Engaging the Enemy

by Heather Boyd

  ~ * ~

  As far as mistakes went, this fiasco was probably Mercy’s finest. She had thought that, by inviting Leopold to dine with her and Blythe, that her sister might have become better acquainted with him. Or at least become comfortable in his company.

  Sadly, that was not to be the case. Blythe glared daggers at Leopold while he replied politely to her impetuous questions about his past, present, and future plans. It was a tense battle of wits that was bringing Mercy a megrim. She should still be angry with Leopold. He had deceived her, manipulated her, and shared her bed without a word about their past. However, Blythe appeared annoyed enough for both of them at the present. She didn’t want Leopold to think he wasn’t wanted at Romsey, or that he could leave whenever he chose to go. He was not going anywhere until she had some answers that satisfied her. But at the rate this was going, he would be gone before sunrise.

  She licked her lips nervously at the idea. “I saw you out by the stables earlier. Is anything amiss?”

  He shook his head. “Simply admiring one of the horses and thinking it will be a good long while before the duke is old enough to ride them. Has he sat one yet?”

  “The duke is too young,” Blythe cut in.

  Leopold regarded Blythe, a friendly smile on his face. “At what age would you suggest he be introduced to the saddle? It is my understanding that my cousin sat a horse from the age of two, or so he boasted. My parents were somewhat tardier than that. I had to wait for Oliver to be old enough to sit our pony, and then I had to share it with him.”

  Mercy liked the sound of Leopold’s parents. They had been very practical minded people. She cleared her throat. “We rode later, as well. Mother was terrified of horses and would not let us girls near them. My brother was already cantering about when we got our first chance at the experience. Constantine used to tease us that we were as slow as snails.”

  “That’s what brother’s do best. Tease.” His gaze slewed back toward Blythe as he waited on her response.

  Blythe shot him a defiant look. “Not before he turns five.”

  “Good. That gives us ample time to find a suitably quiet mount that will plod about, despite all the urgent kicks the boy is bound to inflict. There is not a horse like that out in the stable, unfortunately. My cousin has only excitable beasts and they simply will not do for an inexperienced rider.”

  Oh, bravo, Leopold! With one answer, he had effectively foiled Blythe’s fears, cited family tradition, and had taken her advice on the matter of Edwin learning to ride. Not many had handled Blythe so masterfully before. Usually, they tried to tell her she worried too much.

  Blythe’s lips pursed, and then she returned to her dinner without further comment.

  Mercy glanced at Leopold. He offered a brief smile, flashed his dimples, and then he too returned to dining quietly at her side. How could she stay mad at him when he did everything else so well?

  The problem vexed her. If he was not being honest with her about sharing her bed five years ago should she necessarily distrust everything else he said and did?

  Then there was his closer than expected relationship to Edwin that he never alluded to. He had never given her any hint that he wanted more to do with the boy than he should. If not for the problems facing them, he’d been determined to get his answers and leave immediately thereafter.

  Mercy sat back in her chair to ponder her feelings. She was—disappointed. Angry. But when she thought about it, she wasn’t even angry with Leopold. She was angry with her husband, and certainly furious with the old duke above all. They had known who was coming to her bed and why he had been chosen for the task. She simply could not imagine Leopold being a party to a seduction unless he was given no choice in the matter.

  “Is something wrong, Your Grace,” Blythe asked.

  Mercy forced a smile. “No, just thinking about the future.”

  Leopold pushed his plate away, and then motioned to Wilcox that the servants could be dismissed. Wilcox glanced at her and Mercy nodded in agreement.

  When they were gone, Leopold addressed Blythe. “The duchess has been kind enough to take me into her confidence about the mad man stalking her. I am greatly concerned and determined to protect my cousin from harm. He is too young for such strife in his life. But I am equally concerned about your welfare.”

  A frown line in Blythe’s forehead appeared. “My welfare?”

  Leopold sat forward. “I am concerned that this man may try to harm the duke through you. You live alone, just as Her Grace has these last years. You are vulnerable.”

