Lady Star

by Claudy Conn

  “Don’t see ‘ow Oi can do that, guv,” Farley had grumbled though his body quaked with fear.

  “And I don’t see how you can do anything else and survive.”

  The memory of how those words were said shook him now to the core. He could no longer hound the young lord for the information he had so desired. No longer would there be easy pickings at estates whose gentry and staff had gone off to London, Brighton or abroad.

  Right, so how could he continue to rob the rich old nabobs while they were away, if he couldn’t find out this information from the young lord? And he couldn’t ride the highway as a toby…not with the flash on his tail. How was a man to make a living?

  Then he remembered just how Sir Edward had looked at the young lord’s sister, Miss Berkley. A plan formed in his busy brain, his toothless grin appeared across his face and he said, “Eh lads, listen up here. Oi gots me a plan, oi does.”

  * * *

  The Berkley’s brass door knocker sounded loudly as Dilly rounded the corner of the kitchen. She handed the tray of cold coffee and biscuits to Cook who looked at the untouched biscuits she had baked fresh that morning and clucked her tongue.

  “Those two children, for they are little more than that, and don’t be telling me how he is the lord of the manor and all, for he is still a youth and neither one of them has eaten right for days! Whot’s to do?” Cook fretted as she took the tray and dropped it on the wooden center chopping block table.

  Dilly didn’t respond as she ran off to get the front door. She opened it wide and smiled brightly as she stood aside to allow Sir Edward to enter.

  “Hallo, Dilly,” he said warmly.

  Dilly smiled in spite of her shyness. She met his gaze for the flash of a moment and appeared happy to tell him, “Hello sir. Miss will be that glad…Oi mean…his lordship would be, if he were here, that he would. But Oi’m certain Miss Berkley would be pleased to receive ye as she has just been moping around, Oi suppose on account of the rain and such.”

  “Thank you, Dilly,” he said and winked at her. “Is she in the library? I fancy I know the way.”

  Dilly giggled and hurried off and Sir Edward made his way to the library door, and opened it ever so slightly. He stood for a moment looking at Star and it was as though everything inside of him, from his brain right down to the nerve endings in his toes lit up. A warm and glowing amber light, seemed to surround her and that glow pulled him toward her.

  She didn’t hear him as he approached though he thought she must for his heart pounded loudly, unrelentingly in his chest. He saw that she was deep in thought and wondered what was wrong. He could sense something was wrong. Had such a bond already struck up between them? Did she feel it as well?

  She was a beauty and in her simple summer muslin gown of green, with her flaxen colored hair sweeping perfectly around her piquant face. He was mesmerized by its waves as they cascaded just to her neck. He was aware that the sight of her, took his breath away. He had always laughed to hear this said and now he knew just what it actually meant. He couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t think, he couldn’t speak.

  He found himself sucking in air, as he tried to fill his lungs, but all he could do was stand very still and admire and remember the feel of her in his arms. Her skin so like silk, her heavenly thighs and that tempting honey box hidden between. He wanted her all at once and didn’t know how he was going to keep his hands off her. He had to because he adored her and wanted everything to be perfect for her.

  He loved everything about her—everything!

  Jules had told him he wanted her to grow her hair long, but he didn’t at all agree. He found he liked it clipped, as the style suited her. He loved the way strands of its white gold curled around her delicate ears, strayed across her forehead.

  She turned then and her dark eyes found his eyes and filled his soul with a sensation he had never dreamt possible to feel from just a look, ah, but that look.

  She went toward him in a rush of feeling. Her voice was scarcely audible as she said, “Edward…oh Edward.”

  He took her up in his arms in one sweeping embrace and before his lips brushed her own he whispered, “I have been waiting for this moment…oh by all that is good and right, I can’t tell you how wonderful you feel to me.”

  His mouth covered hers and all he could think was her kisses were as delicious as they had been the first time he had brushed her lips with his. He knew in that moment that she would always taste delicious, audacious, and completely irresistible.

  The sound of her voice was like a sweet melody he wanted to hear over and over and he knew he would never tire of it. The touch of her body was magic against his own and filled him with need.

  He came away from her kiss and she said, “Edward, you should run from me as fast as you can.”

  Surprised, he leaned away from her to study her face. “What has occurred and don’t tell me nothing, something has for you to say such a thing to me.”

  “I…we…I…”

  He took her hand and led her to the sofa, “I think you and I must talk, for you know, you must know, how I feel.”

  * * *

  All the pent up worry, and doubts vanished when Star turned and saw him standing there with a look on his face that gave her hope to think perhaps…just perhaps and then just as quickly, she told herself, she wasn’t worthy such a man!

  She went to him in a rush of emotion. The feel of his arms took her to a place where she was safe, forever safe and filled her with the desire to stay right where she was, in his embrace. His kiss opened up her doubts with an explosion of love, a love she was certain she would never feel ever again for any other man. She had told him to run from her and a good part of her wanted him to do just that, though it would break her heart. She wanted him safe from the ruin she and her brother were falling into.

  She loved him, so then, she could not allow him to lower himself by aligning his name with hers…if that was what he meant to do and from the look on his face and the sound in his voice, she thought he was approaching that point.

