“Well, manners dictate that I shouldn’t mention it, but now that you have ...” Dominic shot her a teasing smile as he nudged the door open with his foot before placing her carefully beside the bed. “I am sure that I can manage a few more pounds before I need to call a footman to help me.”
Isobel thwacked his arm and shot him a mock glare. Dominic’s green gaze caressed her moistened lips for several moments. Briefly, his eyes touched hers as he breathed her name before gently placing a ghost of a kiss across her lips.
“Dominic,” Isobel moaned softly as his hands encircled her waist, pulling her tighter into his embrace.
It was all the permission Dominic needed, and he drew her even closer until there wasn’t a breath of air between them. Slowly he devoured her mouth with his. His hand snaked into the soft curls of her hair holding her still as his lips plundered hers ruthlessly. Teasing and tasting her; demanding her total compliance and accepting nothing less than her absolute surrender.
Gasping for breath, Isobel found her mouth suddenly released only for hot molten kisses to be trailed down her neck. Tipping her head backwards, she shivered with delight as his tongue dipped into the hollow at the base of her neck before trailing back upwards to nip at her ear. “I know your secret.” He whispered softly. Isobel froze.
“Pardon?” She willed herself not to look guilty, and remained still as the white-hot haze of passion dwindled rapidly.
“You need to trust me Isobel,” Dominic chided, staring into her eyes meaningfully before casually releasing his hold on her. It was almost painful to tear himself away from her lush bounty. He kept his face carefully bland, and he turned to sit on the side of the bed, staring into the fire as he willed his body to cool. “Think on it. If our marriage is to be a happy one, there has to be trust.” He knew she understood, and bit back a curse of frustration when she stoically remained silent. Who was she protecting?
Isobel watched as his gaze hardened, and a muscle ticked steadily in his jaw as the silence lengthened. He was angry at her. Very angry. She raised her chin defiantly, and met his stare with a bland look of query.
Disappointed she wasn’t willing to take him into her confidence, Dominic heaved a sigh and stood.
“I need to discuss several matters with Peter, and will be a while. Sleep well,” he muttered, closing the door with a firm click behind him.
He wouldn’t return that night, whatever the personal cost to his libido. She needed to decide if she would trust him implicitly or not. A surge of anger swept through him as he considered the different people she could be protecting, and what kind of hold they had over her to make her so willing to go against the protection of her brother, and future husband, to protect their identity.
For one thing was certain, it was definitely a man.
CHAPTER EIGHT
She loved him wholeheartedly, and always had, Isobel mused several days later as she stared out over the snow laden landscape despondently. Since she had recounted life with Rupert, she certainly felt less burdened by the stark memories of her experiences at his hands. What bothered her more than anything was that for the second night now, Dominic had not returned to the master suite to share the vast expanse of bed with her. When they did meet up downstairs, he was always formally polite, yet distant. As though disappointed with her, and waiting.
She knew he wanted her to tell him her secrets. Inwardly she knew she ought, but loyalty to the man who had helped keep her alive and the trouble she could bring him, kept her stoically quiet. Still, the distance between herself and Dominic was something she couldn’t stand for much longer. She wasn’t even certain she was relieved that there had been no further mention of marriage between them. He hadn’t pushed, or asked, or pestered. She wasn’t sure she liked it. With a frown she contemplated her relationship with him.
From the first time they had met at Willowbrook, her heart had been lost to this handsome rogue whose persistent charm, and wry humour, had captured her wilful soul and held it captive. It seemed such a long time ago.
When they first met, they had been fortunate enough to be able to spend a considerable amount of time together. Albeit chaperoned in one form or another. Either Peter, her Aunt Elspeth or one of the staff were in attendance whenever they had found themselves together. To the point that she considered she would scream if she wasn’t allowed any time alone to talk to him. They had often shared conspiratorial smiles of sympathy when their precious time together had been interrupted. She had been heartened that he was seemingly experiencing the same frustration at their lack of ability to be alone together. Like a giddy young woman, she was soon eagerly waiting for the time they would meet again.
