I have landed the spavined, broken-down
pony while you have got the fine-blooded
stallion. But you will be sorry for your
choice," Isabel hissed.
Please, Lady Rycott, do not upset
yourself."
I am not in the least upset. I will tell
you something, my dear. I will take an
Edgeworth over a man like stone vale any
day, and if you were smart you would
do the same. Your failure to do so will
probably be your downfall."
Victoria was nonplussed by the bizarre
conversation. She wondered how many
glasses of wine Lady Rycott had consumed.
The gem-hard glitter in Isabel's beautiful
eyes was almost frightening. Please excuse
me, Lady Rycott." She made to move
away, but Isabel's fingers reached out to
grip her bare arm.
You think you have chosen the more
exciting, more interesting man, but you
are a fool. The plain truth is that men
are of little use to a woman if they cannot
be manipulated. Don't you understand?
We are trapped by Society into being
dependent on men for so much. Our
only defense is to be stronger than they
are in all the ways that count. When a
strong woman allies herself with a weak,
manageable man, she can have everything
she wants. Everything."
Lady Rycott, you are hurting my arm."
Isabel glanced down at her own fingers,
registering surprise. She instantly removed
her hand from Victoria's arm, quickly
regaining total control of herself. Never
mind. It is undoubtedly too late for you
anyway. But you should have been shrewd
enough to know by now that a strong
man is very dangerous. If you'd had any
sense, Vicky, you would have picked an
Edgeworth, not a stone vale."
Isabel turned away and disappeared into
the crowd, but not before Victoria thought
she glimpsed the brightness of tears in her
exotic eyes.
Victoria stood staring after the other
woman for a moment, utterly at a loss.
Her happy anticipation was briefly dimmed
by the startling encounter. But by the time
she had collected her cloak and pulled the
hood up over her head to conceal her
features, she was back in the grip of
excitement. She hurried down the steps
of the town house.
The closed carriage was waiting for her,
just as Lucas had promised. The coachman
sat on the box, heavily shrouded in his top
hat and enveloping cape. She shot him a
quick, laughing glance and then allowed
one of the Middleships" footmen to assist
her into the carriage.
A few minutes later the vehicle was
making excellent progress through the
streets of London, and within a short while
they had reached the quieter, outlying
areas of the city. The noise of passing traffic
faded and the buildings grew more sparse.
Moonlit meadows, fields, and farms came
into view.
Then, without any warning, the carriage
came to a halt in an inn yard. Victoria's
mouth went dry. The time had come
and she was suddenly awash in a sea of
contradictory emotions. Anticipation and
excitement and longing did battle with
anxiety, uncertainty, and a few second
thoughts. She was forced to wonder once
more if she was doing the right thing.
But she was four and twenty, she
reminded herself, not a silly little seven
teen-year-old chit fresh out of the school
room. She knew her own mind and she
had already made her decision. She would
not back out now.
She glanced out at the courtyard,
listening to her coachman" give directions
to the young boy who came out of the inn
to assist with the horses. No matter what
sort of orders he was issuing, Lucas always
sounded so very much in command.
A moment later the carriage door opened
and Lucas stood looking at her. He had
removed the hat and coachman's cape.
Without a word he held out his hand.
Are you very certain this is what you
want, Victoria?" he asked quietly.
Yes, Lucas. I want this night with you
more than I have ever wanted anything in
my life."
His smile was enigmatic but tender.
Then you shall have it. Come with me."
A short time later Victoria found herself
sitting in front of a pleasant fire in a
comfortable upstairs room, sipping tea the
landlord's wife had brought her on a tray.
There was a decanter of sherry next to the
teapot. The good woman had addressed
her as my lady" and Victoria knew it was
because Lucas had informed the innkeeper
that she was his wife. No one had thought
to question two obvious members of the
Quality who claimed such a relationship.
I've told the innkeeper that you are
weary and we plan to rest for a few hours,
but that we are in a hurry and must be on
our way before dawn," Lucas announced
as he walked into the room and shut the
door behind him. That will give me time
to get you safely back to the last party on
your list of invitations tonight before most
of the guests have taken their leave. You
will be able to go home with Annabella
Lyndwood and her mother, just as you
had planned. No one will be the wiser."
