Past Betrayals, Past Loves

by Walters, Janet Lane;

  Duncan watched the pair until they reached the street. The members of the small orchestra filed past. “Thanks,” he called.

  One of the caterers wheeled a cart past. “We put most of the leftovers in the fridge along with a tray of desserts.”

  “Any shrimp?”

  The man nodded. “There are a few and also some crab tarts.”

  Once they left Duncan locked the doors and set the alarms. He stood at the French doors in the ballroom and stared toward the fiver. If Lorna hadn’t interrupted would he have persuaded Astrid to stay? He grinned. Perhaps Lorna would then discover there was no chance with him.

  He recalled Astrid’s reaction to the bracelet. Why had she fainted? She had protested when he’d clasped the jewelry on her wrist but it had been too late to prevent what had happened. Was she all right? He dashed upstairs and changed into slacks and a knit shirt. He needed to make sure of her safety. He grabbed his car keys and went to the garage.

  Chapter Five

  Britain

  The sound of the doorbell startled Astrid. She rubbed her eyes. Was it morning? A glance at the window showed night still darkened the sky. The stack of letters she’d been sorting slid to the floor. The peal sounded again. She rose. Had something happened at Antiquities? If there was a problem with her father, the phone would have roused her. She went to the door and peered through the hole. Duncan? She opened the door. “What are you doing here?”

  “Checking on you. I was worried, especially when I saw the lights were still on.”

  She leaned against the wall. “I’m fine. What time is it?”

  “Nearly two. Can I come in?”

  She frowned. “Why?”

  His smile made her want to melt at his feet. “I had to be sure you were okay. I need to hold you. I want to kiss you.”

  She grinned. “Another seduction ploy?”

  “I could say no but whatever works. You will enjoy.”

  She knew she would become like potter’s clay to be molded by his hands. “I’m all right. You can go home now.”

  He shook his head. “I need to know what happened to you this evening. I’ll behave.”

  “Sure you will.” She couldn’t keep the disbelief out of her voice.

  “You can call the shots.” He pushed the door open. She expected to be swept into his arms and possessed by one of his mind-shattering kissed. Instead he clasped her hands. “You look better than you did when you left. Why are you still awake?”

  She laughed. “Ever consider you and the doorbell might be a factor?”

  “Was I?”

  “Sort of. I sorted through some letters Dad wanted me to read and I drifted off. The bell woke me. Is the Gala over so early?”

  “Ended at midnight. Didn’t you read your ticket? Eight until midnight.”

  “Guess I didn’t notice.”

  “Once the caterers and orchestra left I had to see you and make sure you were all right.” He walked to the recliner. “Come here.”

  “You know where that will lead.”

  “We’ll just talk.”

  “About?”

  “The bracelet. What happened to you? Lorna said the bracelet is hers. If so, how did she get the one that looks like the one my great-great grandfather described in his journal?”

  Astrid frowned. “I don’t know. As I was leaving she warned me to stay away from you.” Thoughts of her strange response to the other woman arose and Astrid wondered what she had meant.

  “She’s not my type.” Duncan sank into the chair.

  “She said you have no choice.” Astrid gathered the scattered letters and dropped them on the coffee table. “How did you become involved with her?”

  “Clive. He said he’s known her forever. There’s something about their relationship that puzzles me. I wonder why he never mentioned her when we were college roomies.”

  “You’ve known him for a long time. I have a feeling he doesn’t like you.” She sat on the arm of the recliner.

  Duncan clasped her arm and pulled her toward him. “Could be but I can’t figure why. You’re not the first person to warn me about him.”

  “Who else?”

  “Paula.”

  He ran his hand along her arm. She tried to ignore the sensations gathering low in her belly. “Will you listen to the warnings?”

  “Women don’t understand guys. He and I are rivals but we’re also friends.” He tugged on her arm. “I want you. So does he. We’re competing for your favor. That’s all.”

  She shook her head. “You’re wrong. He envies you. He’s angry and he might even hate you.”

  He grasped her waist. She slid onto his lap. “Clive thinks you’re his ticket to a partnership in Antiquities.”

  She laughed. “Then he’s a fool.”

  “Agreed. Though he works with your father he doesn’t know him.”

  Astrid started to move away but he pulled her against his chest. His scent and the feel of his muscular body made her sigh. She wanted him. She had desired him before she knew his name. She wished she could remember his role in those dreams from the past.

  He brushed his hand over her hair. “You smell great.”

  “You wanted to talk.”

  “We have. Now I want to make love.” He blew air across her nape.

  She straightened. “Talk, Duncan.”

  He told her about the mystery of Madeline’s disappearance and of his ancestor’s search for her. “He never found a trace of her, her father or her cousin. He mourned. Even after the baby arrived his grief continued. The bracelet was his and so were a number of other items.” He began to name the places his great-great grandfather had visited.

  Astrid’s forehead wrinkled. Some of the pieces in the vault, the ones that had catapulted her into the past, fit the description of the things he named. Should she show them to him now? She pursed her lips. She had to speak to her father first. “Could you show me this journal?”

  “Now?”

