“Should I be, Caleb?” She turned to face her friend. He looked confused by question. “What about you? I thought you and Tia were this great team. She even tried your rotgut whiskey.”
The silence that followed was heavy with genuine surprise. “The duchess and me? Are you crazy? That woman is completely out of my league.” He shook his head slowly. “Women like that are not for the likes of me, Ben.” He pulled out his cigarette makings. “By the way, she spent most of our time together asking about you.”
Oasis felt her heart stutter at that news. “About me? Why?”
“Because she likes you too, you blind coyote.” Caleb placed a cigarette between his lips and lit it. He studied Oasis through the smoke cloud as he exhaled. “I’m going to stretch my legs a little, take some of the boys and walk through the slum. I’ll let you know tomorrow what we’ve picked up on our walkabout.” He walked off in the opposite direction, only to stop and face Oasis again. “Don’t let her slip through your fingers, Ben. She seems like a woman who can come to accept a lot of things about the person she likes.”
Oasis swallowed hard. “Some things are not so easy to accept.”
Caleb grinned. “She has proven to be quite resilient up to now. At least give her a chance to decide for herself. Goodnight, Oasis.”
She grimaced at hearing her name on his lips. He rarely called her that. She watched him as he disappeared into the night, praying that he would be safe on his evening escapades. The time had come to wrestle the reins of Fairfield and Glenville from Durham. He had terrorised the community enough. She continued on her way; her thoughts overrun by the happenings of the evening. By the time she reached home, she realised how tired she was and passing up a trip to the kitchen, went directly to her bedroom.
The night and its nightmarish images followed her into her slumber.
***
Percy rolled off the body of the young woman and tucked himself into his pants. He turned his head sideways to look at his bed mate, she refused to meet his gaze. His eyes took in the growing bruise on her cheek. It would take a few days for it to disappear. She was a true beauty and now that he had taken her, he wanted to come back. No one would dare touch what was his now. He sat up and pulled on his boots.
“Go wash up and tell your mother to get me something to eat.”
Without a word, she got up and righted her clothing before she left the room quietly. When he left the room a few minutes later, he smiled when he found the girl’s parents sitting at the small table in the kitchen. The mother avoided looking at him, but the father was glaring at him with barely contained rage. Percy chuckled as he took a seat at the head of the table. He could see that it rankled the man even further and he revelled in the impotent rage directed at him. The girl placed a plate heaped with potatoes, cured pork and bread before him. With a flick of his wrist, he pushed the plate over to where the mother sat.
“Taste it.” He knew a lot about killing and even more about killers. Women made for dangerous foes and they wouldn’t hesitate to poison a well to exact their revenge. The woman was startled by the order, but she took the spoon and ate a bit of the potatoes. “Try a bit of everything.” She did and satisfied, he gestured for the plate to be returned to him. He scooped some of the food into his mouth and found it to be quite tasty. Aware of the father’s close scrutiny, he looked up and smiled at the man.
“I’m doing you a big favour here, mister,” he spoke around a mouthful of pork. “She’s young and very beautiful. Whom were you saving her virginity for?” He used a piece of bread to soak up some pork fat. “The butcher’s son? Or perhaps the blacksmith’s boy? None of them can give her what I can.” He looked at the girl who stood between her parents’ chairs, her eyes lowered and her pale hands trembled. “Now that she’s had her first man, she’ll find her true calling and I promise I will make sure that she is well compensated for her services.”
The father surged to his feet, his face ruddy with fury. “My daughter will not be your whore!”
“James, please,” the wife intervened. “Don’t do this.”
“If I were you, I would listen to my wife,” Percy said calmly as he unsheathed his blade and placed it on the table.
“Well, you’re not him,” a voice interjected and everyone turned to the newcomer. The gaping barrel of a pistol greeted him and Percy wondered how the man could have come so close without any of them being aware of his presence. A closer look at the weapon made him wince. A six-shooter. Bloody Americans! It meant only one thing.
