by Vella, Wendy
“Step left, Nathan. Lord Plunge has fallen on his egg.”
“Not words you hear every day,” he said, doing as she directed.
“If only it had been hard boiled,” Cambridge Sinclair said, jogging by with his wife. “I could have snacked on the way.”
Nathan stumbled, taking an elbow to the back, and righted himself, bracing her with an arm.
“Most dreadfully sorry,” Zach said, running by with Mary, who waved at Beth.
“They’re all beating us,” Beth declared. “I don’t like to be beaten, Nathan.”
“Another thing I did not know about you. You really did keep the true you hidden, didn’t you?”
“Yes, yes. We have no time for that now. There is a race to win!”
He chuckled, low and deep, and she bit back a sigh. Even his laugh was charming.
He picked up the pace, and soon they were passing others.
“I said left! You went right, you fool!” Mary yelled at Zach, who had run into a tree.
“Perhaps if you spoke more clearly!” he bellowed back, rubbing his forehead.
Beth hurried by, tugging Nathan.
“There is an obstacle in the path up ahead,” Beth said. “A barrel. No, three actually. We will need to climb over them, apparently. No, wait. You have to.”
“Oh goody,” he muttered. “I don’t like this at all.”
“Having a woman in control of your destiny? Welcome to the world of many wearing skirts,” Beth said.
“You have women controlling your destiny?” Nathan asked.
“You know I meant men controlling women’s destinies. Now be quiet and concentrate. The barrel is but a step away. We are behind Lord and Lady Braithwaite.”
“Hurry it up, Braithwaite,” Nathan needled the man ahead.
“Harder than it looks, Deville,” the usually elegant and contained peer panted. His wife was giggling as his foot caught and he stumbled several steps.
“For a man carrying both Raven and Sinclair blood, you are remarkably uncoordinated,” someone called from behind them.
“Shut up, Cambridge,” Lord Braithwaite snapped.
“He was terribly nimble-footed as a child. I fear age is catching up with him,” another voice taunted. Beth identified it as Lady Sinclair, Lord Braithwaite’s sister.
“Be quiet, Lilly,” he snapped, managing to get over both barrels with his wife directing him while holding his egg aloft. “We shall see how your large ungainly husband manages shortly.”
“Braithwaite, Lady Yardly could do a better job than you at this point,” Lord Sinclair drawled.
Beth laughed.
“We’ll see how amused you are shortly, when it is my turn,” Nathan said.
“He’s over the last,” Beth said. “The barrels are only a small distance apart,” she told him. Her breath caught as he stepped up onto one with ease, taking her hand with him. His other hand still held the egg and spoon.
“Get down at once; you will fall.” He ignored her.
“Now this should be entertaining,” Lord Sinclair drawled.
“What is the distance between the barrels, Beth?”
“I—ah, I’m unsure.”
“Two hand spans? A large foot… one of mine?”
She looked down at the large leather-clad appendage. How was it he was balanced with such ease? She would have fallen by now.
“A booted foot. One of yours.”
Nathan stepped out, and on to the next, taking her hand with him. Beth hurried to keep up. He then walked onto the next, then down onto the path once more.
“Oh, bravo!” Lady Sinclair clapped her hands, as did several of the other women still awaiting their partners’ turns.
“He always was a show-off,” Lord Raine drawled. “Plus, he’s cheating and holding the egg down with his thumb.”
“Lead on, Beth.”
She did, and they navigated several other obstacles before heading into the trees.
“Step right. One of the Hetheringtons has gone down, taking his wife with him. They are at present laughing hysterically and not attempting to regain their feet. Both have egg on them,” Beth said, rounding the laughing couple. “Are you all right?” She felt she had better ask.
“Indeed we are, Miss Carlow. My wife tells me egg whites are excellent for one’s skin.” Having said that, he smeared some of the broken yolk over his wife’s cheeks. “The yolk is now on you, my love,” he said, and they both fell about the place laughing.
“Married people are very loose with each other,” Beth muttered when they were back on the track.
“Getting back to not showing me your true self,” Nathan said, turning his hand in the bonds so their fingers could entwine.
“What are you doing?” She couldn’t tug free. “Someone will see.”
“Let them. Now, about me controlling you.”
“This is a pointless conversation,” Beth said as they entered the small wooded area. “Oh dear.”
“What?” Nathan stumbled on a tree root and cursed. “This is ridiculous.”
“You’re cheating.” His thumb was on the egg holding it in place.
“I have no wish for either of us to be covered in egg.”
“Mr. Warwick Sinclair appears to be caught in some brambles, and a woman is untangling him.”
“Which woman?”
“I cannot see her face.”
“Are they all right?”
The woman was laughing loudly, and Mr. Sinclair was smiling as she tried to remove the brambles from his clothing. He still held the egg aloft.
“They appear to be.”
“Then move on.”
“Left,” Beth said. “There is a branch sticking out a few paces ahead. Oh dear.”
“What now?” Nathan sounded testy.
“Your brother appears to have walked into it.”
“Which one?”
