Still not meeting his eyes, she gave a quick nod, and then a shrug.
“I think so. I am afraid that I didn’t have light enough to look closely while in the study, but I think I have everything I need. I hope so, at any rate.”
Pierce remained silent for a moment before asking another question of her.
“Do you think you ought to check before we leave? I’d prefer not having to come back on a similar expedition.” He quirked a quick smile at her.
Daisy felt tears build in her eyes. She blinked them away and glanced at Andrews who watched the pair of them curiously.
“Do we have another lamp?”
The man nodded and, after a few seconds fumbling in the gloom, brought a second light closer. Daisy began pulling papers from the inside of her skirt and piling them on the bench beside her.
“Good Lord!” Pierce exclaimed. “What were you hoping to find in this lot? Looks like a load of stuffy nonsense from your solicitors.” He flicked through the ever increasing stack before him.
Daisy brushed his hand away and quickly sorted through the correspondence, and finding what she needed almost instantly.
“You are mostly right, but there is other correspondence here too. It is just these that I need, but I couldn’t differentiate them in the dark.”
But he could differentiate between them now. The letters she was quick to remove from the pile were smaller than the official missives. With addresses written in a flowing hand. Were they love letters? If her husband had brought no joy to her life, had Daisy taken a paramour? Did she have a lover? His stomach churned with the thought, but he fought the rising bile as she gathered the remaining papers and stacked them in a different pile.
“And the rest? Do you want me to take them back?” Pierce queried, hoping that she didn’t, for if Daisy’s slender figure could become stuck in the window, he was absolutely sure that his broader frame would have even more difficulties.
To his relief Daisy shook her head quickly.
“No. We cannot chance being caught once again. I will send them back with a note saying that I packed them with my luggage by mistake.”
It seemed a good enough excuse. He couldn’t imagine anyone calling her out on the lie, even if the letters had been in her husband’s study. With all the turmoil of her husband’s death, it seemed reasonable that things might be misplaced. Pierce began stuffing the solicitors letters into his own pockets and shirt.
“Right, well we should be on our way. Now you have what you want, the least time spent here, the better as far as I am concerned. Then I can get back to clearing my name.” He took hold of Daisy’s hand and pulled her to her feet.
She let her hand fall from his as she limped towards a stall. The big grey mare nickered softly as her mistress rubbed her forelock.
“Sorry I can’t take you with me, my beauty.”
Pierce came up bedside her and rested his hand on the Bernadette’s muzzle.
“We will come for you soon, never fear.”
Daisy’s eyes filled again, and she dashed the salty droplets away with a cuff, but she didn’t have time to do anything more. Pierce suddenly turned to the stablemaster.
“Andrews, are you able to handle Bernadette?”
Andrews let out a low chuckle.
“She’s a handful all right, but she and I have come to an agreement of terms over the last few days. She’ll do as I ask her.”
Daisy tilted her chin quizzically.
“And what do you do in return?”
The man chortled again and walked to a sack in the corner.
“It seems that the animal has a liking for parsnips. Will do just about anything to be allowed one.” Bernadette let out a loud whinney as she flared her velvety nostrils towards her favourite treat.
Pierce reached for Bernadette’s tack.
“Oh no, my headstrong beauty. Only after you have taken your mistress back to her mount.” He placed the saddle on Bernadette’s back.
Daisy shook her head quickly.
“No, we must walk. Her hooves will make too much noise on the cobbles. We will be discovered. I cannot take the chance that these letters be found.” She pressed her hand to her chest as if protecting something dear to her heart.
A stab of jealousy pricked Pierce’s heart. Were they really letters from a lover? It was a distinct possibility given that her husband seemed to have ignored her for the last few years. Pierce knew many a woman who had taken a discreet paramour when her husband was found to be lacking. He’d had the pleasure of several himself. Would Daisy have done such a thing too?
He mentally shook his head. Hardly, as Daisy’s husband hadn’t been lacking. Couldn’t have been if he had fathered a child with her, even if she had lost it sometime later.
Pierce took a few calming breaths and forced himself not to ask what was in the pile of correspondence that she had tucked away inside her shirt. Instead he kept his head down as he tightened the girth one more time before taking hold of the bridle.
“It is but a few paces to the grass. Our clothes are dark. If anyone looks out of the rear of the hall, they will see Andrews exercising your restless horse.”
Daisy looked uncertain for a second, but as soon as she took a step, she realized the sense of his offer. There was no way her injured ankle would carry her all the way back to the rear wall of the estate, but she wasn’t about to admit it. She might have suffered some recent indignities, but she still had her pride.
“If you think I am not able to complete my mission myself...” She stopped as Pierce rolled his eyes.
“This has nothing to do with your capabilities in this enterprise.” For the first time his voice held a little impatience. “I simply don’t want to get caught with stolen property concealed about my person, even if it is only from stuffy solicitors. And with the efforts you have gone to to conceal your identity and your intrusion, I am sure that you don’t want the letters you have stuffed inside your corsets, held up for public scrutiny either.” Had her face paled slightly at his words? The bitterness in his soul increased. He felt his hand form into a fist and he had to shake the tension free before he did or said something he might regret.