  Blythe’s spine stiffened. “I am not vulnerable. I can look after myself.”

  “I am sure you are safe in your own home, but the distance between the two properties worries me. Anything could happen to you and we would not know until it was too late. Would you consent to stay here in the abbey? It would set my mind at ease, and the duchess’ too, I’m sure, to have you safe under this roof.”

  Blythe shook her head violently. “I’m needed at home.”

  Mercy frowned at her words. There was no one waiting for Blythe at home anymore. Her husband and son had passed away. Walden Hall only waited for its mistress’ return and would not miss Blythe for another night.

  She set her hand on her sisters, and was startled by how cold Blythe’s skin had become. “I would love for you to stay the night.”

  Blythe’s gaze switched to stare at Leopold. “I will be perfectly fine on my own. You need have no concern for me.”

  Mercy rubbed her arm. “Please, Blythe. It is not just the danger. I would enjoy your company.”

  Blythe shook her head and then stood. “I have a headache coming on. Do excuse me?”

  She rushed for the door and, although Mercy followed and encouraged her to change her mind, she would not bend. As the carriage rolled off, Leopold tugged Mercy away from the open doorway. “I didn’t mean to frighten her away like that. I had honestly hoped she would remain here with you and the boy.”

  Mercy’s heart ached. “I know what you intended. Blythe is difficult—at the best of times.”

  They walked to the library and Leopold shut the door behind them. “She’s had good reason to be unhappy with her lot in life. She must get lonely.”

  “You would think that to be the case, but it is rare I can get her to visit with me for any longer than a day. It is as if she is waiting for her husband and son to return. I’ve tried to jolly her out of her mourning, but she resists. The only time she seems truly happy is when she is with Edwin.”

  “He is a wonderful boy,” Leopold said quietly.

  She met his gaze and held it. “He reminds me of his father.”

  At that, Leopold’s expression grew grim and he turned away. Mercy watched him pace the room. His posture had stiffened, his hands were clasped behind his back, and he did not look at her for a long time. She sank into a chair as the possibility, no, the likelihood of Leopold being Edwin’s father refused to go away. Did she mind that it could have been him? Did she care enough for it to make a difference between them? Would she change the past and undo Edwin’s creation?

  The answer to all three questions was no.

  She stood again, and placed herself in Leopold’s path. He stopped suddenly, eyeing her warily. His uncertainty tugged at her heart. “I think we should go to bed now. It’s already past Edwin’s bedtime.”

  Chapter Twenty

  In the space of a day, Leopold’s usefulness to Mercy had gone from one extreme to another. This morning Mercy had been cold, aloof, and dismissive of his attempts to help. By evening, her drowsy, bedroom eyes had brought to mind a woman considering him for a night of pleasure. But then she’d asked him to carry her sleeping child to bed which troubled him greatly. Their procession up the grand staircase seemed horribly domestic.

  He led Mercy along the hall, breathing in the scent of a certain sleepy small boy, and instead of turning down the hall to the family wing, he climbed to another level and stepped into a disused guest bed
chamber. The room wasn’t too bad for one night, but it was cold and he was grateful he’d snuck up here earlier and stored some extra blankets. They might need them before the night was through. Leopold, however, intended to stand watch all night and had no need for a bed.

  Edwin grumbled as Leopold set him on yet another strange bed and rolled onto his side. Instinctively, Leopold covered him with the sheets, retrieved extra blankets and tucked them around his body as he had seen Mercy do last night. When he turned, Mercy stood watching him. Yet this time her gaze had softened to one of pleasant warmth.

  Leopold’s pulse pounded in response, and he fussed with the bedclothes before withdrawing Mercy’s overnight satchel from under the bed. Inside lay her nightgown, a comb, and a thick shawl. Thinking of those personal items helped to control his emotions. He was here to do a job—protect them—and not become emotionally attached to his charges. He couldn’t guard them if he was constantly battling his growing feelings for the pair.

