response was to kiss her, right there in front of Robert and Lisa . . . and her father, she realized as he cleared his throat in a very loud, intrusive manner to announce his presence.
Daniel released her to glance around and give the man a completely unrepentant grin. "Are you coming with us to Gretna Green?"
"Of course," he said, and while his voice was solemn, there was a twinkle in his eyes that suggested he was not displeased.
Daniel then turned his gaze to Lisa and Robert in question, who both nodded at once.
"Daniel," Suzette said, poking his chest to get his attention. "Who poisoned George?"
"I'll tell you on the way," he promised, catching her hand and heading for the door at almost a jog.
Suzette laughed a little breathlessly at his eagerness, but didn't protest or try to pull free as he led her into the hall. Once there, however, he released her hand and started toward Richard and Christiana, who were by the stairs.
"Richard, now that the blackmailer is caught and the identity of the murderer found, there is no reason to delay. We are heading for Gretna Green at once."
Richard groaned, but then straightened and said, "Certainly, we shall leave first thing in the morning."
"The morning?" Daniel asked, and Suzette wasn't surprised at the displeasure in his voice.
Richard nodded. "Well, the women will have to pack and--"
"The chests are still packed from this morning. At least mine is," Suzette interrupted and then glanced over her shoulder to Lisa as she, Robert and their father also stepped into the hall.
"Mine too," Lisa assured her.
Suzette glanced to Christiana next. While her older sister hesitated briefly, she did nod in the end and admit, "So is mine."
Richard immediately ducked his head to whisper something to her. Christiana whispered back, but the couple paused and turned their attention to Daniel again as he asked, "Richard, is your carriage still out front? I don't recall you sending your driver to the stables."
"I didn't," Richard admitted. "I wasn't sure we wouldn't need it again."
"Mine is still out front as well," Robert announced. "They just need to be loaded."
"Excellent." Daniel clapped his hands with satisfaction. "Then we merely need to have mine prepared and brought around, load them up and we can--damn," Daniel paused to mutter, "I forgot my carriage is presently out of commission. I will have to rent one for the maids."
Suzette bit her lip with frustration. There always seemed to be something to delay or interfere with their getting to Gretna Green. She was beginning to think someone had cursed them.
"We can use mine," Lord Madison announced. "It is out front."
Suzette beamed at her father. Everything was going to be all right. This time, surely, nothing would interfere with their traveling to Gretna Green and getting married.
After three days of travel, Suzette shouldn't have been so confused when she opened her eyes to find herself in yet another strange bed. However, it took a full moment before she recalled that she was in yet another inn room she was sharing with Lisa, and on the way to Gretna Green. The moment she did, however, Suzette was suddenly wide awake. It was the fourth and final day of their journey. They should arrive at the village of Gretna Green by dinnertime that day and moments later would be married. Afterward, they would have a celebratory meal with everyone, and then she and Daniel would finally consummate the marriage and be husband and wife.
The last thought took some shine off the smile that had been blossoming on her lips. It wasn't the finally being husband and wife part that dimmed her happiness, but the consummation itself. Suzette wasn't looking forward to it, and really wasn't pleased at the idea of her wedding night being spoiled by it being her first time. While Christiana had answered her question as to whether it hurt the first time or not with a weak, "A little perhaps," Suzette was not convinced. It had been obvious that Chrissy was distressed at discussing the subject, but had that been because it was such a personal matter, or because she didn't wish to scare Suzette by telling her the truth? Christiana had certainly changed the subject quickly at that point, and Suzette couldn't forget what she'd read about streams of blood and enough pain to make her faint.
She really wished she and Daniel had done the consummating part before now. Unfortunately, they hadn't been left alone since leaving London. Her father was taking his duty to guard her innocence until marriage very seriously during this journey and had enlisted her sisters as well as Robert and Richard to aid in the chore. Neither she nor Daniel was ever alone. Even when sleeping. They had taken three rooms at each of the inns they'd stopped at, one for Richard and Christiana, one for Lisa and Suzette and one for their father, Robert, and Daniel to share. Suzette didn't mind sharing with Lisa, but knew Daniel found staying with Robert and her father something of a trial. It seemed both men snored, and hogged the bed they shared.
Suzette smiled faintly at the idea of him crowded between the two men each night, an effort by her father to be sure he didn't slip out to meet her, she suspected. Tonight, Daniel would not have to share with them, however. He would be sharing with her . . . and there would be streams of blood and pain.
Sighing, Suzette shifted the blankets aside and slid out of bed to quickly dress. She had finished with the task and was brushing her hair when Lisa stirred awake and then sat up to glance around.
"What are you doing?" she asked around a yawn.
