Belong To Me (book 4) (The Fielding Brothers Saga)

by Marie Higgins

  Adam grabbed the other man’s lapels and yanked him closer. The commissioner stared wide-eyed at the vicious brute before him. The man of the law swallowed hard. She knew Adam could kill him with his bare hands if he chose.

  Jeffrey Franklin pulled himself upright and lifted his chin. “If you kill me, you will hang, too. Ewan Stout knows I’m here.”

  Adam let out an evil laugh. “Then I suppose I’ll have to kill Mr. Stout, as well.”

  Color left the commissioner’s face. “If you kill me...it’ll look bad for Ian Fielding because we’re in his office,” he stammered.

  Charlotte’s heart dropped. At this moment, she wanted Adam to kill the commissioner, but not if it meant getting Ian in trouble, or Adam hanged for murder. Lines of worry etched across Adam’s face. Would he give in—or kill?

  “You’re better off dead, but you’re not worth my efforts.” Adam’s tone was edged with steel. “Besides, I don’t want my friend or his wife hurt anymore by the likes of you. I will, however, warn you, commissioner. If you ever so much as look at Mrs. Fielding again with lust in your eyes, I shall tear you limb from limb, slowly and very painfully. You will beg for a quick death. Do you understand?”

  Commissioner Franklin nodded, and then groaned and looked down at his pants as wetness darkened the material at his groin. “I—I—I’ll not speak to her again.”

  “You shall not even look at her,” Adam warned again in a louder voice.

  “I won’t,” he answered obediently, hanging his head.

  Adam gave him a vicious shake before dropping him to the floor in a heap. The insipid commissioner stumbled quickly to his feet and left the building.

  When Adam turned back to Charlotte, tremors of relief swept through her body. Her clumsy, shaky hands tried ineffectively to cover her torn bodice. In two large awkward steps, Adam was in front of her, gathering her in his strong arms.

  Her sobs gushed forward and she cried into her protector’s chest. “I thought he...he...that he would...”

  “Shhh, Charlotte. Please don’t fret. He’ll never touch you again, I promise.” He stroked her hair softly.

  “How...did...you...know I was here?” She tilted up her head to look at him.

  “One of Ian’s loyal servants was worried about you and told me of your plans.” Adam’s gentle smile turned into a scowl. “Of course, I didn’t think the man whom I’d be protecting you from would be a man of the law.”

  She sniffed. “Neither did I.”

  Adam reached into his over jacket and pulled out a handkerchief and gently dabbed her eyes then pressed it in her hand. He shook off his own overcoat before draping it around her shoulders. He gathered her in his arms where she clung to him until her body regained control and the shakes disappeared. His hold comforted and relaxed her.

  “Thank you.”

  “No need to thank me. I did what any man would have done for a woman who needed to hide her bosom.”

  “No, Adam, I didn’t mean that.” She struggled with her emotions, which were on the brink of crumbling. “I just don’t know what would have happened if you had not come.” Tears spilled from her eyes. “Yes, I do know what would have happened.”

  “Shhh.” His hands cupped her face as his thumbs wiped the wetness from her cheeks. “It’s over now. Please, don’t cry.”

  She circled her arms around his waist and pressed her face into his chest. His nearness was incredibly reassuring, and cozy. She didn’t want to move. It was improper to show him this kind of affection, but she refused to let this wondrous feeling end. The comforting soon turned into something entirely different. Precedence dictated she withdraw, but she waited for him to do it first.

  The moment never happened. Quickly, the heat of his body merged with hers and her heart hammered out a different rhythm. His hot hands drew small circles on her back, his steamy breath against her neck. She couldn’t believe her body would respond so urgently to his mere touch.

  “Charlotte?” he whispered huskily as his lips moved closer to her ear. “We should really get you back to the castle now.”

  “Yes.”

  Still he didn’t pull away, but this incredible moment had to be broken. She pulled back, but only slightly. Raising her gaze, she looked into his shadowed eyes, dark with desire. The knowledge stirred a roaring fire deep within her that she couldn’t extinguish.