  Mercy stilled his fussing with a gentle touch and drew him away from the bed. She stood with moonlight spilling over her shoulders and fairly took his breath away. When she stepped into his arms, he didn’t protest. She looked him right in the eye as she brought his head down within her reach. Her lips brushed softly, teasing a man pushed beyond endurance. Leopold tightened his grip for a deeper, more satisfying kiss.

  A soft moan erupted from her mouth and the sound thrilled him. But the boy was too near for comfort. Leopold moved them away from the bed toward a connecting door. The room was empty, lit only by moonlight from the open drapes but secure enough to engage in a little temptation without leaving the boy unprotected.

  Mercy went willingly, her hands on his clothing, tugging and pulling until she exposed his skin. What Leopold wanted was Mercy—her skin beneath his lips, her taste on his tongue. He settled her to a low chair and dropped to his knees.

  Mercy’s sigh was loud as he ran his hands up her legs, beneath her gown. He teased the material higher until the soft white of her thighs was exposed above her stockings. Her legs trembled under his hands and he dropped his head to press his lips against her warm skin. She sighed again as Leopold kissed higher. He tugged until her bottom rested on the edge of the chair, and then settled comfortable at her feet. He urged her legs apart.

  Moonlight illuminated the dark patch of hair at the apex of her thighs. He gently combed his fingers through the strands until he touched dampness. He rested his head against her inner thigh while he probed deeper. She was wet, warm, and open for their pleasure. But he would only give her pleasure tonight. His could wait. He’d waited for years to pleasure a woman of her passion, but they did not have long tonight.

  Leopold pressed his lips to her skin again and licked a path toward his fingers. Mercy shuddered when he reached her opening and he tasted her desire on his tongue. All his—just for this brief space of time allowed. Leopold lifted one of her legs over his shoulder as he kissed her. The soft moan above his head, the fingers tightening on his scalp made his cock swell for release from confinement.

  He pushed into Mercy with one finger, feeling her depths grip him as he set his mouth to her tender skin. Mercy hissed and wriggled as he lapped at her nub. But she was open, pinned in place by his mouth and hands and didn’t fight him too hard for release. He curled his tongue over the hard bud and sucked gently while his finger moved in and out of her body. He loved her taste, loved the power of giving her pleasure, and the way she couldn’t hide how aroused she was.

  All because of him.

  He lifted his mouth when her moans grew too loud, startled that her release appeared imminent. He wouldn’t grant her mercy so soon. Not at least until he wished it. Leopold added another finger inside her as he looked up along her body. Her careless abandon, bedroom eyes, and parted lips inflamed him. He widened her legs further and carefully added another finger to her depths. The fit was tight, constricting. He loved that she would allow him this.

  He dropped his head, painfully aroused by her responsiveness and lapped at her nub again. She breathed in rough pants as he moved his fingers, as he drew upon the tight nub to increase her pleasure. All of a sudden she stiffened, body clamping on his fingers, and sobbed. Leopold swiftly covered her mouth with his free hand, smiling that she’d made so much noise.

  He stilled his fingers when she twitched away and slowly withdrew them from her body. He pressed a quick kiss to her folds and then sat up.

  Mercy’s leg slid from his shoulder with an inelegant thump. Her breath churned in and out.

  Leopold, despite having blue balls, was quite proud of himself.

  He rolled to his feet, ignored his own unfulfilled desires, and left Mercy to check that their activities had not disturbed the boy. Edwin still slept, so he pushed the door closed again and returned to Mercy.

  Mercy tossed her head from side to side. “You astound me, Leopold.”

  He grinned and tugged her gown over her knees. “How so, sweetheart?”

  Mercy’s face broke into a huge grin at his endearment. “I have been led to believe that most men would take what they want first. You prove them all wrong. Why have you stopped, Leopold? Do you not want to feel as good as you made me feel?”

  “Of course, I do.” Most men would hardly find themselves in this situation. He had to take particular care not to leave Mercy with her belly full. He would have to abstain to save her future embarrassment. “It’s just too great a risk.”

