He raked his hands through his hair and blew out a long breath. Damn it, he’d known lust before, but this… this aching desire for her, this intense passion she inspired, was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. He’d always considered himself a man of control, finesse, and patience. But Victoria somehow stripped him of all three. He didn’t want to kiss her, he wanted to devour her. He didn’t want to slip her gown from her shoulders, he wanted to tear it from her body. With his teeth. He didn’t want to slowly seduce her, he wanted to push her against the nearest wall and simply bury himself in her. Make hot, sweaty, mindless, searing love to her. Then turn her over and start again. If she knew even half the things he wanted to do to her, with her, she’d most likely never recover from the shock.
When the need to have his hands on her, to kiss her, had finally become unbearable, he’d given in, but had forcibly restrained himself, barely touching her. He’d succeeded, but the effort had cost him. He’d desperately wanted to remain by the stream with her, prolong their outing, but he knew his limits, and he’d reached them. One more touch, one more kiss, would have snapped his tenuous control.
He paused by the window, looking down at the expanse of lawns, the soaring trees, and the slice of white-capped blue water visible in the distance. The sight had always soothed him. But not now. Every nerve and muscle pulled with tension, and a sense of frustration such as he’d never known prowled through him. And damn it, it was all her fault.
Dragging his hands down his face, he groaned. Had he actually believed he could resist her? Yes, he had. And perhaps he might have been able to if his attraction had remained purely physical. He’d at least had a prayer of standing his ground against a woman who was merely beautiful. An even better chance if she proved shallow, superficial, and annoying, as he’d assumed Victoria ultimately would.
But how could he withstand the allure of a woman who was not only beautiful, but exhibited so many other facets that he found irresistible? He’d desired her the moment he’d set eyes on her, but each moment spent in her company revealed another unexpected layer of her personality, which only increased his hunger for her.
She’d proven herself unafraid to stand up to him. She was amusing. Witty. Intelligent. She’d offered him sympathy, kindness, and understanding. Believed him innocent of wrongdoing. Tried to befriend his ducks. She liked his cat. His dog. His cat and dog liked her in return. In spite of all her possessions, she’d suffered loneliness, and the fact that she would have given up all those possessions, her beauty, for one more day with her mother…
Damn it, he hadn’t expected her to be… vulnerable. Hadn’t anticipated her touching his heart. Hadn’t wanted to care about her like this. In this heart-tugging, gut-wrenching, mind-numbing way. A woman who would never be his. A woman who, within a matter of weeks, would be engaged to another man.
“Augh!” He pressed the heels of his hands against his eyelids to blot out the torturous image of her lifting her face for another man’s kiss. Enough. He needed to clear his mind of her. Erase the taste and feel and scent of her. Had to start concentrating on the things he should be thinking about. The jewels. So he could either find them or be convinced there was no hope of finding them so he could then pack up his belongings and animals and return to his peaceful life.
A swim. A long, brisk swim in the cold water would set him back to rights. Cool this unwanted ardor and force his thoughts back on the proper path.
Relieved to have a plan, he quickly exited his bedchamber. When he entered the foyer, he asked Langston in an undertone, “Where is everyone?”
“Your brother rode into Penzance with instructions to not expect him until late,” the butler reported in a hushed tone. “Your father, Lady Victoria, and Lady Delia are having tea on the terrace.”
Excellent. He could easily avoid the terrace. “If anyone asks, you haven’t seen me. I’ll return for dinner.”
“Yes, Dr. Nathan.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, Nathan left the house.
Victoria stirred a lump of sugar into her third cup of tea and nodded absently at whatever Aunt Delia was saying. Not that it mattered that she wasn’t paying attention to the conversation about some party Aunt Delia and Lord Rutledge had both attended over a decade earlier, as she was convinced that her presence was quite forgotten. There hadn’t been a break in the lively chatter between her aunt and Lord Rutledge since they’d sat down to tea an hour earlier. She’d considered excusing herself, but she couldn’t resist the lure of the gorgeous late afternoon weather. And if she remained indoors, she would be alone with her thoughts-not something she cared to contemplate. There’d be plenty of time for that during the long night ahead.
