03 - The Wicked Lady

by Brenda Jernigan

  Trevor turned, capturing her within his arms. He hugged her fiercely and for the longest time. Then his hands began exploring the soft lines of her back down to her waist, before he squeezed her tightly. He looked at her again. "Don't you know, I would do anything for you," he admitted honestly as he gathered her back to him, letting her soft curves fit into his body. Slowly, his seductive gaze slid over her face, and she saw the longing in his eyes.

  She melted right on the spot.

  He examined her in a way that made her knees buckle. His hands held her head captive while he lowered his mouth inch by inch until she wanted to scream to please hurry.

  God, she couldn't breathe. Nor did she want to.

  After a few agonizing minutes, his lips touched hers. Softly at first. Inviting her . . . enticing her to give into her swirling emotions . . . and become his.

  Trevor's mouth moved in such an mesmerizing way, she automatically opened her lips. She wanted to be a part of him so bad it hurt. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she shaped her body into his. She felt his arousal pressing against her. There wasn't any mistaking that he wanted her, but she needed more. How could she make him love her?

  She drew his tongue into her mouth, marveling at how seductive it felt. His arms tightened in response.

  "Kristen, I want you," Trevor whispered in her ear. He heard her soft whimper of assent, and it took every ounce of control not to take her over to the couch and cool his burning need for her. Time away from Kristen hadn't eased his desire for her one bit. He wanted her just as badly now as he had the first time he'd met her. Her fingers slid into his hair, and she kissed him back with a hunger he hadn't expected.

  He explored every corner of her mouth. He couldn't get enough. He adored the taste of her . . . the feel of her.

  She was more like opium to his system. No matter how much he obtained, he needed more. Somehow this woman managed to always be in his thoughts, no matter what he was doing. When they were not together, he felt as though something was missing. Kristen was a part of him, whether he wanted her to be or not.

  As Trevor pulled away and looked at Kristen's slightly swollen lips. That's when he heard his grandmother's words . . .

  When you can think of nothing but that one person. When they block all others from your mind so that when you're not with them, you find a part of yourself missing. When the first thing you do is look for them as you enter a crowded room and think of them when you are eating, and dream of them when you are sleeping. When you forget about pleasing yourself and think only of pleasing them. And suddenly the moon and stars are brighter when they are standing beside you, and turn dull when they are gone . . . That's when you'll know a love so powerful that it will bring you to your knees.

  His grandmother had been right, Trevor thought. But what was he going to do? He had no idea how Kristen felt about him. He couldn't trust her. But he wanted her just the same. He wouldn't lie to himself on that point.

  "My beautiful temptress, I want you. Just as much now as I did the first time we met. And I believe you feel the same things I do."

  Kristen wanted so much to deny his statement, but she made the mistake of looking deep into his eyes. She knew the lust she saw there matched her own, and she couldn't lie because she, too burned with need. "Aye," she murmured.

  He kissed her forehead. "At the moment, I don't have the answers to our problems," he said, brushing his lips across her cheek. "I may not have the answers tomorrow either, but tonight I'd like to forget everything but us." He stepped back and looked at her. His gaze bored into hers in silent expectation.

  Kristen's blood raced through her veins like a raging, boiling river. She wanted to say something, but couldn't find the words. With a moan of desperation, she slipped her arms around him and squeezed. She just wanted to be close. . . to be able to have some small part of him. If only for tonight, with no thoughts of tomorrow.

  Without another word, Trevor swept Kristen up in his arms and carried her upstairs to his bedroom. Kristen barely noticed the upstairs maid, who opened the door for them as they brushed through the door.

  All Kristen could see was Trevor. He was the most important thing to her tonight . . . tomorrow . . . forever. Somehow she knew she'd never have feelings like this about anyone else.

  Her mind tried to tell her that she needed to know how Trevor felt about her, but her body wouldn't let it. Did he love her? She needed his love as much as she needed to breathe.

  He stopped beside the bed, where he let her slide out of his arms. He fumbled with the fastenings of her gown, then removed the layers of her clothes until there was nothing left between them. Warm fingers brushed her skin.

