SeductivePersuasion

by Frances Stockton

  Standing at the window in her chambers, Aisley stared out at the dark rain-drenched night thinking about Sir Knight. Where was he on a night like this?

  How odd it was to worry about an animal more than twice her weight! But here she was, listening for his sawing roar, a rumble or anything which would tell her he was near. She didn’t completely understand it but there was a connection between the leopard and the Earl. Where one was, the other was certain to be near. On a night that promised more force behind the storm outside, it would be comforting to hear Garrick’s gruff voice or Sir Knight’s rumbles before falling asleep. Then she would know they were both safe.

  At the close of that thought, Aisley felt a familiar presence nearing her quarters. Had Garrick returned and chosen to visit her after all?

  Curious to see if she was right, she started toward the door but at the sound of Lady Hunter’s voice. “Might I ask what you’re doing in this wing so late in the night, milord?”

  “I’ve come to make certain Aisley is comfortable,” Garrick said, sounding as if he was just outside her chambers.

  Aisley’s heart began to beat a little faster. He’d come to her. Now that he had, did she want to forgive him for his arrogance earlier?

  “She’s fine. I’m certain she’s asleep by now,” Lady Hunter said.

  Aisley wondered if Garrick could sense that she was awake.

  “It would be best if you wait until morn to see her. She’s had a long day. After visiting Angelica and her nurse, Aisley barely had the chance to study the servants at length. We will begin anew on the morrow.”

  “You are gracious to accompany her in such an important task,” Garrick said.

  Aisley couldn’t ignore the note of respect he’d shown Lady Hunter. Sir Lucien’s wife presented herself as having higher status than the Earl of Danford. As far as Aisley knew, an earl was the highest title for English nobility. Anything higher would be royalty.

  Lost in her musings, Aisley missed part of their conversation. Lady Hunter had grown angry with Garrick. “How could you keep the truth about us from her, Garrick? She knows nothing of what you are, yet you expect her to obey your decisions without argument.”

  “I’ll not be admonished in my own house, Catarina.” Garrick rebuked. “Aisley was not born Abcynian. I must persuade her to trust me as a man before she can accept what I am. More so, what she will become as my mate.”

  “Forcing your betrothal and leaving shortly after was an unwise way to begin.”

  “You know I could not ignore a threat to Aisley or this manor. Lucien would have done the same if Zotikos threatened you.”

  “Aye, he would. That doesn’t matter now, I suppose. What does matter is propriety. I’ll not permit you access to Aisley’s room, Garrick…” Lady Hunter’s speech was drowned out by a low roar that seemed to be emanating within Aisley’s head. She looked about and saw nothing, but secretly hoped Sir Knight was nearby. Mayhap he was near enough that she could hear him through the rain and stone walls.

  I know you’re listening, little one. Permit me to enter, Garrick whispered in her mind, his familiar voice calming the leopard’s odd sound.

  Deciding to answer the only way she could, Aisley gave him her thoughts. I think not, milord. Go and spend time with your guests. You have a tendency to address them before thinking of me. I’m certain they would enjoy your company.

  Ah, you are wrong. I think of you often. Come, bid me to enter.

  She’d been angry with him most of the evening and she’d begun to forgive him the moment she heard his voice and knew he was safe. She shouldn’t respond to him so easily. He’d forced her hand in their betrothal and ignored her during their journey. Nay, she wouldn’t give into his request. Mayhap if she let him think she was still angry he’d seek to win her favor.

  Nay, I’ll not grant you entrance to my room. Lady Hunter is right. I need to rest.

  I’m certain it seems as though I’ve been remiss in my dealings with you, Aisley. Be assured my intentions have been honorable. Until I see you next, sleep well, my lady. Again, Garrick emphasized the words my lady, establishing his claim and producing an unbidden tightening deep in her womb.

  “You should return to your quarters, Garrick,” Lady Hunter advised.

  He murmured something in response and silence ensued. Aisley returned to her vigil by the window. The sawing roar had ceased. Mayhap she had only imagined hearing Sir Knight.

  She wasn’t surprised when Lady Hunter opened the door. “I’d meant to see if Lord Danford and I had awakened you. It’s obvious you haven’t been sleeping. Where is Elethea? She should be here to assist you. If she has been remiss, I shall correct her.”

