His answering look immediately flooded her cheeks with color.
“My dear,” he said, “I never thought you were so short of imagination. Although from the looks of that charming blush, it seems your thoughts are at least somewhat in league with my own. But fear not, I don’t plan to do anything too untoward….yet.”
And with that, he rose from his chair and helped her stand. They he slowly leaned in to her. He lightly brushed the side of her head with his own. His lips barely grazed her temple as he let them drop to her neck, where he began to lightly nuzzle. The unmistakable shiver that went through her was highly satisfying, as was the way she clutched at his shoulders.
“That is quite enough of that,” she said breathily, as she fought to keep her balance. “You’ve had your kiss. Now it’s time for the next hand.”
The fact that there would even be a next hand gave Arthur the confidence to continue his exploration of her neck. “I haven’t actually kissed you yet,” he said between light nips on her neck.
“But this is so much worse,” she said as indignantly as she was able, while simultaneously stretching her neck to give him better access.
“Perhaps you are right,” he said as he pressed his lips to her pulse point, gently sucking. “It is time for the next hand, after all.” He stepped away from her, leaving her gently swaying. He was going to reach out a hand to steady her, unsure whether he’d then be able to let her go, when she sank back down in the chair.
She dealt with slightly shaking hands. After checking her card, her look was one of triumph. “The king of spades.”
Arthur looked at his card, then met her eyes.
It didn’t take long for her to say “Lower. And I decide not to kiss you again.”
Arthur’s grin could only be likened to a lion who had just sighted dinner. “Sorry, love. It was a tie.”
Her eyes grew wide as he once again rose from his seat. “I don’t believe you. Show me your card.”
He pulled her into his arms. “Are you questioning my honor?”
“In this case? Absolutely.”
“Too late. The hand has been played,” he said, as his lips skimmed along her neck to her collarbone. Then he continued his journey to the tops of her breasts, or what would’ve been the tops of her breasts if they hadn’t been covered by the hideous brown gown.
As he travelled further down her chest, his breath dampened the fabric of her gown. She whispered a protest, but did not move away. He almost wished she would. He’d been lusting after her for more than a week now, counting their time in Kent. Too much more of this and he wouldn’t be able to stop.
As his lips reached the place where her nipple lay obscured by her clothes, he licked. She stifled a moan. He licked again and this time her hands clutched his head. He waited to see if she would push him away, then when she didn’t he sucked her hardened nipple into his mouth. How he wished he could take off her gown so he could taste the sweetness of her skin. Then he switched to the other breast. As he began suckling anew, he was so painfully hard he worried he might actually explode if he went any further. It was that thought which finally convinced him to reluctantly withdraw from the bounty of her breasts.
As he raised his head he smiled at the view in front of him. Vanessa’s eyes were closed and her head thrown back. Her red curls had completely escaped their knot and were in disarray about her head and shoulders. And for a moment he was seized with the urge to back her up a few steps to the bed and see how many different ways he could elicit that same expression from her.
But in the end he helped her to her chair, since there was no way she could stand on her own. He sank into his own, wondering how long it would take her to come to her senses and what her reaction would be once she did.
* * *
Vanessa knew she was making a fool of herself, but couldn’t help it. Arthur’s reputation as a magnificent lover was well deserved. As she finally focused her eyes on the man across from her, he was wearing that infuriating crooked smile and had dealt each of them a card. He picked his up. “The four of spades.”
Vanessa looked at her card then met his eyes.
“Yours is higher,” he said.
“No it’s not,” she replied, as she carefully replaced her card in the deck. She was lying, of course, but she wouldn’t give him another chance to drive her mad with passion. “It is my turn to kiss you, my lord,” she said as she rose from her chair and walked toward him. He began to rise, but she pushed him back down. “I believe I shall find this more comfortable if I am seated,” she said, as she sat on his lap. Then she met his lips with her own.
His arms pulled her to him. She could feel his very hard cock beneath her bottom. She wiggled her hips just a bit and was rewarded with a groan. They continued kissing with tongues mating and hands exploring each other gently. Just as he cupped her breast, there was a sudden rap at the door, along with the serving maid’s voice asking if she could clear the table.
After a panicked moment when they both seemed surprised to find each other in that position, Vanessa leapt off his lap as quickly as her wobbly legs could take her. Arthur walked to the window with his back to the door, trying to hide the evidence of what they’d been doing.
The serving girl saw little amiss as she and her counterpart came in to remove the dishes and set the room back to rights. When the two girls left, Arthur turned to see Vanessa readying her reticule for the next day’s meeting by placing a small pistol in it. It was this reminder of the real reason he was with her that broke the erotic haze. He couldn’t afford to become entangled with this woman. Not if he hoped to keep her safe.
And he would keep her safe.
Vanessa cleared her throat, her eyes on the pistol she was carefully placing in the bag. “As interesting as that exercise was, I think, perhaps, the lesson should draw to a close.”
Arthur knew it was the right thing to do, although it stung a little to have her suggest it. Hadn’t his kisses affected her at all? “Very well. We shall have no more lessons. Today.”
And with that he watched with resignation as she divided their bed with the blanket once again.
