She nodded defiantly. He ripped the gown and the torn material fell away in shreds, leaving her exposed to his hungry gaze. Aubree arched to offer herself when he bent to suckle at her breasts.
Aubree caught her hands in his hair and tugged until he came to her. Their lips met with urgent hunger, but they delayed, exploring with lips and fingers, playing lovers’ games, postponing that moment of union.
Fully naked, with no darkness to hide their doubts and fears, they succumbed to what they had tried to deny. Heath took her with tenderness, until Aubree cried with joy. Whatever words he might use later, he could never deny what his body spoke to her now. She had made her claim as thoroughly as he had claimed her. She brought him happiness.
Afterward, Heath strode about the room, snuffing out guttering candles. When he returned to bed, Aubree curled like a kitten beside him, warming his bared flesh.
He pulled her close and whispered against her hair, “God forgive me, but I never meant this to happen, halfling.”
“I did,” she murmured sleepily.
Heath laughed at her bold declaration. He was convinced this slender brat in his arms was capable of almost anything, including fomenting revolution. His only problem now was how far he dared let her run with their lives. And the answer would not be a popular one.
Emily watched as her young sister-in-law laughed at the antics of the children playing with Lady beneath the trees. The day was warm for October, and the sky was unbelievably cloudless.
She noted the glow of color in Aubree’s cheeks and smiled approvingly. Austin’s young bride was meant for sunshine and laughter. Her spontaneous affection spread ripples of warmth wherever she went. She was the ideal choice for returning love and light to Atwood Abbey and its neglected owner, but for a while Emily had feared the gloom would be the winner. Apparently, Aubree needed Austin as much as he did her.
“I wish we could take you back with us, Aubree. We will miss you,” Emily said, twisting a knot in her embroidery.
“And Heath?” Aubree asked with a twinkle in her eye.
Emily shrugged. “My big brother has ever been too self-important. I cannot imagine how so proper a gentleman has managed to involve himself in so many improper scrapes. He will never leave the abbey.”
Aubree laughed. “Heath’s main goal in life may well be the restoration of the abbey and its estates, but his method of achieving that goal has taken strange paths. Oh, That I almost forgot Anna and Maria! They are eager to see you before you leave. We were supposed to receive an invitation for dinner this evening. Have you seen it?”
Emily shook her head negatively. “I have not seen one. Could we not invite them here? I would love to see them again, and I’m certain they would like to meet the children.”
Aubree gave a ragged sigh. “If it were only that easy. . . Geoff said Mr. Sotheby might be softening toward Heath. I had hoped. . .”
“Surely he cannot hold Austin responsible after all these years! Louise was always the wild one. Why, Austin—”
Aubree interrupted. “Here’s Harley. Let us ask him. We certainly cannot go if we are not welcome.” She waved at the gentleman striding down the walk in their direction.
“Lady Aubree! Emily! It is good to see you outside that gloomy house for a while.” He clasped their hands, his open face a portrait of delight. “By Jove, Emily, I still cannot believe I allowed that cursed American to carry you off.”
Delighted with this pretty speech, Emily laughed and gestured toward the romping children. “You would change your tune quickly if you stayed in the company of those two for very long. Besides, you were more interested in war than me, if I recollect rightly.”
“Fool that I was,” Harley agreed. “Have you hidden those two dull fellows away so you might walk with me?”
“They are talking politics, ships, and farming. If you wish to discuss any of those, we will not walk with you. However, if you wish to tell us how we might see Anna and Maria, you are welcome to join us.” Aubree rearranged her skirts so that their visitor might sit between them on the garden bench.
“They are terrified you will return to London and Emily to America before they ever see you again. I have almost convinced them they will have to brave our father’s wrath and come here as I do. Unfortunately, they are rather timid creatures.”
While Emily scolded Harley for this insult, Aubree puzzled over the information he had imparted. Harley had said nothing of expecting them for dinner, and the reference to his father’s wrath did not sound as if Mr. Sotheby had softened his opinion in the least. But why should Geoff make up such a tale? Uneasiness crept over her.
