Fortune's Dragon

by Meara Platt

  “I promise, love.” He crossed the room in two strides and took her into his arms. “I hope Larkin’s fears melt away once he’s reunited with his wife and children. As for me, I will never have a doubt about your love. Nor should you ever doubt mine.”

  “Caleb, do you ever think of the fortune teller now that she’s gone?”

  He shrugged as he released her to remove the rest of his clothes. “She’s only been gone a few days.”

  “I know. But I’m still amazed how clearly she read into our hearts all those years ago when we were children. I think that’s why we won’t end up like General Larkin and his wife. Our love has already been tested over time.”

  “Faith.”

  “Yes?” She smiled and licked her lips.

  “Will you find me boorish if I just want to take you into bed and stop talking? No more about General Larkin. I’ve been with the man all day. No more about the fortune teller.”

  She laughed and mimicked buttoning up her mouth.

  He chuckled. “You can still talk, just not about them.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t need to talk. You’re standing before me, naked and looking sinfully handsome. Shall we go to bed? I’d like nothing better than to cuddle beside you.”

  “Cuddle? Is that all you wish to do?”

  Her eyes shimmered like starlight. “What do you have in mind?”

  He wasted no time in showing her.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CALEB AWOKE EARLY the next morning and nuzzled Faith’s neck upon seeing that she had her eyes open. “Don’t move from the bed, love. Don’t dress or do up your hair. I’ll be back as soon as I’ve delivered the general into Captain Stark’s hands. Then my nursemaid duties will be over and I can ride back here with a clear conscience. I mean to take up exactly where I’ve left off.”

  “You are shameless. We can’t spend all day closed up in our bedchamber. Even Harriet would find that shocking.” But they both knew her maid was bold as could be and nothing shocked resilient Harriet.

  He drew her up against him and began to nibble her ear. She felt the stiff stubble of his beard against her cheek. “Harriet,” he said with a husky murmur, “would kick your shapely arse from here to the meadow if you were so prudish as to ever refuse my bed. The girl has her priorities straight.”

  “Hah! The girl needs to curb her lustful urges. She is too easily pleased.”

  “She seizes the moment and will live her life having no regrets.”

  “Until she is with child and won’t know who the father is. What man will have her then?”

  “Plenty.” Caleb kissed her on the neck, a soft and sensual kiss that left her shamelessly hungry for him. “Some men are petty, resentful arses like your former beau. But most are forgiving creatures. They aren’t looking for perfection in a wife. They’re just hoping for someone to like them a little and make them a comfortable home. Maybe grow to love them. Maybe warm their bed from time to time. Harriet’s a lively, cheerful girl. She’ll have no trouble attracting a husband, one who will be good to her and to her child even if it isn’t his.”

  “I hope you’re right. I worry for her, truly I do.”

  “You ought to be worried about your poor husband who has to drag himself out of bed when all he wants to do is remain just where he is and make wickedly endless love to his naked and utterly luscious wife.” He rolled onto his back and emitted a low, sexy growl that sent tingles shooting through her body. “But duty and Larkin call. I ought to be back well before supper.”

  “And then off again tomorrow at dawn for London.”

  She knew he was thinking of it, but reluctant to discuss it. In truth, there was nothing to discuss, for his orders were clear and speaking about them would only make him feel frustrated and powerless to change them. Generals did not like to feel powerless.

  As for herself, she was determined to remain cheerful and give him no further cause to worry.

  After all, they’d meet again in London within the fortnight.

  She had to believe Lord Castlereagh would not send him off on his next mission before then.

  “My aunt will be expecting you,” he said, his thoughts similar to her own. “Tynan wrote down directions to his mother’s townhouse before he left.”

  She nodded. “I have them. I’ve memorized them. They are etched into my brain.”

  He grinned. “London is vast. I don’t want to lose you there.”