His time was up.
***
Tia drank thirstily of the chilled water, not caring that the overflow was wetting her nightgown. She cast an irritated look at the smouldering embers in the fireplace. She felt like she was being roasted from the inside out.
“Shall I send for the doctor?”
She started at the voice and turned to face Burton. She had completely forgotten that he was there. When she had woken, feeling as if hundreds of ants were burrowing under her skin, he had been dozing in an armchair next to her bed. Since then, he had made every effort to be helpful, but there was honestly nothing he could do to make the situation better— not even the doctor would be of any help. Whatever Madam Jant-ze had given her, seemed to have reached the peak of its cycle now. The most erotic images and dreams had tormented her sleep until she had woken, sweaty and with the most ferocious hunger in her loins.
She turned back to the pitcher and pressed the coolness against her face. She knew exactly what was wrong with her, but she didn’t know how to inform Burton. He was her brother, friend and protector, but she doubted he would be receptive to anything closely related to her womanly predicaments.
The coolness from the glass seeped into her flustered face, but it did nothing to douse the heat that had her body in a tight relentless grip.
“Tia, do you want me to call for Doctor Grey?” Burton sounded closer and Tia spun around and glared at him. She could see that he was rattled by her odd behaviour.
“No.”
Burton took a step closer, but Tia held up her hand. “Is there anyone I could call for you?”
She swallowed hard. Yes! I need someone who can mount me and ride me until I am faint from exhaustion. “No.” Had she been in Paris at this very moment, she would’ve found herself at Madam Soaxic’s. There, she would have her pick of the most gorgeous butches in the city. She heard the door close softly behind her and she exhaled loudly.
But she wasn’t in Paris right now.
A few minutes later there was a knock on the door and a servant girl entered with another pitcher of ice water. She took the empty pitcher with her. Tia made her way over to the bed and gingerly took a seat. She was so aroused, but she knew from experience that her own hand would not suffice. It might in fact make it all worse. Two years ago, she was visiting Paris on one of her incognito trips. As was always the case, most of her time was spent at Madam Soaxic’s. That particular night she had partaken in the ‘special’ house wine, which was liberally laced with a libido enhancer. It had taken but a few minutes for the potion to do its work and as if on cue, the room was suddenly filled with a number of the most delectable butches. Her eyes instantly fell on a rather tall and thin butch, who had seemed so out of place amongst the boisterous crowd. A few minutes of small talk and a shared glass of wine later found them in one of the private rooms on the first floor. Le Cavalier, as the butch had introduced herself, had been a spectacular choice. She had taken Tia against the door, on the soft bearskin rug before the bed and finally on all fours on the four-poster bed. It took several hours and a number of risqué sexual positions before the fire in her veins had dulled to a low throbbing.
Tia looked down at her shaking hands. Le Cavalier wasn’t here to ease her discomfort now. She swallowed hard. How was she going to get through this night without going mad? She walked over to the open window welcoming the chilly breeze on her heated skin.
It was going to be a long, sleepless night.
>
***
A loud knock on the door made Oasis reach for her pistol. “Who’s there?”
“It’s me. You have a guest.” Her aunt’s voice was muffled by the door.
Oasis rolled over and looked at the large grandfather clock. It was a little past two in the morning. Who in their right mind would come by at this hour? She grabbed her robe and with a quick rubbing of her face, opened the door. Her aunt nodded at her before she disappeared into her own room down the hall. The house was quiet as she made her way down the stairs. As she walked into the drawing room, she became instantly wide awake at the sight of Burton.
“Burton?”
“Milord, my apologies for the late interruption. I…”
“Tia? Is she okay?”
Burton looked away. “I don’t…know, milord. She’s acting strange.” He threw his hands up. “She doesn’t want me near her.”
Oasis blinked. The potion! They needed something to counteract the effect of the love potion. Think, Oasis, think! Maybe her aunt would know. “Wait here. I need to find my aunt.” She quickly dashed up the stairs.
