He caught her hand and turned her around to face him. “Don’t run,” he said.
“Run?”
The captain shook his head as if annoyed with her. “It is all right to be human,” he said. “And it is acceptable to be afraid when the situation warrants it.”
“You weren’t afraid.”
“Why do you think I kissed you?” he said. “I had to take my mind off my fear with something I wanted to do.”
He didn’t wait for her reaction to that startling pronouncement but opened the door and let them both out. He kept hold of her hand.
“Still,” she said as she followed him, “there are ways a gentlewoman must behave.” She was far too aware of him. He smelled of the fresh air and a spicy scent uniquely his own.
“Especially the gentlewomen dressed in breeches,” he remarked, looking around the hallway corner to be certain it was safe to leave their haven.
She felt herself blush. “Even in breeches,” she remarked, gently pulling her hand from his.
Captain Duroy cocked an eyebrow. “Rubbish,” he answered.
Pippa opened her mouth to be offended, but then realized she didn’t know what to say. She did believe most of the rules of society were rubbish. Certainly they didn’t have a place here.
“You aren’t like the other men of my acquaintance,” she admitted before she could stop herself.
“Men can be free thinkers, too,” he tossed over his shoulder as he walked down the hallway.
“No, I believe you may be unique,” she murmured, and he shot her a grin.
“There is hope for you yet, Miss Nelson.” He opened the front door just as the innkeeper poked his head around the corner and then walked into the tap room. The man started cursing.
“What is he saying?” Captain Duroy asked.
“The soldiers didn’t pay him. He’s calling them names.”
“Tell him I agree with him,” the captain ordered as he reached for his money purse. “I’ll pay their bill.”
“You will?”
He frowned. “If I have enough.”
“I have some.” She began to remove her money bag from the cord around her neck.
“Save your money,” he ordered. “You may need it.”
“And you won’t? Why? What are you planning to do?”
“I’m going to destroy the ammunition on that supply train.” He gave the money to the innkeeper, who immediately began praising him for his generosity.
But Pippa was stunned. “You plan on doing this yourself?”
The captain nodded, the set of his mouth telling her he wasn’t jesting. “What is the innkeeper saying now?”
Pippa shook her head, trying to bring herself back to her Spanish. “He appreciates what you’ve done.”
“Good,” Captain Duroy said. “Tell him I expect him to take care of you as if you were his own daughter until I return.”
“What?” Pippa looked incredulously at him. “Do you plan to leave me here?”
“Until I return. Or until the English come through here. I want you safe.”
But Pippa had other plans. “You are not leaving me here. I will go with you.”
He shook his head. “Absolutely not.” He started to walk toward the door.
Pippa rushed to put herself in his path. “You will not leave without me.”
“I must. What I’m going to do is dangerous.”
“So you will go out there and do it alone? You mustn’t. You can’t. It’s madness.”
“It’s my duty.”
He would have gone around her, but Pippa was made of stern stuff. She pressed her hand against his chest. “They stole my horse. I am going after her.”
“I shall try and bring her to you.” He again attempted to go forward. Pippa wouldn’t let him.
“We go together,” she said. “It is what the British do. I cannot stay here cooling my heels when I could be of some service to you.”
“Miss Nelson—” he started in a placating voice.
She cut him off. “Don’t patronize me, Captain. As a family member of a British envoy, I am considered part of the military.”
“I doubt that—”
“I don’t.” She softened her tone. “Let me help you, please. I know very little about what you have in mind, but you will need an extra pair of hands, to hold your horse if nothing else. Or to tell the world what you set out to do if you fail.”
She’d caught his attention then. “I won’t fail,” he assured her.
“We go together,” she answered.
He drew a breath and then released it, muttering something about willful females before saying, “Come along then.”
Pippa happily complied.
The lads who had watched his horse had served him well. They told Pippa that the French had been taking whatever they wished from the villagers, but the boys had hidden Valiant in the church and he’d not been discovered.
Since Captain Duroy had given all his money to the innkeeper, Pippa proudly paid the lads for their resourcefulness. This time he didn’t tell her to keep her money.
Within moments, they were on their way in the direction of Bejar.
It wasn’t hard to follow the supply train. The French were confident. They had controlled Spain for too long to believe they needed to look over their shoulder.
“Do we have a plan?” Pippa asked as they rode. She sat behind them on the horse, her arms around his waist.
“None yet,” he said, “other than to destroy all their ammunition. Without it, the French can’t attack us from the rear.”
“How will you move close to it?”
“I will have to think of a diversion,” he said.
Tired, Pippa laid her head against his back. He didn’t seem to mind, and it felt good to be here with him.
Suddenly, Pippa understood what it meant to belong somewhere. She’d known Captain Duroy for less than forty-eight hours, and yet she found peace by his side.
“Do you know,” she said, her voice low as she reasoned this all out in her mind, “that kiss we had, it was nothing like what I’ve read about in books. The authors don’t explain the details.”
