She had every right to wound him. She’d been thrown into a lifestyle she’d only seen from the outside. Cathlene was a lady gently reared. Her pride wouldn’t allow her to return to her family. She would be a shunned woman, her hopes of finding a suitable match destroyed. No man would want used goods. Shame bit through him knowing that he was the cause. She was right. He wasn’t fit for her.
“I didn’t steal from you. You were all I wanted.”
“Bloody liar. You played me for the fool from the start, and I let you.”
“I swear to you, there was no game. I’m pleased to have finally found you. Might we put all of this behind us?”
“It is I who found you,” she commented. “Don’t think seeing me again shall make me fall relieved at your feet. You’re two years too late.”
“You are my responsibility,” he said returning her gaze. “I must do right by you.”
“You’re dead to me. You owe me nothing. Responsibility be damned.”
“You stole from me. You must pay for your crime.”
Her eyes flashed. “Aye, I did. I simply got caught. No worse than you robbing me. I can take comfort, though, that you couldn’t barter what you took from me.”
“I’m sorry for what you lost, but I’m not the one responsible. I thought you dead. I searched for you without success.”
“Well as you can see, I’m not dead. You appear to be doing just fine without me. Seems you’ve forgotten your place,” she said, infusing a haughtiness to her voice, a tactic she’d used to try to take him down a peg.
“Our places have changed. You have no power here. You’ve been caught, darlin’.”
He moved slowly closer to her. She was like a trapped, frightened animal ready to snap and bite, this woman who was now a stranger to him. Her plain dress hung on her emaciated frame. Her hands were chapped, their nails cracked and broken, not the soft hands of a lady.
Her dirty oval face still shone with beauty, but the eyes that had sparkled with laughter now seemed dull and lifeless, in spite of her fury. This was not the sweet, innocent young woman he’d married.
“I’m not your darlin’.” She pulled a dagger from her sleeve. “Don’t come any closer.”
Anger snaked through him. Was that all the protection she had to ward off any unsavory men? With its dull, cracked blade, it was the most pathetic, measly excuse for a dagger. And the thought of his defenseless Cathlene wielding that weapon only served to increase his rage.
“I won’t let you leave.”
With a steady hand, she extended the blade in his direction. “Aye, you will. Let me pass. Or I’ll slit your throat,” she said as calm as you please, just as though she were telling him she’d take a spot of tea.
The laugh started low in Aaron’s gut. To see his petite and spirited Cathlene threatening to split his gullet was an interesting sight indeed.
She stepped closer, the tips of her grimy shoes touching his toes. She brandished her dagger before his face. “Do you doubt me?” She stabbed the blade against his chest. He barely felt the prick through the tear in his shirt. “I’ve had to kill before. Don’t think I won’t maim you.” She widened the rip.
Aaron shut his mouth. He schooled his features into the semblance of seriousness. He, too, knew what lies one would fabricate to assure their survival. Though ferocious, Cathlene had no more killed a man than Satan had cooled the fires of Hades. “I’m sorry, my love. I know you’ll kill me if I do not cooperate.”
“Then get that smirk off your face. You aren’t the only one who’s learned how to fight.”
Sadness passed through him. These past two years hadn’t been kind to her. They hadn’t been the easiest for him either. This new way of life hadn’t just been dropped in his lap. He’d had to work bloody hard to earn and keep what was now his.
Aaron had the element of surprise as Cathlene lifted herself up onto the tops of his boots. Her soft curves pressing against him shot arousal straight to his cock. He towered over her, and even with the extra height she had gained by standing so close, she couldn’t reach his face. “I don’t wish to fight you.”
“Then let. Me. Go.”
He wrapped his arms around her back and lifted her into his arms. Cathlene squealed as she fought him. The dagger clattered uselessly to the marble entryway as she clung for purchase against his shoulders. “I said I don’t want to fight. That weapon there,” he gave the dagger a cursory glance, “that could no more kill a rat than a man. But well done, my love. I applaud you for your convincing charade.”
“You bastard.”
“Aye, my little thief.”
Cathlene struck out, swiping her jagged nails down his face. He swore viciously as she left stinging scratches under his eyes. Aaron held her with one arm and easily subdued her flailing hands.
“I’ll send for the police and you’ll be taken to jail. Think for a moment before you react.”
She ceased her struggles. Holding her so close reminded him of the last time he’d had her in his arms. She hadn’t fought him as he’d carried her into the Captain’s quarters on the night of their wedding at sea.
She’d looped her arms around his neck and lifted her tempting mouth to his, kissing him with all the passion in her heart, provoking his arousal as it always had when she teased him. He’d slid his hand up her dress and caressed her thigh, unfastening her lace garter. He’d moved his hand closer to the damp curls at the apex of her thighs. She’d quivered against him as he’d parted her hot folds and manipulated her pliant flesh.
“You would send me to jail?”
Chapter Two
Cathlene’s words did away with his memories and doused his burgeoning desire.
Aaron carried her to the library where Mrs. Billings had left his tea tray. “Indeed I would. You walked into my home, broke into my safe and stole my valuables. I have Hobbs who will attest that you attempted escape. You are a thief. Who do you think they shall believe? You…or me?”
