by Jane Charles
Why hadn’t she thought this through more thoroughly? Even if she did locate the perfect hiding place, Westbrook wouldn’t know where it was since she hadn’t informed him. Though her part in bringing down French spies was exciting compared to her usual boring existence, Claudia realized as the day went on that she was not suited for espionage. She would be glad when this matter was concluded, even if it meant she’d go back to her spinster life of teaching young impressionable girls in a forgotten town in Cornwall with no anticipation of an adventurous future.
Of course she wanted more, but it wasn’t to be her lot in life. Tess had been lucky to have met and fallen in love with Atwood, and the viscount equally adored his wife. Natalie had been reunited with the husband she thought had died. Claudia was truly happy for her friends, but she didn’t expect the same for herself. It wasn’t as though she could go into Society and find an eligible bachelor. The only single gentleman in the area she was acquainted with was Dimitri Petrov who’d shown no interest in her as a woman, but neither was she smitten with him. At one time, she’d allowed herself to consider the possibilities, but the two would never be more than acquaintances. A marriage between them would lack love and affection and be no better than that of an arranged marriage. Claudia wasn’t so set on marriage and children that she’d settle for so little, and thus, she’d finally accepted the fact that she’d remain a spinster for the remainder of her life.
At least she had good friends who lived close, and Claudia could live vicariously through them as they brought children into the world and raised their own families.
She paused at the door of the cottage and looked toward Harrington Manor. Lights shown in a few of the windows, and she was confident that if a lamp needed to be placed that it would be seen.
After unlocking the door, Claudia made her way through the plants and various work tables until she reached the back of the room where Natalie used to do most of her work when she taught the botany classes. This room hadn’t been used since Natalie married and quit teaching, and the air was stale with dirt and decaying plants. Though Claudia could not see well in the darkness even with the light of her one lamp, the odor alone was indicative of a place that needed a thorough cleaning, something she’d see to on the morrow.
After locating the lamp Natalie had left on her large table, Claudia lit it, further illuminating the room. She made a slow circle, studying the area. There was nothing that she could see in which to hide a piece of parchment, as there were only tools, pots, and dying plants about. Behind her, a door led into the cottage, and she slowly opened it to a dark room. Taking the lamp, she entered what had once been the kitchen. Everything had been removed except the sink and the pump so the girls and Natalie could wash after working with plants and dirt. A desk had been placed where a table had once been, and shelves lined the walls. Books filled every available space and others were stacked on the floor. A smile pulled at her lips as she recalled one of the few times she’d been in here—when she and Tess had removed all of the horrid novels from the library and hid them in here. It was because of books written by Radcliffe that the troublesome trio were inspired with such fanciful thoughts of vampires and ghosts. Any other book, regardless of historical accuracy or purpose, that could fuel their already active imaginations had also been stored in here where those three would never venture except to wash their hands after planting seeds. Once the three were finished with their studies and returned home for good, those very books would once again be returned to the vast library within the school in the hopes that the teachers never encountered another set of students as mischievous as that particular trio.
Claudia straightened at the sound of a scrape against the floor out in the work room. Who was here? Had the girls followed her? That was the only explanation, except this cottage could not be seen from their room, though what those three could and could not see had never stopped them before.
She set the lamp on the desk and moved to hide behind the door and peer through the crack.
A tall, broad figure moved through the entrance carefully, but it was too dark to make out his face or coloring from this distance. Claudia’s heart skipped a beat. Had her father arrived much earlier than they anticipated and the French were now roaming the area?
She quickly looked about the room for a weapon and spied the small knife on the desk used for opening letters. It would have to do. She darted across the room, grabbed it, and then ducked beside a bookshelf, flattening herself against the wall.
Other than the squeak of the door that was in need of oiling, Claudia heard no sound, except her own heart pounding. Had he left? Was he coming closer? Did she dare chance a look?
Chapter 5
But for the wicked, when a man begins to be influenced towards and wills to commit sin, there must also be some extrinsic cause of this. And this can be no other than the devil; especially in the case of witches…
~ Malleus Maleficarum by Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger
Gabe saw the light appear a moment before his valet scratched at his door. Wilston had been at his post to watch from the next chamber until he was relieved by another as Gabe slept.
He’d first experienced relief that he would indeed see the light, but that was quickly replaced with concern. Had something happened already? Why else would Miss Morris be out so late and leave a lamp sitting somewhere within? Quickly, he changed into black breeches and shirtsleeves, donned his black cape, and made his way from Harrington Manor toward the back of the school and to the cottage, glancing about as he progressed through the dark and keeping to the shadows as often as he could.
The door was not latched, but not open enough for him to slip through. Gabe cursed under his breath when the hinges squeaked, announcing his arrival. Though he assumed it had been Miss Morris who’d left the lamp burning, he was too well-trained not to proceed with caution because assumptions could get a man killed.
