by Ingis, Gail
He grinned and winked. “If you don’t mind riding in a prison carriage, I can get you there.”
“All right, let’s go.”
Guests stared at the filthy, bedraggled trio as they disembarked from the police carriage and walked into the hotel foyer.
Hank’s eyes widened. “God’s truth, Leila, what the hell have you been up to?”
Rork released her waist. “We got caught up in the riot. Leila was fearless. She assisted in evacuating orphans from a burning building.”
“Everyone assisted,” she said, beyond exhausted and in no mood for a battle of words.
“Lord, Le-le, you’re a mess.”
Leila’s head snapped around at the familiar voice. She balked at the useless nickname. Gritting her teeth, she shuddered and struggled to plaster a smile on her face. “Sissy, what are you doing here?” She was the last person Leila wanted to see.
Sissy’s eyes glittered with malice. She leaned against Hank. “I didn’t realize it was a private hotel.”
Leila chewed her bottom lip. “I thought you’d gone on to visit your cousin.”
Sissy smirked. “I changed my mind. Has that upset you, honey?” She burst out laughing.
The high-pitched braying grated on Leila’s shattered nerves. “I couldn’t care less what you decide.”
Sissy gazed up at Hank. “When I heard about the excursion west I simply couldn’t resist Hank’s sweet offer to join. It will be such fun.”
Hank blinked. “I also thought you were stopping in St. Louis to visit your cousin.”
Sissy tapped his chin playfully with her fan. “It will be more fun going west.”
Dear God, will I have to endure this woman the whole way west? Leila scowled at Hank, then Sissy. “I didn’t think a trip out west was your idea of fun. I doubt there will be any of the luxuries you enjoy.”
“Oh, tish, it’s an opportunity for adventure.” The words came out as if there were too many teeth crammed in her small mouth. She tossed her fiery red curls and pulled a lock over her shoulder, enhancing her seductive pose.
Leila clasped her hands together, fighting the temptation to slap the smile from Sissy’s face. Rork’s gentle nudge drew her from the brink of a violent action.
“I am equally surprised to see you embarking on this trip, Leila.” Sissy leaned her head on Hank’s shoulder. “You’re also a creature of comfort.” Her eyes swept a filthy and disheveled Leila from head to toe. “Until now, I suppose.” She brushed an imaginary speck from her green muslin dress. “Can’t imagine why you would embroil yourself in a mission to rescue a bunch of wretched orphans. Colored ones, I suppose.”
“Yes,” Leila ground out.
“Lord above, gal, why bother?”
Cornelia gasped.
Leila clenched her teeth. She couldn’t stomach Sissy much longer. “You never were particularly sympathetic to the plight of those less fortunate.”
“No, but nor were you—or so I thought,” Sissy sneered.
Leila’s back stiffened. “You don’t really know me. And I don’t care to continue this conversation.”
Hank sliced the air with one hand. “Enough, both of you.” He glared at Leila. “I can’t abide catfights. I suggest you take yourself off to bathe and change.”
A chill slid over Leila. She swallowed, almost choking. Hank had invited Sissy, whereas she, his wife, had to beg to join him. Can our marriage be salvaged?
Rork took her elbow. “Come, I’ll escort you to your suite.” He stopped. “What number are you in, Hank?”
“Suite twenty-three. I booked you and Miss Hancock into suites flanking ours.”
“I’ll show you to yours, Mr. Millburn.” Sissy caroled, malice dripping from her lips as she slanted her eyes at Leila.
“Thank you, Miss Lanweihr. I can find my own suite,” Rork said coldly. He steered Leila and Cornelia from the foyer.
Cornelia glanced at Leila. “Lord, I don’t know how you keep your composure around that creature.”
“With a great deal of difficulty,” Leila said between clenched teeth.
Rork squeezed her arm against his side. “You were the perfect lady in the face of that strumpet’s venom.”
“You don’t have to put up with Hank’s flagrant affairs, Leila,” Cornelia hissed. “Those two are made for each other.”
Leila held up a grubby hand. “Please don’t go there again, my dear friend.”
“Here is your suite, Leila.” Rork opened the door.
“Thank you, Mr. Millburn.”
His smile lit his whole face. “Are we back to formalities?”
She nodded and escaped into her suite and closed the door. Pressing her back to it, she released a long breath. Tears fell. Leila brushed at them irritably. “I’m just overwrought. And that Sissy pushed me over the edge—to hell with her.”
Rork leaned against a column, his thoughts centered on Leila. His heart jolted when he saw her.
She stood at the entrance to the sitting room, tugging at long cream gloves and smoothing her cream lace gown that fell over the hoop petticoat in layers.
His eyes drifted to the low, neckline of her dress and her bare shoulders, and his pulse rate soared. The overblown Sissy sailed into view. That bitch is doubtless spoiling for another fight.
“Le-Le,” she sang. “You look, ah, virginal, to say the least.” She arched her eyebrows. “Where is your beau?”
Leila paled. “My what?”
Sissy flapped her fan. “Oh, my dear, no need to be coy. You’re obviously quite besotted with him.”
