Fortune's Dragon

by Meara Platt

  She offered no resistance, only complete surrender to the possessive, conquering heat of his hands on her, and his scorching kisses.

  He knew when she was ready for him, and she cried out in bliss as he eased the ache of yearning building up inside of her and entered her.

  He tried to be gentle, but she knew his need was as volcanic as hers and about to erupt. Her blood was molten as it coursed through her body in a torrential flow. Her skin felt hot. Her cheeks hotter. She closed her eyes and wrapped herself around him, wanting to absorb his unleashed power and feel the strain and pull of each taut muscle.

  They spoke their needs in cries and grunts and sighs. Only when Faith began to soar like a fiery ember across the heavens did she find her words. “I love you, Caleb. I love you.”

  He soared along with her, spilling his seed inside of her. “Always you, Faith. Only you.”

  He collapsed atop her, but only for a moment before wrapping her in his arms and shifting their positions so that she now lay atop him, their bodies warm and damp and stuck together so that they would have to be peeled apart, their limbs hopelessly entwined like the branches of an ancient tree.

  He took her twice more, and in between their coupling, they held each other, neither raising the topic of Caleb’s departure but each of them feeling it like a raw, open wound in their hearts.

  Faith awoke to sunlight playing across her face, for neither of them had thought to draw the drapes in the midst of their wild and unrestrained mating dance. She rolled to her side and reached out to Caleb, only to find herself alone in bed.

  “I’m here, love.” It took her a moment to realize he was standing beside the window, looking out onto the deer park and the lush green woods that stood between her home and the meadow. He’d donned his pants, but nothing else. His arms were folded across his broad chest, accentuating the muscle and sinew of his beautifully sculpted warrior body.

  Her maid had laid out a silk robe and nightgown for Faith, but they had slipped off the counterpane and lodged in the footboard the moment she and Caleb had toppled onto the bed and indulged their carnal urges like beasts in the wild. The garments were exactly where they’d slid in a silken pool of pink beside the footboard. Faith quickly put them on and tried to smooth out the wrinkles. “It’s hopeless,” she muttered.

  Caleb smiled and held out his arms to her.

  She rushed into them. “What are we to do?”

  He kissed the top of her head. “Enjoy the time we have left.”

  Her heart was breaking. “Caleb, it isn’t fair. We’ve just found each other.”

  “My orders are to return to London once General Larkin arrives. We may have another day or two before I must leave.” He fingered the dragon amulet she wore around her neck and refused to ever take off because he’d given it to her. “Perhaps our dragon will come to the rescue. It hasn’t failed us yet, has it?”

  BY THE THIRD day, Caleb knew he had to ride to York to find out what had happened to General Larkin. The men from his regiment who had taken ill were now fully recovered from the same sickness that had plagued the general and left him stranded in York. It was time to move them up to Newcastle to establish the First King’s Dragoon Guards headquarters and prepare the necessary services to ease the arriving soldiers back to civilian life.

  Marcus and Tynan had returned to London.

  Caleb wished they could have ridden back together, for he would have brought Faith and her uncle along with them. He wasn’t certain whether he could take them now, for he was already three days delayed in reporting to Lord Castlereagh and would be further slowed down by Lord Boscombe’s need to travel by carriage.

  He’d washed and dressed, and then taken Pharaoh for a sunrise ride along the beach as was his routine every morning. Faith had been asleep when he’d left, but was likely awake now, for he had stopped by the encampment to meet with his captains and discuss the matter of General Larkin’s absence before returning to Boscombe Manor.

  He strode into the entry hall and heard Lord Boscombe in the dining room. “Faith, my toes are swollen. I can’t fit my feet in my boots.”

  He grinned, hearing Faith’s calm retort. “You’re not going out anyway, Uncle Winslow. Why don’t you wear your slippers today?”

  “And I am plagued by digestive pains.”

  Her soft voice filled Caleb’s heart as she responded. “You’ve been eating those heavy cream sauces again.”

  Caleb paused at the threshold, shaking his head and grinning.