  “Nay, she’s done nothing wrong,” Aisley said. “I did not need help preparing for bed.”

  Lady Hunter strolled further into the room and closed the door. “I understand your unease with servants. You will—”

  “Forgive my disrespect, milady, but you do not. Other than my mother, no one has changed my clothes, bathed me or put me to bed.”

  “My, you’re not afraid to speak your mind. Garrick will surely be on his guard where you’re concerned.” Lady Hunter moved quietly across the floor. She was lovely in form and stature, yet for all her loveliness, she was very secretive and distant. It was part of the reason Aisley did not feel comfortable in her guardian’s presence.

  “Pray tell me I have not offended you by speaking so, Lady Hunter?” Aisley insisted.

  “I’d prefer you to remain honest. Why don’t you close the shutters and get ready for bed? I am willing to help you, if you so choose.”

  “Nay, you needn’t bother,” Aisley said even as she faced the window in search of Sir Knight’s familiar roar. “I’m not sure I can sleep without hearing from him this eve.”

  “Him…” Lady Hunter marched closer, her feet uncharacteristically pounding the stone floor. “There isn’t a man waiting for you somewhere in the night, is there? Garrick would kill him if there was.”

  Surprised, Aisley turned back to Lady Hunter. “There’s no one. Mayhap I’ve given you reason to distrust me by leaving, but I would not betray him in such a manner.”

  “Why did you flee?”

  “Dare I admit to being afraid?” Aisley asked. “Less than a fortnight ago I knew only the Earl of Danford’s name and that he was feared by his household servants. My father knew him well enough to tell the villagers that their lord was a good man. I had little else to go by. Now I’m betrothed to Garrick. How might you feel given the same situation?” Afraid she’d spoken too boldly, Aisley lowered her eyes to the floor.

  “The same,” Lady Hunter replied. “Who were you thinking of when you said you weren’t sure if you could sleep without hearing from him?”

  Reminded of Sir Knight, Aisley lifted her chin. “Sir Knight, Garrick’s leopard.”

  “You know of him, then. I can assure you, the leopard would never harm you or anyone in Danford”

  “Your son has told me this often. I’m inclined to agree. After Sir Knight pulled me out of a stream, it is difficult for me to view him as something ferocious,” Aisley commented.

  “He pulled you out of a stream?” Intrigued, Lady Hunter’s voice softened. “Why, had you fallen?”

  “Nay, I was bathing. I saw the leopard perched high in a tree and I’d almost thought he understood what I was doing. When he came into the water, he was angry. I was terribly afraid. Amazingly, he never once threatened to harm me. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me out of the water, nothing more.”

  “Why was he angry with you?”

  “I was naked,” Aisley confessed.

  Lady Hunter looked ready to scold her even as she buried a chuckle. “You’ll be wise to avoid doing such a thing again,” she cautioned.

  “Lord Danford rebuked me for it when he visited last eve,” Aisley said. “Somehow he’d known what I’d done. How is that possible?”

  “That is for him to say. The leopard and Garrick, they are…” Catarina s
talled, looking as though she wasn’t sure how much to say.

  “Connected?” Aisley suggested. “I’m aware that Garrick has abilities that might frighten or alarm many in England. I suppose if he can speak in my mind, he can talk to a leopard. That was one of the reasons I’d left. Sedgewick Haywood accused me of being a witch and the villagers heard him. I feared my work as a healer might be misconstrued and adversely affect Lord Danford if anyone were to discover his talents.”

  “Your concern for Garrick reveals that your heart was in the right place,” Lady Hunter said.

  “Mayhap, but I am responsible for the actions that now have me confined to the manor. Had I been braver, Garrick would have known being a healer was important to me.”

  “Aisley, you’ll practice healing again. Garrick has confined you to the manor to protect you, not to punish. He is a difficult man, but not a cruel one. It is my understanding that he plans to send Jerold to the villagers. You should spend time with the physician and show him how to earn the villagers’ trust. You may also remember it is not uncommon for the lady of a household to be responsible for the health and wellbeing of any and all who reside in her domain. I will teach you how to be the Countess of Danford, to speak better than you already do and apply the lessons your father began long ago. Tell me, can you read and write?”