  She studied every inch of his scarred face, coming to rest on his mouth and the black mustache above his lip, and heaven help her, she had the urge to kiss him. Fierce rhythms from her heart thundered loudly throughout her body, warning her she was a married woman and this wasn’t proper, but the tingles in her body urged her to do it anyway.

  Feeling the need to reward him for rescuing her, she followed her body’s influence and slowly lifted her head to press her mouth to his inviting lips. Lightning bolts erupted inside her, making her want to touch him, but when she touched the side of his face where the scar was located, he jumped back and broke the kiss, and the exquisite feeling that accompanied it.

  Charlotte stared into his wide eyes as their deep breaths mingled. She swallowed her guilty feelings when he lowered his gaze and rose.

  He cleared his throat. “Please forgive me, but I couldn’t seem to refrain myself.” Huskiness laced his speech. “I suppose I’m no better than the commissioner.”

  Shame washed over her. “No, Adam. You’re one hundred times better than that man. The kiss we shared was done in kindness, not forced as was his.”

  Adam avoided her gaze. “But it wasn’t right. You are a married woman, and it shouldn’t have happened.” He shook his head. “Let’s get you out of here before Ian’s secretary returns. I fear I might severely hurt him for allowing the commissioner into the room alone with you, knowing full well what that man intended.”

  Charlotte quickly moved off the desk, still keeping the jacket securely around her. It was hard to believe what had just happened between them, but she couldn’t deny the curious sensations her body had experienced.

  Today’s astonishing thrill left her confused. She needed to do some serious thinking about her own husband and these new feelings she had for Lord Thatcher.

  Perhaps she and Ian were not meant to be husband and wife after all.

  Chapter Eleven

  Charlotte sank into the tub and moaned softly, letting the hot water relax her tense muscles. Like dancing fingers across her skin, the steam healed her. When she let herself think about what the commissioner had done, she could still feel his slobbering mouth upon her flesh. Her skin crawled with disgust.

  Instead, she tried to focus on the way Adam had comforted her, something she shouldn’t let control her mind. Somehow, she had become attracted to him, an attraction that went far beyond appearance. Her feelings for him had nothing to do with reason. Although his body was more muscular and alluring than she’d first thought, it was actually his sweet and caring nature that lured her. She was able to look past his scar and see deep inside to the man he truly was. And she liked what she saw.

  She held the sponge up and allowed the water to drip across her arm. Charlotte closed her eyes and thought about the two men in her life. First, there was Ian. Strong, devilishly handsome, and determined, but plagued by problems in both his business and his private life. And Adam, also strong and muscular, not ugly, but gentle and caring. If it weren’t for Ian, would she fall for Adam?

  She climbed out of the tub and toweled herself dry, and then dressed in her shift. The sheer ice blue matching wrapper with billowy sleeves was comfortable enough for her to just lounge around her room. The weather had turned warmer this afternoon, and she welcomed it.

  With her brush, she stroked her locks, the bristles on her scalp relaxing her. As she peered out the window down at the yard, her mind returned to Adam once again. He’d apologized for kissing her, which was incredibly sweet, but then not a word had been spoken between them on the way back to the castle. By Adam’s furrowed brow, she wondered if guilt ate away at his
conscience.

  Why didn’t she feel any remorse for kissing him? She should. After all, Ian was her husband. They were gradually putting their marriage in order. Yet, her relationship with Adam had been growing stronger lately.

  A sound from the corner of the room pulled her away from her thoughts, and she swung her head in that direction. She stared in dismay, for someone was in the room! A lean frame emerged from the shadows, and she gasped with surprise.

  “Your loveliness is such a vision for these lonely eyes of mine,” Ian told her as he walked to her, his stare boldly moving over her attire. From his heated expression, she suddenly realized that standing in front of the window, she’d been in total silhouette. The blood rushed to her face.

  “Ian!” she gasped, stepping out of the light. “Do you always have to sneak up on me?”