  “Do you mean the danger coming to Romsey or the danger of wanting to stay here with me?”

  He smiled at her and slid a lock of dark hair behind her ear. “Both. I cannot protect you like this. I will be more vigilant after tonight, I promise.”

  Mercy stood and Leopold backed up two paces. She was delightfully disheveled, with her flushed cheeks and rumpled skirts. “You will protect us. I am sure of it. But remember that I am here for you, too. I may be a duchess, but I am not so selfish as to deny you pleasure. If you think it too dangerous tonight to continue, so be it. But I warn you that I will find a way to repay for every pleasure you bestow on me.”

  Leopold shook his head.

  Mercy settled her finger over his lips. “Shh, Leopold. Not tonight. But later you and I will have a long and very necessary chat. Now, I think I should retire so that you may be easy again.” She lifted onto the balls of her feet and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Goodnight, my dear sir.”

  Mercy stepped back, turned, and disappeared from the room. His cock ached again from that simple affectionate kiss and he wished he could call her back. But the night was passing and he had family to protect. He eased open the door to the hall and listened for any sound. When none greeted him, he closed the door and slipped into the other room. Mercy had already changed into her nightgown and was just settling in next to her son, so he pulled the blankets higher up her chest, and pressed a kiss to her hair.

  She snuggled down for sleep without a word and Leopold was profoundly grateful. He didn’t want to preempt the discussion she felt they needed because he feared she would ask him to stay with her forever. To his vexation, he didn’t know how he might answer anymore. Always in the past, his answer was certain: he would leave Romsey behind like a bad memory. Unfortunately, the good was now outweighing the bad.

  He crossed to the window, stood concealed behind the drapes and peeked outside. Romsey Abbey’s grounds were lit as bright as day by the moonlight and Leopold was pleased. He could see the north drive and eastern fields as if it were early morning. If he moved to the next chamber, he would have an even greater view. But he was hesitant to move so far away from Mercy and Edwin.

  There was a chance they might call for him during the night. Another foolish thought. They hardly needed him as it was.

  Leopold straightened as a shadow moved across the grounds. The figure was human, dressed in a flapping coat and trousers, but without a hat covering their longish hair. His heart raced as the person avoided the main door and approached the abbey’s lowe
r windows. The stranger tried window after window and Leopold strained to see them when they disappeared out of sight. Whoever it was seemed very determined to get inside the Abbey. It couldn’t be a servant; they’d have gone around to the servants’ entrance immediately and knocked. After a few tense moments, the shape came back into view, but this time the stranger scanned the upper floors where Leopold hid. Leopold ducked out of sight, fearing the moonlight might illuminate his location. He did not want the stranger to know they were observed.

  But Leopold couldn’t hide forever, not when someone prowled the exterior of the building. He eased the drape back an inch, peering out on the grounds again. But the stranger was gone. No trace of them remained anywhere and although Leopold kept watch until the early morning sun lightened the horizon, he gained no further sightings. All he had gathered as to the stranger’s identity was that the person was fully grown, and determined. But at this distance, he couldn’t tell for certain whether the stranger was male or female.

  ~ * ~

  Mercy roused herself from the worst sleep of her life. She had heard every movement, every soft breath that Leopold had taken during the night, or so it seemed. She rubbed at her eyes wearily and turned for her son. But Edwin was gone from the bed.

  Alarmed, she looked around wildly. The room was empty, but then voices drifted in from the connecting chamber. Leopold’s deep rumbling tones and Edwin’s piping queries. She drew her knees up under her chin to listen.

  Edwin asked a lot of questions. Leopold never sounded like his next answer would be his last. He had much more patience than Mercy did at this hour of the morning. There was nothing harder than to give a satisfactory answer when you were half asleep in bed. If she had been lucky enough to have had more children, Edwin would not be so alone as he was now. But Mercy had only conceived once during her marriage. Edwin was destined to be an only child.