  Aisley wondered how much she should admit to. “I can read the healing remedies my father had written down. I cannot write, milady.”

  “Then I shall teach you. A learned woman is unusual, granted, however you are fortunate in that Abcynian men like Garrick prefer their women to be educated. Your father had the right of it when he started teaching you.”

  “I would like to learn from you, milady. Just know that I’ll not give up healing.” It was sad to think she couldn’t heal again. Then again, Lady Hunter might be right in reminding her of the work possible here in the manor house. “When the time is right, I will ask Garrick to let me continue my work. Here, my first priority will be overseeing Angelica’s care.”

  “I think that is a wise choice, Aisley.”

  “You are gracious to say so, milady,” Aisley said. “Yet I do wish I could hear Sir Knight before falling asleep. His sawing roar has become comforting.”

  “The storm has likely caused the leopard to remain quiet.” Lady Hunter placed herself beside Aisley at the window. Strangely, she lifted her face toward the sky, as if she were searching for something. The storm was still howling outside and Aisley could see nothing beyond her window other than rain and darkness. “Again, I think he’s quiet, but one cannot be certain what Garrick might do on a night like this.”

  “You mean Sir Knight,” Aisley said.

  “Sometimes they seem very much alike,” Lady Hunter commented. “Mayhap I should leave you? It is late. I urge you to get some much needed rest. The morrow will prove long.”

  “Aye, I am growing tired.” Knowing it was best to get some rest, Aisley smiled at her guardian. “You are gracious for spending time with me this eve, milady. I am thankful.”

  “Mayhap you will feel more at ease with me now?” Lady Hunter replied as she walked toward the door. “I realize much has changed for you, Aisley. Please know that neither I nor my husband would harm you. Unlike his previous wives, you are Garrick’s mate. We shall treat you with respect.” Aisley didn’t think it was wise to question Sir Lucien’s wife and stayed silent. “Do I need to warn you that speaking of the leopard to anyone other than my family or Garrick would be unwise? The garrison is aware of the leopard. They think it is better than a wolfhound, but only Garrick can attend to it.”

  “I will hold my tongue.”

  “That is good to know. If you should have need of me, my quarters are at the opposite end of the hall. I bid you a restful night, milady.” With that, Lady Hunter was gone.

  Aisley reached up for the shutters and started to close them. Halting when she thought she’d heard something distinctly like a roar, she stared into the night. It wasn’t Sir Knight’s sawing rumble that reached through the storm. The roar was louder and so near it could have come from within the manor house itself.

  Thinking she must have heard thunder in the distance, Aisley stood still and listened. She heard nothing but wind and rain. Determined to get some sleep, she closed the shutters and headed across the room.

  It didn’t take long for Aisley to undress down to her chemise. Once she was more comfortable, she snuffed out the candles hanging in sconces along the wall. Leaving one burning, she carried it to bed.

  As she parted the curtains and climbed onto the mattress, the storm outside quieted. Relaxing, she blew out the candle and scrabbled to place it on a table nearby. She didn’t bother to close the curtains again. Instead she tucked the satin coverlet up to her chin.

  The moment she closed her eyes, she recalled what it had been like to lie beneath Garrick after she’d tumbled to the forest floor earlier that day. As if he was there right then, she could almost feel his heavy body on top of hers, pressing her knees apart as his manhood fit snuggly against her backside. She’d felt his hardened manhood, had been stirred and intrigued by the melting within her womb that seemed to prepare her body for his taking. Then he allowed her to face him and leaned down to kiss her. Even now she could feel the press of his warm mouth, the way his lips moved over hers and his tongue delved between her teeth. If he hadn’t likened her to prey, she wasn’t certain what she might have allowed him to do.

  Breathing deep, Aisley forced Garrick from her mind when a sharp, unexpected pain shot down her spine, causing her to arch in a vain attempt to alleviate the discomfort. Uncertain what would cause such discomfort, she eased back to the bed as the pain fled, leaving behind a throbbing ache. Troubled, Aisley wondered why her body felt sore, as if she’d strained her muscles.