  Kristen tried to resist the sensuous onslaught his fingers brought to her needy body. She trembled as all the questions she had asked herself slipped easily into an abyss. She loved this man, whether she wanted to or not.

  Trevor noticed her flushed face, and liked what he saw. The pink of her cheeks accented the emerald-green of her eyes. He started to remove his clothes as he stared at her magnificent body. He liked the way she didn't try to hide herself from him. Her nipples were erect, her waist narrow, her hips voluptuous, and he intended to explore every inch. He saw the hungry look in her eyes when she boldly returned his gaze. The slow burning ache deep inside him grew to an inferno.

  He cupped her breasts, marveling at the weight and smoothness of each one. He massaged each mound as his thumb teased the ends of her nipples into tight little buds. Bending down, he placed a soft kiss on her lips, then nibbled his way down her neck and across her cheek. He couldn't stop there and moved lower. He ran a tongue around her nipple before closing his lips over the tiny bud.

  Sliding her fingers through his hair, Kristen gasped. She held on to him so she wouldn't fall down. He might threaten her soul, but she couldn't think when Trevor's lips seared everywhere they touched.

  Hot . . . she was too hot.

  Urging her down on the bed, he placed feather-like kisses on her forehead, then down her cheeks, and finally, after agonizing teasing, he took her mouth.

  His lips sucked the very life out of her. Her fingers held the back of his head as she opened her mouth to let his thrusting tongue enter once again.

  God, this was good.

  He was good. How could he not love her?

  Instinctively, she pressed her body into his. His firm muscles felt splendid against her softness.

  And to think only a short time ago, she'd never been kissed. er tongue met Trevor's as she pushed her way into his mouth. She wanted to give as much pleasure as he gave her.

  Pulling back slightly, she placed small kisses on his face and down his neck, loving his manly smell. She moved lower. The hair on his chest tickled her nose.

  But Trevor needed her now. He pulled her back to him and rolled over her, pinning her beneath him. His fingers sought a path down her stomach until he found the warmth between her thighs. Gently, he stroked. She responded, withering beneath him as he kissed her.

  He had to have her now. He positioned himself over her, and with a powerful thrust he entered her warmth. He found heaven as she wrapped her legs around him, pulling him closer.

  Kristen gasped with pleasure. Her hands caressed the muscles and planes of his back. She trembled as he began to move within her.

  Something was different this time. She felt a desperate tenderness. Pleasure soared within her, and she wanted to shout out how much she loved him.

  Instead, she held back. Kristen knew he might laugh at her softly spoken words, so she showed him with her caresses and kisses until she drove them both to the brink of insanity.

  "Kristen, my love." The words sounded weak as Trevor drove into her one final time. Waves of pleasure washed over her, and she tightened her arms never wanting to let him go. She held him close until his breathing returned to normal.

  He slid to the side, pulling her with him. She cuddled next to Trevor as he drifted into an exhausted sleep.

  "I love
ye," she murmured, but knew her voice landed on deaf ears. Maybe it was for the best that he not know, she thought as sleep called to her, because she didn't know how to handle these strange new feelings.

  And she didn't know if she could trust him.

  Kristen leisurely stretched and opened her eyes to the soft morning light. She rolled over to wish Trevor a good morning, but found herself alone in bed.

  Frowning, she felt a sharp stab of disappointment. She had wanted to snuggle and enjoy Trevor holding her close.

  Evidently, he had other ideas.

  She sat up in bed. Last night Trevor had been so loving, so tender, and simply wonderful. She'd hoped they had, perhaps, made a fragile beginning. She gnawed on her bottom lip and wondered how he felt this morning when he'd first awoke.

  Had he been happy?

  Did he have regrets?

  Kristen climbed out of the high, old bed and pulled the bell cord for Rebecca.

  It wasn't long before the door opened, and the maid came through the door. "Yes, mum."

  "Do you know here Trevor has gone?"