"Getting ready to go," Suzette said with a laugh. "You'd best get up and start dressing. Christiana will--"
"Dear God," Lisa muttered, dropping back in the bed. "We are not leaving early today, remember? We are leaving later, mid morning they said. We get to sleep late today."
Suzette paused in her brushing. "We do? Why aren't we leaving until mid morning?"
"I don't know," Lisa muttered, rolling on her side. "Father just said to go ahead a
nd sleep late today, we wouldn't be leaving until mid morning." She glanced over her shoulder in question. "Did he not tell you?"
"No," she said with a frown.
"He must have forgot," Lisa sighed and turned away again. "Come back to bed and sleep."
Suzette stared at her silently, her frown growing. Why weren't they leaving until mid morning? They had left bright and early every day until now, and this was the last day of the journey. She would have thought out of all of them, this day would be the one where they set off with the rising sun.
Suzette set the brush on top of her chest with a sigh and considered undressing and getting back into bed, but knew she wouldn't be able to sleep. However, she didn't wish to pace about the room until everyone else began to stir either. And she was thirsty. Grimacing, Suzette moved silently to the door and slid out onto the landing.
The soft murmur of voices from the great room below reached her ear as she eased the chamber door closed. Suzette moved to the rail to peer down over the empty tables. It wasn't until her gaze reached the door to the kitchens that she spotted the speakers. Daniel was there talking in low tones to the innkeeper.
Suzette smiled as her eyes slid over him, taking in his serious expression and slightly ruffled hair. It looked as if he'd just woken and hadn't yet even run a brush through his hair. There were also sleep creases on his cheek that made her smile widen. He was just so adorable and she found that the mere act of peering at him made her chest ache a bit. Unsure what that was but not ready to face it, she started along the landing toward the stairs, intending to join the two men, but she'd barely taken a step when the innkeeper nodded and slipped away into the kitchens. The moment he did, Daniel turned and strode through the room full of long empty tables and straight out the front door.
Eager to catch up to him, Suzette hurried down the stairs and outside, reaching the courtyard just in time to see Daniel enter the stables. She hurried after him, one part of her mind wondering what he was doing up so early when they weren't leaving until mid morning, and another part pointing out that they would finally have a moment alone together.
Suzette slowed as she reached the stables. She didn't see Daniel at first, but a slow scan of the building revealed him in one of the stalls near the back. He was saddling a horse, she saw, and moved forward at once.
"What are you doing?" she asked as she reached the stall where he was working. Her sudden question made Daniel jerk around with surprise. She'd obviously given him a start, but once he saw that it was her, a smile lifted the corners of his mouth.
"Good morning," he said, leaving the saddle sitting unfastened on the horse's back and moving to the stall rail to meet her.
"Good morning," Suzette said automatically. "Why are you saddling a horse?"
"Because I'm going to ride it," he said simply. "It will be faster than a carriage there, though we will have to return by carriage, I suppose. Mother enjoys riding on horseback, but she is getting older and was ill this last year. I don't wish to overtax her more than necessary."
"Mother?" Suzette echoed blankly.
Daniel chuckled at her expression and slipped out of the stall. Pausing in front of her, he slid his arms around her waist as he said, "Yes, Mother. I should like you two to meet, and I would like her at our wedding, so I am going to collect her. It's why we pressed on an extra hour last night. This inn is only an hour from Woodrow."
"Oh," Suzette breathed. Dear God, she was going to meet his mother! What if Lady Woodrow didn't like her? What if she hated her and refused to condone the marriage? What if--?
"What's going on inside your head?" Daniel asked with a frown. "You look horrified. Don't you want my mother at the wedding?"
"I--yes, of course. I just--what if she hates me?" Suzette asked plaintively.
Daniel chuckled again and hugged her close. "She will not hate you. No one could hate you," he assured her and then pulled back and said, "Now, this is the first time we have been alone in days. Do you think I could have a good-morning kiss to see me off?"
Suzette blinked, her worries about his mother's liking or not liking her suddenly sliding away, if only temporarily, at the suggestion.
"Hmm?" he asked, lowering his head.
"Oh yes," she breathed and then his mouth was on hers.
It was not a good-morning kiss, Suzette decided as his tongue slid out to urge her lips open. At least it wasn't to her. Good-morning kisses, in her mind, were sweet pecks. This was more of a good-morning, good-afternoon and good-evening kiss all in one, she thought as his mouth devoured hers. Or perhaps it was more of an "I want to throw you in the straw, toss up your skirts and have my wicked way with you kind of kiss," she decided as his hands began to roam.
Damn, the man could kiss, Suzette thought faintly, slipping her arms around his neck and arching into him as his mouth slanted over hers. She then moaned as he slid one hand down to press against her bottom, urging her hips forward. When she felt his maypole press against her through their clothes in a "good morning" of its own, Suzette sighed and rubbed herself against him in a return greeting that made them both groan.