  “You won’t, Caleb.” She pressed herself against his warm body and was pleased by his immediate response to her nearness. “If I get lost, I’ll simply stop by one of the elegant shops and ask for assistance in finding Lady Miranda Grayfell’s residence. I may have to purchase an item or two.”

  “Of course, it’s the polite thing to do when asking for directions.” He groaned. “The rooster hasn’t crowed yet. Perhaps we’ll have time for a quick…”

  The rooster crowed.

  “Hell and damnation,” he muttered. “I’m going to catch that bird and have Mrs. Fleming cook him up for supper.”

  She laughed and rose along with him, searching for her chemise, which must have fallen somewhere near the bed.

  “What are you doing?” He was tall and naked.

  “Searching for my nightclothes.” She was simply naked.

  He stared at her breasts. “You don’t need them.”

  “But I thought I’d keep you company while you washed and dressed.”

  He lifted her up in his strong arms. “Lord, I love you.”

  He carried her back to bed.

  The rooster’s crow was drowned out by their grunts and moans and the precarious rocking of their bed.

  FAITH GAZED IN worry upon her uncle as they sat across the breakfast table from each other later that morning, the two of them enjoying their cups of hot cocoa. Caleb and General Larkin had departed shortly after daybreak. The rooster had remained alive to crow another day.

  Faith was silently crowing herself.

  The naughty things Caleb had done to her still had her blushing.

  What she’d done to him in return would have Harriet blushing. Or cheering. Perhaps a little of both.

  She shook her head and returned her attention to her uncle. What was different about him this morning? Then she knew. “Why aren’t you complaining, Uncle Winslow?”

  “Why should I be?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Because you always do. Something is always wrong with you when you get up in the morning.”

  He shrugged. “Well, not this morning. I have nothing to complain about.”

  She rose and came to his side to feel his forehead. “You don’t feel feverish.”

  “Because I’m not.” He patted her hand. “Sit down and finish your cocoa. How do you feel, my sweet Faith?”

  “Wonderful. I’m married to the man of my dreams.” She slumped her shoulders and sighed. “Bereft, too. I’m about to lose him to London. I’ll cry if I talk about it and I don’t want to cry. How are your joints? Are you certain they’re not aching?”

  “They’re perfect. Not a creak or crackle. I’m looking forward to our jaunt to London.”

  She inhaled lightly. “Then you’re serious about our following Caleb there? But you made such a fuss when…you know, that wretched man I almost married…when I asked you to come live with us once we were wed. Thank goodness Caleb came along and put an end to that bad idea. But the point is, you detested the thought of travel until Caleb came along. Now you’re as spry as a young goat and can’t wait to get on the road.”

  “The difference is in you, not me. You’re happy, so I’m happy.” He took a sip of his cup and set it down with a contented aahhh.

  “And I wasn’t before?”

  “No. You were even more miserable about leaving Scarborough than I was. But you’re not that way with Caleb. He’s your home, just as you are his. That’s as it should be. So while I do love Boscombe Manor and will gladly return to it once our visit is over, I don’t mind leaving it now.”r />
  She smiled and kissed him on the cheek. “You really are an adventurer. I’m proud of you, Uncle Winslow. I’m glad you’ll be with me and Caleb in London. And if all does not go as we hope, then I’ll be glad for your company coming back home.”

  He patted her hand again. “All will work out. True love always wins out.”

  “Your uncle is a wise man,” someone said from the doorway.

  Faith turned in surprise. “Caleb, how did you make it back so fast? We weren’t expecting you until midday.”

  “Pharaoh missed you. He ran like the wind to get back home to you.”

  She laughed. “I see. It was your horse and not you who wished to be back by my side.”

  “I missed you, too.”

  “How is General Larkin feeling this morning? A little more hopeful?”

  Caleb sighed. “I don’t think so, but the not knowing is worse than anything he’s likely to face once he’s reunited with his family. It’s best he just gets it over and done, then maybe he can return to feeling good about himself. His children deserve to have their father back.”

  He held out an arm to Faith. “Care for a walk along the beach, Mrs. Brayden?”