“Mr. Michael Deville.” He was rubbing his forehead but did not seem in any great stress. His egg, however, was splattered over his boots, and the woman accompanying him did not look pleased.
“Rattle your brains, brother?”
“I am well, Nathan,” Michael called back.
The Deville brothers had a comfortable familiarity with them that she’d often envied. Beth was an only child so relied on her friends for that, or she once had.
“What’s ahead, Beth?”
“Trees. It’s quite dense, so be on your guard.”
“But you are my eyes. This is your chance to take control, seeing as you are so sure I would have held the reins of power in any household we had.”
“Nathan, we should not be doing this. It could lead to unwanted speculation,” Beth felt she had to say.
“Heavens yes, we cannot allow unwanted speculation that there is anything more than an acquaintance between us now.”
“Anything more.” Those words made her stomach go funny. Living with Nathan. Sharing his life and his bed. Children. She’d cried so many tears thinking those thoughts and what she would now miss in her life.
“Beth?”
“The path is winding; have a care where you step.”
They walked in silence, him holding the spoon and egg in one hand and her fingers in the other. Beth had given up fighting him over that, because she wanted to feel her fingers in his, fool that she was.
“Are there any small buildings or hiding places nearby?”
“Pardon?”
“Around us. Are there any small sheds or hiding places?” Nathan asked.
“Why?”
“Just answer the question, woman.”
“I can’t see anything?”
“That will do.”
“What?” Looking up at Nathan, she saw his blindfold was now lowered and hung around his neck. His eyes were going up and down the path.
“Hold this.” He thrust the egg at her. He then picked her up and ran into the trees toward a small shed she’d not seen until now.
“Stop!” Beth cried as she
was jostled. “What are you doing!”
“Sssh, someone will hear.”
The door creaked as he opened it, and then they were inside, and he was shutting it behind them.
“Where are we?” He lowered her feet to the floor. Beth looked about the small dark space. There were a few cracks of light from holes in the wooden boards, and she could walk from one side to the other in four strides.
“I’m unsure. Perhaps a hut for the local gamekeeper. Or to store feed for the animals in the winter.” His fingers plucked at the satin bow of the ribbons at her throat.
“What are you doing?”
“Removing your bonnet.” He lowered it to the floor.
“I see that, just not why.”
“I want to see your eyes.”
“Why did you bring me here, Nathan?”
“I would never have controlled you, Bethany Carlow. I need you to know that.”
The breath quite literally whooshed from her body as he stepped her backward until she reached the wall. His hands then braced on either side of her head, their fingers still clasped.
“I need you to know that.”
“This is silly, Nathan. It doesn’t matter any longer. We are never going to wed… or be anything to each other.” She could hear the anguish in her words, as she was sure he could.
“Now that would be a shame.” He lowered his head.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Beth,” Nathan whispered against her lips as his eyes held hers.
So many conflicting emotions chased through him, but the strongest was the need that still burned bright inside him for this woman.
“I need to get back.” Her words had no strength.
“I would not have controlled you.” He leaned down and brushed his mouth over hers. “And I never want you to be anyone but who you want to be with me.”
He kissed her again; she tasted of peppermint. Sliding his free arm around her waist, he pulled her into his body.
“I missed you.” He breathed the words against her lips. “I ached for you.”
She made a small choking sound, which he interpreted to mean she’d missed him also. He wanted answers, but not now. Now he wanted to simply savor her.
His lips took hers in a slow kiss. Where one finished, another started. Before, she’d been tentative and shy in her responses. It wasn’t like that now.
She gave up any resistance and pressed her body to his. Her free arm wrapped around his neck, her lush curves flush against his chest. She felt so right, familiar, and yet at the same time different.
“Tell me why you left?” His eyes were inches from hers, reading the desire that matched his in the blue depths.
“I cannot. Please, Nathan, just kiss me. Touch me, and let us just have this moment.”
He demanded, and she gave. It was a kiss, and yet so much more. He seemed unable to pull back, and indeed, the hand at his neck urged him to take more. Small sounds came from her lovely lips as he slid his fingers up her side.
“Don’t let me go, Nathan.” Her words were tinged with desperation.
He put only a few inches between them, but enough for him to stroke and caress his fingers over the exposed skin of her neck above her gown. Blood thundered through his veins; need hardened his body as he brushed feather soft touches over the smooth skin.
Her sigh ignited him. He slid his fingers inside the bodice, and stroked the rise of one full breast. Her breathing grew rapid, body arching toward him.
Running his eyes over her, he thought it was the most erotic sight he’d ever seen. Beth’s cheeks were flushed with arousal, her lips wet from his kisses.
“I’ve always wanted you, Beth. That has never stopped.”
The eyes she raised to his were darkened with desire.
“Then take me.”
That shocked him.
“Now, Nathan. Make me yours.”
“This is not the place—”
He shuddered as she stroked a hand down his chest.
“I will not take you in a shed,” he rasped.
The hand slid lower, and she touched the top of his arousal through his breeches.
“Dear Christ.” The words hissed from his lips. “Where did you learn to do something like that?”