  “Well, yes. I can’t just knock on your door. You know I’m trying to keep myself out of sight. That is why I use the hidden passageways through the castle.”

  She arched a brow. “Hidden passageways?”

  “Yes. I’ll have to show them to you sometime. I’m quite certain you’ll enjoy yourself.” He stopped in front of her and leaned over, kissing her cheek. “How are you today, my sweet?”

  “How am I today?” Her voice rose as she pushed him away. “You really want to know?” She threw her brush. It crashed on her dressing table, knocking over her powder. Charlotte planted her hands on her hips and took two steps backward. “I have had the worst experience of my life…and it was all your fault!”

  Amusement flickered in the eyes meeting hers. “My fault?”

  “Yes. I went into town to your office, trying to find anything that might help convince the authorities of your innocence. Just as I was leaving, the commissioner arrived, and because I couldn’t succumb to his advances, he took it upon himself to...to...” Her voice broke. “To attack me!”

  “What?” His voice escalated in furious anger. “He touched you?”

  Tears quickly gathered in her eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. “Yes. He ripped my dress and forced his disgusting lips and hands on me. I tried to fight him, but he was too strong.” She covered her face with her hands and sobbed at the burning memory.

  He wrapped his arms tightly around her and she leaned her head against his powerful chest. “What happened?” Anger tightened his voice.

  She tilted back her head and looked up into his face. “Adam saved me.” Her voice was soft.

  His brows drew together. “Adam? Do you mean Lord Thatcher?”

  “Yes. He saved me from being violated.”

  Pain etched itself in the lines of his expression. “Oh, my darling, I’m sorry.” He pulled her to him again. “I’m so very sorry I wasn’t there to save you.”

  Charlotte didn’t cry as she had when Adam comforted her. She sniffled. “I didn’t know whether I should trust your servants. O’Toole tried to go with me into town, and I refused his help. Thankfully, he went to Adam. I think we can trust O’Toole after this.”

  “Oh, yes, my darling. We’ll trust him, but where was Ewan Stout while all this was happening?”

  The strong steady beat of his heart lulled her, and gave her peace. Finally, she lifted her head and gazed into his eyes. “I don’t know. He wasn’t there. The commissioner said he sent him away.”

  Ian’s hand stroked the side of her face lovingly. “Can you ever forgive me for not being there when you needed me the most?”

  Wiping her eyes, she turned her back on him. “I suppose, though I wish you had been there instead of Adam…but don’t look so worried. I can take care of myself.”

  “I know, and you’ve done that masterfully. But dash it all…I should have been there to protect my own wife!” He rubbed his thumbs across her shoulders.

  “No, Ian. We need to clear you from these false crimes before you can be seen in public.”

  “No.” He moved closer to her until the buttons on his shirt touched the back of her wrapper. “Let’s leave this place. We’ll escape these charges against me and start a new life somewhere else together, my love.”

  “No, Ian.” She turned. His arms slipped around her shoulders, and she rested her hands on his chest. “You are not the kind of man who runs from his problems, and I won’t let you do that now. You need to see this thing through to the end. I don’t want to live my life in fear that you might get hung for a crime you never committed. I don’t want to live every day glancing over my shoulder either.”

  Sighing heavily, he nodded. “You are right.” His lips brushed across her forehead. “But, my darling, I don’t want you going into town unless somebody is with you. Do you now see how dangerous the commissioner is? I cannot trust him with the fate of my own life.”

  “Yes.” She laid her hand gently along the side of his face. “I shall not go into town by myself again. And, I’m sorry for blaming you. It wasn’t your fault that I was in your office at the same time the commissioner came.”

  “Yes it was,” he said sadly.

  “No, Ian. It was my fault.”

  “But you were trying to help me—” He stopped when his voice caught.

  “But if I had listened when you told me to stay here, it wouldn’t have happened.”

  “I should kill him for doing that to you.”

  “No. Then there will really be a reason to hang you.”

  He sighed again, pulling her close to his body as he kissed the side of her face. “Thank you for caring about me. I really don’t deserve it.”

