The Rakehell Regency Romance Collection Volume 2

by MacMurrough, Sorcha

  "I see. You will pardon me asking, but is your cousin, er, unwell?"

  Alexander's jaw set, his full lips thinning to a tightly compressed line.

  "He has been, yes. Is it so easy to tell?"

  "Perhaps only to me. I've met other men injured in the war with the same infirmity."

  "Are you sure we've never met?" Alexander demanded with a frown.

  "I've met many people in my role as recruiting officer," Captain Breedon said with an airy wave, stepping away to allow them access to the dance floor.

  "Pray do not be offended. It is just that the injury affected his memory as well," she hastened to apologize to the Captain. "There are some gaps about what happened during the war years which he hoped to fill. But thus far no one has been able to help."

  "What does you brother say?" he asked in a seemingly casual tone.

  She shook her head. "Jonathan is away on his wedding trip, and will not be back for some time. He may have some recollections when he gets back."

  "Well, it's been very pleasant to see you both, but I fear I'm engaged for the next dance. I hope to see you both around Bath again. Pray excuse me." He bowed, turned on his heel, and left.

  After he had gone, Sarah looked up at Alexander, and saw his face was a frozen mask. "What is it?"

  "How well do you know him?" he asked, his voice trembling.

  "Not well at all. He was a friend of my sister-in-law Pamela for a time. Chased her for her fortune. He is charming enough, but a bit of a rattle. And a recruiting officer, a role in the Army Jonathan and I despise. Why?"

  "Did he have designs upon you?" he asked angrily.

  "No, of course not." She laughed incredulously. "No one would take a second look at me if gorgeous blonde wealthy Pamela were in the room and available. Or Elizabeth Eltham, the Duke's daughter."

  "Still, I don't like him."

  She hugged his arm to her bosom. "Then we need not speak with him again. I promise you, Alexander, you have no reason to be jealous.

  "Now come, one more waltz, and then we're going home. After a night dancing in your arms, I'm more than eager for your caresses, as you'll soon find out."

  She pressed up closer to him than was strictly needful during the waltz, which quickly convinced him of her sincerity and intent. They got their cloaks and hurried out the door as fast as the crush of people would allow.

  Safely seated in their vehicle, Sarah removed her gloves once more and reciprocated his act in the previous carriage ride, stroking and suckling him until he was sure he would explode in her mouth.

  They barely made it up the stairs and into the safety of their room before Alexander pressed her against the wall and hoist her skirts. In an instant her undergarments pooled around her feet, and he entered her with a hoarse cry.

  Sarah wondered wildly if the plaster would give way as he poured his passion into her. She threw her head back and let out a keening cry of joy as he filled her and sent them tumbling into bliss. With her legs locked around his waist, he eventually staggered over to the bed and began his feast of the senses anew.

  Much later, when they were at last quiet and completely naked, she said quietly, "You have no reason to worry. I never want to be with anyone except you. I never had any girlish passion for any man. I'm a grown woman now. I know my own mind and heart."

  "You say that now, my love, when things are so powerful between us, but there may come a time--"

  "No, never," she said, shaking her head so vehemently her ebony ringlets danced over his face and chest sensually. "I've tried not to feel threatened by your past, darling, when we both know I have ample reason to be. But you have no reason at all so far as mine is concerned.

  "Still, if you want to me to leave my old life behind, leave Brimley, find a new place to settle and live as husband and wife, you have only to say. The town, the country, I don't mind. We can start making inquiries tomorrow. Ask the estate agents to look for a place for us while they are at it. Some of those properties we've seen for Michael would be more than suitable."

  He kissed her and stroked her hair. "No, I believe you. I was just being foolish. I felt threatened, insecure. I behaved like a twit."

  "I forgive you. But the offer still stands. If you want me to speak to them about leasing or buying a new home, I shall. And if not here, then somewhere close enough for you to make the trip as and when needed."

  "I admit I'm enjoying the Baths very much. My stiffness is nearly gone. A couple of more weeks here and I would be completely well."

  "Would be?" she echoed.

  "We can't stay. We've been here so long already."

  "Nonsense. If the waters here are helping, then here we stay."

  "You're so good to me," he sighed.

  "You're wonderful for me."

  She kissed him, and snuggled down into the bed beside him. She put Captain Breedon and the rest of the world out of her mind as she concentrated on the sensual things they could both do with their hands and mouths.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  True to his estimate, after another week, Alexander's movement was much more full and unrestricted, and he requested a fencing master to come to the house to put him through his paces. He also discovered an aptitude for boxing, but Sarah put her foot down.