He paused and waited as his eyes grew used to the dimly lit room. Light came from the room beyond and a shadow darted and disappeared. Those who are not intent on mischief did not dart he decided as he withdrew his pistol from his pocket and picked his way through the belvedere, or what many would consider a summerhouse, walking silently and watching for objects in his way.
He paused at what he assumed was the back entrance to the cottage, and with the tips of his fingers slowly pushed the door open. He studied the room, taking in each and every detail as he looked for the person who owned the shadow. To his left was a desk, piled with books, and against the outside wall was a sink and counters. The rest of the room was lined with bookcases, filled to overflowing, and even more books were stacked on the floor. The person had to be in here somewhere. He slid to the side to peer under the desk, which was void of any body. He returned to the door and pushed it back until it touched the wall. If they were not beneath the desk or behind the door, where had they gone? A door to the left led to the rest of the cottage, and Gabe assumed they’d disappeared through there. He took a step forward only to stop when he noticed dark skirts peeking out from the side of a far bookcase.
He studied the tips of the dark kid boots, black skirt, and stopped at the hand clutching a sharp knife. A useless weapon against a man with his skills.
His heartbeat slowed as he realized a teacher must have come out here, and his mind quickly conjured reasons for an excuse of why he’d be here at this time of night if she was not Miss Morris, but he could think of nothing legitimate to offer. For a man who had a reason at the ready for any circumstance in which he found himself, this was rather disconcerting.
“Hello?” he finally called.
Her feet and skirts shifted as her fist holding the knife lifted. Surely the person knew they were not as well hidden as they’d like to be.
“Is everything well?” he asked. “I saw the light from my home, Harrington Manor, and came to see if anything was amiss.”
A moment later, Miss Morris peeked out from her hiding place and visibly sighed
as she stepped into the room.
“Mr. Westbrook, you frightened me.” Miss Morris brought a hand up and rested it against her breasts.
“You left a light, Miss Morris. I assumed you’d be expecting me.”
She blinked up at him in surprise.
If she hadn’t been expecting him, which was bloody obvious by the way she’d hidden herself, why the devil had she left a light?
“It occurred to me that we never discussed where a note would be left if needed,” she hastened to say. “I didn’t consider that you’d see the light and come. I apologize for the inconvenience.”
“Couldn’t you have done this tomorrow, in the light of day?” Not that it was an inconvenience as he hadn’t been able to sleep, and her actions had answered the question that had plagued him.
“I wished to do so when the students slept and were not aware of my activities.”
“What of the rooms that look down on the cottage?”
A smile pulled at her lips. “As the troublesome trio cannot view this portion of the grounds, I was not concerned.”
Were those three so much of a difficulty that adults had to take them into consideration before making any plans? If so, why weren’t they returned to their families so the rest of the school and neighbors could live in peace?
“Well, as I am here, I suppose we should decide where I am to look in the event a signal is needed.”
She glanced around. “The desk?”
“Too obvious.” He took a step toward her. As much as he wished to concentrate on the task at hand, it was nearly impossible. He and Miss Morris were very much alone in the quiet with only a lamp to illuminate their surroundings, most of the room shadowed. Color was returning to her soft cheeks now that she was no longer frightened, and the way she bit the corner of her lip made him want to kiss it, and sooth any bruising she might cause. Further, her lilac scent drew him close as it replaced the stale air that he’d first encountered upon entering the building.
Why was such a beguiling and beautiful woman teaching schoolgirls? If she were in London, there would be no end to the suitors who called on her. She certainly would have married before now and been living in comfort with servants to do her bidding. It was all rather sad that this was her existence, and gentlemen across England were denied the pleasure of coming to know her.
Had it been so long since he’d had a woman that this beautiful teacher made him forget his purpose for being here in the first place? If he’d bedded even a quarter of the women Society believed of him, Gabe would not be aroused in the presence of Miss Morris, who was more of a colleague than a lover.
“A book?” she gestured to the shelves even though her gaze remained locked with his. Her sweet voice was breathy as though she felt the tug as strongly as he.
Gabe took another step in her direction. “Which one?”
She blinked and tilted her head to look up at him but did not turn her head, or back away. If she did not retreat, he was going to kiss her, which would be the biggest mistake he could make.
Her tongue darted out, licking her lips. “I’m not certain.”
His focused dropped from her eyes to the coral plumpness of her mouth. One taste, that was all he’d need and then he could forget her and return his mind to the mission at hand.
He didn’t give a damn about the books or any future message. Hell, he cared about very little at the moment other than having her in his arms. Gabe snaked a hand around her waist and drew close.
Miss Morris’ breath hitched, but she didn’t attempt to pull away. Surely she knew his intentions. Did she wish this as much as he?