  "Not exactly, mum. I heard him tell Jeeves, the butler, that he was going to search for Hagan."

  Kristen sighed. She didn't know whether to consider that good news or bad. Kristen moved over to the wardrobe.

  "Let me get your dress, mum."

  "I want to look a moment," Kristen said. "Will you style my hair this morning?"

  "Of course, mum. "I'll fetch my things."

  Kristen glanced over the gowns hanging in the wardrobe while she thought. Hagan had been gone for two weeks, and every day he was gone made it just that much more difficult to find him. She knew her crafty stepfather could cover his tracks well.

  Kristen decided she wasn't going to sit and wait one minute longer. While Rebecca was out of the room, Kristen snatched a plain brown dress off a hook, and she threw it on the bed.

  Rebecca returned and placed her combs and hair pins on the dresser.

  "Please style my hair in a tight bun in the back," Kristen told Rebecca as she sat down in front of the dressing table.

  "Hadn't you rather have something prettier?" Rebecca asked as she brushed Kristen's long red hair.

  "Not today. I've an errand tae run and I dinna want tae be bothered with a lot of curls."

  "As you wish," Rebecca replied as she expertly pulled Kristen's long hair together and started wrapping it around the center. She secured the hair with hairpins.

  "Put an extra pin at the very top," Kristen instructed.

  "Is that to yer likin', mum?" Rebecca patted Kristen's curls and moved to the side while she watched her mistress and waited for approval.

  "Fine, thank ye." Kristen stood. "Ye always do a good job."

  Rebecca help Kristen dress, and in no time she was ready. Giving herself a final glance in the mirror, she was satisfied she wouldn't draw much attention in her old neighborhood. She turned to leave, and that's when she noticed Rebecca starting at her in a most peculiar way.

  "What?" Kristen asked.

  "If you don't mind me saying, mum, you are acting a bit strange. Is there something I can help you with?"

  Kristen smiled. "I wish you could, but this is something I need tae do by myself."

  "You should not go out alone," Rebecca reminded her. "If you give me a minute, I can get ready and go with you."

  "I do many things I shouldn't," Kristen said and smiled. "But this is something I need tae take care of. I'll be back soon," Kristen said on her way out the door.

  Soon Kristen was on her way. She had the driver of her carriage drop her off at Grafton House, the dress shop where she'd bought her wardrobe, with instructions to pick her up in the afternoon. She'd thought of everything. No one would question a lady visiting her dressmaker shop.

  As soon as the carriage had left, she weaved through the streets until she was once again in her old neighborhood.

  She paused to look at her rat-infested street. It was so much worse than she remembered. Somehow she had forgotten.

  Vendors were crying out what they had to sell on their carts as they moved up and down the docks. Kristen glanced out at the Thames. It was low tide and the Mudlarks were busy she noted as they scrounged for coal, copper nails, anything they could sell that would buy a little food for an empty stomach. And they were all children.

  Kristen had never tried the scrounging herself because she couldn't stand the mud covering her bare feet, but there were many children who became Mudlarks. She vowed that Hagan wouldn't be one of them, providing she found him in time.

  An orange girl held a bright orange up to her as she passed. Kristen couldn't help stopping to buy one. How often had she longed to do so when she lived on this street.

  Further on down the street, several barrels were turned over with debris strewn on the streets. The usual tabby and black cats stood on top of the barrels, reaching their paws in the openings in hopes of finding a morsel of food someone had thrown out. She shook her head at the dirt she'd lived in for so long.

  Kristen hurried past a couple of taverns, then made a left on Waters Street. Dirty Sally glanced up as Kristen went by, but said nothing. Evidently the woman didn't recognize her, or didn't care, because she continued searching though a pile of trash. Further down the street, Kristen observed Two-Fisted Joe stalking his next unsuspecting victim. She couldn't help but smile at what once was her life--a life she didn't intend to go back to.

  Finally, she spotted the one person, she thought could help her. "Sam!" she called to a small man wearing a faded brown coat.