  She drew back and looked up into his brown eyes then chuckled. “No, you don’t.”

  He smiled. “You didn’t have to agree.”

  “I needed to do something to keep you from kissing me.”

  One of his eyebrows arched. “Was I going to kiss you?”

  “You know perfectly well you were.”

  “And you wouldn’t have liked it?” he teased.

  A blush warmed her cheeks. “That’s not the point.”

  He chuckled deeply. “Oh, Charlotte, how can I keep myself from being near you when you are this breathtakingly lovely? And how can I keep my lips from yours when they are so lusciously inviting?” His lips began descending to hers. “And how, my love, can I keep my heart intact when it belongs to you?”

  He’d always seduced her with his words, and this time was no different. She was drawn to him, innocent and uncaring about the outcome, because once his lips touched hers, she was lost in his hungry and exciting kiss. She clung to his shirt, fearing if she broke their embrace, the thrill would die.

  His strong hands moved up and tangled in her hair as he met her demanding kisses. She thought this was never going to happen, but it was real, and he was real, kissing her and exciting her just as much as he’d done that night of the masquerade ball.

  His hands floated down her neck, slipping inside her wrapper, the tips of his fingers brushing her shoulders as gently as a butterfly. Ian’s mouth left hers and moved down her throat. She didn’t know how it happened or why, but this was exactly what she needed at this particular moment. Ian knew how to pleasure her beyond imagination. She let herself go; allowing his seduction to carry her skyward—but then her mind conjured up an image that made her pause.

  Adam’s face held a sad expression it made her catch her breath. As suddenly as it had come, the image changed, and he was the one kissing her with such passion. Her mind screamed for her to stop. What was she doing? Why was she allowing Ian to kiss her so tenderly when not more than thirty minutes ago she was thinking about Adam, and dreaming about him kissing her the way she wanted a man overcome with love to react?

  Having this attention from Ian was what she wanted. Wasn’t it? Her heart argued with her head, but it was her body that won out. Ian’s warm and seeking hands excited her, yet the thoughts of Adam left her very confused. She didn’t like feeling this way. What she and Ian were doing was right, because they were, after all, still married, but it didn’t feel right in her heart. Until her heart
and her body could share the same signals, she couldn’t let Ian make love to her.

  “No, Ian. I cannot do this.” Breathlessly, she pulled away. He reached toward her, but she stepped away.

  “Why? What’s wrong?” His voice was deep and still laced with passion.

  “I—I can’t do this yet. It’s too soon.”

  “But I can tell you are ready. Don’t you remember the passion we shared between us that night at the masked ball?”

  How could she forget? She still dreamed about it at night. Taking quick steps, she moved to her bed. She grabbed a pillow to her bosom and lay down, curling her legs up to her stomach. “Ian, there’s no mistake that my body responds to your touch, but my mind and heart are still very confused about many things.”

  Ian breathed a few labored breaths, trying to gain control. With a deep sigh, he sat beside her on the bed and softly stroked her leg. “What’s it that you’re confused about, darling?”

  She shrugged.

  “Is it another man?”

  Her eyes widened and her heart quickened. “Another man?” she asked quickly. “What makes you think it’s another man?”

  “Well, since George was the reason you came to find me seeking an annulment, I just wondered if...well if you still held feelings for him.”

  The rhythm of her heart slowed considerably. “Ian, I know I led you to believe George was interested in courting me, but the truth is, he’s not the reason I sought an annulment.”

  “He isn’t?” His luminous eyes widened in astonishment.

  “No.” She sat up, still keeping the pillow clutched to her bosom. “To be honest, George is in love with Allison, not me.”

  “Then why did you tell me differently?”

  She shrugged. “I didn’t want you to pity me. I didn’t want to show you how pathetic I was. I also wanted to make you jealous.”

  He studied her expression then brought his hand up and cupped her face. “I’m sorry I was such an inconsiderate fop.” She laughed, which made him laugh. “I suppose your plan worked.” His thumb stroked her cheek tenderly. “It’s now my turn to confess something to you.”