Gabe didn’t stop to ponder further, instead he lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers. It was innocent and sweet and not nearly enough. Pulling her tight against his body, he kissed her again, tasting her lips until she opened for him. The knife she’d been holding clattered to the floor before she embraced him in return and tilted her head, allowing him better access.
This was the biggest bloody mistake he’d ever made, but Gabe couldn’t stop kissing her, even if Napoleon himself walked through the door.
If Claudia thought being near Mr. Westbrook heated her before, it was nothing compared to the fire that scorched from the inside. Her breasts swelled where they pressed against his hard chest and the queerist, though not unpleasant, sensation blossomed in her belly and spread lower. Never had she experienced the like. Of course, she’d never been kissed before, but she was certain that not all kisses would make her wish to remove her clothing to cool her skin or loosen her suddenly constricted bodice. His hands splayed across her back, heating her through her clothing as they skimmed to her hips and down to her bottom.
This was wrong and she should end this, but Claudia couldn’t find it in herself to do so. His exploration and touch were foreign, new, and delightful, and she didn’t wish for it to end, though she feared where it may go before he ceased his seduction.
Seduction! The word screamed through her brain. Perhaps not all that she’d read about him was false. Just as she was about to push him away, Mr. Westbrook jerked back as shock registered in his features.
He stepped away. “I apologize.”
She should chastise him for taking liberties, but Claudia could not bring herself to do so. Instead, she wished she could pull him back, but in doing so, she’d be ruined beyond any chance of recovery. Of that she was certain. As it was, had anyone walked in on them a few minutes earlier, she’d have been sent from the school in shame.
Mr. Westbrook thrust his fingers through his hair and blew out a sigh. “I have no excuse for my behavior.” He looked up, meeting her eyes. “You are very beautiful, but I should not have dared to kiss you, let alone embrace you.”
He thought her beautiful? No one had ever said anything like that to her. All Claudia could do was stare at him at a loss for words. The most handsome gentleman she’d ever met had not only kissed her but thought her beautiful too.
She was a teacher, already upon the shelf, ready to live out her spinsterhood at a school.
The school!
Panic surged through Claudia. She was a teacher. His sisters were her students. What if he pulled them from the school? What would he tell Mrs. Wiggons the reason was if he did so?
It was her only employment. Where would she go?
She was such a fool. Why had she allowed him to kiss her? She knew the dangers of being alone with gentleman, especially one with his reputation, but she hadn’t even considered what could happen. He was a spy, here on a mission not to seduce her, so the concern had never entered her mind. Until now.
His warm hand gently grasped her arm, and he bent to look her in the eye. “Breathe, Miss Morris. Slowly.”
All she could do was blink at him. Breathe? Wasn’t she breathing?
“Have I offended you so much?” There was deep concern in his green eyes. “You have nothing to fear from me.” He let go of her arm and took a step back.
Fear? Of course she didn’t fear him. She feared herself because despite how wrong it was to be alone with him, she’d allow him to kiss her again if he wished to do so and wouldn’t even beg him to stop. “I need to assure you that I’ve never behaved in his manner before.”
The corner of his mouth tipped up in a small smile. Could he tell she was so inexperienced?
Well, that was certainly nothing to be ashamed of.
“Why are you so concerned?”
“This behavior should never be exhibited by a teacher.”
As he frowned, his eyebrows drew in over his eyes. “Does that mean you’ve ceased being a woman?”
“Yes!” Claudia blurted out.
“Forgive me for overstepping, but you are a beautiful, desirable woman. The fact that you are also a teacher should not overshadow the rest of who you are.”
Her face heated at the compliment. Desirable?
“But, I also understand that I should not have taken liberties and for that I apologize. I also apologize for leavi
ng you disturbed because of my attentions.”
“I don’t wish to lose my position,” she blurted out.
His features relaxed into a smile. “As no one will ever learn what occurred tonight, that should not happen.”
His words were exactly what Claudia needed to hear, and everything inside her relaxed as her earlier panic slipped away.
Chapter 6
…the devils employ certain lower bodies, such as herbs, stones, animals, and certain sounds and voices, and figures…And witches are the more in subjection in that their deeds proceed from the influence of those bodies, and not from the help of evil spirits.
~ Malleus Maleficarum by Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger
“Why did you bring us here?” Sophia looked around the belvedere that had once served as their classroom for botany and other sciences.
“I want to know why Miss Morris has suddenly taken an interest in this place.”
“I heard that she might take over the classes Miss Prichard, I mean, Mrs. Kavakov, once taught,” Rosemary offered.
That was what Sophia had heard as well.
“Why does she need to be in here now?” demanded Eliza. “It’s winter. We don’t plant in the winter.”
“We study plants and get seedlings ready, remember,” Sophia reminded her. At least the three of them were here for an innocent and relatively safe reason. When Eliza and Rosemary had snuck away from their classes, Sophia feared where they’d go this time.