“Mad as a march hare and bordering on a harlot for all of her fancy birth.” Tidmarsh clucked dismissively. “She’ll try to spin you a tale of wore, no doubt, for she’s a Bedlamite for certain. Don’t believe a word she says. Her parents’ passing addled her brain and she’s never been the same since. Willing to spread her legs for anyone, really. It’s a mercy my wife and I have…arranged for her to be curbed, if you take my meaning.” Something dark glittered in the man’s eyes and Michael wondered what would have become of Aria had she not fled this man. He hated to think of what fate would have befallen her. “Still, I’m leaving the area on the ‘morrow. Need to do the pretty for the wife at home you know, but my men are at the Winding Rose Inn, not far from here. Send word to them there if you captu…er, find her. And like I said, she lies like a thief, so beware.”
Michael pretended that he hadn’t heard the other man’s near slip-up regarding Aria. “Of course, my lord. Though I can’t promise I’ll be out of doors much once my company arrives. The ladies do not like to catch a chill, especially when they are clad only in their own skin.”
Tidmarsh laughed heartily this time. “Now there is a man after my own heart! Enjoy your Christmastide bedsport, my good man! What are women for but to fuck until our hearts are content, after all?” Then he winked and Michael wanted to plant the man a facer where he stood.
Instead, he simply offered the man what he hoped was a lecherous smile. “What else indeed.”
For a long moment after the viscount’s men turned and rode off, Michael stood there and watched them go. If nothing else, he wanted to make certain that Tidmarsh did not turn around in suspicion. Thankfully, the man never did.
Finally, it was Samuel who let out a long breath. “What a bloody rotten bastard.”
“Indeed,” Michael agreed, more grateful than ever that he had forbidden Aria from accompanying him today, even in disguise. If she had been with him when her cousin had ridden up, there was no way he could have protected her. “Which is why we cannot allow anyone to know that Miss Whitmore is here and under my protection. Lord Tidmarsh wants her for more than just her sugar plantation, I think.” He knew the man had hoped to take Aria as his mistress but was there more to his plan that simply that. From the hungry, almost obsessed look in the man’s eyes when he spoke of Aria, Michael believed he meant to keep her as his mistress if nothing else.
“The bastard’ll rot in Hell before he has her,” Samuel growled and Michael was thankful but not surprised at how quickly Aria had endeared herself to his staff.
“That is my plan as well,” Michael agreed as he motioned the wagon to move forward, wanting to be home soon. The hour was growing late, the skies darkening and he worried at the idea of Aria all alone. Oh, she was guarded by a house full of old military men, to be certain. However, Michael himself was not there and for some reason, that was the place his brain had decided he most needed to be – with her. “No harm shall come to her while she is under my roof.”
No, no harm at all over Michael’s dead body. And he didn’t think that was putting too fine of a point on things.
Chapter Ten
Sitting in the conservatory, Aria knew the moment Michael entered the room. In truth, it could have been anyone opening that door, but somehow, she had known that it was the handsome physician. The fact that she knew it was him should have bothered her more than it did, but it did not. If that made her a wanton or superstitious, then it did. There was naught to be done for it.
She had sought refuge in the glass-walled room shortly after Michael and his men had departed for the day, thankful that she finally had a bit of time to collect her thoughts. While she was grateful to Michael and his staff for their hospitality, Aria knew she had some decisions to make – and quickly. Among those decisions was whether or not she would fight Michael on remaining here at Thornfield Grange until she could determine if her Aunt Tilly was willing to offer her refuge from cousin Felton.
And if Aria’s body was strong enough to venture outside, not to mention trek across England to Bath in the middle of winter. Sadly, Aria already knew the answer to that question. She could not. Her body was simply too weak.
Which meant that Aria had to decide if she could live with the consequences of remaining here, whatever those might be, or if she was simply trading one prison for another. She also had to decide if it was worth her life to try to leave, with or without Michael’s help.
Michael had repeatedly insisted that it did not matter to him if she was discovered here, even though he had no intention of taking her to wife if they were discovered essentially living together. The question was, did Aria care that such a thing would ruin her future forever? Curiously, she had concluded that she did not. Then the next question became, if she did not care, was she willing to act on the attraction growing between them and be ruined in truth rather than just in name? Because if she remained here, at some point, she would most likely end up in Michael’s bed. The only question that remained was did she give herself to him now?
The logical part of her mind said no, and that she should preserve what dignity she had for as long as she could and not throw herself at the feet of a man who had, thus far, seemed perfectly capable of resisting her, despite the heat that flared in his eyes at times. Not that resisting her was particularly difficult at the moment, especially when she looked little better than death itself.
However, another, more adventurous part of Aria whispered that perhaps Michael was more interested right at this moment than he let on and that a single bit of encouragement from her would be welcome. If she was going to be ruined, why not be ruined in truth and enjoy that ruination for as long as she could? But only if Michael desired her that way, and she had no idea if he did or not.
