by Dawn Brower
“Put your dress back on.”
“No,” she said firmly. “It’s too hot, and I can’t stand it. The air is so thick it’s hard to breathe. I actually asked the innkeeper to send up water for a bath. I hope you don’t mind.” And now he had images of her wet and glistening, naked, in her bath. He’d never be able to sleep with those thoughts rolling through his mind.
She was trying to kill him. “When it arrives, I’ll leave to give you privacy.” He’d sleep in the damned curricle if he needed to. He couldn’t stay in the room with her. She was determined to drive him mad. Samantha took a step toward him and was directly in what was left of the sunlight streaming through the window. It made her chemise completely transparent. His mouth fell open, and he stared. He was a red-blooded male and she had the plumpest breasts he’d ever seen. Her nipples appeared to be a nice rosy color. He wanted to lean over and suck them into his mouth.
Jason turned away from her. If he kept looking at her, he’d do something he’d regret. God help him…he wanted her. His cock tightened in his breeches. He had to get out of the room before he acted on his needs.
“Jason,” she said. “Is something wrong?”
She was definitely doing this all on purpose. Was she hoping to display her attributes in an attempt to seduce him? Did she desire children that much? “You shouldn’t have undressed. It’s not proper.”
“Don’t be so stuffy,” Samantha chastised him. “We’re to be married. Nothing about our situation is proper.” She stepped toward him, closing the distance between them until not much of it remained.
She was right, but he wouldn’t admit to that aloud. It would only serve to encourage her. She placed her hand on his back and moved around to the front of him. Jason was losing his patience and fast.
“Your bath will probably be here soon.”
“We have time.” She licked her lips, and he barely managed to stifle a groan. “I think we should have a conversation.”
Talking was the last thing he wanted to do. “I tried that already, and it made you angry.” Was she hoping to change his mind about his earlier declaration? That had to be why she was acting the temptress.
“True,” she agreed. “But I’ve had time to consider what you had to say, and you’re right. We shouldn’t consummate our marriage.”
“What?” His voice was high-pitched as he spoke. Was he reading this entire situation incorrectly? “I’m not sure I understand.”
“I don’t need you to see to my needs. Once I’m married, I can seek my pleasures elsewhere. I’m certain I can find some other man to see to my desires. You don’t need to concern yourself with any of that. I know all you need is a willing bride to acquire your inheritance. This is a marriage of convenience, after all.”
He saw red. She wanted to take lovers? Perhaps she only wanted to marry him so she could be out of Shelby’s line of sight. He hated to think that of her, but he couldn’t stop the thoughts once they started. She had to be out of her damn mind. He wouldn’t sit idly by as she went to another man’s bed. Before he even realized what he was doing, he pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips to hers. He pushed his tongue into her mouth, and she ravaged his mouth with hers. The kiss was wild, wanton, and so good it sizzled through him. It was a battle of wills that exploded on contact. If the kiss was this marvelous, he imagined their coupling would be even more intense.
He cursed and pulled back. His breathing was heavy, and he shook with unspent passion. The urge to pull her back into his arms raged through him. He wouldn’t give into it. “You will not take any lovers.” With that, he spun on his heels and exited the room. He would definitely be sleeping in the barn…
The bed was lumpy and uncomfortable. Every muscle in Samantha’s body ached. She hadn’t slept much, if at all… Jason had never returned to the room. Though she would consider her endeavor to seduce him somewhat successful. He had kissed her. Really kissed her. It had been so much better than she imagined, and she had dreamed of that moment a lot. Now she had to get him to do it again and not run away two seconds afterward.
She supposed she should get up and put her dress on. They would have to start their trip again, and she didn’t want to be the reason they were held up. Her goals still remained the same. She would marry Jason, and hopefully he’d fall in love with her.
Samantha rose from the bed and stretched. It would be another long day in the carriage. Her body wouldn’t be happy at the end of this trip. Perhaps they could take their time returning to London after they wed. She wasn’t thrilled at spending so many days in the carriage, even one as comfortable as the curricle he’d borrowed.
She went behind the screen and dressed. Samantha had made sure to pack dresses she didn’t need a maid for. This one tied in the front under her bosom and was a light blue muslin that made traveling in the heat easier to bear. It was uncommonly warm for early summer. After she had on her dress and shoes, she went to retrieve her valise. She could go in search of Jason, and perhaps they could get an early start to their trip. Her stomach grumbled…and some food to take with them.
She went down the stairs and started to head toward the front of the inn. Someone grabbed her from behind and pulled her into a back room. “Don’t say a word,” Jason said as he placed his hand over her mouth. “Be as quiet as possible so they don’t find us.”
Who? What was with all the subterfuge?
“You there,” her brother bellowed. “Stop so I can talk to you.”
Terror washed over her at the sound of her brother’s voice. If she’d kept going, she would have run right into Gregory and the wedding to Jason never would happen. Thank God Asthey had the foresight to pull her inside. “How?” She mouthed the word without emitting any sound.
He shrugged and leaned close to whisper in her ear, “We’ll discuss it later.”