Tearing his mouth from hers, Daniel gasped, "I have to go," even as his hands found her breasts and he began to squeeze them through her gown.
"Yes," Suzette agreed, reaching down to cup his hardness through his trousers.
Daniel groaned, and kissed her hungrily again, his hands kneading the flesh of her breasts almost painfully in time to the rhythm of her hand along his hardness. Finally, he tore his mouth away again and muttered, "Damn, Suzette, if you don't stop that--"
He didn't finish whatever threat he'd intended, but sucked in a hissing breath through his teeth as she slid her other hand into the waistband of his trousers and found him without the hampering cloth in the way. Then he cursed and claimed her mouth again, backing her up as she continued to caress him.
Suzette felt something scratchy at her back and guessed it was a bale of hay, but between his kiss, the way he was now alternately kneading her breasts and lightly pinching her nipples, as well as her efforts to undo the buttons of his trousers with her free hand, she was just a bit too distracted to wonder about it.
She wasn't aware he'd undone the stays of her gown until she felt the cool morning air caress her back. He tried to tug the sleeves off her shoulders, but it would mean her giving up on his buttons as well as releasing him, and she wasn't willing to do that, so he gave it up and merely tugged the now loose neckline down below her breasts and broke their kiss to duck his head and latch onto one of them.
"Ah," Suzette moaned, and then added a "ha," as she managed to undo enough buttons that she could pull his maypole out and caress him more easily. Daniel stiffened and nipped at her breast, his hips thrusting into her touch as she clasped him, but his own hands had been busy, managing to tug up her skirts and burrow under to run up the backs of her legs.
Suzette gasped as his fingers urged her legs apart so that one hand could slide between them and touch her. She closed her eyes briefly at the explosion of pleasure it sent through her, but then began to squirm and released him to push at his shoulders and urge him away. Much more of his caressing and she wouldn't be able to think straight, and Suzette had been fascinated by a certain portion of Fanny's book describing a way to please a man with just your mouth, and wanted to try it.
Apparently thinking she wanted to bring an end to their interlude, Daniel released her at once. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't--"
The words ended on a hiss of surprise as Suzette suddenly dropped to her knees before him and took him into her mouth.
They both froze then. No doubt Daniel froze from shock, but Suzette paused because she wasn't sure what to do next. The book had been rather vague about the exact details of how to please him this way, drifting into strange, vague metaphors and nonsense. Giving a mental shrug, she just did what she felt like, tasting him with her tongue and measuring him with her mouth and then clasping his maypole in one hand so that she could remove it to ki
ss the tip.
Whether her attention pleased Daniel or not, Suzette couldn't say, but she was having a pleasant enough time exploring him thusly until he suddenly caught her by the arms and lifted her up, not just to her feet, but to sit on the bale of hay she'd earlier felt at her back.
"Did I--?" She'd wanted to ask if she'd been doing it right, however, Daniel ended the question by kissing her. Suzette gave in with a little sigh and slid her arms around his neck as he urged her legs apart so that he could move between them and get closer. His hands were on her breasts again at first, welcoming them back, but then one hand slipped away to find the hem of her skirt and slide under it.
His fingers rode along her thigh, pushing the material ahead of it and Suzette wiggled on the bale of hay under the caress, unconsciously moving her bottom closer to the edge. When he found her core, she froze and groaned, then broke their kiss to let her head fall back as his fingers moved against her excited flesh. Daniel immediately turned his mouth to other delights, nibbling her ear, her neck, her collarbone, and then dropping to claim one nipple again.
This time Suzette didn't try to break free, but gasped and arched into both caresses, her fingers knotting in his hair and holding on tight even as her legs wrapped around his hips, urging him closer. Daniel nipped lightly at her nipple, his fingers dancing over her swollen core, demanding a response that her body was eager to give. When she felt something pressing gently into her, Suzette thought it was his maypole and cried out, her legs tightening around his hips and dragging her bottom closer to the edge of the bale of hay as he continued to caress her, building the pressure inside her to almost unbearable levels.
"Daniel," she gasped, pleading for him to end this torture.
His response was to raise his head to claim her mouth and kiss her deeply as he continued his ministrations. Suzette clutched at his shoulders, her bottom sliding further forward into his caress as her legs tightened even further around his hips. When he suddenly withdrew from between her legs, Suzette could have wept with disappointment, but then she felt him brush against her hungry flesh again. She nipped at his lower lip and dropped her hands to his bottom, squeezing him tightly to urge him on. Even so she was completely unprepared when he obeyed the silent demand, clasped her hips and thrust himself into her. It seemed it hadn't been his maypole the first time, because what entered her now was much larger and drew a startled squeal of pain from Suzette, or would have, had his mouth not still been covering hers and caught the sound.