  “Tomorrow.” She straightened. “If Lorna says the bracelet is hers and it’s also the one from the collection, how did she gain possession?”

  “Good question. She says she inherited the piece. I plan to hire someone to look into her background.”

  “And Clive’s.”

  “Why?”

  “Maybe he’s been planning this for years. Isn’t it possible he saw the journal years ago? Maybe he read it. He introduced Lorna to you. How and where did they meet?”

  Duncan rolled his eyes. “A lot of maybes. Since you want to know I’ll have my man looking into both of them.” He hugged her. “Lorna and Clive live in the same building.”

  “Maybe the same apartment.”

  He shook his head. “With your imagination you should write fiction. Now, tell me what happened with the bracelet.”

  Astrid sighed. “Something that happened several times when I was a child. This was more intense. I need to talk to Dad and see if there’s a connection. All I can say is during those periods when I lost consciousness I dreamed of the past.”

  “What past.”

  “Of times eons ago.”

  “Next time tell me what you see.”

  “Maybe there won’t be a next time.” She started to rise. “You’re welcome to come with me when I visit Dad.”

  “Wish I could. In the AM, there’s a cleaning crew coming to the house. My afternoon will be spent at the employees’ picnic. I wanted you to come with me.”

  “Another time. Since you have an early start don’t you think you should head home?”

  He grasped her hand. “A proper good night kiss would be welcome.”

  His mouth covered hers. His tongue slid along her lips. With a sigh she succumbed to the heady sensations stirred by the thrust of his tongue.

  She raised her head. “Duncan.”

  “I know. I want you so much I’m always half-aroused.”

  “Doesn’t feel like half to me.” She stepped back. This has happened between us before.”

>   “What do you mean?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  He pulled her into is arms. “Are you sure you want me to leave?” He slid his hands beneath her sleep shirt and explored her thighs and buttocks.

  She slid her arms around his neck. When his tongue swept into her mouth she ran hers over his. One day she and Duncan would explore these passionate responses. Why not now? Her body throbbed with desire. She sucked in a breath. “Tonight.”

  He nodded and then groaned.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “No protection. Do you?”

  She shook her head. “No and I’m not on birth control. That creates a problem. Pregnancy isn’t on my agenda.”

  He rested his forehead against hers. “I’ve nothing against children someday but I don’t want one to be the reason for marriage.”

  She gazed into his eyes. “Makes two of us.’

  * * *

  Her answer evoked another groan. He had to leave before he gave into temptation. Though he wanted to release her, the silk of her skin and the musky aroma of arousal shredded his will power. “There are ways.”

  “Dare we take a chance?”

  “I want to feel my hands on you.”

  She sighed. “When we kiss I want to lose control and feel you deep inside.”

  “Not tonight but let me love you. I promise not to go too far.” She smiled and he wished he could read her thoughts.

  “A kiss or two won’t hurt but let me be the one to cry halt.”

  The desire in her eyes made him throb. “You’ve got the reins.”

  She touched his lips with her fingers. “Come with me.”

  As they walked to the bedroom he kept her pressed against his side. She turned and eased his shirt toward his shoulders. “Did I tell you how great you looked tonight?” She pulled the knit shirt over his head.

  “Guess not.”

  “You did but you’re looking better now.” She skimmed her hands over his chest.

  He sucked in a breath. Fire shot to his groin. She opened the waistband of his shorts. He kicked off his shoes.

  As she tugged the cut-offs over his hips she grinned. “Black silk briefs.” She stroked the cloth.

  Duncan felt a rumble in his chest. Good lord, he purred like a big old tomcat. “Careful, I might burst.”

  “We can’t have that.” She pushed him to the bed. “I do like the way those briefs cover you.”

  Duncan propped himself on the pillows. Astrid pulled her sleep shirt up. The sight of the green thong made him straighten. Slowly she revealed her breasts, just the right size for his hands. His mouth went dry. “If I’d known what was beneath your dress I would have dragged you to my bed.”

  She laughed and approached the foot of the bed. “I might have let you.” She paused to remove his socks and massage his feet. He groaned. “You’re driving me crazy. Come here.”

  She glided along the side of the bed and bent to kiss him. She caressed his chest gliding her hands in sensuous circles. She touched her tongue to his and sucked and thrust. Then she raised her head and inched her hands over his abdomen.

  “Astrid,” he growled.

  “Don’t move. I intend to disarm you.” She knelt between his legs and feathered her hands over his thighs. I now have you where I want you.” She ran a finger around the edge of his briefs. “These are so sexy.” She leaned over and ran her lips over the silk. He reached for her. “Patience.” She looked up and smiled before inching his briefs toward his legs.

  The smoldering heat in her eyes brought guttural sounds from his mouth. “Woman.”

  “That I am.”

  His penis sprang free. She traced the length and cupped his scrotum. When she stroked along the base Duncan thought he would explode.

  She grasped his shaft. His hands fisted. When she brushed her nipples across the head he nearly shot from the bed. She pumped slowly and then with increasing pressure and sped. Duncan grabbed the sheets. His hips thrust and retreated. As he erupted she varied the stimulation. He thought he would never stop. He groaned and shouted her name before collapsing against the covers. “I may never recover.” Waves of exhaustion swept over him. “I owe you one.”