A few minutes later, they were on the way to Alcott House. Oasis threw a quick glance over at her aunt, who seemed not pleased at all at the turn of events that saw her out an about at this hour. Burton, on the other hand, looked worried as he stared out of the carriage window. It was only when they were standing in front of Tia’s room that Burton spoke again.
“I’ll wait out here for you.” His dark eyes fell on Oasis. “I must warn you that you might not receive a warm welcome.”
The room was dark with only the glowing embers in the fireplace giving off some dim lighting. Tia stood quietly in one corner of the room, a ghostly figure in a white nightdress with her long blonde hair hanging loose around her face. For a moment, Oasis was stunned by the wildly sensual appearance and the effect it had on her. She looked to her aunt, hoping she would make the first move, but when the older woman stayed put, Oasis slowly crossed the room to where Tia stood. She made sure that she kept a good distance from the other woman.
“Lady Tia, I brought someone who wants to help.” It was difficult to read the expression on Tia’s face from where she stood, but Oasis couldn’t help but feel like she was being sized up. Like a predator sizing up a meal. A pleasant flutter started in her stomach and she felt her clit swelling. “Will you allow her to see if she could assist you?”
There was a slight movement and Tia stepped out the shadows and into the little light that was available. Her eyes were dark smouldering pools as she studied Oasis, wreaking havoc on Oasis’ senses. “And what pray tell, do you think is the matter with me, milord?” Her voice was grave, deep and dark.
***
Tia’s whole body was wracked by tiny tremors as she looked at the man standing before her. He looked well put together for this late hour. She allowed her eyes to slowly rake over his powerful body. She had purposefully kept her mind from going to him, because he was so wrong for her. But why couldn’t she keep her thoughts clear of him? Why did he slip in an out her mind as if he belonged there? Or did he? She lifted her eyes and met his very dark gaze.
“You didn’t answer me, Lord Pope.”
She saw a flicker in his eyes, but it was gone just as quickly. “I believe that you ingested some sort of a potion earlier.”
“And you know exactly what I’m experiencing right now?” She watched him closely and wasn’t disappointed when the same flicker appeared in his eyes. Hunger. Her traitorous body responded almost violently to his reaction.
“I’ve encountered similar potions during my travels.”
“Have you…”
“Your Grace, we need to make you comfortable. Will you allow my friend to help you?” Pope was quick to interrupt.
Tia inhaled deeply, taking in his scent. The faint smell of cigarette smoke and sandalwood was quite intoxicating.
“No.” She could see that she had shocked him with her blunt refusal. But she didn’t want any more potions for the night. She knew what she needed and she think she was ready to make a personal compromise.
***
No. She said no! Oasis turned to look at her aunt. The other woman shrugged and lowered her gaze. With her heart thumping in her chest, Oasis turned back to Tia only to find that the woman had managed to move closer and was now only an arm’s length away. Her head was slightly tilted upwards to meet Oasis’ gaze. For a moment, they only stared at each other. Tia’s gaze was filled with passionate turmoil. Turmoil that fed Oasis’ ravenous hunger for the gorgeous blonde. Had she been a man, she was sure her intentions would’ve been quite obvious to anyone who cared to look. Lucky for her, she wasn’t. And yet it still didn’t make a difference. It was much harder to keep her thoughts clear and her emotions reined in so as not to have them spill over into her eyes. Especially now when Tia was searching her eyes with sharp intensity.
“Then why am I here, Lady Tia, if not to help you?”
A slow smile curled the corners of Tia’s lips. “As for the reason why you’re here, milord, I wasn’t the one calling for you.” She began to circle him, her movements quiet and unhurried. “But you can still be of great help.”
“How can I be of service, Your Grace?”
Tia came to a stop before him. Her eyes slowly raked over his body. “Since you have encountered similar potions on your extensive travels, you must be well-informed about the number of cures available.”