And, to further complicate matters, if Felton came for her, which he might, Aria wouldn’t have a choice as to what became of her or whose bed she occupied. Today? Tonight? She had a choice. So what was it to be, then?
Did she, Lady Arabella Persephone Whitmore wish to seduce Dr. Michael Xavier Longford? Yes. Yes, she did. For if these were to be her last days of freedom, what better way to spend them than in the bed of a handsome man, one who had been nothing but kind to her and who looked at her on occasion as if she was tempting enough to devour? After all of that, the only question that remained then, was, did she have the strength and courage to do just that? Was she brave enough to try to seduce Michael? And on that count, Aria was not quite as certain.
Those thoughts had chased themselves around and around in her brain until Aria thought she would go mad with self-doubt. So she was extremely thankful that Michael had returned when he did, or she might have begun to imagine that she was, indeed, a candidate for Bedlam.
“My men are unloading your requested greenery, pet,” Michael said as he dropped down on the bench beside her without waiting for her invitation. She liked that he was comfortable enough with her to do that. The scent of pine and outdoors still clung to his skin, bringing her a hint of the frigid weather beyond Thornfield’s walls and she had to suppress a shiver, not wanting him to see how even the idea of the cold affected her. “You can start decorating whenever you like.”
Aria wanted this man. Lord above, but she wanted Michael as she had never wanted another. Be it her desperate situation or the mysterious bonds that the Vodun practitioners spoke of or something else entirely, Aria didn’t know. All she knew was that she felt safe with this man and connected to him in a way that went beyond logical thought. In a way it was magical.
She also desired him, right down to the very soul of her person. She, who had never really been a sexual creature, wanted to experience all of the pleasures the flesh had to offer. But only with him.
She wanted him. And she meant to seduce him. Eventually. When she was brave enough.
Turning to face him, Aria gripped Michael’s hand with hers, once more aware of how painfully thin she was. Briefly, she wondered if that made her less attractive to him, but also knew she ha
d no business wondering such a thing. He was attracted to her, yes, but he had not acted upon that attraction and he had stated repeatedly that he had no desire for a wife. Therefore, whether or not she was attractive to him should not even be a concern. But it was. Especially if she hoped to seduce him.
“Thank you.” Aria’s voice was hoarse and she cleared her throat, the weeks of misuse making speaking awkward at times. She felt awkward right now for some reason, likely because of her earlier errant thoughts about seduction. “I do appreciate all of the trouble you went through to obtain them.”
Michael smiled at her and Aria felt something lighten in her heart. “It was no problem at all. In fact, I believe my men even had some measure of enjoyment with the expedition. There has been little call for festivity around here and I think at least some of them might have missed the celebratory atmosphere. My fault for not noticing, I suppose.”
“You were not a field commander, were you?” she asked as she rose, grateful when he followed for she was not as steady on her feet just yet as she would like. She also needed to move, the heat of his body as he sat beside her tempting her to burrow into his embrace as she had done days before. Now, though, was not the time. She wasn’t quite strong enough.
Michael shook his head. “No. Merely a physician. However, in the depths of battle, when your leaders fall, the enlisted men often look to the next person in line they associate with leadership for guidance.”
Aria thought about that for a moment, thankful to have something more meaningful to consider just then. “A role you were forced to fill, I take it?”
“At times,” he confessed haltingly. “In war, one does what is necessary to save the lives of others.” She saw something dark pass over his features just then, as if he was remembering a time long past, and she remembered Agatha’s words. Sometimes, the maid had said, Michael could see into the darkness. Was he doing that now? Peering into a black abyss she could not see? If so, what did he see? The idea of Michael revisiting the horrors of his past did not sit well with her.
He was a kind man, perhaps even too kind if the way he had treated her since her arrival was any indication of how he treated all of his patients. He was also intelligent and witty and charming, at least when he wanted to be. The idea that some darkness left over from the war still stalked him bothered Aria more than wanted to admit. So while she knew she could not take that darkness away, she could help bring him back to the light. At least she hoped that he could.
“But we can give them a happy Christmas now,” she offered quietly, squeezing Michael’s hand. That, at least, seemed to bring him back into the present, the dark look finally fading. “While I admit that the greenery was initially a selfish idea on my part, if decorating Thornfield Grange can give your staff some pleasure as well, then that is so much the better. What better time is there to share love and joy than at the holidays in the comfort of one’s home?”
Michael looked at her as if she had lost her mind. “Are you brain addled, Aria?” he asked in mock seriousness. “Where did all of this talk of love and joy and making a so-called ‘happy home’ come from? Are you not the same woman who was near death only a bit less than a sennight ago and who thought sneaking out of my home and back into the frigid wilds was an excellent idea?”
Now it was Aria’s turn to laugh, thankful that only a few moments in Michael’s presence had been enough to set her thoughts back to rights. “Let us say that I have had time to think matters over while you were gone.”
“What matters are these?” He frowned at her words, all hint of humor gone now. “You are still not thinking of leaving here, are you? For your cousin is out there, as are his men. And while he told me that he is returning home for the moment, they are not. He knows you are somewhere about, pet, and he will not stop searching until he has you back.”
