Wicked Captain, Wayward Wife

by Sarah Mallory

  ‘But they did not catch me.’

  ‘No. But it did not stop me thinking about it. My blood ran cold to think of what might have happened to you.’

  She rose. A tiny spark of light glimmered. She knew him well enough to realise this was the nearest he would come to an apology.

  ‘I did not think of the danger when I went out. I only wanted to help.’

  ‘I know. You were very brave.’

  The glimmer strengthened, but she damped it down, kept it under control. ‘You said I was foolish.’

  ‘Did I? Eve—’ He took a step towards her and she put up her hand, savouring the feeling of power.

  ‘Damned idiotic were your exact words.’

  A smile lifted the corners of his mouth, ‘That could equally apply to me. I should tell you now that I am very proud of you, Mrs Wylder.’

  ‘Y-you are?’

  ‘Oh, yes. Not many women would willingly put themselves in such danger.’

  He was coming closer. Another few steps and he would be within arm’s reach. The tug of attraction was very strong, but she fought it.

  ‘M-Martha is coming back with a cup of milk for me.’

  ‘No, she is not. I have sent her to bed.’

  Eve gasped. Her hand fell to her side. ‘Oh! Of all the arrogant, high-handed—’

  He pulled her into his arms and stopped her mouth with a kiss. The shock of it sent a tremor right down to her toes. Eve gripped his coat as his tongue raided her mouth. She was so relieved to have him with her that she responded eagerly, kissing him back with a ferocity that left them both breathless. Eventually, when Nick raised his head, Eve rested her cheek against his chest, listening to the heavy thud of his heart, rev el ling in the feel of his arms around her.

  ‘You were magnificent last night,’ he murmured, pressing a kiss on the top of her head. ‘You were riding like the very devil; I doubt they would have caught you.’

  She pushed her arms around him under the great coat and hugged as hard as she could. ‘I wanted to make you proud of me.’

  ‘I am proud of you, my love.’

  She almost purred with pleasure at that. ‘Really?’ she murmured into his chest and felt him growl in response. She raised her head to find him gazing down at her. She responded to the look of dark desire in his eyes by tilting her head up, inviting his kiss.

  As his head swooped down he swung her up into his arms and walked across to the bed. Even before he put her down her fingers were reaching for the buttons of his shirt. She wanted to run her hands over his bare skin, to feel again the pleasure she knew he could give her.

  When he lowered her on to the bed and released her, Eve scrabbled to her knees. She knew a moment’s panic as she thought he might be leaving her, but instead he shrugged himself out of his coats and pulled off his neck cloth. Impatiently she reached out for him, pulling him to her. As he climbed on to the bed she kissed him, throwing her arms around his neck, her lips parting beneath the on slaught of his deep, urgent kisses. Desire raged through Eve, she found herself plucking at his shirt, des per ate to touch his skin, to run her fingers over the smooth, hard curves of his body. There was more to discuss, many more questions to be answered, but for now she need to know he was really here, that it was not some sweet dream from which she would wake up, lost and unsatisfied. His fingers tangled with the ribbons at her neck and all the while he continued to kiss her mouth, his roving tongue wreaking havoc with her senses. He lifted his head and gently ran his hands over her shoulders, pushing away the night gown. It slid down, un resisting, to pool around her on the bed. Eve reached out for his shirt and tugged at it.

  ‘This is unfair,’ she whispered. ‘I must see you, too.’ Eve grappled with the buttons of his breeches but her hands stilled as Nick pulled off his shirt in one sweeping movement and she saw the bandage just below his ribs.

  ‘Merely a precaution now,’ he said, following her gaze. As if to prove his words he un wrapped the dressing to reveal the thin, jagged line. ‘There. It is almost healed.’

  Gently she reached out and placed her fingers near the wound. The skin was pale and cool to the touch. No sign of inflammation. ‘Does it hurt?’

  ‘Not much.’ He grinned at her and that wicked dimple peeped. ‘It will not impair my performance, I promise you.’

