by Dawn Brower
She allowed him to lead her to Sir Benjamin’s autocar, but she didn’t seem happy about it. Her mouth set into a hard line making her displeasure evident. Her eyebrows were drawn together in judgment, and she’d found her companion wanting—Victoria did that better than anyone else. Catherine would have to find a way to thank her later. It was a great day, and one she would remember for the rest of her days. It was her wedding day, after all…
They arrived at the embassy an hour after everyone else. Asher had wanted some time alone with his wife. He still couldn’t believe she was finally his. He’d wanted her for so long.
“Are you happy?” he asked.
“Of course.” She wrinkled her nose. “Though I wish we could skip this. Sir Benjamin means well…”
He didn’t think Sir Benjamin was as generous as Catherine believed him to be. Otherwise, why would the Earl of Derby have sent him to spy on the man originally? Ash had never found anything on him because war had erupted, but there had to be a reason for the order to begin with. Maybe he should write to Derby and finally discover his motivations. Especially, as Derby was now Under-Secretary of State for War. Derby had far more to deal with than one of his nefarious cousins. Asher certainly had different incentives. His first priority would always be Catherine and whatever children they may have.
“Why don’t we make an appearance and leave as soon as possible,” he suggested. “I’d much rather spend the evening alone.”
“We could hide in my room here. They left it available for my use.”
They probably wouldn’t even consider looking for them there. He liked that plan. “Wonderful idea.”
He rapped on the door to the embassy, and it opened immediately. “My lady,” a man greeted Catherine, then turned to Asher. “My lord, they’re awaiting you in the dining room.”
Asher should have told them to not hold lunch on their account, but he hadn’t considered it at the time. He’d wanted to keep Catherine all to himself. Perhaps that was selfish of him, but he’d been delaying the inevitable for too long already. They went into the dining room and sat in their designated seats. Which were not next to each other—that irritated him. Who made these silly seating arrangements anyway?
He turned to the lady on his left. Asher couldn’t recall her name. “How are you today?” Why was he dealing with this nonsense on his wedding day? “Nice weather we’re having.”
“Yes, much better than all that rain we were getting.”
Would this meal ever end? “Right,” he agreed. She should try huddling under a tree during a rainstorm. Then she might appreciate the warm building she called home. Not that he had any idea where she lived, but she didn’t look as if she’d been put out much by the war. “Rain is the worst.”
Finally, a waiter cleared the table and Sir Benjamin announced, “Let’s retire to the sitting room for drinks.”
That was Asher’s signal to lead Catherine away from the party and have some private time. He exited the dining room before her and scooped her into his arms as she walked past. “Shh,” he said. “Maybe they won’t notice.”
The rest of the guests were so engrossed in their conversations they strolled on by them. All except Julian and Victoria… “You’re not fooling us,” Julian said. “It’s clear what you’re about to do.”
His cousin did know him well. “I have no idea what you mean.” That didn’t mean he couldn’t pretend to be dense. “Can’t a man hug his wife?”
Victoria laughed. “Go on and sneak off. We’ll cover for you.”
Asher did. He wrapped his hand around Catherine’s and led her toward her room at the embassy. He didn’t glance back once. The sooner they made it to her room, the better in his opinion. He wanted to love her in every way imaginable.
When they reached the room, he opened the door and pulled her inside, then shut it with a soft thud. He pushed her lightly against the closed door and kissed her as if his life depended upon it. When his lips touched hers, tiny explosions racketed his body. Her moans echoed through the room and urged him on. Asher deepened the kiss and slid his tongue inside her mouth, tasting her completely.
He stepped back from her and stared at her for a moment. His breathing was ragged, and he hadn’t had nearly enough of her. He turned her around so her chest rested against the door and slowly undid her dress. Her creamy skin was a temptation he couldn’t resist. With each button he released, Asher kissed her neck, shoulders, and down her back until the dress fell to the floor in a puddle at her feet.
Catherine glanced over her shoulder and met his gaze. “I need you.”
“I love you.” He scooped her into his arms and carried her over to the bed. Then he removed his clothing as fast as possible as she slipped what remained of hers off, then tossed them to the floor. He joined her on the bed and kissed her again. He slid his hand down to her core and pressed his thumb to the sensitive nub there. She squirmed beneath him making his blood run even hotter than it already did.
“Shh,” he said and then trailed kisses down her neck. “Relax and enjoy the pleasure.”
“I need…”
“Yes,” he urged. “Let me give it to you.”
He rubbed his thumb against her pleasure button and then leaned down to suck on her nipple. The combination had her moaning even louder until her climax overcame her and she nearly screamed his name. “Ash…”
That was what he’d been waiting for. He settled himself between her thighs and gradually entered her. Asher didn’t want to hurt her, and it took every ounce of his control to push into her at a slow pace until he was fully seated inside, then he paused to ask, “Are you all right?”
“Don’t stop,” she urged him. “This feels so good.”