Except, perhaps, myself?" Victoria smiled
tremulously over the rim of her cup.
Lucas's eyes gentled as he looked down
at her. I think both of us are going to learn
a great deal tonight." He walked over to the
chair that stood across from hers near the
hearth. His eyes were gleaming as he sat
down and poured two glasses of sherry.
Here's to intellectual inquiry, Vicky."
She put down her teacup and took one
of the sherry glasses from his hand, aware
that her fingers were trembling slightly. To
intellectual inquiry," she murmured, lifting
her glass in a small toast.
Lucas raised his glass in an answering
salute, his eyes never leaving hers. They
finished the sherry in a charged silence
and then Lucas removed the glass from
Victoria's fingers and set it down alongside
his.
Victoria remembered her gift and stood
up abruptly. She hurried to where she had
hung her cloak and reticule.
Vicky? What's wrong?" Lucas called
after her.
Nothing is wrong. I have something for
you. A small present." She turned back
toward him, clutching the little parcel in
both hands. It suddenly seemed like a
rather paltry gift. It is not much, really.
I thought, hoped you might like it." She
smiled wistfully. It seemed like the sort
&n
bsp; of night one might want to remember with
a gift."
He stood up slowly. It is exactly that
sort of night. I only wish I had a gift for
you. My lamentable military mind, I fear. I
was so concerned with the practical aspects
of this evening that I failed to think about
other, perhaps more important matters."
He came toward her and took the parcel
out of her hands. Then he led her back to
her seat by the fire and sat down to open
his present.
Victoria sat tensely as Lucas reverently
removed the paper wrapping and stared
thoughtfully down at Strelitzia reginae. She
realized she was in an agony of suspense.
It really was not much of a present, she
thought. Just a painting of a flower.
But when Lucas looked up again,
revealing a rare, intense emotion in his
eyes, she took a deep breath and relaxed
slightly. He was pleased.
Thank you, Vicky. It is beautiful and I
will hang it where I shall be able to look
at it daily. And whenever I do look at it,
I will remember this night."
I am glad you like it. Not every man
would care for a picture of a flower, you
know."
Just as well. I'd as soon you didn't
go around giving any other man your
paintings under similar circumstances." He
reached out and took her hand.
Lucas?"
Your fingers are cold," he observed,
cradling her palm. He turned her hand
in his and bent his head to kiss her bare
wrist. Her fingers curled. You are very
tense."
I am nervous, if you must have the plain
truth," she admitted.
Would it make you feel any better to
know that I, too, am anxious about what
lies ahead?"
That I refuse to believe, my lord."
Then you sadly overestimate my forti
tude. I want you very much, Vicky, but
I do not want to hurt you or frighten
you or somehow spoil the magic with
clumsiness or a lack of self-control," Lucas
said quietly.
Victoria looked up at him in surprise and
was suddenly overwhelmed with a need to
reassure him. I should have realized this
would be as awkward for you as it is for
me. We are very much alike in many ways,
are we not?"
Lucas nodded. I like to think so."
You are doing this because I asked it of
you. I have forced you to go against your
own code of honor."
He smiled faintly and his hand tightened
around her fingers. Do not credit me with
too many fine scruples and sensibilities,
Vicky. You cannot know how much I
have wanted to hold you naked in my
arms and feel you shiver when I enter
you, how much I have longed to have you
cling to me and draw me deep inside you.
I am here tonight because you have made
it clear that this is the only way I will ever
learn how hot you will burn and I cannot
live the rest of my life without discovering
the answer to that question."
Victoria stared at him, unable to look
away from the intensity of his gaze. She
felt the heat of the flames on her skin, but
it was nothing compared to the warmth
that was pooling within her. She knew her
fingers were trembling within his.
Lucas, I have something to tell you."
What is that, my sweet?" His voice was
indulgent as his fingers trailed along the
inside of her arm.
I I think I have fallen in love with you,"
she blurted.
Only think?" He glanced up, eyes
gleaming.
Oh, Lucas."
He tugged her gently out of her chair
and down onto his thighs, where he held
her tightly against his chest. He speared
his fingers through her curls, gripped her
head, and kissed her.
Victoria thought she would drown under
the impact of his mouth. At the touch of
his tongue against her lips all her qualms
and fears vanished as if he had waved a
magic wand. Of course he wanted her.