“A woman called Bess taught me,” she whispered, leaning closer so her lips brushed his.
“Who?” Nathan demanded. “And why?”
She slid her tongue over her top lip, and his eyes crossed.
“Dear Christ.” How was seeing the tip of that small pink tongue so erotic?
She was innocent, he knew that, but she had him harder in seconds than he’d ever been before. Nathan was in serious danger of forgetting where he was and of lifting her skirts and sliding inside her tight, wet heat.
“Half of society’s most ferocious gossips are a few feet away, Beth.”
“I know, but I don’t want us to stop.” She stepped back from him and into the wall, banging her head.
“Are you all right?” He reached for her, but she stopped him simply by tugging the sleeve of her dress down, then lowering the bodice. First one side and then the other.
She was exquisite; every lush, full inch of that pale flesh was mouthwatering. Her breasts were full, nipples tight begging him to touch.
“Beth.” Her name sounded strained, and even as he told himself to stop, he’d reached for her, his hand cupping the full flesh.
“We have to stop,” he said even as his head lowered. “Really.” His voice had no strength.
The first lick of his tongue on her breast had her moaning. He laved first one and then the other breast. She panted and arched into him, and he was in imminent danger of disgracing himself. He had to stop. He knew it, but how was he supposed to step back from this woman he’d loved for years? The woman he’d lusted and fantasized over.
“Oh.” Her moan went straight to his groin as he sucked her nipple into his mouth.
The sound of laughter had him going motionless. Christ.
He quickly pulled up the bodice of her dress in case any other participants decided to use the shed for a rendezvous. He then gathered her in tight against his chest. She did not struggle. She trembled, and Nathan was pretty sure he did too.
He stroked her neck, kissed the top of her head, and slowly her tremors eased.
“I should not have done that, Beth. I’m sorry, but I’ve never been able to resist you.”
“And I should not have done what I did.” Her cheek rested on his chest. “We are both at fault.”
“Who is Bess?”
“No one of importance.”
“Your reaction would suggest otherwise. And the fact that she taught you how to arouse a man intrigues me. A maid, perhaps?”
Her palm flattened on his chest, and she pushed back. One look at the sultry heat still lingering in her eyes had him cursing silently.
“If we still wish to win the race, we must hurry.” Beth turned her face from his.
“I couldn’t give two figs about a bloody race, I want you to talk to me. What is going on with you? And no more lies.”
“Nothing.” She tried to back away, but as she was still attached to him, she didn’t go far. Nathan didn’t move an inch.
“Why were you on the floor where Lord Russell’s office is the night of his ball, the night papers went missing from his desk? Why were you pursuing Valentine if not to take that book, when I know you do not like him? Why did your father visit the Admiral of the Fleet and then use his desk in the early hours of the morning?”
The color in her cheeks drained away with each word he spoke.
“Talk to me.” He reached for her, but she stepped back, pressing her spine to the shed wall. “What danger are you in?”
“I-I have no idea what you speak of.” But she did know; he saw it. Her eyes were wide, and she was shaking again.
“Stop lying to me!” Nathan thundered. “Why were you interested in Valentine?”
“My bag!” She dropped t
o the floor before him and began to search in the dark for something. He held her fingers in a tight grip and tugged, but she would not rise.
“What are you doing?”
“I found it.”
He helped her regain her feet. Looking at the bag she clutched, he could see there was something with hard edges in there. He reached for it. She snatched it away.
“That belongs to me!”
Nathan narrowed his eyes. He could wrestle it from her.
“I insist we return to the race, then I want nothing more to do with you. How dare you take advantage of me like this!”
“You wanted what happened between us as much as I did. May I remind you of your moves that Bess taught you,” Nathan growled.
She dropped her eyes.
“I must go.” Before he could stop her, she’d headed for the door.
“We are tethered, be still.”
Picking up her bonnet, he reached her, silently lowering it onto her head.
“Lift your arm so I may tie it.”
She did so, silently.
Smoothing his hair, he regathered the spoon and egg, and they stepped outside and made their way back to the path in angry frustrated silence.
“Hurry it along, Deville!”
It seemed they weren’t last. Cambridge and Warwick Sinclair were behind them. Now tied together at the wrist. Both held tankards.
“Where are the women you were attached to?” Nathan asked.
“Shumwhere,” Warwick said in singsong voice.
“What? No, she doesn’t.” Cambridge stumbled sideways, making no sense. “Utter rot.”
Clearly in the time he and Beth had been in the shed, a great deal had happened. Including the handing out of beverages. Nathan felt in dire need of one, or at least a fortifying mouthful of something to stop him thinking about Beth’s breasts and how they tasted.
“Hello, Miss Crashlow.” Cambridge bowed, his hair flopping over his forehead, so low that he stumbled, taking his brother with him.
“We can’t leave them here, surely?” Beth whispered as Cambridge righted himself.
“Do you think a wild animal would touch these two?”
“My wife got sick of me stopping to sample libations,” Cambridge said. “Wonderful woman, that one.” His smile was angelic.