Oasis inhaled deeply; not sure what Tia was alluding to. “I won’t say I’m well-informed, milady.”
“Then let’s put your lack of expertise to the test, milord.” Tia stepped closer and this time Oasis could smell the sweat on Tia’s body. Oasis had seen women go completely mad for the duration that the potion was in their blood. Tia was holding herself together quite admirably. When they had dropped her off, a healthy dose of laudanum, combined with the shock of the evening’s events, had lulled Tia to sleep. But the potion refused to be ignored. She stiffened when Tia brushed up against her. “Name the most common treatment for my current ailment.” Oasis slowly lifted her gaze from Tia’s bosom, which due to their differences in height, gave Oasis an unobstructed view down the gaping bodice of the nightdress to the full, pink-tipped breasts.
“It is not something that should be mentioned in the presence of a lady, milady,” Oasis said stiffly, even as she felt her nether lips distending as her craving grew stronger.
Tia chuckled softly, the sound almost causing Oasis’ knees to buckle. Tia moved away to sit on the edge of her bed. The smile was still visible on her lips.
“I never took you for a weakling, Lord Pope. Not with your strong, virile body and so many women having the most inappropriate fantasies of you.” Oasis felt her jaw tighten. If she had ever heard of a sugar-coated insult, then she had just now been dealt one. But Tia wasn’t done yet. She slowly ran her hands over the bedding. “Had The Maverick been here…” She sighed. “What a man! He would’ve…”
Oasis had enough. Tia was not going to manipulate her into doing whatever it was she wanted Oasis to do by playing her two personas up against each other. She bowed stiffly. “I get it, milady. You do not require my help. In that case, I bid you goodnight and will escort my friend home.” She took her aunt’s arm and ushered the woman to the door. Just as she reached out for the door handle, Tia spoke up.
“The Maverick would’ve not only told me what the cure was, he would’ve offered to show me.” She chuckled. “Imagine all that untamed, dangerous energy…especially now.”
Oasis’s hand fell away from the door handle as her whole body caught fire from the inside out. Tia wanted to have sex with her.
***
Tia was desperate.
She didn’t know how she knew it, but she was sure that if Pope left now, she would never see him again; and she didn’t want that. She heard the door open and felt her heart drop in disappointment. When the door closed, Pope was still standing before the room, she slowly came to her f
eet.
“Don’t move!”
Excitement skittered down her spine at the curt order. No man, especially not one who valued his life, would dare speak to her like that. But this was no ordinary man. And he was too reckless to care about his own life.
“I see that The Maverick has decided to join us.”
The sound of the key turning in the lock echoed in the room. Tia felt her thighs dampening even further at the meaning behind the act. Pope turned slowly and soundlessly came over to stand before her. His countenance was foreboding as he looked down into her eyes. For the first time since she had decided on her path of seduction, Tia questioned her choice of baiting a man like this. Earlier in the evening she had seen him shoot and kill two people in cold blood. She had been a witness to the fear his name instilled in people. The awkward socially inept Lord Benedict Pope was simply the respectable shroud, hiding the true man. And he seemed to have left the room with the older woman. She was utterly and truly at the mercy of Britain’s most dangerous man.
“I want you to know that I don’t want to do this.” His hand lifted and Tia closed her eyes at the soft caress of a finger down her cheek. “Not like this.”
Her eyes shot open at that. So, he was attracted to her after all. She wanted to smile, but knew that the situation didn’t allow for such sentimentalities. Her body yearned for release and he was the only one who could douse the fire in her loins.
“Now take off your nightdress.”
Tia swallowed heavily. “H…here?” Maybe she could still change her mind. If she screamed, Burton was still outside her room.
“Too late, milady,” came the quiet answer to her musings. “Burton is accompanying my friend home right now.” He took off his jacket and lay it on the bed next to him. “Now, take off your nightdress or I will rip it off you.”
Worlds Apart Page 19