Wincing, Aria closed her eyes. That had not been her thought, actually, but this was also not good news either. “You saw him?”
“More than that, I spoke to him.” She was surprised when Michael pulled her close and grasped both of her hands in his. “Your cousin is no fool, Aria. He knows you are in the vicinity. He will not risk coming into this home just yet because he now knows that I am, or rather was, in the Bloody Duke’s employ. That is a man whose ire few are foolish enough to risk, and, as I said, your cousin is no fool. I also told him a tale about gathering greens to please some female, ahem, guests that I have arriving this evening, which will explain a bit of skirt about should any of his men catch a glimpse of you.”
“I cannot believe you spoke to him.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“I did, and he is a wretched bastard of the worst sort. I won’t lie.” Aria knew her eyes must be wide with fear just then, but Michael rushed on. “Still, your cousin will not chance challenging me here within my home on a whim or a mere suspicion. But if he is certain you are here? He will come for you and risk running afoul of the duke. He is that desperate to have you and that blasted sugar plantation back, and I have little doubt that if he does claim you as his possession? The consequences will be dire indeed. I have looked into men’s eyes before and witnessed the evil they are capable of, and your cousin is no exception.”
Closing her eyes, Aria took a long moment to steady herself, her still-weak legs threatening to buckle beneath her. This was not good news, not at all. How long could she be expected to remain hidden here at Thornfield? For the rest of her life? And what of her Aunt Tilly? If her aunt was located and decided to venture out to see Aria for herself, would word reach Felton that the elderly woman was visiting Thornfield Grange? If that happened, who would reach her first – her aunt or her cousin? Would her aunt’s good standing in the ton be enough to save Aria if Felton found her first? Would anything be enough to save her?
Though she was of age, Aria was still technically controlled by her closest male relative until she wed. That was the way of things. Could Felton force her into any number of horrid fates or arranged marriages? Or worse? Likely so. And would anyone – or even could anyone – intervene on her behalf before that happened?
Aria had no answers to any of those questions. She hadn’t before and she still didn’t now. That was why she had decided that, for the time being, she would remain safe and protected within Thornfield Grange, even though hiding in this manner was foreign to her nature. Not to mention that she very much wished to see where this attraction to Michael led. She was hardly an experienced flirt and had little knowledge of men, but she knew what her body wanted. What her soul craved. She wanted this man, no matter how much logic that defied.
When she finally opened her eyes again, Aria found Michael starting at her, a bleakness in his eyes that could not possibly be healthy. Once more, Agatha’s words about the darkness came rushing back. That yawning blackness would not take him. Not while she was here to hold it back. For as much as Michael had done for her, this was the least she could do for him.
She could stave off the darkness, even if only for a little while.
Reaching up, Aria decided to be bold – as bold as she might have once been back on the plantation – and placed a finger to Michael’s lips. “Fear not, my good doctor. I have no intention of leaving. I never did. At least not until you toss me out on my arse.”
“You…you don’t?” Michael was clearly confused. “Were you not determined to leave here just the other day? Have you not lectured me endlessly about how you have no wish to harm my reputation? What exactly transpired in that brain of yours while I was out gathering greens? I was not gone that long, was I? Or has the fever returned to muddle your brains?”
Pulling Michael back down to the bench, Aria decided to risk being close to him because she felt her knees shaking more than they had only moments ago. Collapsing into an ignominious heap at his feet would not help her plan to seduce the man.
“You were gone just long enough to allow me to sort out my thoughts,” she corrected, thankful when the darkness she saw in his gaze begin to reced
e a bit. “You were correct the other day when you said that I did not think this plan of mine through very well. However, there is naught to be done to correct that mistake now. All I can do is go forward, this time with better advice. You were also correct when you said that it is too risky for me to go outside. Your encounter with Felton today proved that. So I will stay here, hidden inside Thornfield until it is safe enough for me to depart.”
For a long moment, Michael said nothing. Then, when she thought he might chastise her, instead he broke into a wolfish grin. “Though I have known you only a few days, pet, I already know it must nearly kill you to admit that I am right.”
“Perhaps.” Aria playfully stuck her nose in the air, thankful that teasing Michael had returned. She much preferred him to the brooding one of a few moments ago. “I ran a sugar plantation on my own for nearly a year. I am not accustomed to being wrong. However, in this case, I am, and I am confident enough to admit as much.”
“Then remind me to mark this day down in my ledger.” Aria was pleased to note that Michael slid just a little closer to her. Perhaps this seduction business was not that difficult after all. “For I have a feeling that you never admit when you are wrong.”
Deciding to take a risk, Aria placed her hand on his arm. “I did as I pleased for many years, Michael. My parents, though they loved me, paid more attention to each other than they did to me. So I learned to depend only upon myself. Because of that, I had to believe that, for the most part, I was never wrong. About anything. To depend upon another, to consider their advice when faced with a difficult situation? That is more difficult for me than you will ever know.”
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