CHAPTER NINE
The messenger they’d sent to Cambridge must’ve ridden straight through the night because Dumbarton’s letter of introduction came to them at noon the next day, along with a loan of five pounds – with interest to be paid by Arthur at one percent per annum– and the next clue in their search.
“According to the Professor, we’re to secure a chalice from the Duke of Newcastle’s home in Nottingham,” said Vanessa, as they made their way to Norwich Castle once again. “Are you acquainted with him?”
“Enough to thoroughly dislike the man.”
“So you know him well?”
“It’s not necessary to know him well to despise him. I have not only my own impressions to go on, but Lynwood’s experience with him, as well. But at least we won’t have to waste time convincing him of our bona fides. I wish Dumbarton had solved the rest of the code. I don’t want to spend any more time in Nottingham than strictly necessary.”
“I’m sure he’s working as quickly as he can.”
“For someone who boasts of his abilities as much as he does, one would think he could get on with his work faster,” grumbled Arthur, irritated by her defense of the lecherous old bastard.
They arrived at Norwich Castle, prepared for the stench, but just as repulsed as the previous day. Arthur carried the leather case in which they’d sheathe the broadsword. It would be awkward transporting it, but they had little choice in the matter. As they waited for Sir John, Vanessa noticed the same old woman waiting in the great hall from the day before. This time she was arguing with the officer in charge.
She was so short she could barely see over the desk where several officers were seated. But nothing could intimidate the woman. “Me son, his wife and their two babes are in yer blasted gaol. I come here to get them out, I paid yer demmed ‘toll’ and now yer saying they have to stay
. Yer crooks, ye are. The lot of ye.”
“Watch yer language,” said the officer in charge, who didn’t appear surprised in the least to have his honor challenged. “There’s a respectable gent and miss here. They want none of yer foul language.”
The old woman looked like she was about to tell him what she really thought of him, when Vanessa approached the officer.
“How much is the release fee for this family?” she asked, as the old woman regarded her with suspicion.
The officer looked Vanessa up and down quite thoroughly, a slight smile revealing tobacco-stained teeth. “Do not fret yerself about this situation, miss. I can have this female thrown out so ye won’t have to hear from the likes of her again.”
If possible, the old woman became even more incensed. “See here, ye jackanapes. If ye wasn’t the law, I’d take a poke at ye for that. And I’d likely do some damage, too.”
The other officers behind the desk laughed at their colleague, whose face immediately reddened with fury.
“Get out!” he bellowed at the old woman.
She looked like she was about to jump over the desk and attack, when Vanessa put her hand on the woman’s arm, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Have patience madam, your family may be released after all.”
The old woman looked at her like she was a lunatic, but calmed down enough to see what would happen next. Vanessa turned to the guard. “How much will it take to get the family released?”
The officer turned mean eyes to the old woman and spat “Ten pounds.”
The old woman gasped. “Ain’t nobody I know got blunt like that, even put all together. T’is robbery, it is.”
The guard was unapologetic. “There’s one pound each for your son and his wife, then one each for the two brats.”
“And the rest?” asked Vanessa.
“Not that it’s any of yer business, but the rest is for them blankets we give ‘em ever since the little girl got sick.”
“Mimsy’s sick?” asked the old woman. For the first time, the formidable woman looked frail.
“She’s been coughing for weeks now. Been nothing but a problem for us because no one wants to go near them.”
Vanessa had heard more than enough. “I am an officer of the Crown and I demand that you release this family right now. There will be no release fee. I just want them out of your gaol. Immediately.” Vanessa was almost shaking with rage.
“You ain’t no officer of the Crown,” said the guard.
It was then that Sir John spoke up. Vanessa hadn’t noticed his arrival, but as she turned she saw him holding Dumbarton’s letter of introduction, standing next to a decidedly stern Arthur. Sir John cleared his throat. “Apparently she is exactly who she says she is. If this woman’s family has served their sentence….”
“They has!” said the old woman, still looking like she wanted to thrash the officer in charge.
Sir John took a step back from the woman, then continued speaking to the officer. “Then I believe you should release them forthwith.”
“What about the ten pounds?” asked the officer, who’d clearly been hoping the well-dressed couple would provide the bounty.
“Yes, what about the ten pounds?” Sir John asked Arthur. “We do, after all, have expenses…”
“There will be no money of any amount changing hands,” said Vanessa. “Just as there will be no more delays. Lord Arthur and I have business with Sir John. When we return, we want to see this woman’s family with their release papers.”
“Can’t be done that fast,” said the officer.
“Yes, it can,” said Vanessa. “And it will be.”
The officer looked at Arthur, hoping he would be able to control Vanessa.
In return, Arthur summoned centuries of Kellington authority and said, “You heard the lady. It will be done.”
Up to that point, the old woman had been in shock, watching the exchange between Vanessa and the officers. Arthur pulled her aside. “Madam,” he asked quietly, “how were you going to get your family back home?”
“We was going to walk. But I fear for the little ones if they’re sick.”
Arthur believed the entire family would be sick or, at the very least weakened, if they’d been in prison for long. “Sir John, do you have transportation?”