Rork pushed away from the column. It was time to intervene. He walked to Leila and bowed. “Good evening, Mrs. Dempsey. Just the lady I was looking for. I must say, you look lovely.” He pointedly ignored Leila’s tormentor.
Sissy tapped his arm with her fan and fluttered her lashes. “My, Mr. Millburn, you do look handsome and dashing in your dress suit.” Her eyes swept him hungrily.
“Miss Lanweihr,” Rork said. “I didn’t notice you. Will you excuse us? Hank gave me a message for his wife. I am afraid it’s of a private nature.”
Sissy sniffed and lifted her chin, all but stamping her foot. “Certainly, Mr. Millburn.” She glared at Leila and walked off.
Rork chuckled.
“What’s so funny?”
“Seeing that woman’s ego crushed.”
Leila giggled. “Yes, it was rather satisfying.”
He held Leila’s gaze. “Why do you put up with Hank’s philandering and that woman’s insufferable insults?”
Her eyes skittered. She drew herself up to her full height. “Enough.”
Rork moved closer. Heat radiated from her body, stirring desire in him. She turned her head aside, cheeks glowing. He longed to run his fingers down her neck to her bare shoulders. He fought desire for her as his eyes caressed the soft swell of her bosom. “I would cherish you,” he whispered.
“Please don’t.”
He smiled. “Very well, but I can’t help my growing feelings for you.” She lifted her eyes, and he was lost in the deep blue depths framed by thick black lashes. “You are so beautiful. I want so much to replace that tragic look with laughter.”
She turned to go.
He put a hand on her shoulder. Her smooth skin under his hand was almost his undoing. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her until she was breathless with desire. “Please don’t go. I promise to behave.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
He offered his arm. “Shall we join the others in the sitting room?”
“I suppose.” She slipped a small gloved hand into the crook of his arm.
“Why does she call you Le-Le?”
“I hate it when she calls me that.”
&n
bsp; “It’s not the most flattering nickname. But I’m curious, why does she call you that?”
“I suppose because she knows I hate it.” Leila shrugged. “She’s called me that since we were at school. She was a prig then. Nothing has changed.”
Rork cocked an eyebrow. “And that causes what Hank called a catfight?”
Leila’s mouth quirked into a smile. “It might well have, if she’d carried on. Sissy and I never got along. Even when we were children, I couldn’t stand her. And the feeling is mutual.”
“I didn’t realize you’ve known each other from childhood. Why tolerate her flirting with Hank?” Pain flittered across her face, and he instantly regretted asking.
“Sissy flirts with every man. Even at school she enjoyed the challenge of stealing beaus from other girls.” She laughed bitterly. “I don’t know if she would stoop to stealing husbands.”
His mouth tightened. Is Leila really that naïve and unaware that Hank’s association with Sissy has gone beyond a mere flirtation? “So she’s always been a coquette?”
“Cornelia will tell you how appalling Sissy is. She has always been a spoiled narcissistic brat.” Leila smoothed invisible creases from her skirt and glanced up. “Please don’t look at me like that. I don’t need your pity.”
“Clearly Sissy hasn’t changed one whit since her youth.” He scowled. “I don’t understand why anyone tolerates her—including Hank. The woman has fewer brains than a peahen.”
Leila blushed. “There are many reasons men tolerate Sissy Lanweihr.”
He laughed. “I’ll wager it has nothing to do with intelligence or personality and everything to do with her overblown assets and loose morals.”
Leila shrugged. “Men can’t seem to resist her, ah, charms.”
Rork snorted. “That’s certainly one way to put it.”
Leila’s blush deepened, and she cleared her throat. “Was my husband really looking for me?”
“Would it make you happy if he were?”
“Of course it would, but please stop taunting me, Mr. Millburn.” She stared at the floor.
“I’m not taunting you. I just want to know how you really feel. It must be difficult to endure your husband’s rudeness and his mistress’ mockery.”
Her eyes flew up, and she stared at him, her mouth trembling. “M-mistress?”
Rork bit the inside of his cheek. Damn, have I gone too far? But he wasn’t going to back down. She deserves better than that jerk. “I’m sorry to be so blunt, but surely even you can see what’s going on.” He stopped and took her shoulders. “Why, Leila? Why put up with this? Perhaps you don’t want to face reality.”
She shook her head. “No, what you say isn’t true. I went into my marriage thinking it would be forever. Was there a message from Hank?”
“No. You just looked like you were in distress and needed help.”
Leila fiddled with the pearls around her neck. “Was my discomfort that obvious?”
“Perhaps only to me. I can’t blame you. I’d be uncomfortable if I had to listen to Sissy’s spiteful comments.”
“Well, thank you.” Leila giggled. “I hate to admit it, but I was in the cusp of losing my temper, which is the worst thing that could happen where Sissy is concerned. She’s like a wild animal when she smells weakness.” Leila smiled. “So, why do you dislike Sissy?”
Rork shrugged. “She reminds me of a vulture, and I abhor flirts.”
Laughter bubbled from Leila’s lips. “‘Vulture’ describes her exactly.”
He grinned and touched her cheek. “At least I made you smile.” His heart tripped as she swayed toward him.
“Yes, you did,” she whispered, as their eyes locked.