  She nodded and raised the hem of her gown so he’d notice her slippers. They were the ones she’d worn the first time they’d walked down there together. However, this time she wore no stockings. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  They cut through the meadow now dotted with cattle lazily munching on the grass, and then walked up the hill path toward the steps that led down to the beach. The sun was shining and the sky was a bright blue that happened to match the color of her gown. The wind blew lightly through her hair, the familiar breeze carrying the scent of salt water and fish and bracing air toward them.

  Caleb helped her down the steps.

  She took off her shoes once they reached the golden stretch of sand. “Will you join me in dipping your toes in the water?” she asked.

  “No, I’ll watch you.” He tucked the windblown strands of her hair behind her ears. “You still have elf ears. Are you certain you’re not a wood sprite in disguise?”

  “Wood sprites do not like to wriggle their bare toes in the sand or in the ocean, for that matter. They live beside ponds and streams. Pounding waves and ocean currents frighten them.”

  “But they don’t frighten you.” He settled on the rock beside her shoes, closed his eyes, and lifted his face to the sun. He opened his eyes a moment later and smiled tenderly at her. “Not an elf. Not a wood sprite. But definitely an enchanted faerie queen. Heaven help me, Faith. I’m going to miss you so much.”

  “I know, Caleb. Me too.”

  “Have you ever been to London? I mean, back there since your parents passed away.”

  She shook her head. “No. Uncle Winslow and I never had reason to leave Scarborough. But I’m looking forward to it. Will you take me to the theater?”

  He nodded.

  “And the shops and museums?”

  He nodded again. “Those too. And soirees, musicales. Even a ball or two.”

  “Sounds like fun. I can’t wait to get there.” She’d assured him several times she would travel to London shortly. But they were both afraid Castlereagh would ship him off before they had the chance to be reunited.

  Well, other husbands and wives endured, and so would they.

  She wasn’t going to weep now and make their parting even more unbearable than it was going to be.

  She would keep up the merry pretense all evening.

  But by the following morning, her determination crumbled as Caleb took her into his arms and hugged her fiercely while they were still abed. “Don’t come downstairs with me, love,” he said in a hoarse whisper. “Just let me go.”

  She nodded against his chest. “I love you, Caleb.”

  “I love you, too. I’ll see you in London. Make a list of all you wish to see. The plays, the shops, all of it. I’ll take you around as soon as you get there.”

  She nodded again and cast him a soft, loving smile.

  Both of them needed to hold on to that lie.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  FAITH’S HEART WAS pounding with excitement as the Boscombe carriage reached London and drew up in front of Lady Miranda Grayfell’s elegant townhouse near Hyde Park. She was eager to see Caleb again, feeling as though their ten days apart were an eternity.

  Was he still in London?

  She recognized Tynan Brayden stepping out of the Grayfell residence just as they drew up. “Well, if it isn’t Mrs. Squid,” he teased, earning a reproach from the woman standing beside him who could only be his mother, Lady Grayfell.

  Caleb had described her as tall with vivid red hair. Faith doubted another two women in London matched that description. She resembled a glorious, modern day Queen Boudica, the beautiful warrior queen who defended London against Roman invasion over a thousand years ago.

  “Welcome, dearest Faith. And you, Lord Boscombe.” She gave each of them a heartfelt hug that was not at all the proper etiquette but made them feel quite at home. “Do come in. Your guest chambers are ready. My housekeeper, Mrs. Quill, shall take you up to them now. Let her know if you need anything we haven’t already provided. Come downstairs whenever you are ready and our butler will have the tea cart brought in.”

  “Don’t take too long,” Tynan said. “The tadpoles are eager to meet you. I’m not sure how long I can hold them back. Squid’s beaten all of us to the altar and that is quite a feat. We thought for sure James or Marcus would be first.”

  “And not you?” Faith asked.

