“I’m all aflutter at your wild praise,” said Arthur, as he began unpacking his satchel. As she began doing the same, he noticed she’d packed her breeches. His mind immediately filled with the sight of her in them. And out of them.
“Don’t worry,” she said, as she caught him watching her, “I have no plans to create a scandal by going about town in men’s clothing.”
“That’s a relief. I can’t imagine my Mrs. Rennard wearing breeches outside this chamber. You are welcome, of course, to wear whatever you like while we’re in here or even nothing at all.”
His remark was accompanied once again by his crooked smile. And she was, once again, tempted to wipe it from his face with a heavy implement. Or kiss it off. Dismayingly, the second choice had more appeal. Instead she asked, “Why did we have to share a room? Isn’t it the custom of your set to have separate chambers?”
“While that is the way of the ton in general, I assure you that if I ever become enamored enough of a woman to marry her, I certainly won’t leave her to languish in her own bed chamber. I would imagine one of the very few benefits of marriage would be the sheer convenience of having ready access to your wife.”
“But we’re not really married. And you’re not Lord Arthur Kellington. You’re Mr. Rennard, who may long for his own bed.”
“He doesn’t. And there are practical matters to consider. When I went to Kent to chaperone Lizzie, I didn’t anticipate a chase through the countryside in some sort of spy ring scavenger hunt. And while normally I can get credit just about anywhere I go, as you pointed out I’m currently not Lord Arthur Kellington, brother to a disgustingly wealthy duke. I’m Mr. Rennard, known for having a beautiful wife, but not much other than that. Therefore, we must economize.”
“Then why didn’t we stay at a less expensive inn? We passed one not half a mile from here. We could’ve simply checked back here each day for Dumbarton’s message.”
“Are you speaking of the inn with the sagging roof and the not-quite-identifiable odor wafting from it? Because while I travel with Mr. Rennard’s pocketbook, I am still Arthur Kellington when it comes to comfort. Relax. I promise not to ravish you in the night.”
“What about during the daytime?”
“If I must, I shall extend the promise to daytime hours, as well. You are, of course, allowed to make free with me whenever you like.”
“I shall keep that in mind, my lord,” she said as she finished unpacking her satchel, “in case I am suddenly made insensible in the head.”
Arthur finished unpacking and was thankful yet again that he’d never grown used to a valet’s service. Now all that remained was the reason they’d come to town in the first place. He watched her move about the room with her usual brisk efficiency. “If you’d like to freshen up, I can take myself off for a bit.”
Vanessa looked at him. His innocent demeanor made her instantly suspicious. “What do you have in mind?”
“Nothing. I was just extending the common courtesy of allowing you to get settled. I thought it was rather gallant of me, actually.”
“Which is why I want to know what you’re up to.” He looked somewhat offended, so she added, “You have been quite gallant on the journey so far. I just wonder what possessed you now to give me time alone. I would’ve expected at least a few more indecent suggestions before you gave up and took yourself off.”
“I would hate to become quite so predictable,” he said as he turned from her and rummaged through his satchel. “And, fear not, I have a number of activities I’ll be glad to suggest later tonight, but for now…” He put down the satchel and looked around.
“Are you looking for these?”
Vanessa held up the pistols he’d borrowed from Dumbarton. He reached for them, but she pulled them away. “I can only assume you had some fool notion that you’d go to the castle without me,” she said. “Or, worse, go looking for Mortimer and Cassidy alone. That will not happen. Although I am glad to see you had sense enough to know you should be armed.”
“Yes,” said Arthur as he took one pistol from her and placed it in his coat pocket. “I do have at least a modicum of common sense. Why not remain here as I scout the area? I promise to report back to you on anything I find.”
“There will be no need to report, since I’ll be there with you,” she said, as she placed her pistol in a beautifully embroidered reticule. “Shall we go?”
* * *
As they slowly strolled through the area, they gave their very best impression of a newly married couple, with Arthur doing his part exceedingly well. As they walked past inns, Vanessa expressed the need to rest on benches in the yards. Arthur’s solicitous concern for his wife resulted in good natured chats with ostlers and stable boys, who were only too happy to talk to the newlyweds who looked like they were generous with their coins. As various servants spoke about out-of-town visitors and guests, no one at more than a dozen inns reported anyone matching Mortimer and Cassidy’s description. Finally running out of inns, Arthur and Vanessa continued their journey by walking further into town.
“I am thoroughly tired of resting,” said Vanessa, as they walked along the street, stopping to look in store windows, while at the same time checking to see if they were being followed. “After travelling by coach for so long, I needed a brisk walk instead of this crawl between benches. I hope I am not this coddled when I am seventy.”
“I just pray you live so long,” said Arthur softly.
She looked up at him. “Pardon?”
“Nothing. Have you always been fond of walking?”
“Excessively so. It was one of the reasons I enjoyed my time in Kent so much. The country air was quite invigorating. I have never understood why ladies of your set prefer sitting to walking. And when they do go about by foot they do it so slowly that it must take an entire day to get anywhere.”