Daisy heard the anger in his tone and for the first time she realized that he hid his feelings far deeper than she had suspected. Was he annoyed with her for coming on this expedition and involving him in it? Well, it served him right. If he had just stayed in London and did what he was meant to do and clear his own name, he wouldn’t be here with her now.
But perhaps, on discovering her absence, he had been worried. Victor certainly would have been. She felt a ripple of remorse slide over her skin. Had Pierce sacked the man when Victor reported her subterfuge? Probably not, but Pierce cannot have been pleased. He had clearly given up his disguise and his post as a footman far earlier than expected, perhaps putting himself in danger of discovery again. She pressed her lips together. Perhaps Pierce did have a point, and was right to be annoyed, but she hated letting him put one over on her. She lifted her chin and glared at him as she limped towards Bernadette.
“For your information, the letters might be inside my shirt, but I hasten to add that I am not wearing any corsets.” She retorted as she made ready to mount, but then gasped in pain when she placed her weight on her foot.
Instantly at her side, Pierce didn’t give her a chance to argue. His hands slipped around her slender waist, lifted her. His strength shouldn’t have surprised her. He wasn’t a small man and she knew well that his tailor didn’t need to pad his suits, but she let out a gasp of surprise and clung to his shoulders as he placed her in front of the saddle. A moment later, he had swung up behind her and reached round her to take Bernadette’s reins.
Instantly regretting his decision to ride behind the woman who filled his every waking dream, Pierce gritted his teeth as her gorgeous scent and soft, lush curves tantalised every fibre of his body. The situation only became worse as he turned the horse and rode out of the stables. Though sh
e attempted to keep herself ramrod straight, the animal’s gait rocked her back into his chest. His hand settled on her waist holding her steady, and his fingers twitched, confirming her declaration that she wore no whalebone beneath her shirt.
Daisy squirmed, almost bringing tears to Pierce’s eyes. Dear Lord! The woman was impossible. Did she think him hewn from stone? There was no way he could endure this kind of torture for long without soon embarrassing himself. He adjusted his own position and encouraged Bernadette to pick up the pace. The horse obliged and they soon reached the tree line.
“You aren’t suggesting taking my horse through the forest at night?” Daisy’s concern for her mount threaded through her voice.
Pierce gave a grim laugh.
“No, I am not that trusting. If she steps on uneven ground, we could take a tumble. Your ankle is injured quite enough.”
Daisy half turned.
“I am not worried for myself, but Bernadette could...” She didn’t finish.
Pierce huffed out a disbelieving breath.
“You think I don’t know how to treat an animal well? My words were meant in jest, Daisy. Of course I wouldn’t risk laming her. But I also won’t risk maiming you further. I simply want to ride in the shadows until we are out of sight of the house. In case you hadn’t noticed, the clouds have passed and the moonlight is doing an excellent job of revealing our presence to anyone who cares to look.”
She glanced back at the house, still clearly in view.
“Of course. I’m sorry that I suggested any different.” A strand of unruly hair caught on the button of his jacket as she turned back.
Pierce felt her tug and he lifted his hand from her waist, his fingers entwining in her soft escaping locks. Silk. The softest, most luxuriant he had ever touched. It was the only way he could describe the feeling. He bit back a groan and patted her hair back into place before letting his hand drop to her waist again.
Daisy shifted slightly. His touch was becoming distracting. More than distracting. The heat of his palm seared her skin even through the thickness of her jacket. His fingers tightened on her, holding her steady as Bernadette moved with easy grace. Daisy sucked in a breath of night air, but it was his scent that filled her senses. Dark, spicy, a hint of sweat and leather. Had he ridden so hard to catch up with her? Her heart warmed. She held in a sigh of contentment as she let herself relax in his arms. If this was the only time she would be this close to him, she would take it.
The softening of her posture brought her closer to him. His arm slid round her further, his hand now resting on her stomach. The slightest pressure brought her closer still, the heat of her body burning through her clothes. They followed the line of the forest as it curved through the estate and the moonlight caught her torn trousers and exposed thigh. Her skin appeared almost silver, gleaming brightly. And then it was plunged into shadow again as the overhanging trees cut out the light.
For long minutes Pierce thought he might go insane with desire. Every drop of his blood had raced to his groin. An ache such as he had never known settled in his loins. He couldn’t keep this facade of indifference up. He wanted her. Like he had never wanted anything before. Should he stop the horse and throw his wife to the forest floor? Her breeches were half missing anyway. It would be the work of seconds to divest her of the rest. Or could he find his way to the cottage in the woods. A bed might make things more comfortable, but could he wait even that long? Madness raced through his veins as his fingers itched to reach just a little lower and brush across her thigh.
An owl hooted as they passed and Daisy shifted again.
“I didn’t think it would take this long to find our way back to the gate. The moonlight isn’t helping. Everything looks so grey. Can you see it yet?”
Pierce couldn’t have cared less about the wall or where it met the locked gates, but he forced his mind to concentrate on her words. He peered over her shoulder and could just make out a darker gap in the wall.
“It’s not far. A few minutes at most.”
She leaned back into him, shivering slightly.