  "I'm sorry, Alexander. You can argue with me all you like, but I will not have you being hit about the head. Not in your condition. The brain, your eyes, are very delicate things. Please, you know I love you, but not this. Anything but this."

  Alexander smiled indulgently and got a sandbag to punch instead. He also asked the servant from the gentleman's club take him out for shooting practice.

  Sarah tried not to resent his little hobbies which took him away from her. She just wished he wasn't acting like he was preparing to go back to war.

  When he returned home with a brace of pheasants that day, she took him for his afternoon soak in the waters, and reminded him, "We need to get those shirts we ordered over in Cheap Street. And some gloves and stockings."

  "Fine. Whatever you like, dearest. I am yours to command." He sat back and sighed contentedly in the blue-green waters.

  "Which poem would you like now?"

  "Just open the book and see what you find."

  She flipped the pages, and read, "The Scrutiny, by Richard Lovelace."

  Why should you swear I am forsworn,

  Since thine I vowed to be?

  Lady, it is already morn,

  And 'twas last night I swore to thee

  That fond impossibility.

  Have I not loved thee much and long,

  A tedious twelve hours' space?

  I must all other beauties wrong,

  And rob thee of a new embrace,

  Could I still dote upon thy face.

  Not but all joy in thy brown hair

  By others may be found; -

  But I must search the black and fair,

  Like skilful mineralists that sound

  For treasure in unploughed-up ground.

  Then if, when I have loved my round,

  Thou prov'st the pleasant she,

  With spoils of meaner beauties crowned

  I laden will return to thee,

  Ev'n sated with variety.

  "A remarkable excuse for infidelity if ever there was one," Alexander laughed.

  "You try that one on me, Mate, and all the waters in Bath are never going to cure you," Sarah said gruffly.

  He kissed her, and then sighed. "I wish I could scrutinize you. And the waters are not going to cure all my ills."

  "You see with your heart, even if not with your eyes, darling."

  He was silent for a moment, and then asked, "Read me the Milton."

  "Which one?"

  He sighed. "You know which one."

  She tried to keep her voice steady as she read, "Sonnet XIX: On His Blindness."

  When I consider how my light is spent,

  Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,

  And th
at one talent which is death to hide

  Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent

  To serve therewith my Maker, and present

  My true account, lest He returning chide,

  "Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"

  I fondly ask; But patience, to prevent

  That murmur, soon replies "God doth not need

  Either man's work or his own gifts. Who best

  Bear His mild yoke, they serve Him best. His state

  Is kingly: thousands at His bidding speed

  And post o'er land and ocean without rest;

  They also serve who only stand and wait."

  "But you are not just standing and waiting, my love. There is so much you can do."

  He scowled. "Like be a burden to you."

  "Never that. Never!" she said, her voice trembling with passion.

  "I will try not to be."

  "You aren't now. You've been getting better every day. And though we haven't spoken of it for a while, I believe there are a great many things that you remember, but you haven't told me."

  "Are you saying I've lied to you?" he demanded, hot color tingeing his elegant cheekbones.

  "Not at all. I only meant little things you probably recollect which are too insignificant to even mention. Now just rest for a moment. There's no need to get so agitated."

  "You're right," he replied at length, lapsing back in the waters with a sigh once more. "I'm sorry."

  "Never mind. Now, if you are just about ready to get changed, we'll go do that shopping, and head to Sally Lunn's."

  "You certainly know the way to a man's heart."

  "I only care about your heart, dearest."

  She helped him up the steps carefully. When he got to the top he kissed her passionately in full view of everyone in the Baths.

  She waited in the vestibule while he changed into his charcoal-gray suit with a wine waistcoat and cravat. In her own dark gray gown, they looked very much a couple.

  At length he re-appeared, looking as handsome as ever, and she drank in the sight of them as they strolled around the corner. "You're very good at tying your stock. Your cravats are pretty crooked still, though."

  As they stepped through the Pump Room archway, she tried to adjust the wisp of burgundy silk, and so was not paying much attention to the traffic.

  She shouldn't have allowed herself to get so distracted, she thought later with the benefit of hindsight. For Cheap Street led to both the busy London and Oxford Roads, and was notorious for the number of carriage accidents which occurred there. Still, she had thought the street was clear when she'd started to lead him across.

  Suddenly a huge coach and four came barreling straight towards them. Sarah tugged at Alexander, but he seemed confused, almost frozen to the spot.

  She grabbed him and yanked with all her might, sending them sprawling backwards into the dirt and mire. She clenched her teeth in anticipation of excruciating pain, but the coach careened by without touching them. She offered up a silent prayer of thanks, and then rolled to her knees and began to examine Alexander for any injuries.

  "I'm fine, just fine. Are you all right?" he asked breathlessly as she helped him to stand.