Besides, it was a pleasure to see her aunt so animated and thoroughly enjoying herself. There were a number of gentlemen with whom Aunt Delia occasionally attended the opera, and she never lacked for partners at a ball, but she insisted those men were merely friends of long standing.
Never had Victoria seen her aunt blush. A becoming pink flush colored her face as she laughed at something Lord Rutledge, who was also clearly enjoying himself, said.
A muffled tapping on the flagstones behind her caught Victoria’s attention and she turned. B.C., head held regally high, trotted across the terrace toward her. Upon his arrival, he bumped his massive head against her thigh. With a quiet laugh, she scratched behind his ears while he lifted his nose and sniffed the air.
“Smell biscuits, do you?” she murmured. The eager look in his intelligent dark eyes clearly indicated he did. She broke off a piece of her biscuit and offered the morsel to B.C., who, after eating it, rested his head on her lap and gazed up at her adoringly.
“Hmmm. I suppose I’m to think this attention springs from gratitude, but I suspect it’s because you want more.”
For an answer, B.C. stood at attention, licked his chops, then sent a pleading glance toward the remaining biscuit on her plate. “And I suppose you expect me to share the rest of my last biscuit with you?”
B.C. instantly plopped onto his bottom and raised his right forepaw.
Victoria laughed. “That seems to be your all-purpose answer. Lucky for you, it is quite irresistible.” Breaking the biscuit into several pieces, she’d just offered B.C. the last bit when a flash of white caught the corner of her eye. Turning, she saw a man walking into the woods behind the stables. In seconds he disappeared from sight, but there was no mistaking that it had been Nathan. She shot up from her seat as if ejected from a catapult.
“Heavens, are you all right, Victoria?”
She jerked her gaze from the spot where the forest had swallowed him to look at her aunt. “Yes, I’m fine. A… uh, bee startled me.” She flapped her arms around for good measure. “It’s gone. But now that I’m up, I think I’ll take a walk. If you don’t mind.”
“Not at all, my dear,” Aunt Delia said.
“By all means, enjoy this lovely weather,” Lord Rutledge said with a smile. “Although the sun will set soon. Take care to return before dark.”
After assuring them she would, Victoria didn’t hesitate another second. Recalling her promise not to wander off alone, she whistled softly for B.C. to join her. The dog fell into step alongside her and she steamed across the terrace like a ship under full sail, determined to find out exactly what Nathan was up to. Oh, yes, it was possible he was just innocently strolling through the forest, but there’d been something distinctly furtive in his manner. Hurrying along with his head down, as if not wanting to be seen. She wouldn’t accuse him again without proof of searching for the jewels alone, but she was determined to do a bit of spying of her own to make certain such proof did not exist.
She shot B.C. a grim smile. “You’d best hope your master isn’t skulking about looking for treasure without me, because if he is…” Her voice trailed off as she was unable to think up a punishment dire enough. “If he is, he’ll have proven himself a liar. Dishonorable. A man of no integrity who does not keep his word.”
&nbs
p; Yet, perhaps that would be best. If he were dishonorable, that would surely kill her unwanted attraction to him. She would never remain drawn to a man of poor character, no matter how handsome or charming. She quickened her pace. “Come along, B.C. Let’s find out what the master spy is up to.”
When they entered the forest several minutes later, Victoria moved swiftly along the well-worn path. As they approached the fork, she slowed and looked down at B.C.
“Any idea which way he went?”
B.C. sniffed the air, then headed down the path leading to the lake. Her lips pressed into a grim line, Victoria followed the dog, scanning left and right, looking, listening. But she saw nothing save the trees and greenery, heard only the chirping of birds and the rustling of overhead leaves courtesy of the breeze. Long shadows fell across the trail with the waning rays that harkened to the coming twilight. They were nearing a curve in the path when B.C. broke into a run and galloped around the corner. Seconds later she heard a distinct crashing in the underbrush.