She wanted to suggest they make a run for it. They could get in the carriage and leave while Gregory questioned everyone. Her heart beat rapidly inside her chest. She hadn’t expected her brother to find them so quickly.
“How may I help you, my lord?” An inn worker was addressing Gregory.
“I need to know if the Earl of Asthey was here.” Samantha started to shake. Had he registered under his own name? She had forgotten to ask, and when she came into the inn the night before, she’d told the innkeeper her husband had rented a room. Luckily, she hadn’t needed to go into details. The innkeeper had known who she’d referred to and assisted her to the room. Now she wished she’d asked Jason more questions.
“I’m afraid that name is not familiar, my lord,” he said. “Perhaps if you describe him?”
“How about this lady,” Gregory said, not bothering to describe Jason to the man. He must have a miniature of Samantha to show around. She hoped she hadn’t run into this particular man.
“This is a lovely likeness. Who is the lady?”
“She’s my sister,” Gregory practically growled out the words. “Have you seen her?”
“I have,” the man said.
Her heart stilled in her chest. They were about to be discovered. Her dreams were about to die before they had a chance to begin.
“She left with her husband last night after having a bit of dinner. They were traveling to Liverpool, I believe. They took the northwest road in that direction.”
“That can’t be right…” Kaitlin said. Her eyes widened as her friend spoke. Her mouth dropped as indignation spread through her. Samantha couldn’t believe her friend was helping her brother in this endeavor. She had hoped she would be the voice of reason. “Why would they go to Liverpool?”
“They’re probably not going there,” Gregory said with disgust. “They may have taken that road initially, but they’ll detour back to their destination. I’m not sure if we should follow their path or take a different one.”
“I wouldn’t recommend the main road,” the man said.
“Why is that?” Gregory asked harshly.
“It’ll be near impassable over
the next few days. It’s probably why that fellow went the other way. There is a festival in the next town that will keep the road blocked.”
“It sounds like we’ll follow them then,” he said. There was a hint of dejection in his voice, and Samantha almost felt bad. She hated that she was making her brother feel bad, but if she wanted to marry Asthey, this was the only way.
“It’ll be fine.” Kaitlin’s tone was reassuring. She was probably trying to keep Gregory calm.
“It will be once I get my hands on my good friend and can wrap them around his neck.” Anger vibrated through Gregory’s voice as he spoke. Asthey visibly tensed at her brother’s declaration.
“You’re not going to hurt him,” Kaitlin said steadfastly.
“Samantha needs a good spanking,” he spat out.
“I have to agree with that,” Jason whispered in her ear. “It might do you some good.”
As if she’d let him… Samantha rolled her eyes. Men could be utterly ridiculous at times.
“I guess we’re back on the road,” Gregory said. “Come, dear. We’ll catch up to them, and then I’ll make sure they both regret their decision.” Gregory stomped off, and Kaitlin probably followed behind him.
After a few moments, they exited the backroom. Jason strolled over to the man and gave him a sovereign. “Your assistance was appreciated.”
“It was my pleasure,” the man said and bowed, then left.
“That was a lot of money…” Samantha couldn’t believe he’d given him so much.
“And it was well spent,” Jason said. “He saved us from a confrontation neither of us wanted and sent them in a different direction. He turned to her. “I see you have your valise. I have some food to bring along with us. We need to go. Now.”
Samantha nodded and followed him to where he had the curricle ready for them. She’d been so scared that she’d do whatever he asked. The sooner they put distance between them and Gregory, the better she’d feel. They got into the carriage, and he had the horses galloping away from the inn in record speed. She prayed Gregory wouldn’t become an issue later. Samantha would marry Jason, and her brother could go to the devil.
Chapter 7
They had been traveling for several hours, and the sun had already set. Jason started to believe that the man at the inn had been lying about a nearby town. It wasn’t close by any definition he was aware of. It had taken most of the day to reach the village. When they finally came to the outskirts, it was clear that while the inn worker had embellished how close the town, was he hadn’t lied about the festival.
“There are a lot of people here,” Samantha said.
They couldn’t get the carriage down the road. People were walking in large crowds to the different activities. In the town square, a variety of booths had been set up. Jason couldn’t make out all of them, but one thing was clear: they’d have to park the carriage at the side of the road and secure the horses until the road became passable. He flicked the reins to have the horse move to the side of the road. Luckily there was a tree close enough to tie the horses to. He jumped out of the curricle and fastened the reins around it. With that task completed he walked to the side of the carriage and reached his hand inside. “Come now,” he told Samantha. “Let’s see if there is some fun to be had at this festival.”
She lifted a brow. “How can you make light of this? This delay might cost us?” Her voice had gone shrill as she spoke.
He poked his finger in to his ear and turned it a couple times. “Can you tone it down a little bit. I’d like to be able to hear things into my old age.”
“I’m sorry,” she said a little petulantly. “I just…”
“Hate the delay,” he finished for her. “I understand, but there is little we can do about it. Why not enjoy ourselves in the meantime?”
Samantha sighed heavily. “You’re correct, of course. I’m being a shrew…” She placed her hand in his. “Please, kind sir, will you escort me around this fine fair.”