There could be no doubt of that. And
she wanted him. Dear God, how she
wanted him.
The next few minutes were a haze of
small movements and tender, stroking
caresses that somehow combined to remove
Victoria's gown and petticoats along with
most of her remaining inhibitions. It
occurred to her that she ought to be
feeling at least somewhat embarrassed.
But all she could really feel was her
own stirring passion and a sense of
wonder that this man should want her
so much that he would risk his reputation
to please her.
You are very good to me." She touched
his cheek with gentle fingers. You give me
so much. All those nights of adventure and
now this very special night."
Just remember that from now on all
your adventures must be with me." His
hand stroked her slowly from breast to
thigh until she moaned against his shirt.
The heat in his eyes sent flames through
her.
He set her on her feet and then led her
over to the bed. When they reached it,
she snuggled under the covers, watching
in fascination as he doused the candles.
When only the flames of the small fire lit
the room, Lucas sat down on the edge of
the bed, putting a considerable dent into
it. A moment later one highly polished
Hessian hit the floor. The second soon
followed.
Victoria unconsciously clenched the sheet
in her hands as she watched Lucas undress.
The firelight turned his skin to bronze
and underscored the smoothly muscled
contours of his broad shoulders. His belly
was hard and flat. Something gleamed in
the mat of dark curls on his chest and
Victoria looked more closely.
What is that pendant, Lucas? Is it made
of gold?"
He touched it absently. Amber. There's
a small carving on it. It's been in the family
for years, I was told."
And you wear it always?"
He shrugged. I have worn it constantly
since it was given to me by my uncle."
Lucas smiled. I like to think it brings me
good luck, and it must work, otherwise I
would not be here with you." His fingers
suddenly tightened around it. But I think
it would suit you better than it does me."
He removed the chain from around his
neck and moved closer.
No, Lucas, I could not possibly take
your pendant. It is a family heirloom. You
cannot give it away."
I can do anything I want with it." He
placed it carefully around her throat and
nodded in satisfaction. The amber glowed
like honey-colored fire against her skin.
/>
The small figures of the knight and his lady
were visible in all their exquisite detail. It
looks right on you. I want you to have it,
Vicky. Tis a symbol of what we will share
between us tonight. As long as you wear
it, I will know you care for me and that
you think you might be in love with me."
She answered his gentle, sensually teasing
smile with one of her own. In that case,
I will never have cause to remove it. I
cannot imagine not feeling about you the
way I do now."
Remember that, hmmm?" He brushed
his knuckles lightly across her cheek before
reaching down to open his breeches.
He stepped out of the remainder of his
clothes, revealing a hard, aroused male
body. But Victoria noticed nothing else
about him in that moment except the
wide, ragged scar on his thigh.
Dear God," she whispered.
Does it bother you?" He stood waiting,
his breeches still in his hands, his eyes
unreadable.
She reached out to touch the ruined
flesh with gentle, soothing fingers. Bother
me? Of course it does not bother me. Not
in the way you mean." She looked up at
him, stricken. But how it must have hurt
you. I cannot bear the thought that you
suffered such agony, that you came so
close to death."
Hush, Vicky. Do not fret about it.
It was a long time ago and I assure
you right now it is not bothering me in
the slightest. I have far more important
things on my mind and none of them
have anything to do with death. They are
all matters of life." He caught her fingers
in his hand and kissed them. Do you
know I didn't think it would upset you
too much. There are women who would
have recoiled in shock and revulsion. But
somehow I rather thought you would not
be put off by it. You are a most unusual
woman, Victoria."
Not really, but I She broke off as
she finally noticed the rest of him. Oh,
my." Victoria gazed at him, mesmerized.
He was hard and swollen in a state of
full arousal and his masculinity appeared
overwhelming to her inexperienced eyes.
Well, at least your mind is off that
damned scar," Lucas observed with wry humor
as he tossed his breeches over
a chair.
You are very ." Her tongue seemed
to grow awkward in her mouth. She
moistened her lips and tried again. You
are quite magnificent, my lord. Rather
large, in fact. Bigger than I had imagined."
She felt herself turning red as he quirked
a brow. Not that I was quite certain just
Surrender Amanda Quick Page 20