There was a beat of silence, and then he said, “Then remind me that I need to show you the details. I wouldn’t want you to miss the experience.”
Her heart skipped a funny beat. “I think that sort of kiss might be more interesting than any I’ve read about in books,” she admitted.
“Trust me, Miss Nelson, before this night is through, you shall discover there are many things in life more exhilarating than anything you can read in a book.”
Her cheek against his back, she could readily concede she had already discovered what he said was true.
WILLIAM KNEW IT was madness to bring Miss Nelson with him, except she had been right—he did need another person to help.
But also, he liked her. It felt good to have her with him. She didn’t complain and was game for anything. He also didn’t mind her body this close to his.
Perhaps he shouldn’t have kissed her. It had not been a good kiss at all, and yet he couldn’t stop thinking about it. Her honest innocence was refreshing.
Yes, he was still angry she had run away. That had been dangerous, foolish… and also showed her courage. He was not accustomed to thinking of women as having courage, but Miss Nelson was proving him wrong on several points.
And if he kept thinking about her, he’d see them both killed.
Destroying the ammunition in the French supply train was necessary. In truth, he might not survive this encounter, but he was a soldier first and foremost.
The French finally set up camp on a small plain. When William noticed that the dust and sounds of wagons and horses were growing closer, he reined in Valiant and moved well away from where the enemy would set up sentries. Tying his horse up, he and Miss Nelson enjoyed a quick meal of bread and cheese from the innkeeper.
He then set out to spy upon the French. Miss Nelson wanted to join him, but
he made her stay behind.
Coming to a bluff, he crawled on his belly until he could look upon the French camp without being seen.
A second later, he heard a noise—a moment before Miss Nelson crawled on her belly beside him. “What shall we do?” she whispered.
“Don’t you do anything I order you to do?” he demanded.
A dimple flashed at him in her smile. “What fun would that be?”
And in that moment, William tumbled in love.
It was a very odd thing. He’d never felt it before. His mother had always told him that when he met the girl he was meant to meet, he would know. Her prophecy had sounded like nonsense to him. He’d desired many women, but had not had that moment when he said, this is the one—until now.
“I want you to be safe,” he said.
She nodded, her gaze shifting from him to the French encampment, which she studied like a seasoned mercenary. “I will be.”
“I don’t know that. You haven’t listened to one order I’ve given.”
Again she looked at him, and he thought she was adorable. The Spanish sun brought out her freckles, which seemed exactly right on her face. Perfect even.
He must be mad, because here they were in grave danger and he wanted to kiss her.
William blocked the idea from his mind. He should be wanting to strangle her.
He’d see them both killed if he didn’t stop mooning over her.
Beyond her head, he saw movement.
The top of a helmet showed itself from the other side of the bluff, and William knew they were seconds away from being discovered by the approaching soldier.
Chapter Five
PIPPA NOTICED IMMEDIATELY when Captain Duroy’s attention veered from her. She turned and saw the Frenchman coming over the bluff.
In seconds, the sentry would see them. All would be lost.
And then Pippa knew what she would do. Captain Duroy wanted a diversion. Well, she would create one.
Before he could stop her, she rose to her feet and began walking toward the sentry. She pulled the scarf from her hair. Her copper curls sprung free in joyous abandon.
Of course the guard saw her and immediately crouched, his bayonet ready to run her through. Pippa stopped and thrust out her chest. Now was the time to show that she did have breasts.
“I am the daughter of Sir Hew Nelson, the British envoy to Spain. I insist on being taken to your commander.”
The Frenchman frowned. She’d deliberately spoken in English. Let them find out later she was fluent in their language. She also expected the sight of a woman in male attire would protect Captain Duroy. She was right. The guard had no eyes for anyone but her.
“Allez,” he ordered, waving her in front of him with his bayonet.
She held up her hands to show she had no tricks and walked forward. However, she could not resist a glance in Captain Duroy’s direction.
He was not there.
She had been a very good diversion.
It turned out that the guard had wandered away from his post to heed a call to nature. That is what he told his comrades as he proudly marched his captive into the camp.
The ammunition wagons, heavily loaded with kegs of gunpowder and the other needs of war, were in a circle in the middle of the camp, the tents arranged around them.
She made certain to hold her head high as she was paraded around. She wanted all eyes on her. She was like brave Boudicca, confronting her Roman enemies, or one of the goddesses of Olympus, unafraid. She also knew that, if she had any inkling of Captain Duroy’s character, he was thinking of a way to reach those wagons—and she trusted he would come for her as well.
However, her facade fell away as they approached the commander of the supply train. He was a short man with blondish hair and narrow, almost evil eyes. He was also evaluating her horse so intently, running his hand up and down Tatiana’s leg, he didn’t notice Pippa and the guardsman at first.
Tatiana nickered at Pippa’s arrival. Pippa wanted to run to her beloved horse and throw her arms around the mare’s neck, but she stood her ground.
The commander looked up, and then his gaze brightened. “What have we here?” he asked in French.