  While he slipped off the bed and quickly removed his boots, breeches and stockings, Eve pulled away her night gown and tossed it aside, but all the time she kept her eyes on Nick, enjoying the way the candle light played on the muscled contours of his back, enhancing the curving sweep of his spine. It was as if she was seeing him for the first time; she marvelled at the broad width of his shoulders, the way his body tapered to the narrow waist and taut, finely carved buttocks. As he turned back to her the sight of his aroused body drew a faint gasp from Eve.

  Nick tumbled her back onto the bed, laughing. ‘I told you I had missed you.’

  She pulled him down to her, driving her hands through his hair, cradling his head while he trailed kisses along her collar-bone. Her body arched as his hands cupped her breasts, thumbs gently caressing her. She breathed in the faint, spicy fragrance that clung to him. It was so familiar she had even dreamed of it. She threw back her head as his mouth trailed across her breast and closed over one hard peak. His tongue circled slowly, causing such sweet agony that a soft moan escaped her. She felt so alive, every inch of her skin was crying out for his touch and it positively burned beneath his fingers when they travelled over the flat plain of her stomach. The aching desire intensified as his hand moved down wards. Muscles deep within her pelvis seemed to be pulling her apart. Her thighs opened in anticipation, her body tilted, eager for his fingers to slide into her. Even so the shock of his touch jolted through her and she cried out as a surge of excitement flooded her body. Still his tongue continued to caress her breast, creating waves of almost un bear able pleasure while his fingers continued their rhythmic stroking. She writhed beneath him, crying his name, no longer able to control her body.

  In one smooth movement he rolled on to her. His fingers slid away and she felt him inside her, hard and smooth. Gasping, she reached up to his face, pulling him close so that she could plunder his mouth, wanting to repay some thing of the pleasure he was giving her. He tasted of salt and wine. Her senses were reeling with the feel of his body upon hers, their limbs tangling together in the semi-darkness. She felt rather than heard his groan as his self-control slipped away. She matched her movements to his, rev el ling in the joyous release as they both approached the final, shuddering climax. Eve clung to him, crying out as a wave of passion crested and broke. Consciousness splintered and Nick’s rigid body was above, around and within her, possessing her totally.

  With a sigh Nick collapsed, panting, beside her on the bed. Gently he drew her into his arms. ‘I think,’ he murmured into her hair, ‘that you have missed me, too.’

  She snuggled closer and gave a sleepy sigh. ‘I did not realise how much.’

  He gave a soft laugh. ‘Then we are equal in that.’

  Eve awoke to find herself alone in the bed. The early morning sun peeped through the window and she raised her head to look around the room.

  Not again! Memory stabbed at her.

  Nick was already dressed, bending before her mirror to tie his neck cloth. She remembered their wedding night at Makerham, waking to find Nick dressed and about to leave her. An icy chill settled over her heart. Would it always be like this?

  She sat up, pulling the sheet up in front of her. ‘You are going?’

  ‘I must.’ In two strides he was at the bedside, cupping her face and kissing her. ‘We had word yesterday that Chelston will be moving a large consignment soon—perhaps tonight. I have to get back. The Revenue cutter is patrolling the mouth of the Rother; nothing can slip by.’ He kissed her again. ‘Another couple of days should see this wrapped up. Then I promise you my roving days are done.’

  ‘Do you really mean that?’

  ‘I do.’r />
  She released the sheet to put her arms around his neck for one final kiss. Her body arched upwards as his hands cupped her breasts.

  ‘Damnation, Evelina, you make it hard for a man to leave you!’

  She gave a low laugh, using all her new-found powers to detain him. ‘Do I?’

  He put his hands on her shoulders and held her away from him. ‘Yes, but it must be done.’ His eyes held a promise that made her tremble with anticipation. ‘I shall return: be ready for me!’

  One final, hard kiss and he left her.

  Chapter Sixteen

  As Eve made her way down stairs some hours later, Nick’s words sang in her head. Her spirits soared when she recalled the way he had looked at her, his admission that his anger was not for what she had done, but for the danger she faced. It was true, it had been a reckless escapade and it was not some thing she should repeat, but she had known a wild pleasure in out wit ting the riding officers. She chuckled to herself as she crossed the hall. Sam and his friends were very enterprising, the hidden causeway had been effective; no one would guess that there was any route other than the road.