  He whirled around and stared warily at her as if he were trying to decide whether to run or stay in recognition. "Whatcha want, lady?"

  " 'Tis Kristen." She held out her arms.

  Sam squinted and peered a little closer at her. "Kristen, girl," he said and finally grinned in recognition. Look at ya. Somebody has gone and cleaned ya up real nice."

  "Yes, they have," she admitted with a wry smile. "How are ye doing?" she asked.

  "Not too bad for an old man. Still trying to dodge the Bow Street police. Ya know what a pain in the arse they can be. What brings ya back?"

  Kristen took a deep breath and prayed he would be able to help her. "Ned has stolen Hagan. Have ye seen them?"

  "I did. Hagan was with your pa." Sam rubbed his chin as he remembered. "Ned said pickings were slim 'round here, and he and the boy were going to head north."

  "He's not my da!" It was impossible to steady her rapid pulse. "When did ye see him?"

  "Last night."

  "Oh dear!" she blurted out. " 'Twould mean they'd be leaving tomorrow." Kristen felt s scorching heat spread through her body. An inner-torment began to gnaw at her. "Where are they staying?"

  "Ya wouldn't believe it--."

  "Where, Sam?" Kristen cut him off.

  "Get this, girl. They're staying at The Dirty Lady. Actually sleeping in a bed, they are." Sam rocked back and forth, nodding his head. "Seems Ned's getting too good for the rest of us."

  "Thanks, Sam." Kristen placed a gold coin in his hand, then turned and headed for the tavern. The Dirty Lady had to be one of the worst taverns on the wharf, and she didn't want Hagan to stay there one minute longer than he had to.

  But how was she going to get him out? She couldn't go in the tavern dressed as she was. She'd draw too much attention. Even if her gown was plain, it was still better than most of the clothing seen in this area.

  The sky had turned a dusky hue by the time Kristen found The Dirty Lady. She stood in the shadows across the street, watching the red front door. Now what? She had come this far. She wasn't leaving without her brother.

  There wasn't any way she could get through the front without Ned seeing her; she had no doubt he was at the bar. Where there was liquor . . . Ned lurked close by.

  That meant she needed to find another way into the building. She stepped from the shadows and bumped into a seaman passing by.

  He grabbed her arms. "Look'n for some fun?" he as
ked, pulling her next to his body.

  He was drunk, of course. Everyone in this part of town stayed drunk, but he was way too strong for her to pull away. She decided to try another approach. "I'm looking for my husband. I think he's in there." Kristen batted her eyelids prettily. "I could make it worth yer while if ye'd go into the pub and confirm the fact."

  He grinned at her. "How much?"

  Kristen dug down in her reticule and produced a gold coin, which she placed in his hand. "I'll give ye four more upon yer return."

  His eyes widened as he stared at the gold piece. "Ya got a deal," he said. Letting her arm go, he placed the coin in his pocket.

  "Be back." He winked and started across the street.

  Just as soon as he disappeared through the door, Kristen hurried across the street, this time watching to make sure she didn't bump into anyone else. She didn't have an abundance of coins left to bribe people.

  Moving between the buildings, she looked up at The Dirty Lady. There were three windows across the top. She silently prayed that Hagan was behind one of them. However, the windows were much too high for her to get to from here, so she maneuvered around to the back of the place.

  Her luck held out. A back door, and no one was around.

  She twisted the knob, but the door wouldn't budge. "This, Rebecca, is why I needed the extra hairpin," Kristen murmured as she reached up and removed a hairpin from her hair and jimmied the lock until she heard a click. Carefully, she peeked in the room, and seeing it was safe, she entered.

  A dim light let her see only a small part of the room, which appeared to be some sort of storage area. Fearing discovery, she glanced quickly around and found what she wanted: a set of stairs, leading to the next floor.

  Kristen took the stairs two at the time, being careful not to make any noise. A man was just coming out of the first room, and Kristen held her breath as he looked up and spotted her. However, he merely nodded her direction and moved toward the other set of stairs that led to the front of the building. She released a pent-up breath.