  Several passersby now came up to offer their help. Soon a small open carriage arrived to take the badly shaken couple back to their house at the top of the town.

  "Thank you so much, we'll be fine," she reassured them all.

  "Bloody coach drivers. Mad, the whole lot of them," one elderly gentleman grumbled as he walked away. "Never even tried to stop."

  Once back at the townhouse, Sarah paid the driver and helped Alexander out of the carriage. In the privacy of their own suite, she looked him over, but apart from some abrasions on his elbows, he was fine.

  "Your coat has holes in it now, but it'll do nicely for the servants with a patch or two in the sleeves. My gown is ruined, and my hands scraped, but that's the least of my worries. At least we're both safe."

  He kissed her warmly. "Let's go down and have some coffee, and then rest. I find I'm quite exhausted all of a sudden."

  "It's been a great shock for us both."

  "Oh drat. What about those errands you wanted to run-"

  "Never mind them. I shall send the servants to fetch everything. Just rest, my love."

  They had their coffee, and eagerly retired to bed, where she held him tenderly as he drifted off to sleep.

  Only then did she allow herself to give vent to her feelings, tears trickling out of her eyes as she thought of how close she had come to losing him.

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Another two days passed uneventfully for the happy couple, with trips to the Cross and Hot Baths, the Abbey, Sally Lunn's and the Pump Room taking up most of their time. There were concerts and lectures in the evening at the Octagon, and Sarah had just about put behind her the terrifying incident in Cheap Street when another accident plagued them.

  They were leaving the house to go off to the Cross Baths early one morning when Sarah heard a rumble behind her. Turning quickly, she saw two huge beer barrels rolling towards them.

  She shoved Alexander back into the entryway to the house as the huge hogsheads crashed and bounced past. One came so near as to smash against the wrought-iron railing, before breaking apart and splashing their prone forms with gallons of beer. Both of them were soaked but unharmed. After ascertaining that they had escaped unscathed, Alexander laughed.

  "My goodness. I'm soaked through. What we smell like! Let's hope the servants don't think we've taken to drink."

  Sarah managed to laugh, but was disturbed by the incident, for the draymen of the brewery cart did not stop to apologize for the accident. They simply whipped up their horses and left.

  They wrung out their clothes as best they could before re-entering the house, though the butler had told them not to bother.

  "We're going to need another bath, Travis, please. And tell Bob we need some fresh clothes for Mr. Alexander."

  The boy bustled to and fro helping Alexander get the saturated garments off. Sarah told him the story as he worked. He listened wide-eyed, but said nothing until he was just about to leave the room with their sodden clothes. He paused at the door.

  "That's strange. There are no taverns or pubs nearby. Who would they have been delivering entire barrels of beer to in the Crescent, and at this hour of the morning?"

  He shrugged, and headed off, leaving Sarah to scrub Alexander's back and check him for bruises. He pulled her into the huge black marble tub with him, and the whole incident was forgotten in the joy of the moment.

  All the same, Sarah came to the conclusion that a town was a dangerous place for a blind man. She was as vigilant as she could be, but there was no chance she could be alert to a potential accident at every moment.

  "I think your back is much better, is it not?" she asked when they finally rose from the bed made damp by their bath and eager amorous encounter.

  He rippled his impressive muscles, making her mouth go dry with desire even though he had already fulfilled her wildest fantasies. "It's improved a great deal. Nearly all the stiffness is gone."

  "Then we should start thinking about going back to Brimley."

  "At last," he sighed. "I thought you would never say that."

  His evident relief caused her brows to raise in surprise. "But Alexander, I thought you were enjoying it here. That the therapy was helping you."

  "I have enjoyed it, every moment. And the Baths are the very thing that's helped me become more mobile. But I want to be alone with you, in our home, with our acquaintances. The townhouse is lovely, as is Bath, but it isn't our home."

  She stroked his cheek and kissed him. "We'll go to the Baths now, and the concert tonight, but I shall tell Bob and Alice to start packing."

  He hoist her in his arms and spun her around until she giggled, then laid her on the bed and began to kiss down the length of her torso until he drew level with her nest of soft curls. "I can't wait. But sinc
e I'll have to, I might as well pass the time as pleasantly and delectably as possible."

  He lowered his head, and she soared to the stars.

  They had a peaceful afternoon together, with a final trip to the Abbey to hear his friend the organist, and play one last time. Then they went to Sally Lunn's and had buns and chocolate. Next they called in at the booksellers to pick up the volumes they had ordered.

  "Anything else we've forgotten can be delivered to the Duke's. They will send the parcels on," she reassured him as they strolled through the Bath churchyard.