She wiggled in his arms. He could feel her bones through her thin clothing. “Set me down.” She glowered up at him, their lips a breath apart. He averted his gaze from her tempting mouth to the wall behind the door.
Aaron kicked the door closed and turned the key. “I’m afraid not. I’m never letting you go again.”
“You’ve locked us in this chamber. I have nowhere to run.”
He deposited her onto a settee and took a seat beside her. “Even so, I won’t let you out of my sight. You’ve proven yourself most adept at deception. If you want your freedom returned, you’ll need to prove to me I can trust you not to run away.”
“How can I believe that you won’t bring the police to take me away? How do I know you aren’t lying to me?”
Aaron regarded her steadily. “If you don’t try to run away, or steal anything more, I’ll consider letting you go. But if you do…then I’ll have no choice but to report your crimes. The police commissioner and I are close acquaintances. It will take no effort on my part to summon him personally.”
There wasn’t a chance in hell that he would let her go out into the city to defend herself again. But he knew Cathlene didn’t trust him. He knew too, that if she had his assurance that he would not report her misdeeds, she might not fight so hard against remaining with him.
“You wouldn’t turn your own wife over to suffer captivity. They wouldn’t take me when they learned of our marriage. Indeed, they’d laugh at the rich man who can’t even control his wife.”
Cathlene couldn’t have any doubt of his power over her. She’d only regain her freedom when he chose. “Believe me when I say this, my love. I have enough money to buy whatever and whomever I choose. I don't know what to do with my dear, mad wife. I’ve done all I can to keep her satisfied, but still she goes mad. They’ll take you and lock you away in an asylum.” With the threat of captivity, she’d sheath her claws post haste, and put to rest all thoughts of running away, Aaron thought with a liberal dose of smugness.
Cathlene’s bl
ood ran cold. He dared speak of trust when he was the last person on Earth she’d trust with her life. But it was either be sent to jail, an asylum or remain here with him.
And in this moment, she’d rather one of the first two options than the third. She’d eventually obtain her freedom. If she stayed with Aaron, regaining her independence wasn’t a guarantee; she couldn’t predict when he’d set her free.
“You buy your friends now?” she taunted.
“If necessary, aye.” His frosty stare gave no quarter. The ice in his gaze sent a familiar shiver of trepidation down her back. Coldness wasn’t something she’d ever associated with her husband, especially when trained on her.
“What about women? Do you purchase companionship as well?” She didn’t wish to find herself a captive in her husband’s home, while he cavorted with loose women under her nose.
“I’ve always found female companionship easy to obtain. You know yourself the potency of my charms.”
That was true, she thought with annoyance. With a flash of his bright smile and the seductive, devilish gleam in his eye, women fell at his feet. “I was a mere girl then, foolish and naïve to give my heart to a cad like you. It’s a regret I’ve carried all these days.”
“You aren’t the only one with regrets, Cathlene.” A mask of cool indifference cloaked his features. “I’m giving you a choice. Think well, for once you make it there will be no going back. I will summon the commissioner and have you thrown into a cell, or into an asylum. Or you may remain here with me. It is your choice.”
Cathlene didn’t recognize this hard man beside her. Self-loathing and contempt for what she’d become curdled the bile in her belly.
There was no compassion, no hint of the caring man she’d once known. He wore his disdain for her on his features. Yet he was giving her the option to stay with him as his wife.
Anger clogged her throat. “Why in bloody hell would you allow me to remain here when you can’t possibly regard me with anything less than disgust?”
“You are my wife,” he said simply.
“We were married but a week before we were separated. You have no obligation to me. Divorce me and leave me be to have my freedom.”
“That is out of the question.” The look he sent her put to rest any more talk of a divorce. “I am indeed obligated to ensure your safety and welfare. No matter which option you choose, you may regain your independence someday. Sooner with me than in jail or in an asylum. That I can promise you.”
“How so?”
“You won’t remain under lock and key unless you attempt escape. You’ll be under my protection.”
If she bided her time, let Aaron believe she trusted him, and made him trust her once more, he’d follow through on his promise. If it took too long, she’d find a way to leave.
Staying with him was better than finding herself in any cell, even one he’d paid for. A cell where her safety couldn’t be guaranteed. At least if she remained with him, he’d offer her protection, which she in truth desperately needed.
“I’ll stay with you. But don’t think,” she added quickly, “that I’m at all willing to linger in your captivity for long.”
“You’ll be free to do as you please, and go where you might about the grounds. I have much that might tempt your fancy.”
“There is nothing here that could possibly make my incarceration bearable.” She dare not glance to the tray on the table in front of them, or Aaron helping himself to the steaming pot of tea and the delicious cakes that had her mouth watering in anticipation.
To stay in this fancy house with all its material temptations and trappings wouldn’t be as seductive as it had once been to her. This way of living was no longer hers, nor was it a lifestyle she wished to find herself in even temporarily, but at least she’d eventually have her freedom.