  Thinking of the long day, Aisley pulled the soft cover up to her chin. With a sigh, she closed her eyes and rolled onto her side, hugging a pillow against her breasts. The ache in her muscles eased, allowing her to fall asleep.

  Sometime later, cool air stirred Aisley from a pleasant dream. She rubbed her cheek and felt the chilled flesh. The scent of rain and wind washed over her, causing her to open her eyes and look about the room.

  Uncertain how long she’d slept, she waited for her sight to adjust to the darkness and spotted the opened shutters at the window. “Strange, I closed them,” she whispered, frowning. Though it was still raining, the storm had lessened. It wasn’t likely that the wind had pushed them opened.

  Reaching out to inspect her surroundings, she touched something soft, damp and cold. “Ah!” Jerking upright, Aisley found herself looking at Sir Knight. His white teeth flashed in the darkness, making it seem as though he was smiling. “Dear goodness, how did you…how did you get in here?”

  The leopard rumbled, nudging her to lie back down and tugging the coverlet back to her shoulders. Sleep, Aisley, Sir Knight will watch over you until morn. Garrick’s voice stirred within her mind, tempting her to speak to him and invite him into her chamber.

  Truly tired, she closed her eyes and listened as Sir Knight settled on the floor beside the bed. At peace with the leopard’s presence, she snuggled into the covers.

  When light spilled through the open window, she scarcely realized how peacefully she’d slept. Searching for Sir Knight, she pouted upon finding herself alone. He must have been a dream.

  Chapter Eleven

  Using the abilities of a panthera Abcynian, Garrick came upon Aisley’s quarters silently. From the doorway, he spied a maid brushing his betrothed’s long, flowing red hair. Soon he would return to the duties required of him as the Earl of Danford. For now he would indulge in the pleasure of watching his mate prepare herself for the day.

  Sunlight from the window he’d used to climb into her room during the night flooded the room, landing upon Aisley and revealing that she was lovelier than he’d previously thought.

  “What should we do with your hair, milady?” the maid asked.


  “Normally I wear it plaited down the center and a commoner’s cap.” Aisley had shifted about to address the maid and Garrick sensed she wasn’t comfortable being attended to by a servant. “Mayhap you could advise how ladies are expected to wear their hair?”

  “Some are known to wear headdresses. Other women shave or pluck their hair to compliment the headdress.”

  Garrick saw Aisley shake her head before she objected. “Nay, I do not wish that. Must I wear a headdress?”

  “I believe you would be more comfortable going about your day without a head-covering,” Garrick interrupted. Both women whipped about. Aisley’s eyes widened when she saw him. The maid stepped back and kept her head down. “Lady Hunter will instruct you on when it is most appropriate to wear a veil or headdress should a guest or someone of consequence come to visit Danford. For now I permit you to wear your hair as it pleases you when you are inside the manor. But never shall you be allowed to shave or pluck your hair. I forbid it.”

  “Lord Danford, you startled us,” Aisley said. She looked as if she wanted to challenge his decision, but wisely refrained. “I did not expect to see you this morn. Is something wrong?”

  He smiled, hoping to calm her. “You needn’t think so. I came to visit with you this morn.”

  Aisley lifted her chin as he moved closer. She tried to hold his gaze, then relented and looked to the maid. “If Lord Danford approves, leaving it long and unbraided should be adequate for the day’s activities.”

  Garrick nodded his approval. Intrigued with his future countess’s compliance, he whispered, “That’ll do,” gaining a grin from Aisley’s sweet lips as the maid began to work.

  He’d not realized how the arrangement of a woman’s hair could reflect or hide her beauty. Aye, when they first met, he’d noticed that Aisley’s clothing had understated her attractiveness.

  With her long hair brushed off her shoulders and falling to the small of her back, the curve of her chin was revealed. The shape of her full mouth was more apparent, causing his gaze to linger on the plumpness of her lower lip. He wanted to suck on her lip, to lave it with his tongue and feel her soft mouth pleasure him in ways she’d never imagined possible. The array of light brown freckles on her face were softened by her morning flush and her green gown showed the slight swell of her hips and the round fullness of her breasts.