  Faith noticed him and her eyes sparkled. She smiled at him and beckoned him to join them. He settled beside her, content despite his unsettled state of affairs. “Any word?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “I’ll have to ride to York today. Something’s wrong. We’ve had no word from Larkin.”

  “I don’t wish him ill,” Faith said with a purse of her lips. “But I rejoice for every day we have together.”

  “Same here, but Larkin is a concern. I’ve put Captain Stark in charge for the moment. He’ll start the march north today. Might as well get him started. Now that the fair is over, I don’t want trouble in town because these soldiers are bored and restless.”

  “Will you return this evening?”

  “No, love. I don’t think Pharaoh can make it there and back in a day. I don’t want to push him too hard and cause injury.”

  “Of course.” She tried to sound strong, but her beautiful eyes hid nothing and he knew her heart was breaking. “I’ll go down to the beach once you leave. I’d like to see your regiment off. It’s the right thing to do since I’m now the wife of their general.”

  He grinned at her. “They’d appreciate seeing your lovely face instead of my grim and frowning countenance.”

  “I’m sure half the village girls will be there as well to see them off. Then I suppose it is back to our daily chores. Life in Scarborough will seem quite dull after all this excitement.”

  He took her hand and gave it a light squeeze. “Come, walk me out.”

  Pharaoh stood at the hitching post, still saddled and slaking his thirst by lapping water in a bucket that one of Fleming’s sons must have set out. Caleb allowed Pharaoh to drink a little longer, for it gave him an excuse to remain with Faith a little while longer. He couldn’t bring himself to part from her just yet. He ran his thumb along her lush, lower lip and followed it with a light kiss.

  She smiled at him when he finally drew away. “Do you feel it too, Caleb? It’s as though our hearts are bound with the same rope. Each step apart stretches the rope and causes our hearts to tug. Too far apart and our hearts will break.”

  “No, love. That rope stretches around the world and will never break. I’ll use it to guide me back home.”

  “And I’ll always be waiting for you.”

  He wanted to swallow her in his arms and carry her off with him, but time and his duties would not stop because he loved his wife and did not wish to leave her. She would be here, still lovely and making his heart burst with gratitude that she loved him, when he returned.

  He was only leaving for a day.

  The skies grew overcast as he rode off, the dull gray pall it cast over Scarborough matching his temperament.

  He was still in grim humor when he reached the outskirts of York. General Larkin’s men had been housed in the barracks near York Castle so he’d stop there first to look for him. He rode across one of the many stone bridges leading into the old city, eager to be distracted by the vibrant sights and scents. The breeze was light, but he immediately caught the scent of the Shambles, the length of street where medieval butchers sold their freshly killed meats. The aroma of blood and hay and sawdust was ground into its cobblestones and nothing could wash them clean.

  The bells of York Minster chimed as he crossed into the old city. He would have liked to bring Faith with him, for she would have enjoyed the excursion. She could have spent the day touring and shopping while he attended to business. “Next time,” he muttered, knowing that the fu
n of visiting York would be in sharing their time together to tour and shop – not that he cared for shopping, but he’d nobly smile through the ordeal if Faith wished to laden his arms with packages. Afterward, they’d stop for tea and cakes.

  He shook out of the thought.

  He had a missing general to find.

  He’d been to York before and knew where the regimental barracks were located. These were no mere ramshackle quarters. The city had a long military history dating back to Roman times, when it was known as Eboracum. The legendary Sixth Legion had been housed within its borders. Two Roman emperors had died here. Indeed, Romans, Saxons, and Danes had claimed York for their own and their influences still remained.

  After settling Pharaoh in the stables and making certain the grooms would take good care of his precious beast, he went in search of General Larkin. It did not take him long to find the man, for the grooms knew he would be in one of the nearby taverns. The only question was which one.

  After searching a few, Caleb entered the Hare and Hound, a surprisingly pleasant tavern that seemed more of a respectable dining establishment than a place to drink away one’s woes. He saw Larkin seated alone in a quiet corner, nursing a pint of ale.