  Eve stopped. ‘Of course!’ she ex claimed. ‘I wonder—’ She looked up to find Granby had come into the hall and was watching her. ‘Madam?’

  She looked at him, hardly able to contain her excitement. ‘Mr Granby, I want you to come with me, now, to the boat house passage.’

  ‘The passage? But why, mistress?’

  ‘I cannot say,’ she replied, her eyes twinkling with mischief. ‘It may be nothing, but…come along. And bring a lantern!’

  She was too excited to waste time changing her gown, but made Granby precede her down the stepladder and look away while she pulled her skirts about her and negotiated the narrow steps. Aggie, holding open the trapdoor, tutted her disapproval and uttered dire warnings about head strong females.

  ‘I have seen those novels you keep by your bedside, Miss Eve. They do you no good, filling your head with outlandish ideas and making you think you can act like the heroine in a romance!’

  Eve paused long enough to laugh up at her. ‘Tush, Aggie, if I really thought of myself as a heroine I should not tell anyone where I was going and put myself in great danger. As it is, I am being very sensible and taking Mr Granby with me. Now shut the door after us, if you please.’

  By the time Eve had descended to the floor of the passage the trapdoor had closed above them and they were in darkness save for the pale gleam of the lantern. She shivered in the cold, damp air and was inclined to wish she had brought a shawl.

  ‘So, madam, what are we looking for?’ asked Granby.

  ‘I am not quite sure. Let us go on to the boat house—and keep the lantern shining forward. I can hear things scrabbling around in the dark, and I have no wish to see what it might be.’

  Granby laughed. ‘There might be the odd rat, Miss Eve, but they won’t bother you. After all, we must look like monsters to them.’

  ‘Your reasoning may be sound, Mr Granby,’ said Eve with studied calm, ‘but I really do not wish to think about it! Let us get on.’

  She grabbed his arm as he strode along the passage, telling herself that the noises she heard were no more than the drip of water from the roof of the passage, or the soft moan of the wind blowing in from the grating at the end of the winding tunnel. She found herself breathing a little easier once they reached the final bend and the locked grating stood before them. Beyond it, the wooden panels that made up the back wall of the boat house were sadly rotted and sunlight reflecting off the gently moving water of the drain glinted between the weathered boards. Instinctively Eve moved towards the light.

  ‘Shall I unlock the grating, madam?’

  ‘No.’ Eve stopped, considering. ‘The passage winds so I have lost my bearings. Tell me, Mr Granby, if we stand with our backs to the opening, on which side of this passage would be Abbotsfield?’

  Granby did not hesitate. ‘That side,’ he said, pointing. ‘To the north.’

  Eve looked at the way the passage curved slightly north wards. ‘Excellent,’ she said. ‘Then that is where we must look.’

  ‘Look for what?’

  ‘A concealed entrance. When I was out with Sam the other night he said that the families in these parts had been hiding their tracks from the Excise men for generations.’

  ‘That is true, madam, but I don’t see—’

  She took the lantern from him and began to inspect the walls very care fully. ‘We know Silas has always been involved in free-trading: the very presence of this tunnel suggests that Monkhurst was used for smuggling at one time, but my family also owned Abbotsfield, which is no more than half a mile north of here. What if there is a tunnel from Abbotsfield to here? Sam and his people use a sunken causeway; it is hidden from the road by fencing covered in reeds so that the riding officers went straight past it, following the road. If the King’s men ever searched the boat house they might well discover this tunnel and would follow it to Monkhurst, but would they look for another opening? The bend in the passage makes this wall particularly dark…aha!’ Eve held the lantern higher. ‘There is a gap here!’

  Granby stepped up, running his hands over the wall. ‘This looks like part of the wall but—it’s a door.’

  ‘There’s no lock,’ said Eve, moving the lantern to and fro.

  ‘No, but—there’s a latch!’