  He took her to the sofa and wrapped her up in his arms and repeated, “Talk. Tell me everything.”

  “I don’t know where to start…” she felt her voice begin to tremble and said instead, “First, tell me did you enjoy your day, yesterday? Did you visit with friends? Jules said something about he rather thought that was where you had gone off to…some friends you both know in Hastings.”

  “You are prattling. I do wish, with all my heart, that you could find it in your heart to trust me. Star, my dear heart…don’t you trust me?”

  “I do, oh, I so do,” she said desperately. “Things, however, are in such a muddle.” She turned from him and pushed out of his hold.

  Although she wanted him to hold her and tell her everything would be fine, she knew that things were in jeopardy and there was nothing he could do to help.

  In addition to that, she had to steer him away from the subject of her trusting him. It wasn’t about trust, but about her brother’s honor. While honor was an intangible, she knew how her brother felt about it. He had left saying he would handle things and she had to allow him to try.

  She was distracted and confused, but she managed to put on a bright smile and tell him, in a purposely teasing tone, “It is you who still does not trust me.”

  His thick defined brow arched, “Now what can you mean?”

  She laughed and peeped at him, for the moment lost in the aura of what she felt. “I am speaking of the mystery that hangs around your head, sir.”

  “A mystery? Me?”

  “Indeed,” she said nodding at him. “When you first came to us, Jules said you were recovering from a broken heart…”

  “Ah, of course…my broken heart?” he grinned broadly.

  “So then, was Jules correct, were you suffering from a broken heart?” she countered.

  “Do you think so, minx?” He flicked her nose. She eyed him quizzically,

  “No, I never thought so. I
think your pride was wounded, not your heart,” she said audaciously.

  He reached for her and brought her in close. She allowed it, for when he was near, everything seemed right with the world. “You are an impertinent girl.” He bent his head and kissed her neck, nibbling toward her ear.

  “So I am,” she murmured. “Do you mean to answer me?”

  He stopped his ministrations and put his head back, “I suppose I must. Yes, it was my pride. In truth, the young lady in question served to expand my heart, ready it… not break it.”

  “Ah,” Star eyed him happily. “How very interesting. I like that, but…did you love her at all?”

  He sighed, “Now that I know what love is, I suppose, I did not. She was a beautiful, intriguing woman, quite sought after. She caught my interest and I did think she might be the one. She rejected my suit for as you know, another man and lucky I am that she did.”

  Star felt a twinge of jealousy that she immediately shook off. Her hand went to his chest. He covered her fingers with his own.

  She frowned. Had she made him think of something that hurt him? She was at once repentant, “I am sorry. I did not mean for you to recall something painful.”

  “That is just it, love. It isn’t painful at all,” so saying he brought her in for his kiss, gently brushing his lips with hers, tickling the tip of her tongue with his own before he pulled away and sighed.

  “I shouldn’t…I don’t wish to be found like this alone with you. It isn’t seemly,” he said softly taking her hands to pull her up from the sofa.

  “Nonsense. Who would come in upon us? Vern is off to town and besides that, he knows what I am…” she said saucily.

  “And what are you, my love?”

  That he called her ‘his love’ thrilled her to her bones. She wanted more of this with him, more teasing and more kissing, more of everything that had anything to do with him. She eyed him and said, tongue in cheek, “A veritable hellcat.”

  He threw back his head and laughed, brought her in for an embrace, kissed her forehead and said, “A darling one, the only one…but, now I must go. I have business in town as well.”

  She walked him to the front door, her hand in his and he turned to put her fingers to his lips, “Star, before I go, I ask for a promise. Would you trust me enough to give it?”

  “What sort of promise?”

  He smiled ruefully, “After you trusted me with your kisses, your touch, your body, will you hold back your trust?”

  She hugged him tightly, “No, no, yes then, I promise.”

  “So then, allow me to spell it out for you so there can be no misunderstanding. All I ask is that you come to me first…me…before any other, me before your brother even. Don’t allow doubts to sway you. Think of this moment and come to me, only me when you find you need help.”

  “Before all others,” she said softly. She hoped her meaning was clear because saying the words ‘I love you’ was so very difficult when he had not, and had not even talked about a future with her. He was kind. Perhaps he meant to extend his help but not his heart.

  He looked at her and for a moment she thought he was having a difficult time tearing himself away. He said softly, “Thank you, Star and remember this moment until our next.”

  She closed the door at his back and leaned up against it. Oh Faith, how she loved him.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “WELL, I’VE DONE it!” Vern exclaimed looking as proud as could be, as he strode through the library door and moved toward his sister. He took her hands and shook them gleefully, “Star, we may yet come about.”

  “Well, look at you…Vern, take your damp cloak off, you will get sick all over again!” Star pulled at his wet cloak and took it to drape over a wooden chair and set up by the fire.

  “Star, aren’t you listening? I’ve done it! Just like that! Don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner, for I never liked sailing.”

  “Have you done it, dear?” she said absently.

  “What is wrong with you?” he ignored his own question and hurried on. “I put together a deal and he couldn’t say no, I tell you. I didn’t wait for Miles on this, but managed it myself. This will see us through and get you a London Season to boot. Star…I’ve sold the yacht!”