“B.C.,” she whispered as loudly as she dared. Where had that dog dashed off to? Probably after a rabbit or squirrel. Or perhaps he’d located Nathan? Botheration, she had no desire to be discovered by Nathan, as she was supposed to be the one doing the spying. Of course, if he found her, she could simply claim she was out for a walk with the dog. Perfectly true.
She rounded the corner and saw a slender path that led off to the right. As that was the direction in which she’d heard B.C., she followed the trail, trying to step gingerly so as to make the minimum amount of noise. A minute later she caught a glimpse of the lake through the trees. The trail cut sharply to the left, and when she turned, she came upon B.C., who sat, tongue lolling, tail wagging, next to an oddly shaped dark mass she prayed wasn’t the remains of some poor animal he’d hunted down.
“There you are,” she murmured, approaching cautiously, leaning forward, casting a suspicious eye on the strangely shaped thing that showed no signs of life. Her stomach tightened with dread. “Please don’t be a rabbit. Or a squirrel. Or a-”
Boot.
Victoria straightened as if a plank had been shoved down her drawers. Hastening forward to investigate, she discovered it was not a single boot, but a pair of boots. Lying atop a sloppily folded pile of clothing. There was no doubt to whom it all belonged. She’d recognize Nathan’s worn boots and fawn breeches anywhere. And if his clothes were here, that meant he was…
Naked.
Whoosh. A flash of heat engulfed her. He’d told her of his fondness for swimming in the lake. Clearly he’d done so, for she sincerely doubted he was searching for the jewels while…
Naked.
Crouching down, she peered through the dense foliage toward the lake. The water resembled a sheet of blue glass, absorbing the brilliant orange and red reflections of the setting sun on its pristine surface. No sign of him. Drat! Er, excellent. She could scamper off undetected. Her gaze fell to the pile of clothing and she pursed her lips. Hmmmm…
She cast a quick look all around, verifying she was alone, then looked again at his clothing, which seemed to silently chant Take me, take me.
Oh, but she couldn’t. Could she? Some imp inside her told her she most certainly could. He was accustomed to such games-indeed he’d confessed to playing them during his youth. When on earth would she ever be presented with such an opportunity again? Never. Practically chortling with glee, she quickly gathered up the bundle, then stood. After casting one last look toward the lake to make certain Nathan wasn’t approaching the shore, she turned. And froze.
Nathan stood before her. Nathan, dripping wet, his skin glistening, rivulets of water trailing down his body-
Holy. Saints. Above.
Look at his face. Look at his face. But her disobedient gaze did not heed. Instead it riveted on his torso with the stupefied zeal of a thief who’d unexpectedly happened upon a sack filled with money. Beads of moisture meandered down the muscled wall of his chest, clinging to the swatch of dark hair that narrowed into a silky ribbon as it bisected his ridged abdomen… then spread again to cradle his-
Holy. Saints. Above.
She could only stare and be grateful her jaw was attached to her face so it didn’t flop onto the ground at her feet. Dear God, he was… magnificent. While she had nothing to compare him to, there was no doubt Nathan was exquisitely and, er, generously made. Undoubtedly the rest of him-his arms and legs-were exquisite as well, and she’d verify that the instant her eyeballs recalled how to move. She inanely wondered if the Official Spy Handbook addressed this situation: female clothing poacher struck dumb, reduced to drooling, insensate mass with freakishly paralyzed eyeballs by sight of magnificent, exquisite naked wet man.
“Rather like ‘Puss in Boots,’ don’t you agree?”
The sound of his deep, amused voice jerked her from her stupor, and her gaze snapped up to meet his. A devilish gleam danced in his eyes. A witty response would most likely come to her in a year or two. Perhaps three or four. Right now she said the only word she could manage.