  He shook his head, and although he maintained his devil-may-care smile, she detected a trace of wistfulness. “No, haven’t found the right girl yet. In the meantime, I’m quite content to live the debauched bachelor life.”

  He didn’t appear content, but what did she know of these elegant London noblemen?

  More important, she wanted to hear about Caleb. It hadn’t escaped her notice that neither Lady Grayfell nor Tynan had mentioned his whereabouts to her yet.

  After changing out of her dusty clothes and washing up, she returned downstairs to find the tadpoles waiting for her.

  Lady Grayfell rolled her eyes as she made quick introductions. “This handsome brute with golden hair and a dangerous gleam in his eye is my nephew, Romulus Brayden. His brother, James, is Earl of Exmoor.” Her smile faded a little as she spoke of James. “He returned from war badly injured. We’re all doing our best to help, but it hasn’t been easy.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Faith turned to Romulus, having to crane her neck to look up as he drew closer. “A pleasure to meet you, Romulus.”

  He bowed over her hand. “Pleasure is all mine. Welcome to the family, Lady Faith. My cousin has told us much about you.”

  Which cousin did he mean? Caleb? Or Tynan? Perhaps Marcus.

  Lady Grayfell then introduced Tynan’s brothers to her. “My other sons, Ronan, Finn, and Joshua.”

  Faith had to crane her head to look up at them as well.

  Ronan smiled. “Indeed, Tynan and Marcus haven’t stopped talking about you from the moment they returned.

  Her smile slipped. “And Caleb? Have you seen him?”

  All four tadpoles began to squirm, Romulus running a hand through his hair, Ronan rubbing a hand along the back of neck, while Finn and Joshua glanced toward the door as if wishing to run out.

  “Have a seat, Faith,” Tynan said gently. “We’ll tell you what Caleb has been doing since his return to London.”

  She glanced at Lady Grayfell and caught her pitying expression. “Is he safe? Is he still here? Please, I must know.”

  “He hasn’t been assigned elsewhere yet. But he isn’t in town at the moment,” Romulus said. “Castlereagh has him doing the job of three generals, making him run all over England. We’ve hardly seen him. When he’s in town, he’s been staying at one of Tynan’s…er, clubs, just to be close to Castlereagh and not disturb us as he comes and goes at all hours.”

/>   “He’s had to ride north again because General Larkin’s assignment to Newcastle has proved disastrous,” Finn said.

  “Caleb volunteered to ride up there in the hope Castlereagh will allow him to replace Larkin,” Tynan said with a growl. “We can only hope, but chances are slim he will. Caleb is too important to Castlereagh right here.”

  Faith’s eyes widened in alarm. “General Larkin stayed with us at Boscombe Manor just before Caleb returned to London. Has something happened to him?”

  “Other than open and hostile domestic relations?” Tynan shook his head. “We’re not sure.”

  She groaned lightly. “And now Caleb’s gone up there just as I’ve arrived in town.”

  She wanted to cry.

  Is this how it would always be?

  She would endure, of course. But it seemed more important than ever to settle in one place and stay there so that Caleb could always find her.

  There was nothing to be done about it now. She was in London and would remain at least until Caleb returned. It made her all the more grateful for the Brayden family’s hospitality.

  Lady Grayfell placed a hand over hers. “He’s expected back before the end of the week. Lady Milton, one of my dearest friends, is hosting a musicale on Friday evening. He should be able to join us there. It’s only three days away.”

  Three days.

  She could manage that, couldn’t she?

  While her uncle made himself comfortable in Lady Grayfell’s library, Faith kept herself occupied and her mind off Caleb for the next two days by making the round of shops and museums with Lady Grayfell. One or two of the tadpoles always joined them, even at the fashionable modistes, where they tried to appear interested in the fabrics and colors but were obviously bored to distraction.

  By the third day, Faith’s heart was pounding excitedly in expectation. Caleb would return today. She wished it to be true. She prayed for it to be true. It simply had to be true. Lady Milton’s musicale was this evening.