“I understand Geoff and Squire Eversly will be dining with you tonight,” Aubree ventured during a lull in the conversation.
Harley looked surprised. “Whatever in the world gave you that idea? Geoff is an amusing fellow, but I have warned the girls not to encourage him. He has not a feather to fly on, you know, and though he does have some claim to the title of baronet, the family is neither old nor well-respected in these parts. And as for Eversly. . . well, if you will pardon my language, ladies, he is a rake and a scoundrel. In his younger days I understand he was considered handsome and likable enough, but he’s a rag-mannered brute in my book.”
Alarmed, Aubree stumbled over her words. “Not a feather to fly on? I don’t understand. . .” She hesitated, searching her memory. “I understood he possessed estates north of here. And he is always dressed like a Bond Street beau. Surely, there is an error?”
Harley regarded her with amusement. “Heath is right. You are an innocent goose. And do you believe the Beau is wealthy and possesses name and title because he carries jeweled snuffboxes and was courted by Prinny? Half London lives on credit, gudgeon, and I swear the other half lives on Dame Fortune. Why do you think Geoff has spent his summer here? His creditors are threatening him with Newgate, and his cousin offers him free room and board. I know you are fond of the twit, but you really must learn the facts of life, my girl.”
Confused and uneasy, Aubree had the grace to blush. She had assigned Geoff different reasons for spending his months in this desolate place. Even knowing he was not to be relied on, she had allowed him to continue making a cake of her.
“I remember Eversly,” Emily mused. “Mama would not allow me to dance with him. We were at a ball in Exeter, I believe. She said he would not be welcome in polite society, which did not impress me since my father was not very welcome, either, as far as I could discern. But what did impress me was the ugly look he gave me before he walked away. No one had ever looked at me like that before. I felt as if I were a worm he would gladly crush. Now that I think back on it, I believe he was quite tipsy.”
“When was that?” Aubree inquired.
“Oh, I had just come out, so it must have been about a year after Louise’s death. Heath had gone off to war and we had no money, so Exeter was the height of my fancies, then. Why?” she asked.
Harley looked at her, too, and frowned. “Aubree, are you well? Shall I take you back to the house?”
Aubree frowned. “I am quite well, thank you. I simply dislike being lied to and cannot conceive of any reason for it.”
Harley shook his head in bewilderment. “Are you accusing me of lying to you?”
“Emily, I believe the children are climbing the mulberry,” Aubree observed, diverting the subject.
“Oh, my word!” Emily darted after her daring duo, leaving Aubree alone with Harley.
“If you are lying, I’ll have Heath cut your tongue out,” Aubree replied absently. “But if everyone starts lying to me, how will I ever know the truth? It is so very confusing.”
“Aubree, sweeting, you are making no sense. Have you had too much sun? I understand the inhabitants of sunny climes are all a trifle mad.”
Aubree giggled at this exasperated reply. “Tell that to Adrian. He curses our fogs and rain most vehemently.” She grew serious again, keeping an eye on Emily to make certain she was not overheard. �
�It is Geoffrey who is acting strangely. He told me that Emily and I were invited to dinner with you this evening, and that he would stop by to take us there. What purpose would he have in saying such a thing?”
Harley did not look alarmed. “It is typical of him. If he arrived with you in tow, we could not possibly turn him out. He undoubtedly thought the enormity of such an occasion would turn the entire establishment into confusion and no one would notice the discrepancies. And he’s quite likely right. Do you mean to say you would come to dinner if we sent an invite? I shall go home at once to send one.”
She shook her head. “He spoke as if your father might have had a change of heart. I was so eager to mend fences. . . No, Harley, something is wrong. I know it. I just cannot put a finger to it. But how can I tell Heath of my fears? He will go all cold and haughty and advise me to go with Geoffrey if I so desire.”