“Do you need a ride, my lord? I can arrange something for a very reasonable price.”
“No doubt,” said Arthur. “But I was inquiring on behalf of this lady and her family.”
Sir John’s face was one of instant distaste. “She can’t go in my coach.”
“Of course not,” said Arthur smoothly, while hoping they could quickly conclude their business before he planted a facer on both Sir John and the crook behind the desk. “But do you know of any transportation they could hire?”
“There’s a farmer with a cart who gives rides to freed prisoners for a price,” said one of the officers behind the desk.
“Do you trust this man?” asked Arthur.
The officer nodded. “He’s a good one, he is. A mite touched in the head and speaks about God more than any preacher. But he’s fair and honest.”
“Good. Do be so kind as to arrange for him to pick up this family and take them to a surgeon.”
“Can’t pay for no ride nor a surgeon,” said the old woman.
“We’ll take care of it,” said Arthur, thinking of how much he was going to hate getting another loan from Dumbarton, since he intended to give the old woman his five pounds.
The old woman eyed him, then leaned in to say with slightly whiskey-scented breath, “Ye don’t think I’m gonna work this money off on me back, do ye? ‘Cause I give that up long ago, even if ye is a fine lookin’ toff.”
Arthur stared at the woman for a moment, unsure how to reply. Then she laughed.
“Got ye!” she said cackling, as she displayed a mouth with few teeth. “Ye got yer fine lady there and I reckon she’ll be only too happy to express the thanks I have in me heart fer ye.”
Arthur slipped the money into the old woman’s hands, keeping the exchange well hidden from the guards. She was shocked, but he simply squeezed her hands, then turned to Sir John. “When Miss Gans and I return, I expect this lady and her family to be on their way. But now, I believe it is time for us to conclude our business, Sir John.”
“Of course,” said the governor as he led the way to the stairs. “I’m sure we’d all like you to be on your way.”
“I can imagine,” said Arthur, aware of Vanessa’s eyes on him as they walked through the dank corridors of the armory to Sir John’s office.
Sir John offered them seats then cleared his throat. “I shall send for the Larsen just as soon as you give me the insurance bond.”
“But you have the letter from Professor Dumbarton,” said Vanessa. “You know who I am.”
“I do, indeed, miss. But I have a responsibility to the good people of this shire to safeguard their treasure. All I need from you is a surety bond to make sure no damage is done to the sword.”
“You mean no more damage than has already been done through centuries of neglect in this God forsaken gaol?” asked Arthur, wondering if he shouldn’t enlist the old woman’s aid in pummeling Sir John.
“There is no need to be rude, Lord Arthur,” said Sir John, affronted. “All I’m asking for is five hundred pounds….”
“Five hundred pounds!” said Arthur.
“It is a national treasure,” said Sir John with as much dignity as an extortionist could muster.
“Sir John,” said Vanessa, “I wonder if I might have a word with you alone?”
“Alone, miss?” Sir John couldn’t help but leer. “I would be delighted.”
“I wouldn’t,” said Arthur.
Vanessa pulled him from his seat and marched him out to the hall. “You must let me do this, Arthur. I can make him give us what we want.”
“I do not approve of any negotiation you would conduct behind closed doors.”
“Are you sa
ying you don’t trust me?” asked Vanessa.
“No, love. I don’t trust him. He’s likely to ravish you then charge you for the privilege.”
“I’m perfectly able to take care of myself,” she said, trying – and failing – to push him further into the hall. He really was a mass of skin-covered stone. “Stay here. This shall only take a moment.”
“What are you going to do?” he asked.
“I’m going to arrange for the release of the sword. Now wait here like a good lad.” With that, she re-entered the office and shut the door in Arthur’s stunned face. Before he could gather his wits, he heard the key turn to lock it.
He was dumbfounded to be so summarily dismissed. He tried to find another way in to the office, when he heard a scream. Without hesitation he kicked in the door, only to find Sir John bent over in agony, cupping himself. Vanessa was at the desk, calmly signing papers. She held them up for Arthur’s perusal.
“Here they are: documents granting us possession of the Larsen broadsword, without the need for any type of surety.”
“You said if I notarized them, you’d….” Here, the gasping Sir John lowered his voice to prevent Arthur from hearing. “You’d reward me.”
“And what could be greater reward than the thanks of the Home Office for aiding us in an important case?”
“Does this look like thanks?” asked Sir John, indicating his injury.
“I cannot help it if you misinterpreted my offer,” said Vanessa, as she took the second copy of the note for herself. “Now, kindly have the sword brought to us. Or do you need more persuading?”
Sir John reluctantly rang for his adjutant then ordered the sword brought around. It was a rather awkward few minutes of waiting. Arthur told Sir John that ice might help his injury. Vanessa made polite small talk as if nothing untoward had occurred.
Arthur wanted to kiss her senseless for it.
When the sword arrived, they took another look at it to ensure none of the criminals in guards’ uniforms had made off with any jewels overnight.
“They’re all there,” said Sir John with indignation.
Never Wager Against Love (Kellington Book Three) Page 10