Chapter 12
Alcohol and fatigue were a poor combination. Rork’s head reeled as he made his way through the deserted dining room. Sleep. He needed sleep. Hank had spent most of the night droning on about their trip west. Rork could have left earlier, but Sissy clung to Hank like a limpet. The woman had the same constitution as Hank. Anger rose from deep inside him. Did I really think I could stop Hank from cheating on Leila? All I really want to do is protect her. Why the hell am I stopping him? I should be encouraging him.
Rork staggered against a wall. He needed time to think. The quiet was booming in his ears. He punched the wall hard enough to make his knuckles bleed.
Sissy is a real piece of work. She made it quite clear that I only had to sniff in her direction and she’d open her legs for me, too. Damn, those two are poor excuses for human beings.
A door creaked. He squinted in the dim light afforded by lanterns on the passage wall. The silhouette of a woman appeared. A fragrant waft of lavender and vanilla swirled into his senses. The aroma filled every crevice of his being. Rork didn’t need more light. He’d recognize Leila’s scent anywhere. Stopping, he waited for her approach. Why is she out and about? No doubt searching for her carousing husband. He couldn’t let her find Hank with Sissy. Rork reasoned it was one thing knowing your spouse was unfaithful but quite a different matter catching him with his pants down. He had to stop her.
“Leila.”
She drew a sharp breath. “Good heavens, Mr. Millburn, you startled me.” She sidestepped him.
Rork moved in front of her. “What are you doing here? You really shouldn’t be wandering about at this time of night.”
Leila took another step sideways, and again Rork blocked her. “Really, Mr. Millburn, I don’t know what your problem is,” she said, her temper surfacing. “But since you’re here, have you seen my husband?”
“Perhaps you should go back to your suite and wait for him. Let me accompany you. A lady shouldn’t be by herself this time of night.”
“I want to find Hank.” Leila tried to squeeze past him.
“I insist, Leila. It would not be very gentlemanly of me to allow you to roam about by yourself.”
“Allow me?” Leila’s voice raised an octave. “Thank you for your concern, but it isn’t necessary. I’m sure the hotel is quite secure.”
“People will talk if they see you.”
“What others say about me is irrelevant.” A smile tweaked her full lips. “Besides, wouldn’t that raise questions as to why we were out and about?”
He gripped her elbow as she tried again to pass him. He groaned inwardly as desire burgeoned.
Leila’s eyes flared with passion. For an instant, she leaned into him, her body making solid contact.
Her scent consumed him. He bent until her face was inches from his. What would she taste like? The question flooded his mind for the thousandth time since he’d met her.
Leila took a step back and stared at him for several moments as if weighing her options. “Fine, if you insist, escort me back to my suite.”
Taking her elbow, he guided her back to her door. He opened it, and Leila gave a brief nod, stepping inside. The door closed with a rebellious click. Rork smiled and leaned against the opposite wall. She’d given up too readily. Within moments, the door opened again.
“Why are you still here?” Leila planted her hands on her hips. A flush crept up her slender throat, turning her skin the color of a sunset before a storm.
“Making sure you don’t wander about alone again.” He didn’t bother to suppress a grin.
“Are you my guardian now?” Her voice rose. “You have no right to order me about. If I want to be out at this time of night, it’s none of your business.”
“Hush.” Rork slid his hands around her waist and pulled her body against his. He dipped his head and took her mouth hungrily. Her body went rigid, and her lips sealed shut. He gently ran his tongue over her lips. They parted, letting him in. Her body sank into his. A groan resonated in Rork’s throat. Leila’s hands crept up, flattening against his chest. His hands fisted
in her loose hair, gently pulling her head back, giving him greater access.
Abruptly, she pushed him away. “What are you doing?”
“This is what we both want, Leila,” Rork whispered in a hoarse voice as he pulled her back.
“No, Rork. We can’t do this.”
Rork. She called him by his first name. It sounded so sweet. He longed to hear her say it again. “You cannot deny what’s between us. It’s been there since I rescued you from that brook.”
“Oh, Rork.” The words purred from her lips.
His heart swelled, and his breath caught in his throat. He pushed her back into her suite, not caring about anything except the woman in his arms. Kicking the door shut, he turned, pressing her against it. “God, I want you so.” He crushed her to him and sought her lips again.
Leila jerked her head aside and delivered a stinging slap to his cheek. “I’m married, Mr. Millburn. Take your hands off me.”
“Leila, please.”
“Go.”
His elation vanished. “If this is what you want Leila . . .” He released her.
She backed away until a chaise longue stopped her. She scooted around it, creating a shield between them. “Leave now, Mr. Millburn.”
Rork studied her. Those lips, still swollen from his kiss, and chest, heaving with agitation, stirred something new in his heart. Disappointment curdled in the pit of his stomach, crawling upward through his body. How could I have been so stupid to think she would want me?
Turning on his heel, he headed for the door. If she wanted him to leave, he’d leave. Don’t go—don’t leave her! an inner voice screamed. He stopped, arms slack at his side. “Don’t deny yourself, Leila. He isn’t worth it. And he doesn’t deny himself. He indulges in every licentious whim.”