  He looked up as Caleb approached, nodding for Caleb to join him and casting him a mirthless smile. “I thought you might come today.”

  A maid brought Caleb a mug of ale that looked remarkably appealing after his long ride. It was filled to the brim with the golden liquid and had just the right amount of white froth spilling over the top. “What’s going on with you, John?”

  “Other than being a coward?”

  Caleb frowned. Their regiments had fought beside each other often over the years. Larkin was a good man who cared for his troops and did not hesitate to fight beside them. “You comported yourself well in battle. Why would you consider yourself a coward?”

  Larkin was at least ten years older than Caleb, likely more, but it was hard to tell an old soldier’s age for the strains of battle and the constant exposure to burning heat or blistering cold had a way of aging one’s skin and turning it to leather. “I’m speaking of domestic battles. My wife and children. They live in Newcastle. I haven’t been back in years. And now Castlereagh has switched our orders and sent me there instead of you.”

  Caleb noticed Larkin said “they” instead of “we” and began to understand the reason for the change of plans. “He must have realized you had family there and decided to do you the favor.”

  “It is no favor.” Larkin raked a hand through his already mussed hair. “Sarah and I parted on angry terms. How could she not still be angry with me? I haven’t written to her in over a year. Hardly ever before then. Our children won’t know me. I wouldn’t recognize them if they knocked me over in the street. I might not recognize Sarah after all this time. I don’t remember what she looks like. How could I forget my own wife?”

  Lord, this was bad.

  “I haven’t been faithful to her either.”

  Caleb wasn’t certain what to say. Not all marriages were love matches. Indeed, most weren’t. Still, husband and wife managed to get along. Or not forget what the other one looked like. He didn’t think he would ever forget Faith. If anything, even in his dotage, he’d look upon her and see the beautiful girl with big green eyes and long, tawny hair whipping about her hips and shoulders standing on the windswept hill.

  If his eyesight failed, he’d see her with his heart.

  He’d see the starlight in her eyes whenever she smiled at him.

  He’d love her until he took his last breath…and then love her into the beyond.

  “Go home, John. Hug your wife and tell her she’s a sight for sore eyes. Tell her she looks beautiful, and if you can’t, then thank her for raising your fine children. Hug your children and tell them that you love them. Start afresh. Rebuild your family. Treasure them and they will honor you.”

  Larkin laughed. “You’re still a pup. Why should I take advice from you? You’re not even married.”

  “But I am. As of a few days ago.” He downed the last of his ale. “If I were so fortunate as to be assigned back home with Faith, I’d put on wings and fly across England to reach her.”

  “That’s because you’re young and in love. But love fades. It turns bitter and stale.”

  “You’re right. You are a coward.” He set down his empty mug with a thwack upon the sturdy wooden table. “Your family needs you. They’ve waited for you, cried over you, and prayed for your safe return. And this is how you treat them?”

  “I’m a general. I don’t know how to be a father.”

  “You needn’t worry. Your children will train you. They’ll turn your hair gray faster than you can blink. We did that to our father. Of course, Marcus and I thought we were the perfect children.” He rose and motioned for Larkin to put down his drink and come with him. “Castlereagh will have us both hanged if we ignore his orders any longer. Pack up your belongings. We’re riding to Scarborough today.”

  He cursed silently.

  The last thing he wanted to do was strain Pharaoh, but it was the only way to get Larkin back where he belonged. They’d return to Scarborough and stay overnight at Boscombe Manor. Their regiments would not be very far from town yet and he’d deliver the damn general to Captain Stark’s care first thing tomorrow morning.

  He hadn’t the patience to play nursemaid to Larkin for more than a day. Another advantage of returning today was that a woman’s point of view on Larkin’s situation might be just what he needed to alleviate his distress.

  In any event, he had no wish to be apart from Faith even for one evening.