Asher pulled out and thrust back into her. He kept the motion up over and over again until she was moaning heavily once more. She convulsed around him and sent him over the edge into his own climax. Being intimate with her went beyond his imagination. He could never have envisioned something as breathtaking as loving her completely. Maybe he was basking in the glow of the aftermath, but he’d never experienced anything remotely like it before. It was so much better with her because he loved her. He pulled out of her reluctantly. Being inside of her had felt too damn good, and he hated that it had to end at all.
“I love you,” she whispered in his ear. She practically purred with pleasure and stretched beneath him. “Please don’t leave me again.”
He wished he could make her that promise, but he’d already stayed longer than he should have. There was no way he could have left Paris without making her his wife though. “I love you, darling…” God, he hated disappointing her.
“No, don’t say it.” She ran her fingers through his hair then kissed his cheek. “I’ll miss you while you’re gone. Please try to write this time.”
He would, but he couldn’t make any promises that he might not be able to keep. Asher rolled to his side and pulled her against him. They had this night, and he intended to take full advantage of it. He couldn’t be certain when he’d be able to hold her in his arms again. In the morning he’d have to leave her again. He hated every second that he had to be separated from her, but somehow he’d find a way to endure the hardship. One day, he’d return to her and never leave her side. He prayed it would be sooner rather than later.
Chapter 16
August 1916
Catherine wiped the sweat from her brow. Asher had been better about writing to her since they’d married. Maybe it had taken him making their relationship permanent for him to realize how much it meant to her that he let her know he remained safe. She missed him terribly and wanted him to come home to her. Until the war ended and they went back to England, she’d never fully be able to relax. Each day that passed led to another filled with worry and stress.
“How are you feeling today?” Victoria asked. “You’re looking a tad green.”
Her stomach had been a ball of queasiness for a while now. She had dismissed it as anxiety over Asher.
It wasn’t the first time she’d felt terrible because she worried about him. “I’m fine,” she reassured her friend.
Victoria crinkled her eyebrows together and studied her. She didn’t appear to believe her, and Catherine couldn’t really blame her. Nausea rolled through her, and she might yet lose the contents of her stomach. A pounding started behind her eyes and light flashed through the room, blinding her. Catherine groaned and rubbed her temples. She crumpled to the ground as a vision took hold of her, and she saw the world through the haze of Asher’s point of view.
The hot sun beat down on him, and his hair was drenched with sweat. Julian walked beside him as they headed into the German camp. Private James had to be somewhere inside the camp. The last piece of intelligence he’d gathered suggested he’d be there, but Asher didn’t know where. There were no obvious places for them to hold prisoners. The sound of voices nearby made him hold up his hand to halt Julian. They both stopped and remained still until two men passed. They were speaking German, Asher had learned a lot of the language over time. He deciphered enough to learn they were preparing for battle. Seven different divisions were heading to the Somme River.
“We should warn Commander Haig,” Julian said. “He’s north of the river and should be able to counter any attack.”
Asher shook his head. “Haig already has a plan in place. He mentioned it to me before we left.” Haig, along with Henry Rawlinson was planning an attack of their own. The Somme would be drenched in blood on both sides when they clashed. Haig had more divisions under his control, but that didn’t necessarily mean he’d come out the victor. Truly, there were no winners in war. “We’re here for Private James.”
“All right,” Julian agreed as he wiped the sweat off his brow. “This is your op. Lead the way.”
Asher nodded and then motioned for them to move forward. He scanned the area as he walked. They had managed to commandeer some German uniforms, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t run into trouble. With their language barrier, any deep questioning would blow their cover. He’d prefer to avoid talking to anyone if he could help it.
“There,” Julian pointed. “There are too many guards for it to be a normal tent.”
Asher agreed with his assessment. They moved toward the tent and approached it from the back. Julian slid a knife from his belt and slit the tent enough to peek inside. Asher kept guard as he checked it out. Julian slid inside his homemade flap and then slipped back out. “I believe he’s in there. At least someone is—I’ve never met your Private James.”
He motioned for Julian to move. “Let me check.” He should have done it to begin with. Asher peeked inside and found the man he’d been looking for. It had taken months, but he’d finally located him. Now he had to figure out how to save him. He was in bad shape. Both eyes were nearly swollen shut, and his lips had dried blood around them. His head had lopped to one side. Damn it. Asher should have worked harder to find him. Asher slipped out and nodded. “It’s him. Let’s figure out how we’re getting him out of here.”
Julian glanced around them and then pointed. “There’s an autocar over there. I think it might be their ambulance.” He shrugged. “Why not use what’s worked in the past. What do we have to lose?”
“It doesn’t look like a German conveyance. They must have acquired it from our side. That will make it easier to go into the British camp.” Asher considered his options. “You start the ambulance, and I’ll rescue James. He knows me and won’t fight me.”
“All right, on three we both move into action.”
When they both said, “three,” Asher and Julian took off. Asher didn’t stop to make sure Julian made it to the ambulance safely. He had to rescue James.
He ripped the tent large enough for his whole body to fit inside, then went to Private James. He sliced through the ropes holding him tied to a chair. “Wake up,” he demanded.
James’s head bobbed from side to side. After a moment, he opened his eyes and met Asher’s gaze. “Leave me here to die,” he said. “I’m not worth saving.”