She’d come to value and cherish her independence. And although she’d agreed to stay with Aaron, she could not do so for long. Their time together had been a thing of the past. There was no hope of a future for them, even though somewhere deep down inside she still loved him.
In the beginning, she’d cried for months, missing him every moment of each endless laborious day, until her heart had hardened into a bitter ball of resentment. Resentment for what she’d lost, what he’d taken from her – from them. Despite this love she still clung to, she’d need to let it go.
Her stomach betrayed her, emitting a loud rumble in the spacious, masculine room. He lifted a brow as he handed her his untouched cup. “When was the last you’ve eaten?”
“The saucer shook in her trembling hands. Hunger had weakened her more than she’d realized. With his warm, large hands resting over her chilled ones, Aaron steadied them. He helped her bring the cup to her lips. She drank deeply of the strong, hot tea, giving a purely satisfied murmur of delight as it slid down her throat.
The steam from the tea enriched the scent of his clean skin. It slithered through her senses to settle low in her belly. She recognized it for what it was…desire. “Too long. Thank you.” Her voice sounded too husky and needy to her.
The warm cup and his hands quickly took the chill from her skin. She soon regained enough strength to hold it on her own. Belatedly, she wished Aaron wouldn’t withdraw his hands, since his touch brought her more warmth than she’d experienced in ages.
He filled the small tea plate with more of the appealing fare and set it on her lap. He headed to the corner of the room and yanked the bell pull, summoning a servant. “Once you’ve eaten your fill, I’ll order a bath drawn for you in my chamber. I’ll find some clean clothes as well. Those abominable rags,” he gestured to her filthy gown, “I’ll have them burned as they aren’t proper for the most lowly of beggars.”
There was no point in arguing with his order even if he thought her no better than a thief and a beggar. Cathlene bit back the groan of pleasure that threatened. She wouldn’t allow him to see how the promise of a bath affected her. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d immersed herself to her chin in steaming water and soapy bubbles.
“Your chamber?” she asked, fighting the urge to devour the cakes whole. “I should like to bathe in private. Might I have a room prepared for my use?”
A light rap came from the closed door. In a few strides, Aaron reached the portal. He opened it and blocked who stood on the other side from view. He muttered something low then closed and turned the key. The tumblers fell into place with a soft click.
“I think not, my love. I cannot trust that you will not try to escape. Besides, we are husband and wife. There is no need for modesty between us.”
She wasn’t worried about her modesty or virtue, but the rekindled attraction to him. This was the Aaron she’d fallen for, this take-charge unyielding man who wouldn’t let anyone or anything get in the way of his life’s ambitions. She shouldn’t be surprised at all the richness around her. If any man lowly born could set his mind to improving his station in life and succeed, it was Aaron. If he forced them to share a bedchamber, they’d also be sharing a bed. Though she didn’t trust him, she still wanted him.
During their time apart, she’d been propositioned many times from wealthy and poor men alike. She’d never found any of them as tempting as he, even when she was weakened by hunger and desperate for shelter. She’d never been with anyone but Aaron. Her body still burned with unfulfilled passion, and she couldn’t promise she wouldn’t give in to what she craved.
“I have already assured you I will stay. You have made your intentions clear if I attempt escape. What else must I do?”
“I’ll shadow you until I trust you. If you are concerned for your virtue, do not fear. I have never forced myself on you, or any woman. I won’t start now. But you are my wife, and our time apart has made us strangers. We must become familiar with each other again.”
Another knock sounded at the door. Aaron flung it wide, allowing the maid to enter with her burden. With her eyes cast to the floor, she crossed to the table before the windo
w. She set out a tray laden with eggs, bacon, toast and jam, and more tea before making a hasty exit.
Cathlene put the empty plate on the tea tray before her. She stood wearily and made her way to where Aaron waited with her chair pulled out, uncertainty at her decision slowing her steps. Had she chosen unwisely?
“You believe now that I am here, I’ll remain forever?”
She sat and out of habit, unfolded the crisp linen napkin and placed it in her lap. He filled a plate for her and pushed her chair up to the table. He seated himself across from her and helped himself to the food. “Why not? We are married. What would you do if you didn’t remain with me? Continue to steal for your livelihood?”
She clenched her fork tightly in her grip, fury curling through her. “I came to America with no money. The skills I do possess haven’t served me well. They’ve only managed to create more hardship. I’ve been looked upon as a poor worthless immigrant, belittled by the rich and poor alike, neither caring that I once was a lady. The Irish, especially poor Irish, are looked on with hatred and disdain by the natives. Surely you’re aware of that,” she said, keeping a tight control over her voice.
He nodded, filling his fork with some of the fluffy eggs. “Money can smooth your way almost through any obstacle.”
“I’m not a man who can simply start a business and suddenly find himself with funds and a big fancy house. My circumstances would certainly be different if I had resources available to me.”
He regarded her over the rim of his cup. “I’ve worked hard for this home and my new status in life. Granted I did not do it all on my own.”
“You’ve done well for yourself,” she observed, again noting the finery surrounding her.
His Fifth Avenue Thief Page 2