He had been visiting his uncle only a few miles away when he had answered Peter’s invitation to dinner. Having recently returned from France, both men had parted company to deal with urgent family matters. Peter had returned to Willowbrook, and Dominic to Leicestershire to deal with family business in Leicestershire. Several weeks later, they had both been eager to catch up, and Dominic had readily accepted Peter’s first of many invitations to dine at Willowbrook.
For several weeks he had taken every opportunity to call upon her at Willowbrook, blatantly seeking her company to view the estates and tour the house. Peter, bless him, had indulged the budding romance while doing his best to protect his sister’s reputation as best he could. Whilst not actively encouraging the relationship, he did little to stop their closeness, and on several occasions had actually created an opportunity for them to meet himself.
Several weeks later, they had just finished the last of their sumptuous dinner when Dominic had broken with convention and requested a private interview with Isobel. At Peter’s nod, he pushed away from the table and moved to help a surprised Isobel out of her seat, swiftly escorting her into the drawing room next door.
Isobel’s heart thundered in her chest as she had followed him out of the room. Was he about to ask her to marry him? Wildly possible and impossible scenarios flew through her mind as she meekly followed. Leaving the door slightly ajar, he moved to join her before the window and allowed a few moments of quiet to settle between them.
“I wanted to speak to you before I go, Isobel,” he began quietly, his eyes serious as they met hers.
For a proposal, he was being rather stern, Isobel mused.
“I am going away for a while.”
Isobel’s stomach lurched sickeningly as his words sank in. She fought the urge to cry as her heart broke just a little as her hopes were dashed.
“For long?” She tried to maintain a polite conversational tone, careful not to betray the hurt his words caused her.
“Several months, I am afraid.” Dominic’s words fell like lead between them, his own face solemn.
“Are you travelling abroad?” Isobel wondered if he intended to return. He seemed strangely vague. Not that he had to answer to her in any way, Isobel sternly reminded herself. He was quite a free man to do as he wished, but some inner voice of caution warned her that he wasn’t being entirely honest with her.
“No, my dear.” Dominic knew she was confused and worried, and hated not being able to reveal everything to her. After all he had every intention of taking her to wife. He just couldn’t do it yet.
“This is strictly between us.” He waited until he received her nod of agreement before continuing. “Peter and I have been asked to undertake a secret mission by the Prince Regent himself. There is a group of smugglers running rife along the Norfolk coast. People are dying as the gang is becoming more and more ruthless. Something needs to be done.” Dominic squeezed her hands and gently tugged her closer, pleased when she didn’t protest at his familiarity with her.
“Unfortunately, it means neither Peter nor I will be able to contact you while we are away as we are briefly rejoining some of our old battalion to form a special group to carry out this mission.”
Isobel was about to answer, when Dominic continued. “We cannot predict how long we will be gone either.
It could be a few weeks; or months.” Dominic watched as her shoulders drooped slightly. “I can promise you though my darling, that as soon as I can return to you, I will.” He was warmed as her eyes brightened at his choice of words.
“Promise me you shall remain safe,” Isobel demanded huskily, squeezing his hands beseechingly.
“I promise you I shall do my utmost to ensure both Peter and I will return to you hale and whole, and at the earliest possible moment,” Dominic said, eyeing her glistening lips. “Meantime, I am afraid I will not be able to correspond with you. I can assure you though that you will be in my thoughts.” His voice dropped to a husky murmur, and his head dipped towards hers. “Allow me a small measure of solace to warm my nights, my darling,” he pleaded before his lips captured and held hers in a gentle kiss.
Isobel’s heart thumped heavily in her ears at the insistent pressure of his lips upon hers. She knew she should pull away, but was in the one place she so very desperately wanted to be. If she wasn’t going to see him for some time, surely there was nothing wrong in seeking at least one kiss, was it? Throwing all caution aside, she carefully placed her hands upon the solid muscle of his chest, pleased when he groaned in his throat before pulling her more firmly into his embrace.