The guard told his story. By now a large crowd had gathered around them. Pippa tried to pretend she did not understand the crude comments made about her. Several men talked about her legs. Pippa found that interesting. She hadn’t realized legs on a woman were so desirable. A few complained of her lack of endowment, but instead of being insulted she thought of Captain Duroy. He didn’t mind her lack of an overabundant chest.
And she wondered what he was doing now. She hoped he was still safe—
The explosion behind her let her know that not only was he safe, he was close at hand.
Men cried out as debris hit them. Several turned to save the other wagons, but those, too, exploded.
Tatiana was frightened. She reared, pulling the lead rope out of her handler’s hand.
Pippa did not waste a moment but moved closer to her horse, even as she saw Captain Duroy. He was running from the explosions and fires that were quickly spreading to the tents.
Soldiers saw him and cried out to stop him. No one was paying attention to Pippa any longer.
“Tatiana, heed me,” she ordered.
The mare pranced but stilled enough for Pippa to throw herself on her back. She grabbed her mane, put her heels to her horse, and went charging to rescue the captain.
He was in a fight with several soldiers. He’d managed to find a sword and now defended himself from two soldiers while the rest were running around madly trying to put out the fires.
But they were too late. The last wagon exploded.
“Captain, here!” Pippa yelled out over the roar of flames.
He’d seen her coming. “Keep going,” he said.
“Not without you.”
He surprised her then by pulling a small pistol from his uniform pocket and firing it at the soldier nearest him. The man dropped, and Captain Duroy had enough time to launch himself up behind Pippa. Together, they rode as hard as they could to where Valiant was tethered.
“Can you continue to ride bareback?” the captain asked.
“Of course,” Pippa said.
He smiled, his expression saying he’d never doubted she could, and she was filled with fierce pride.
They rode then, hard and fast. Their horses wanted as much distance from the fire as they did. They raced over hills and across plains until at last they came to a village.
The hour was very late, but there were still some people out. There was no inn, but a widow rented a room and had stabling for their horses.
The whole time, Pippa felt as if her emotions were on edge. She didn’t even think twice when the widow assumed the two of them were man and wife. In fact, she couldn’t draw a decent breath until they were in the safety of the bedroom.
Captain Duroy whirled her around to face him. “That was the most foolhardy stunt you have pulled yet. You should never have put yourself in such danger.”
Taken aback, Pippa felt her temper ignite. He should be thanking her. “It worked, didn’t it?”
He took her by both arms, as if he would shake her. “But it easily could have been a disaster. Miss Nelson, Pippa, if you ever do anything like that again, I shall—”
“You shall what?” she dared him.
The anger in his expression suddenly eased, and in its place was an emotion she couldn’t quite define, until he said, “I shall kiss you.”
Before the meaning of his words formed in her brain, he was kissing her—and this time she didn’t hold her lips closed.
She was wiser now. She opened her mouth and kissed him right back.
And what a kiss it was! Who could have imagined a simple kiss could carry such meaning, such power? It was as if they breathed in each other’s souls… and she was lost.
“Pippa,” he whispered. She adored hearing him say her name.
He started t
o pull away. She threw her arms around his neck, holding him close, and answered, “Yes, William. Yes.”
Some things were not the same in life as what she’d read in books. She now knew They kissed was tame in comparison with actually kissing, and she wondered what else she didn’t know.
Her father had warned that men could be beasts. She now decided that could be a very good thing.
Their kiss deepened. He was holding her, his hands at her waist.
She found she wanted more. She wanted to be completely in his arms without any barriers between them. She began unbuttoning his uniform.
His lips brushed her forehead. “Don’t, Pippa.”
“Yes, William.” She found the buttons of his breeches, and his protests stopped.
They made love.
And Pippa thought this was the most beautiful thing she’d experienced in her life.
Here was a man she could admire. A gallant man. One filled with courage.
He took great care of her.
The thought passed through her mind that if they had not just come so close to death, he might have considered twice about claiming her. She was glad he didn’t.
Having him deep inside her body fulfilled her in a way she’d not believed possible. Years of self-doubt, fear, and insecurity were vanquished in her lover’s arms.
He spoke to her. He said her name as if it was a blessing.
Her body responded to him with a will all its own. But there was something else at work here. Pippa felt as if she was meant to meet this man, to be here in his arms. He was her fate, her destiny—and as their bodies worked together, as he initiated her into the rites of love, taking from her that which was only hers to give, she discovered the pure bliss of pleasure. And she learned pleasure’s depth as well. Two shall become one. She now understood what those words meant.
For a long, long time, she could not speak. He didn’t move, either, except to ease his body off of hers and then gather her close. She laid her head on his chest, feeling his heartbeat return to normal.
He spoke, his fingers playing with her curls. “I want you to return to England.” Before she could protest, he continued, “I must know you are safe, Pippa. I will send you to my mother. She’s very forward-thinking, and my father worships her. I adore her.”
For Love and Honor Page 3