  “Oh Vern, that’s wonderful, to Mr. Duncan? You told me last month he had approached you. I didn’t think you took his offer seriously. Did you get your price?” she said taking some interest.

  “I did. He said I was more than fair and had his account manager transfer the funds immediately. The yacht is now his.” Vern grinned.

  “And so, it is good-bye to Papa’s yacht.” She sighed and added, “But I suppose it was time for us to move on.”

  “Yes, yes,” he frowned suddenly. “There is only one thing troubling me…but I daresay, it isn’t anything.”

  “And what is that?”

  “I bumped into Sir Edward at the bank. He came in just as we were finalizing the paperwork and I overheard some chatter between two of the clerks. It didn’t quite make sense, but, it was disturbing.”

  “Sir Edward? Chatter?” Star felt something catch in her throat. What could it be? She was almost afraid to ask, but she did. “What chatter, Vern?”

  “As I said, two of the clerks who had been working on his file caught my attention when I noticed they glanced my way…oddly. A few moments later when I got up to stretch while I waited for Mr. Duncan to transfer the funds, I heard them conversing.”

  “About what?” Star was surprised.

  “Well, they asked Sir Edward’s account manager if he wanted to set up a payment schedule for the property and he said that it wouldn’t be necessary as Sir Edward meant to offer it in one lump sum.”

  “Property…payment schedule…why should that trouble you? No doubt he has purchased something in the vicinity.”

  “No, I don’t think so, and it worries me as someone has purchased our mortgage…and could foreclose. I had the impression that someone was Sir Edward.” He shook his head. “I have enough now to make reasonable payments either monthly or quarterly but not enough to pay the entire mortgage at once, especially if it has the mortgager’s profit added to it.” He shrugged. “I daresay I am worrying myself over nothing.”

  “Sir Edward wouldn’t do that to us…it must be some other property…it must be,” Star said feeling sick in the pit of her stomach. “Why, he was just here this morning, and didn’t say a word.”

  Vern eyed her for a long moment, “What did he want?”

  “Oh…I don’t know…” she did not meet his gaze.

  “Brat. What do you mean by such behavior? Entertaining a man in my absence alone here in the library?” He wagged a finger at her.

  She saw that he was only half in earnest, still too excited by his successful sale of the yacht. “Well, as to that, waywardness must run in the family,” she teased.

  He caught her up and swung her around saying before he put her down, “Devil-child.” He sighed then and added more gravely, “It won’t do, you know that, don’t you?”

  “What won’t do? My entertaining Sir Edward in your absence, or…my entertaining Sir Edward?” The banter was rife on her face as well as her voice.

  “Oh take a damper, m’girl. You know exactly what won’t do.” He moved over to the sideboard and poured himself a glass of sherry, but turned slightly and said over his shoulder, “I only want you to consider that his sort…well…may not be serious…and you, my girl, you are so very serious at bottom, aren’t you?”

  “Ah, but his sort is just the sort I want,” she answered him and waited for her brother’s reaction. She and her brother had a beloved link. They had grown up close and in harmony. They had shared and lost both their parents, however, she knew her own mind and waited to see if he was going to buck her on this.

  He sipped his sherry as he contemplated her quietly, “Star, you have had any number of local gentlemen at your feet. You have even had a London beau come courting, but I fancy, Sir Edward
is a cut above them all and well…I don’t want you hurt.”

  This was not precisely telling her what to do and the truth hung on each word, thus, it effectively depressed her into silence. Her shoulders sank with sudden doubts. She said, “Of course, you are right and I am a stupid girl to have contemplated…even for the briefest moment, such things are what dreams are made of…”

  “Star, Star…” he said grabbing her fingers as she turned away from him, “I didn’t mean to burst your bubble and bless me, what do I know about such matters? Don’t listen to me.”

  She smiled, “You haven’t, but you are quite right. I should hold back and evaluate matters with more than…my heart.”

  “Right, good girl and now for the coup de gras!” he said with some excitement.

  She laughed, “There is more?”

  “Yes, Miles and I will sail the yacht to Hastings. At first I had told Duncan I would have to see about that, but Miles says that it would be a grand adventure, so I agreed.”

  “You already spoke to Miles…?”

  “Yes, busy day at the bank. He was coming in as I was going out…said he wanted to see his man about his trust fund so that he could…well, he wanted to loan us enough to get by on.”

  “Oh, he is a dear,” she said.

  “Told him, it wasn’t necessary and then we went back in and saw Duncan and told him we accept.”

  “But, why can’t Duncan sail it into Hastings? What if something happened to the Vision while you and Miles were sailing it? He might hold us accountable?”

  “Deuce take it, don’t you think I thought of that? He can’t sail it as he is due in London on some business or other and doesn’t want to wait to get his men working on it for the next race. We wrote up a contract. We would have to do something grossly negligible to be held accountable for any damage that might occur during delivery and we won’t do anything of the sort. Sailing is not my favorite thing, but I have the knack of it from Papa and Miles. Miles has the sea in his blood.”