Harley looked into her troubled expression with concern. “Let me handle it, my lady. I would not risk you with Geoffrey, so stay home tonight. That might stop any foolishness. But there will be extra eyes about, just as a precaution.”
Normally, Aubree would have hugged his neck, but Emily approached with the children in tow, and she settled for a demure squeeze of the hand.
“And if you’re lying. . .” she teased.
“I’ll cut my own tongue out.” He grinned.
Chapter 28
Certain now that Aubree’s feelings on the matter of an annulment were akin to his own, Heath approached his plans for the future with more confidence. His talks with Adrian had convinced him much could be done to improve his finances within a short period of time. There were still the matters of his reputation and her youth and inexperience to overcome, but they did not seem so insurmountable as before. His greatest fear was that his young wife would grow bored and resentful as his first wife had, and in Aubree’s case, with more reason than Louise ever had. For that reason alone, he must be certain of her feelings.
It would not be easy. Her father had already rolled the warning drum, but Heath felt confident he could out-reason the duke’s complaints. Knowing Aubree intended to stay changed everything. Money would be found to increase the staff and make the main living quarters of Atwood Abbey inhabitable again. There was this damned problem over Blanche’s death and the accidents he felt certain were aimed to bankrupt him, but he suspected both those problems could be solved with a well-laid trap. He had never bothered before, but he had sufficient reason to try anything now. He had only to convey his intentions to the duke to silence the drums, for a while.
Heath felt like a schoolboy again as he searched the downstairs for his wandering wife. Up until now, he had not allowed himself to hope Aubree might stay his wife. Her words last night had blown aside all obstacles. To have her at his side for a lifetime, laughing and dazzling his days away, warming his nights, sharing his thoughts, and someday, bearing his children, was a dream beyond imagination.
Unable to find her downstairs, he dragged his still-uncertain leg to the upper floor. He still needed to use care in his movements, but he could feel the knee growing stronger. Part of his dream was to carry his golden wife down a dance floor in a graceful waltz with all the world looking on.
He grinned at the spectacle they would in all probability make if unleashed upon polite society. Aubree would no doubt insist on some ailing animal accompanying them, and he would spend the evening alternately stepping on toes and rescuing the animal from beneath chairs.
He found her in their bedchamber, pensively staring out the window overlooking the stable yard. Her mood was so distant from his, he hesitated, wondering if he had only dreamed what had gone between them. He had not dared make any mention of his feelings, nor his hopes, for fear of obstacles he could not foresee, but surely she understood that. She who communicated so well with mute animals must see his predicament.
Heath crossed the room and slid his arms around Aubree’s slender waist. They fit together so perfectly, her head at just the right height for his cheek to rest against, her hips curving to mold against his thighs. She relaxed into his embrace without reserve, and he muffled a sigh of relief.
“’Tis scarce half-past seven, halfling. Have our demands grown so tiresome that you must escape our company early?”
Aubree leaned back against him and Heath cupped her breast.
“On the contrary,” she replied with a smile, “everyone seemed so engrossed in their own pursuits that my presence seemed superfluous. Adrian and Emily are behaving like newlyweds, and your mother is telling dreadful tales to the children. And I assumed you and John had found some new venture to embark upon.”
He kissed her hair, breathing deeply of the lilac scent. It was all but impossible to carry on a practical conversation in this position. He calculated it might take another twenty years before he could utter two coherent thoughts in a row while Aubree rested in his arms like this.
“There is business I must tend to if I am to have my way with you as I want. I would not like to think you spend those hours in lonely contemplation.” Beneath the layers of muslin and silk that separated his hand from her flesh, he could feel the peak of her breast harden. This involuntary sign of how her body reacted to his pleased him inordinately.
She tilted her head backward to better observe him. “I have not been lonely once since I came here, milord. There is so much I could do, if you would let me.”
“You are a little fool and I believe you deserve your fate.” He bent to kiss the troubled pucker on her rose-pink lips.