“It will be my pleasure,” he said and kissed the back of her hand before helping her out of the curricle.
They strolled toward the town square with her hand tucked into the crook of his arm. If they were going to essentially spend the rest of their days together, they needed to find a way to be amicable in each other’s company. The incident at the inn… Jason hoped to put that part behind them. Maybe she would forget about having children of her own and that silly nonsense about lovers.
The first booth had meat pies to sell. His stomach grumbled at the scent. He started to move toward them but stopped when he realized Samantha’s attention was focused on a different one. He turned toward it, curious what she found interesting. The booth was equipped with a fortuneteller. She had a sapphire silk scarf wrapped around her head and pinned in the center with a ruby broach. Wrinkles creased around her eyes, and her mouth was painted a deep red that almost matched the broach on her head. “You want to pay her a visit?” he asked.
Samantha nibbled on her lower lip. Jason stared as her teeth grazed over it. He was getting seriously obsessed with Samantha’s mouth. He forced himself to look away or he might be tempted to kiss her again. The last time had been a mistake. One he had no intention of repeating ever again. He feared he wouldn’t be able to stop once he started. It was better to abstain then take an unnecessary risk.
“Do you think its wise?” She frowned. “What if she tells us or me something I don’t want to hear?”
“Then you dismiss it as nothing. It’s supposed to be fun. That is the entire reason a festival of this sort exists.” He pulled her hand into his. “What are you afraid of?”
“Everything,” she whispered. She turned and met his gaze. “Nothing in my life has gone as I’ve envisioned. I fear I’ll never truly be happy and that, in the end, I’ll never find even a sliver of pleasure in my life.” A tear slipped down her cheek. He wiped it away with the pad of his thumb. “But mostly I’m terrified I’ll never know what love is.” She shook her head and glanced away. “I’ve said too much. Let’s go visit this fortuneteller.”
She didn’t give him a chance to respond, and he was almost thankful for it. He had no idea how to respond to any of her confessions. He hated that she believed she might not have any of that. Jason wanted her to have happiness. That she had so much sadness inside of her upset him greatly. The problem was that he had no idea how to make it right for her, and he desperately wanted to do…something.
He rushed after her, not wanting her to be alone. There were a lot of people at the festival, and he wouldn’t lose her. She was fast becoming vital to him, and not because he needed to marry her to gain his inheritance. He wanted her for far different reasons, and that scared him more than he wanted to admit.
Samantha stopped in front of the fortuneteller. She didn’t say a word. She stood there with her head held high waiting for the woman to address her. Finally, she glanced up and met Samantha’s gaze. “You wish to hear your fortune?”
“I do,” Samantha answered.
The woman pointed at Jason. “And what about you? Do you wish to know what the future holds for you?”
He sighed. “I wish for whatever the lady desires.”
The woman cackled and held out her hand to Samantha. “Give me your hand, dearie.”
Samantha seemed a little hesitant, but she slid her hand into the woman’s. The fortuneteller flipped Samantha’s hand over and ran her fingers over her palm. “Interesting…”
“What is it?” Samantha had a nervous edge in her voice. Jason hated it and wanted to pull her away from the woman. She was upsetting Samantha, and it killed something inside of him.
“This line means you’re at a crossroads in your life. There is a journey you must take, and if you choose the right path it will lead to your ultimate happiness.” The fortuneteller frowned. “Chose wrong and you’ll be miserable.”
Samantha swallowed hard. “How will I know which path to take?”
It all sounded like nonsense to h
im. He had to force himself not to yank Samantha away from her. She was upsetting her further.
“You must follow what is in your heart and hope it leads you to your destiny.” The woman met Jason’s gaze. “Don’t let anyone sway you from your beliefs and take a leap of faith. You might find yourself pleasantly surprised by the outcome.”
Samantha pulled her hand away from the fortuneteller. “Thank you.”
“How much?” Jason asked. “For the reading.” The woman’s words had unnerved him, and he wanted to pay her, then put some distance between them. He didn’t need her to give Samantha any…ideas. She came up with plenty on her own.
“A farthing,” the woman said.
Jason pulled the coin out of his pocket and placed it on the table. Then he took Samantha’s arm and led her away. They walked in silence toward the far side of the town square. A stage had been set up for play performances. The scene they were enacting was from Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
The man playing Ferdinand recited his lines to his Miranda. “‘I am in my condition, a prince, Miranda—I do think, a king; I would, not so!—and would no more endure this wooden slavery than to suffer. The flesh-fly blow my mouth. Hear my soul speak. The very instant that I saw you did, my heart fly to your service, there resides. To make me slave to it, and for your sake, am I this patient log-man.’”
The actress portraying Miranda met the actor playing Ferdinand’s gaze and said, “‘Do you love me?’”
Jason tuned the rest of it out, unconcerned about the play. He stared down at Samantha and had to wonder if he loved her. What was love, exactly? It was a foreign emotion he’d never thought he’d feel or find for himself. What if it had been there all along, but because he didn’t understand it hadn’t recognized it. He should probably have thought to question his feelings for Samantha sooner. It might not be too late, and he had a lot to consider.