How long they stood entwined in each other’s arms she couldn’t say. They were rudely interrupted by a discreet cough coming from the doorway all too soon. They drew apart reluctantly, a rueful smile curving Dominic’s lips.
“I should apologise, sweetheart,” Dominic said, placing a gentle kiss upon her rosebud lips. “But I won’t. I thank you for allowing me such liberties.” Carefully placing a tender kiss on her cheek, he stepped backward, her hand held securely in his grasp.
“Sir? My Lord wishes to meet with you in the library,” the footman intoned politely.
Dominic nodded and turned towards the man. “Please tell him I shall be with him shortly.”
“I cannot ask you to wait for me, but I shall be eternally glad if you could find it within yourself to eschew any offers of marriage whilst I am gone,” Dominic asked hopefully. He still had qualms about Isobel being left in the questionable care of her aunt Elspeth, but trusted Peter’s judgement in his own relation. He really had little choice but to accept Peter knew his aunt well enough to leave the two women alone at Willowbrook.
“I shall await your return,” Isobel whispered, linking her arm through his as he escorted them both out of the room. At the doorway to the library, he took his leave with a gentle smile and a small bow.
“Take care, my love,” he said softly, for her ears alone before escorting her to the bottom of the stairs.
Isobel’s feet felt numb as she slowly climbed the stairs to her room. At the top, she glanced backwards to find the hallway empty, and felt a tiny pang of loss.
She heard the thumping of hooves below her window several hours later, and knew he had returned to his uncle’s house. She tossed and turned, but no matter how hard she tried, sleep wouldn’t come. Briefly, she contemplated going downstairs to read in the library; probably even indulge in a small glass of sherry. Inside though she knew that the only thing she really wanted was Dominic.
For the next hour she pondered and paced, worried and stressed, as wisdom warred with caution. She still couldn’t deny that the only thing she wanted was Dominic. Unfortunately he was now at his uncle’s house, some two miles away. Still, a short journey through the woods and she would be there. Surely she couldn’t be so bold, could she? She had no idea of the layout of his uncle’s house, and didn’t know which room he would be residing in.
She felt driven to make the journey and attempt to find him. As long as she was discrete of course, and nobody saw her, what harm could there be? She wasn’t afraid of making the journey alone, in the dark. Indeed, she was an excellent horsewoman and trusted Betsy, her mount. Still, it was terribly audacious of her to make such a bold move. A move that could, if it went wrong, bring her fall from grace, and no doubt incur Dominic’s wrath. She daren’t even think what Peter’s reaction would be.
She was still pondering her actions while she quietly saddled her horse and set out through the trees in the direction of Lord Sedgwick’s residence on the far side of the village. Wrapped securely in the voluminous folds of her riding cloak, Isobel tugged the hood high over her face and fervently prayed that should anyone be out and about at such an ungodly hour, they would not be able to recognise her.
Warily, she arrived at the bottom end of the gardens of Sedgwick House. She could ride up to the house, but that would be too bold. Instead she tied Betsy securely to a fallen branch and walked on foot in the direction of the stable block. Hidden in the depths of the shadows, Isobel scanned the area for any signs of movement, relieved when everything was quiet and still. It was well past midnight, and all the staff had taken to their beds. Quietly she made her way through the stable courtyard towards the path that would lead to the main house.
It happened with a flurry of movement so swift that she didn’t even have time to squeak in surprise. One minute she was alone. The next, a flurry of a dark shadow appeared by her side, and a large hand clamped securely over her mouth, at the same time a solid band of steel encircled her waist lifting her clear off the ground. Before she could blink, she was dragged into the barn and thrust roughly against the rough wall in the shadows with a thump. A large masculine hand remained over her mouth as her hood was swiftly pulled off her head. She was about to kick out at her assailant, when the familiar tones of the soft curse that rent the air shattering her fear.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Dominic whispered menacingly.