  The click echoed around the passage, Eve tensed, expecting the shriek of metal against metal as the door swung open, but it moved smoothly and in near silence.

  ‘The hinges have been oiled very recently,’ murmured Granby.

  Eve’s heart hammered pain fully against her ribs. ‘Careful!’ she gasped. ‘What if there is someone—?’ Her words trailed away as the door swung wide and the lantern’s glow illuminated the space beyond. The light did not reach very far, but it showed them a cavernous tunnel stretching back into the darkness. Piled high against its walls were dozens of wooden chests.

  Granby gave a low whistle. ‘You were right, Miss Eve.’ He took the lantern from her and stepped through the doorway. He bent closer to one of the chests ‘Tea,’ he said. ‘Or rather, not tea. Smouch.’

  Eve swallowed. ‘Nick said the Revenue men are watching the river,’ she said slowly. ‘They are watching the wrong place. These casks will be taken out through Jury’s Cut.’

  ‘Then they’ll miss it, mistress.’

  She turned and gripped his arm. ‘Mr Granby, you must go immediately to tell Nick. There may still be time for him to act.’

  They ran back along the passage.

  ‘Quickly,’ she said when they had once more reached the kitchen. ‘Take the fastest horse and do not stop for anyone.’

  ‘But what of you, madam? Captain Wylder ordered me to stay with you.’

  ‘I shall be safe enough, I have Davies and Warren to look out for me. Now go!’

  Eve went off to change her gown. She was sure she would not be able to settle to anything until she heard from Nick, but she could not be idle. After partaking of a very late break fast she sorted out a pile of sheets for mending and was carrying them down stairs when she saw a figure crossing the hall.

  ‘Bernard!’ He stopped and looked up, raising his hat to her. ‘How did you get in here?’

  ‘I walked in from the kitchen garden, Cousin. Are you not pleased to see me?’

  Eve hoped her face did not show her dismay. She was a little surprised to see him in topboots and breeches, and despite the warmth of the day he carried a travel ling cloak over one arm. She said shortly, ‘I am very busy, Bernard. Pray tell me what it is that you want.’

  He followed her into the morning room, where she placed the sheets next to her sewing basket.

  ‘I thought you might like to take a little walk with me. Let me put it differently,’ he said as she opened her mouth to reply. ‘You will take a little walk with me.’ He lifted the travel ling cloak slightly to reveal a small silver-mounted pistol in his hand. ‘Do not think I wi
ll not use this,’ he continued. ‘From this distance I could not fail to kill you.’

  Eve stood very still, her eyes upon the small black mouth of the pistol that was pointed at her stomach. ‘What are you about, Bernard?’

  ‘I will explain presently. For now you will precede me out on to the terrace, if you please, and from there to the park.’

  ‘And if I refuse?’

  ‘I will choke you or shoot you.’

  Eve stared at his face. There was a grim determination in his eyes that made her think he would really do it. He gestured towards the door. ‘Shall we go? And pray do not think to call to your servants,’ he murmured as she went out before him. ‘If I think you are giving them any signal at all, I shall shoot you.’

  She stepped out of the house and upon Bernard’s instruction walked ahead of him towards the arch-way that led into the park. It was a balmy day, yet Eve found herself shivering, aware of the pistol’s muzzle only inches from her back. She could only hope for some distraction so that she could get away, but for the moment there was no one in sight, no one who knew of her plight.

  ‘Where are we going?’ she asked, trying to keep her voice calm.

  ‘Walk straight on towards the row of beeches over there. My carriage is parked just beyond the wall.’

  ‘You are kid nap ping me.’ It was a statement, and Eve was surprised that she could sound so matter of fact about it.

  Bernard laughed. ‘Yes, I suppose I am. It would have been simpler if you had agreed to accompany Lady Chelston yesterday, but there it is. She was most put out that you would not see her, but we thought it might arouse suspicions if she came bang up to the house and demanded you go out with her.’

  ‘We? Who might that be, Bernard?’

  ‘Why, Lord Chelston and myself, of course. I—’

  A sudden shout behind them made him stop. He grabbed Eve’s arm and pressed the pistol hard against her ribs.