“Ah, but you miss the point of their excursion,” said Arthur as he pulled her closer to him protectively as two youths ran by. “They don’t walk as a means of getting from one place to another. There are carriages to accomplish that. They walk to be seen and admired.”
“I suppose you prefer your females to be leisurely walkers. The type who faint at even the slightest excitement.”
Arthur unconsciously pulled her even closer to his side. “In truth, I prefer my females to have some life in them. And I certainly wouldn’t want them to miss out on any excitement by fainting.” Then he brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her fingers.
The contact didn’t last long. They were, after all, in the middle of Norwich’s busiest thoroughfare and although they were pretending to be married, there were limits to what even newlyweds could do in public. But the brief contact was enough to flood Vanessa’s senses. All of them. Not just the ones in the direct line of fire from his lips. It seemed every part of her had made contact with his sinful mouth. They stood only inches away from each other. Close, but not close enough. But as the two youths ran past them yet again, they reluctantly moved apart.
“Shall we continue our walk?” asked Arthur, a bit unevenly.
“Yes,” she said in a voice so deep she barely recognized it as her own.
When they returned to the inn, Arthur gave her a few moments alone to ready herself for dinner. But he was the one who needed some time apart. He was about to ask the innkeeper for an additional chamber, when Vanessa emerged from their room.
Her dress was an unremarkable brown. Her hair was pulled back at the nape of her neck in a style befitting a governess. On any other woman, the combination of the drab gown and the severe hairstyle would make her look like a spinster. However, on this woman the gown hugged her curves and the color brought out the vibrancy of her hair. But what really caught his attention was the way she carried herself. There was energy in her every movement and life in each glance. When she saw him, she broke out into a grin that warmed him throughout. Not that he needed any part of him to get any hotter. But he couldn’t resist giving her an answering smile.
Dinner was a pleasant affair. It could have been quite awkward. Other than their one evening under the stars in which the conditions had been less than ideal, this was the first night they’d spent alone together. And the fact they would be sharing a room, registered as man and wife, weighed heavily on Arthur’s mind. To keep his thoughts from the night ahead, he asked her questions about her past. She deflected all of them but became more and more animated as she spoke about their mission.
“You must really enjoy your work,” said Arthur, as he admired the way her eyes sparkled as she talked about the challenge ahead.
“I do,” she said. “I don’t think I would’ve been happy in service, in part because I have very little tolerance for the foibles of the aristocracy. Present company excluded, of course.”
“Are you saying I don’t have foibles?”
“Of course not,” she said, as her eyes laughed at him. “I’ve simply become accustomed to them.”
“Thank you, minx. Did you never think of becoming a governess?”
Something flashed in her eyes, then was just as quickly gone. “I have very little patience for other people’s children.”
“Do you want children yourself?” Arthur realized with a start that this was a question he usually avoided when conversing with a potential bedmate. But he was intrigued by every facet of Vanessa Gans. And he found himself very much wanting to know the answer.
“It’s not that I’m opposed to having children myself,” she said carefully. “I just don’t think it’ll happen.” She stared into her wine goblet before taking a sip, which seemed to restore her to her previous good humor. “And it is other people’s children who bother me. Mine would be perfectly behaved, of course.”
“Of course,” said Arthur smiling. “I used to share your view of other’s people’s children until I got to know my niece Violet. She’s not just a wonderful child, she’s a lovely person. She and her mother have certainly had a civilizing influence on Ned. He’s quite besotted with both of them.”
“I’m sure you’ll be equally besotted when you marry and have a child of your own.”
Suddenly Arthur’s expression shuttered. “I don’t believe in love. Or, more to the point, I don’t believe in it for me. My parents loved each other very much – and their children. Ned and Jane have followed in their footsteps and it certainly appears Lizzie and Riverton are just as mad in their affections. But I am cut from different cloth.”
“You don’t think you’ll find the right woman?”
For a moment, it looked like he wouldn’t answer. Then he said very quietly, “I don’t want to find her.”
Before Vanessa could ask anything else, the serving girl entered the parlor to refill their wine. Arthur asked her about Norwich Castle.
“It’s quite a thing to see, sir,” said the girl, with the pride of a local. “Was built back when the Normans come through, it was. Most famous thing in these parts, that’s for sure, even if it is used as a gaol. Don’t seem right for those villains to have such a fine home, but what’s to be done about it?”
“I understand there are some historical items in the castle,” said Vanessa. “Do those attract many visitors?”
The girl thought about it for a moment. “Can’t say that I know the answer to that, ma’am. Me mum once took us to look at the old Viking treasures. Said they was a bunch of history. They just looked old and dirty to me. Will there be anythin’ else?’
Arthur waved her off with a coin, then turned to Vanessa when the girl left. “How would you like to proceed?”
“I suggest we talk to the gaol’s governor and tell him to entrust us with the sword for safekeeping.”
“You don’t think an armed garrison would do better at keeping it safe than we would?”
“In this case, no. I learned long ago never to underestimate Frederick Mortimer. I have also learned that poorly paid gaolers can be easily bribed. If Mortimer and Cassidy learn they are to take the sword, they will find a means of attaining it. If we take the sword, they won’t know where it is.”