“I didn’t think it would be this cold either. It was quite sunny this afternoon. I didn’t think to dress more warmly.”
He pulled her to him, deliberately this time, sharing his warmth.
“A clear sky this time of year always lends itself to a chill. And being in the countryside makes a difference too.” Her scent assaulted him. If he had been standing, he would have been brought to his knees.
“I will be glad to go home. I am tired.” She couldn’t stifle the yawn that left her lips.
Pierce chuckled as he delighted in her words. Did she think of his house in London as her home already? It might not be as impressive as Portland Hall, but it was certainly more comfortable and welcoming than the place they were leaving behind.
“It is hardly surprising when you go gallivanting on horseback for hours at a time.” He became more serious as new clouds began covering the moon. Darker, tumbling clouds, full of the threat of rain. “But I think we will be unable to travel home tonight. It must be past eleven, and the weather appears to be changing. I wouldn’t like to become caught in any more storms.” As if hearing his words, a breeze picked up, ruffling his hair.
Daisy’s shiver became more pronounced.
“No, the last one caused enough problems.” Her voice had dropped to a mere whisper.
Pierce sighed. Would she never realize that he counted that storm as a blessing? He was about to answer when Bernadette suddenly lifted her head and whinnied softly. An answering neigh sounded close by. They had reached the wall.
“At least you can give me a boost this time rather than having to search for a convenient tree. I had wondered how I was going to make it back over before you arrived.” Daisy made to swing her leg over Bernadette’s neck but Pierce jumped down and took her about the waist. Her body slid down his, adding to his agony and flaming his desire again.
“I won’t need to.” He nodded behind them where Andrews brought up the rear. “I saw him put a key in his pocket. I can only imagine it is the one for this gate.” Did she look slightly crestfallen at his response? He couldn’t tell for sure in the little moonlight that now reached them.
Daisy brushed a wisp of hair back behind her ear and pulled her jacket about her as Andrews dismounted beside the gate.
“Where do you think we can stop tonight? The inns will be closed and the landlords will mistake us for robbers if we waltz up at this hour.” She looked up as a drop of water hit her shoulder.
Pierce glanced up too, and then wiped away a splatter of rain from his cheek.
“There is always someone about at a roadside inn. But we should leave as soon as possible. The horses have rested. We can outrun the storm and find shelter in an hour if you think you can ride that far.”
Daisy gave a nod as she limped through the now open gate.
“Of course. I can ride for as long as you need me to.” But she secretly hoped that it wouldn’t be too far. An ache had settled into her shoulders. Another symptom of not having ridden regularly for so long.
Pierce passed Bernadette’s reins to the old stablemaster.
“And you are sure you can handle her? We don’t want her causing any more injuries.”
Andrews gave a grin from beneath his grey whiskers.
“I’ll not be riding her, not with this storm brewing, but I’ll get her back, never you worry. Now git going afore someone realizes something is amiss.” He remounted his horse and, after taking Bernadette’s reins and showing her a parsnip from his pocket, he turned away into the darkness.
Pierce lifted Daisy into her saddle and then mounted his own ride. He dug his heels gently into the animal’s side and turned briefly to make sure that his wife followed him before heading back along the track to the main road.
Chapter Eighteen
A Night to Remember
She was beginning to think that she couldn’t hold on a second longer, when Pierce suddenly
slowed his pace. A single light shone out into the darkness. An inn? She hoped so. There was no possibility of continuing in her current state. Her back ached, her bottom was sore, her ankle throbbed relentlessly. A groan left her lips and Pierce was instantly at her side.
“Not far now. It won’t be long before we can get you a room.”
She blinked, her eyelids feeling like ton weights.
“Do you think so? I’m not sure they will let me in looking like this.”
Pierce glanced at her outfit and frowned as he realized the truth of her words. Her thigh glowed silver as the clouds rushed across the moon.
“Perhaps you could wear my coat. It will be long enough to cover most of you, especially as I will be carrying you over the threshold.”
Daisy snorted.
“I am perfectly capable of walking. You cannot possibly think that I am so weak as to not be able to carry my own weight.” But the hesitation sounded loud in her own ears. Her ankle felt as if a lead weight had been attached to it. She wasn’t sure that she would be able to walk on it at all, but Pierce ignored her protests anyway.
“It’s not as if you can walk into an inn wearing that garb at all. I doubt we’ll be allowed through the door if we don’t make you look slightly more respectable.” They were nearing the lamp and could see more light through the windows of the inn. “It looks as if we are in luck. We won’t have to wake anyone.”
Daisy let out a groan of relief.
“I am so out of practice that I had forgotten how tiring riding can be. I’ll be more than happy to lie in a bed for a few hours. That’s supposing that they have rooms.”
Forcing himself not to be hurt at her use of the plural, he rode towards the inn’s stables and dismounted. He shrugged out of his coat and gathered it around Daisy as she slid from the saddle into his arms. A lad came running out, looking doubtfully at the newcomers.
“The inn’s all but full tonight. We only ‘ave one stall left for the horses, Sir.”
A Fragile Chain of Daisies: Flowers of the Aristocracy (Untamed Regency Book 4) Page 24