  “You’d better be prepared for I intend to collect.”

  He tried to open his eyes but they felt as though they were weighted by boulders. “Now?”

  She laughed. “We’ll save the next step for a time when you’re prepared. Go to sleep.”

  Duncan obeyed.

  * * *

  Bright sunlight woke Astrid. She rolled on her side to check the clock and met an obstacle. Memories flooded her thoughts. Duncan’s arrival. Love-making. She whispered his name. Before she could climb over his arms circled her. His mouth touched hers. His body responded and her desire kindled. Making love wasn’t on the morning list of musts. She pressed her hands against his chest and freed her mouth. “Duncan. No protection.”

  He groaned. “Reflex.”

  “We’ll test them later.” She glanced at the clock. It’s after seven. When is the cleaning crew due?”

  “Uh, eight. There’s time.”

  She shook her head. “I intend to collect but not this morning.”

  “Got you.” He sat on the edge of the bed and grabbed his clothes. At the bathroom door, he paused. “This evening we’ll watch the fireworks and make some of our own.”

  “Before we jump into bed we’ll need to talk about what I learn from Dad.”

  He grinned. “Over dinner.”

  After he disappeared into the bathroom Astrid pulled on her sleep shirt and padded to the main room. She started coffee and assessed the refrigerator for breakfast items. When Duncan appeared she handed him a steaming mug.

  He inhaled. “Life saver.”

  “Milk and sugar?”

  “I like mine straight and this is great.”

  “Would you like breakfast?”

  “I would but I need to go home, shower and prepare for the day. He drained the mug and set it on the counter. “Meet me at the house around six thirty. If I’m not there, wait.” He kissed her lightly and strode to the door.

  Astrid sank onto one of the stools at the counter. She toasted a bagel and ate. Once she finished she straightened the bedroom, showered and dressed.

  Were there more of the stolen items in the vault? She needed to check and also to remove the ones that had sent her into the past. She wanted to show them to her father and hoped the talk she’d long delayed would provide answers.

  A short time later she entered Antiquities. In case Clive arrived when she was in the vault she took the inventory list she had begun. She paused in front of the rear shelf in the small room, closed her eyes and held out her hands. As though drawn she touched a large box. When she pulled it free she saw a smaller one had fallen behind and was wedged between the shelf and the wall. She extracted the box and carried it to the office.

  When she dusted the top she saw a piece of paper. Words were scribbled and age-faded. Not her father’s writing. “Medallions. Gold. Viking.” The rest of the words were blurred.

  She opened the catch. Gold circles, one large and one small were nested in cloth. She closed the box before the urge to touch one overwhelmed her. Not here. Clive would arrive soon to open the shop. With the box in her hand she returned to the apartment and stretched on her bed. She grasped the smaller of the medallions.

  * * *

  The sun had barely risen above the horizon when Starr slipped from the house. She slid along the hedge enclosing the compound. Her tunic caught on a branch. She pulled free and crept through the opening. With care she ran to the meadow. From several nearby homesteads, smoke rose and she prayed none of the other villagers would see the theng’s daughter make her escape from the daily chores.

  She mounted her pony. A packet of food for her morning meal and a sack for her gleanings were tied to her belt. As the pony trotted toward the forest she bent low to further confuse anyone who might see her.

  Starr lau
ghed. Though a skillful weaver, she preferred to be outdoors, free to explore the forest. Especially when the cloth she’d been ordered to weave was for her marriage clothes. Though no man had been named she feared her father would say Kendel would be her spouse. She didn’t like or trust the man who owed half his blood to the invaders from the sea, the dreaded men who sailed the dragon ships.

  If she’d been a boy she could have spent her days hunting or tending the sheep the way her older brother had. She chewed a kernel of grief. Ralf had been killed during a hunt and only she believed his death had been planned. She clenched her fists. She had no proof of her suspicions and without this, she couldn’t make an accusation.

  When she reached the forest she tied the pony in a small clearing. The brook would provide water and the grass was lush. She checked her traps and found she’d snared several hares to add to the family’s food supplies. She cleaned and skinned them. Then she ate the food she’d brought from home and left her kill in a tree while she explored.

  As she reached the edge of the forest where the land dropped toward the sea, she moved with caution. Several years before her birth a raid by the dragon ships had left the fishing village deserted. She’d heard tales of what had occurred. A number of the people had sought refuge with her father, one being Kendel’s mother. Starr’s father had given the boy a home after his mother had cast herself into the sea.

  Starr dropped to her knees behind a screen of briars and crawled to where the stream plunged over rocks to form a river to the sea. She muffled a gasp with her hand. The dragon ships had returned. Should she hurry home with a warning or watch to see what these men planned?

  She stared at the four houses on the far side of the river. Men built a palisade and covered the roofs. What did it mean? She saw several women, horses, cattle and dogs. Did they plan to settle?

  From the lone house near the falls a woman emerged. A sound startled Starr. She looked down and her eyes widened. A tall man strode from beneath the cascading water. His shoulders and back were broad and rippled with muscles. His buttocks were firm and his legs long.