“I need to see you,” Isobel gasped, uncertainty beginning to creep in as she noted his deep scowl. He certainly wasn’t pleased to see her.
“What for? It had better be something serious for you to risk coming here -” He glanced outside the door before his hard glare snapped back towards her accusingly. “- unchaperoned - to tell me what, pray tell?”
Isobel was suddenly at a loss for words. “Where have you been? You left our house at least two hours ago, yet you have only just returned.” It was a stab in the dark, and she knew her question was overstepping the mark, but she knew her suspicions were right when he didn’t argue.
“I had to meet with someone about the arrangements for tomorrow,” Dominic replied automatically before frowning down at her. Why was he explaining himself to her? She was the one who should be at home tucked up in bed.
“Why are you here Isobel? Did you want to speak to my uncle?” Dominic knew the answer to that one, and took a few moments of pleasure in watching her squirm uncomfortably as she tried to come up with an answer. Instinct warned him he already knew why she had followed him, and wished he was in a position to give her exactly what she was seeking.
“You must go home.” His tone brooked no argument.
“I need -” Isobel glared at him through the darkness, trying and failing to find the right words. Why was he making this so hard? Did she have to spell it out to him? She heaved a sigh as he remained tall and unmoving before her. Words failed her, but she remembered an old adage her mother once told her. Actions, after all, did speak louder than words.
Without further ado, she placed a hand on either side of his head and tugged his face towards her. A tiny thrill of delight swept through her as she glimpsed the look of shock on his face before her lips met his. He didn’t push her away as she expected. Unfortunately, neither did he pull her closer as he had when he had kissed her earlier in the study.
Determined not to be put off by his reluctance, Isobel persisted, wanting this one night with him. Whatever the reason he was going away, his obvious reluctance towards her now told her more than she wanted to know. A small part of her heart broke apart and crumbled, but she was reluctant to succumb to the devastation that loomed and give in so easily.
Bolstering her courage, she persisted, pressing her lips more firmly against his. Following his actions of the afterno
on in the study, she began to rub her lips against his. A thrill of delight swept through her as he moaned low in his throat. She ran her hands across his shoulders as his arms slid around her, pulling her so tight against his chest that she wasn’t sure how she managed to breathe.
It was several moments before they reluctantly drew apart. “I will take you home now,” Dominic’s murmur wasn’t so harsh but still held a hint of determination. Isobel fought the urge to thwack him upside his head for his own stubbornness.
They froze as the sound of booted feet approaching grew louder in the silence of the night. Dominic cursed softly, and with a quick glance around the empty cavern of the barn shook his head before swiftly tugging her towards the stairs. “Up!” he snapped, grasping her waist and hoisting her upwards.
Isobel followed his command without question, and climbed the steps to the loft as quietly as she could. She had barely reached the top before Dominic joined her.
“’oose there?” Dominic cursed as the soft yellow glow of light appeared at the bottom of the steps. “I can see ye’ get down ‘ere now.”
“It’s me man, be quiet.” Dominic’s disgruntled voice carried authoritatively in the gloom.
“Are ye’ alright?” The light rose a little to allow the Head Groom to see more clearly.
“Yes, I am fine. Just a little er -” Dominic paused meaningfully, and waited for the man to put two and two together. He hated announcing Isobel’s presence to the curious man below them but knew if he didn’t the man would probably linger and insist on helping. There was no way Dominic was leaving Isobel inside the barn alone. Instead, he allowed the man to realise he was with a woman and assume Dominic needed some private time with a young maid who couldn’t be entertained within the main house.
“Ah!” the man chuckled knowingly. “Well sir, if you need any assistance you only have to call.” He laughed outright at his own humour before turning towards the barn doorway, banging it behind him loudly.
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