  General Larkin had little to pack up. Soldiers, even field generals, traveled light. He offered little resistance when Caleb ordered their horses saddled. They rode out fast, for Caleb did not want to give him the chance to reconsider. Then all he could think about was returning to Faith and feeling the warmth of her lips on his as she welcomed him home.

  As eager as he was to reach home, he dared not ignore Pharaoh’s needs. They stopped to rest their horses several times along the way, so it was almost midnight by the time they reached Boscombe Manor.

  Fleming’s son Tom must have heard them in the stable, for he hurried toward them in a sleepy haze. “Good to have ye back, General Brayden. We weren’t expecting ye until tomorrow, but Lady Faith will be glad to see ye. She missed ye something fierce all day.”

  Caleb grinned. “I missed her, too.”

  Fleming himself was at the door in his nightclothes. His hair was rumpled and spiked at the top as though hit by a bolt of lightning. The man must have leapt out of bed at the first sound of hoofbeats, realized Faith’s new husband had returned – for that’s all he could be to them after only a few days – and run to open the door. “General Brayden, good to have you home.”

  Home.

  Yes, that’s what this manor was because of the angel who resided here.

  “Good to–” He managed to say no more before Faith flew into his arms and drew his head down for a fervent kiss on the lips. He lifted her in his arms and twirled her around. “Good to be home, my love.”

  “Are you hungry? Thirsty? I can–” She noticed Larkin standing behind him and quickly fussed with her robe, securing it closed, and then brushing back a few loose strands of her hair and tucking them behind her ears. “Oh, my apologies! Is this General Larkin?”

  Caleb made quick introductions.

  “Welcome to our home.” She led them into the drawing room and lit candles to illuminate the room in a golden glow. “Please do make yourself comfortable. Fleming will bring in some refreshments. In the meantime, would you like a glass of port?”

  “That would be lovely,” Larkin said, glancing at Caleb and grinning. “No wonder you were kicking my arse to get back here. Pardon my crusty language, Lady Faith. I can see General Brayden is a very fortunate man. Felicitations on your wedding.”

  “Thank you.” She poured them the port, handed one glass
to Larkin and then handed the other to Caleb. He took his, but also drew her close to keep her beside him, wrapping his arm about her waist and enjoying the feel of her warm body against his. He caught the subtle scent of lavender on her skin and wanted to simply inhale all of her.

  She would hit him over the head if he pawed her in front of company. He did his best to behave. Unwillingly. But he cast her a glance that warned of his intentions.

  She blushed and cleared her throat. “I’m sure you must be tired from the long ride, General Larkin. I’ll show you to your guest quarters as soon as you’ve eaten something. You must be exhausted and eager for bed.”

  Larkin laughed. “Oh, I think General Brayden is the one eager for bed. He would like to see me to the devil already. But forgive me. I’m being coarse again. I’m not fit company, as you’ve probably noticed. Haven’t been since returning to England.”

  “I understand. It must be very hard to adjust. You’ve known only war for all these years and now it’s time for you to adapt to peace.”

  “And returning to my family.”

  Faith pursed her lips in thought. “Are you not eager to see them?”

  He glanced at Caleb. “Dreading it, m’lady. It’s been years since I’ve set eyes on them. Your husband will tell you. I wouldn’t know my own son if I passed him on the street.”

  “Ah, that is a shame. But your country needed you to defend them from Napoleon and they’re proud that their father answered the call to duty. Don’t deprive them of the joy in seeing you now that the war’s over. You may believe it will be a difficult reunion, but you’d be wrong.”

  She reached for Caleb’s hand. “I hope to follow my husband to London. I know he’ll be busy, but it will give me the chance to meet the rest of his family. We don’t know yet where he’ll be sent. But I’ll be waiting for him whenever he returns. We’ll deal with each assignment as it comes.”

  None of them stayed up much later. After finishing their light repast, Faith showed Larkin to his guest chamber and then returned to her own bedchamber. Caleb had removed his boots and jacket, and was untucking his shirt as she walked in and latched the door behind her. “Oh, Caleb. Will you ever get like that? Promise me you won’t.”