“Unless they catch up with us.
“Or unless they’ve already taken it themselves,” said Vanessa with a grimace. “Either way, our next step is to go to the castle.”
Arthur looked at her eyes which were bright with excitement, her chin so firm with determination. And damned, if he didn’t feel some of that excitement himself.
When they finished their meal, Arthur took himself off to the tap to give Vanessa a chance to ready herself for bed and to figure out what he would do about her seduction. While it was true he needed to maintain his distance emotionally – which had never been a problem with any other woman – he knew he’d never be able to share a room with her, let alone a bed, without seducing her. She’d responded to his kisses in the carriage in a way that assured Arthur his instincts had been right about her. She was too passionate to be a virgin, although she was hesitant enough to make him believe it had been quite some time since she’s last engaged in a tryst. He would be only too happy to help her make up for lost time.
He had to be careful in his approach. Because this would be no one-night endeavor. Even if she didn’t become his mistress when the mission was done – and he’d do everything he could to persuade her to do so – they would be together until the end of her assignment, which might mean several days, if not weeks. It would be hard to keep her safe if she ordered him out of her sight. He had to make sure she wanted him to stay close.
As Arthur finished his ale, he thought about the likely scene he would find upstairs. She would be in bed, probably wearing some hideously sensible night rail. She’d be a little nervous and he made a mental note to calm her skittishness, much like one would take extra care breaking a high-spirited horse to the bridle. After taking off his jacket, perhaps he’d sit on the edge of the bed and make light conversation, as he divested himself of vest and cravat. They might share a few laughs. Because if there was one thing he could count on with the quick-witted Vanessa, it was conversation that actually engaged him. He never had to endure comments about the weather or fashion. He wasn’t sure she could even talk of such things, unless it was what kind of weather was best for surveillance or the ideal clothing to wear when concealing a weapon.
After getting her to relax through conversation, and having successfully stripped down to shirt and trousers, he would pull her toward him for a kiss. She’d eagerly meet his lips, then engage him thoroughly. He would cup a breast through her practical night rail and she would moan sweetly in response. Then he’d divest her of the gown and she would reach to touch him through his clothing. He wasn’t sure how he wanted to take her the first time. He knew he wanted to see her on top of him. He wanted to watch her go wild as she rode him with abandon. And she would go wild. She was no meek miss, nor a bored London widow. She was a passionate, physical woman and he couldn’t wait to see how that translated in bed.
Without thought, his aroused body led him from the tap to their room. He rapped quietly then entered, locking the door behind him. What he saw next brought him up short. Instead of the slightly shy woman in a night rail he thought would be waiting for him, Vanessa was on the far side of the bed, in her shift – which looked to be government issue for prison inmates – and reading over her notes. There was also a blanket slung over a rope which divided his half of the bed from hers.
“What, may I ask, is that?” he asked, as he motioned to the blanket.
Vanessa didn’t look up from her papers. “It is a blanket. I’m surprised you would have to ask. Doesn’t Kellington Castle have any?”
“It’s not a castle,” he replied dryly. “It’s a simple country manor with several dozen rooms. I shall be more specific. Why is that blanket dividing the bed rather than lying on top of it?”
“Really, Lord Arthur,” she said, still not looking up. “I should think it would be obvious. I didn’t want to sleep on the floor and I had a feeling you wouldn’t want to, either…”
“You are correct.”
“So I had to devise a way to give us both privacy while not interfering with the comfort to which you are accustomed. I think it’s rather ingenious.”
“I think it’s rather bothersome and quite unnecessary.”
“How so?” This time she did put down the papers.
“This is not the first time we’ve slept in close proximity. And if I was able to resist you then, I can manage to do the same tonight. Unless, of course, you had to resort to the blanket because you weren’t sure if you could keep from ravishing me.”
The immediate blush that flooded her countenance was immensely gratifying.
Vanessa rather belatedly schooled her features into a prim and proper miss. “I assure you that I would just as soon kiss a mad dog than be subjected to another of your embraces. Now, would you like to discuss strategy for tomorrow?”
“Does it involve rounding up a mad dog?” asked Arthur as he began to undress.
“I would prefer that you do that over there,” she said, as she gestured to the screen in the corner of the room.
“If you insist,” said Arthur, not quite resisting a smile, as he saw her glance nervously at him. “And I suppose you prefer that I wear clothing to bed.”
“A night shirt will suffice,” she said, looking more and more nervous.
“Then I should have packed one,” he said. “Never mind, I shall make do with my small clothes.”
“As for tomorrow, I believe we should get an early start and take a roundabout route to the castle. It would be best to know if we’re being followed.” She stopped speaking as Arthur came out from behind the screen. His small clothes did nothing to disguise the magnificent form underneath. And her mind went back to seeing him naked in the tub. She quickly turned away, threw her papers on the floor and curled into the blankets.
Arthur smiled as strode to the bed. “Miss Gans, would you like to continue the discussion of our plans for the morrow?”
“No, thank you,” came the muffled reply. “I’m sure we can decide in the morning. Good night, Lord Arthur.”
Never Wager Against Love (Kellington Book Three) Page 7