“Huh?”
“ ‘Puss in Boots.’ The fairy tale. Except there isn’t a king here to offer me his robe. Only you.” He raised one dark brow. “I don’t suppose you’d care to remove your dress?”
Dear God, she’d love nothing better. Especially since it was so hot out here. She felt as if she were roasting from the inside out. Sanity, however, prevailed, and she lifted her chin. “Certainly not.” Egad, was that squeaky noise her voice?
“Not even in the name of good sportsmanship? It would certainly even the playing field, don’t you agree?”
“I don’t see how both of us being naked would even the playing field at all.”
“No? Well, I’d be delighted to show you.”
“I believe I’ve seen…” Not nearly enough. “… quite enough, thank you.”
“Perhaps you could explain what you’re doing here? You gave me your word you wouldn’t wander off alone.”
“I wasn’t alone. I was with B.C…” Her voice trailed off as she realized the dog no longer stood beside her. She glanced quickly around, but he was nowhere to be seen. Humph. Wretched deserter. See if he ever got another biscuit from her. “… who was here just a moment ago, I assure you. But in any event, I knew I wouldn’t be alone once I found you.”
A smile that could only be described as wolfish curved his lips. “So you came in search of me. I’m flattered. Had you hoped to join me for a swim?”
“Of course not. I saw you stealing off into the woods and-”
“And once again you suspected me of searching for the jewels without you?”
Another wave of heat, this one guilt-induced, crept up her neck. “Not exactly. It was more a case of wanting to prove that you weren’t searching without me.”
“Ah. Well, as you can see, I was not.”
“Right. You were swimming. Isn’t the water rather cold this time of year?”
“As a matter of fact, it’s very cold.”
“You like cold water?”
“Not at all.”
“Then why were you swimming?”
“Are you certain you want to know the answer?”
Good lord, she wasn’t certain of anything, least of all why she continued to stand as if nailed in place and converse with him while he was still naked. And wet. And naked.
She swallowed. “Why do you continually ask if I want to know the answers to my questions?”
“Because I suspect you may not really want to hear the answer. Or be prepared for it. The unvarnished truthful answer, that is. As opposed to the sugarcoated drivel your Society acquaintances would offer you.”
“I assure you, I am perfectly prepared to hear why you were swimming.”
“Very well. I couldn’t stop thinking about you. The thought of touching you, kissing you, making love to you, was driving me to distraction. I’d hoped a swim in the cold water would take the edge off my ardor. As you might have noticed, it didn’t.” He looked point
edly downward and Victoria’s gaze followed his.
Holy. Saints. Above.
“You’re blushing, Victoria.”
Her gaze jumped back up to his. “Am I? Yes, I suppose I am. I’ve, er, never seen a naked man before.”
“Yet why should that embarrass you! If anyone at this impromptu party felt the need to be embarrassed, surely it would be the person who was naked.”
“Are you embarrassed?”
“No. Embarrassed isn’t what I’m feeling. Obviously.”
Obviously. “Well. That’s good. Because as far as I can tell, you have, um, nothing to be embarrassed about.”
“Thank you. Neither do you. I told you there’s no need for you to ever be embarrassed around me, Victoria.”
Yes, he’d told her. But her embarrassment had nothing to do with his reaction and everything to do with her own. With the fact that instead of turning away, she couldn’t stop staring at him. She wanted to touch him so much she actually trembled. How would all that beautiful male skin feel beneath her hands? Her lips? She’d always considered herself a lady, but there was absolutely nothing ladylike about what she wanted to do to him. What she wanted him to do to her.
Her skin felt tight, hot, beneath her gown, which was suddenly far too restrictive, constricting her breathing until her breaths came in shallow puffs. Her nipples hardened into aching points, and the flesh between her thighs grew heavy, pulsing in tandem with her rapid heartbeat.
“Are you all right, Victoria?”
She moistened her lips. “Are you?”
Not Quite A Gentleman Page 20