This kiss spoke promises more than passion, and Aubree greeted it joyously. Heath was a man of consequence, a man unlike any she had known, and she respected his judgment more than her father’s. To win his respect and convince him to keep her as his wife were goals she had never dared voice. She almost wished they were single again so she might hear him say the words out loud, but she would not test the fates.
When his kiss wandered to her cheek, Aubree wrapped her arms around him as if she would never let go. “You will not send me away?”
Austin kissed the tip of her nose. “I think, for a while, you must go. Peggy needs you, and so does your father, whether you understand that or not. I want you to have time to think and be very certain of your decision. I am terrified that you may be too young to know what you really want.”
He reassured her and worried her at the same time. Did he love her? Did he truly want her to stay? Or did he simply find it more convenient to have a wife and she was as good as any? She had been sent away so many times in the past, she had learned not to dwell on doubts. She must trust that her instincts did not lead her astray. Instinct told her now that he was protecting her at the cost of himself.
“Austin, I am not the fool here, but I will do whatever it requires to convince you. Must it be soon?” she asked wistfully.
He grinned and covered her belly with his hand. “If these last nights are any measure, it had best be soon or you will be plump as a partridge and there will be no choice left. I warned you once what would happen if we started down this path.”
Aubree did not return his grin but regarded him seriously. “What happens if it is too late? Would you be terribly displeased?”
His dark features showed no sign of displeasure as he kissed her brow. “Louise and I were not so blessed in two years of marriage, so it is not very likely, my love. You know the answer to your question without being told.”
She read his answer in the hunger of his lips and the possessive caress of his hands as they slid from her breasts downward, forcing awareness of the use her body was meant for. She could not imagine allowing any other to use her in such a way, but with all her heart, she wished to bear his child.
As if sensing the intensity of her need, he half turned her to study her more carefully. “Aubree. . . ?”
But the worry that had brought her here in the first place had not completely left her, and when Aubree opened her eyes to meet his question, they fell on a more terrifying si
ght.
“Fire!” she breathed, not quite believing that evil flicker in the darkness outside.
Heath lifted his head to look out the window. Before he could react, Aubree spun from his embrace, grabbed the bedcovers from the bed, and started out the door.
“The stables!” she screamed. “They’re burning the stables!”
His stiff stride took him after her, but not fast enough. Doors opened up and down the hall. Confused voices echoed down the passageways in response to Aubree’s cries. Only half-dressed, Adrian met him on the stairway, and Heath limped past, gripping the stair rail as he chased after his fearless wife.
“Stop her, dammit,” he roared at servants arriving in the hallway below. “She’s heading for the stables.”
Not understanding the disaster, they raced to do as told. Heath was left behind as the household ran down the drive toward the cobbled stable yard.
By the time he reached the side of the house, the smell of smoke was thick. Someone pealed the iron bell in the abbey wall. The alarm rang out over the cold night, awaking the countryside to danger as it once had pealed of matins.
Cursing, Heath continued toward the stable. The eerie light was confined to the rear of the half-stone, half-timbered building, but the upper level was filled with recently harvested hay. The light cast shadows on the figures racing in and out of the doors.
John led out two terrified carriage horses, their uneasy whickers generating frightened responses from the animals still inside. The stallion could be heard rearing in its stall, pounding at the ancient oak walls, his cries echoed by the whinnies and bleats of the other trapped animals.
Smoke belched from the rotting timbers of the roof as Aubree’s slim figure appeared out of the black hole of the stable entrance. Beside her, blinded by wet blankets thrown over her head, walked the high-strung Dancing Star.
Immediately understanding what she had accomplished, Heath ordered more blankets to be soaked. A line of bucket wielders had already formed between the pump at the horse trough and the back of the stables. He ordered one line to soak down the front of the building while the other worked at the impossible task of quenching the back. Giving thanks to the original architects who had designed a courtyard distancing the highly volatile barn from the main structure of the house, Heath soaked a blanket and headed after Aubree.
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