“I don’t have time to argue with you.” Asher forced him to his feet, and they walked to the slit at the back of the tent. He pushed James through it first, then he followed. Outside, he heard shouts. “Get up,” he demanded. They’d been spotted, and they’d die if he couldn’t get James on board with their plan.
“I can’t,” he said.
“Bloody hell,” Asher cursed, then picked James up and started toward the ambulance. Julian had the engine rolling and jumped out to help him. Asher waved him off and yelled, “Open the back door.”
A shot rang in the distanced and pain enveloped him as a bullet ricocheted through his body. He almost made it to the ambulance before he couldn’t move anymore. Everything went black, and Asher hit the ground beside the ambulance.
Catherine’s eyes fluttered open, and the brightness around her started to fade. She sat up sharply and called out, “Asher.” This vision was similar to the one she’d had of him dying before. She hadn’t seen this much detail the last time. The one thing that had been apparent before was him being shot and crumpling to the ground. It had been so real she could feel his pain as the bullet pierced him.
“Asher isn’t here,” Victoria said soothingly. “You need to rest. You don’t want to lose your baby, do you?”
“Baby?” She lifted a brow. What was Victoria talking about? She wasn’t… Catherine rested her hand over her stomach. “I’m pregnant?”
“The doctor confirmed it while you were out. We carried you over to the bed to make you more comfortable.” She smiled down at her. “Asher will be excited when he hears the news.”
If he lived long enough for her to tell him… “Yes, he will be.” She wouldn’t put him in his grave yet. Catherine had to hope he would return to her. Otherwise, she might lose her mind.
“Rest a while longer. It takes a lot to bring a babe into the world. You’ll need more breaks then you’re used to, and at some point, you might have to stop nursing altogether. You might want to consider returning to the embassy.”
“Maybe,” she agreed. She’d think about that later. For now, Catherine would take Victoria’s advice and sleep. Maybe she’d have another vision about Asher to ease her apprehension. She needed something to hold onto…
November 1916
Asher’s rolled his head to the side. His eyes felt as if they’d been scraped with sand paper and glued back on. He tried to lift his hand to wipe away the grit, but the pain was too much. What the hell had happened to him?
“Ssh,” a female said. “You were injured and almost died. I’m mad at you for that, and I wanted to kill you myself for making me worry so.” She brushed her hand over his hair, and it felt cool to the touch. He wanted her to do it again. Her voice sounded so familiar.
“Is he awake?” a man asked. “It’s about time.”
“Don’t startle him,” she chastised. “He’s been in a coma for months. Give him time to acclimate.”
Asher blinked several times until his vision cleared. The woman’s face came into focus first. “Catherine?” How had he made it back to Paris? The last thing he remembered was someone shooting him.
“Yes, dear,” she said. “Welcome back. How do you feel?”
“Why can’t I move?” He tried to lift his arm again, but it remained motionless. His heart beat heavily in his chest as he tried once more and failed. He could move his head though and glanced toward the male. “Julian?” Then he recalled their mission. “Where’s Private James?”
“James is fine. He’s had some trauma, and mentally he’ll never be the same. The army sent him back to England.”
At least the private was all right. He’d completed his mission. That didn’t explain why he couldn’t move. He concentrated as hard as he could to move, but nothing happened. Panic seized him as he struggled to ascertain what the hell was wrong. He tried again to his arm and again—nothing. “Is anyone going to tell me what is wrong with me?”
“Y
ou’ll be fine in time,” she reassured him. “But you won’t be going back to the war. Julian brought you here a month ago once it was safe enough to move you.” Catherine caressed his cheek. “You had an infection in your shoulder because it took awhile for Julian to get you to a doctor. Luckily, the doctor didn’t have to amputate, but you’re going to need extensive physiotherapy. You took bullets to your leg and back too.” She leaned down and kissed his cheek. Her soft hair brushed against his neck. For once, she didn’t have it plaited or secured in a chignon. “Don’t strain yourself right now. We had to tie you to the bed so you didn’t injure yourself further.”
That explained why he couldn’t move. He hated being an invalid. “How long have I been asleep?” His gaze traveled over her and landed on her stomach. It bulged out far more than it had the last time he’d seen her. “What…?”
She rubbed her belly and laughed. “Yes, darling. You are going to be a father in a few months. Let’s hope you’re able to walk by the time our child arrives.”
They’d had one night together. He knew that their lovemaking could result in a baby, but he never expected it to happen from their wedding night. Perhaps that was a good thing. If he was permanently incapacitated, at least he’d been able to give Catherine one child to bring into the world. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever be fully functional again. The way they both kept looking at him, there had to be something they weren’t saying.
He wanted to lift his hand and press it to her expanding stomach. Their child was growing inside of her, and he had a need to feel connected to it. Would he ever have that chance? Wetness fell from his eyes at his inability.
“Don’t cry, my love,” she said. “Everything will be fine. We’re both alive and have our entire future ahead of us.” Catherine turned to Julian. “Can you have Victoria fetch the doctor? Maybe we can untie him now that he’s awake.”