by Claudy Conn
“You know very well how I feel about you,” Jacob looked steadily at him.
“Then it is settled. It is for your sake, after all. My life is something I long ago camouflaged in subterfuge. People think I am a hardened bachelor, a libertine that goes about ravishing women and breaking their hearts. It was my only safe way out, to make everyone think that of me. You, on the other hand, fair of face and nature will never be thought a heartbreaking rogue. You must marry and Exerilla Radley is in need. She likes you and you have developed an easy friendship.”
“But,” Sir Jacob said. “We are friends. I cannot do this to her.”
“Think about it, Jacob, my sweet love,” Lucas said as he tugged on the hand he held and pulled his lover closer.
“Yes, Lucas, for you, I will think about it,” Jacob said softly.
* * *
Baudali watched David accost the pretty human, Exerilla as she attempted to walk down to the Horwich stables. Everything about this human male seemed aggressive. Horwich would be of no use to him. He was flawed, off balanced and behaving erratically. In fact, Baudali thought him mad.
Baudali’s dark cold eyes perused Exerilla Radley. Something about her still disturbed him, yet he could not penetrate through to her thoughts and he could not see past the human glow that surrounded her.
“Ah, bah,” he said out loud. He didn’t have time for this.
He couldn’t dally over nuances, though his twin, his good wizard brother always cautioned that an entire story lived in the nuances.
June 18th was quickly approaching and he required a ready step by step to be inaugurated into his plan if it was to be implemented successfully.
Confident, that he had the perfect plan, he was not overly concerned. He would need to show some patience and restraint. Timing he told himself over and over, was everything.
He knew just what he would do with the little human woman, Exerilla. The only thing he had to decide was when. She was his for the taking, his for the taunting, and even his for the killing, whenever he chose.
Perhaps Baudali would snatch the human away just a night or two before Waterloo. This would leave Hunter MacTorry to face him on the battlefield under the worst circumstances, with two to save instead of one. He would taunt Hunter; tell him to pick one to save either his brother or his lady love. He would then, of course kill them both. He smiled at the thought. Hunter’s mother had rejected him, and he would kill her sons for that rejection. She should have been his and now he would be rid of all that was linked to her. Hunter looked the most like her. So much more than Ferrell did. Hunter had her blue eyes and the same strong will and he would see him dead for it!
The notion made him smile broadly and he waited, watched and listened as Exerilla wagged a finger at David.
David reached out and grabbed Exerilla’s arm. She snatched it away with more than normal female strength.
David frowned but dismissed this and said only, “My, the little tart is strong.”
“You are a bully, and bullies usually go down hard. I’m waiting for that day David and hope it will be a long time before the dust settles and you are able to get up.”
“Do you still let him kiss you?’
“I don’t know who him is supposed to be, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t kiss and tell, but I will tell you this. You don’t have a rat’s ass of a chance in hell of getting a willing kiss from me…ever!”
“Foul mouthed tart. I will have anything I want from you. Who is to stop me?” he reached for her and pressed her hard against his chest.
She wasn’t sure what she should do. She couldn’t use her witch’s strength without giving herself away. She came down hard on his boot covered toe with her own hard heel.
He jumped and yowled in pain and then he reached for her shoulders and shook her. “I will have you, when you least expect it! I will be waiting for you! I will throw you on the ground, rip off your clothes and treat you like the harlot I know you must be!”
“Oh, is that what I am? A harlot? Let me tell you about myself. This harlot is dangerous to your well being. I would be careful, if I were you, because harlots are street wise and know just how to take care of themselves!” She said as she pulled away and ran toward the stable. She knew he wouldn’t chase her. That would not work with the huge ego he carried. He wouldn’t want the groom and head groom to see him chasing her. Servants talk.
For the moment she was safe from his further advances and hateful self. She had a problem remaining at Horwich House. Being in David’s vicinity was beginning to look and feel threateningly uncomfortable at the very least.
Baudali had watched and listened to their interaction. He had heard her words and David’s threats, but he had been unable to hear her thoughts. He had been able to enter David’s mind and hear his awful twisted plans, but something was blocking the woman’s thoughts. He shrugged. Now and then, he came across a human like that, who could unknowingly shield their thoughts from him.
It seemed that she had made an enemy of sorts in David Horwich, who might even be suspected, when she vanished. That was good. If need be, it would win him time and confuse and delay Hunter MacTorry’s reaction.
* * *
At that moment, Lord MacTorry reined in his horse and looked past the field toward Horwich House. He could fit in a quick visit if he hurried. He wanted to see her, but needed was an even better word. He needed to see Exerilla with every fiber of his being! His days away had served to make him all too aware of what she meant to him.
A vision in green, wearing no hat, and wildly careening like a young hoyden over her fence presented itself and tickled him with pleasure.
She was riding Jack and the old gelding was giving her a speed, he had never thought the aged horse capable of delivering.
He chuckled and then something in her seat and the way she held herself, made him realize she was distressed.
The notion did something to him. It was as though his heart moved in his chest. His entire system trembled with uneasiness. The blood skittered fervently through his blood. She seemed disturbed, hurting, and all at once, so was he.
Within the flash of a moment, without further thought, he put his horse into gear and took off across the field.
She saw him and he felt a wave of pleasure as an immediate smile altered the look of distress that had been on her face only moments ago.
He wasn’t sure what was happening to him. Perhaps this was what his father called bonding, when a wizard meets his true mate.
He had no time to think, he reined in his horse as she slowed to a trot and rode up to him.
“You are back,” was what she said for when she had returned with Mary it was to find that he had gone off somewhere.
She tickled him, “So I am. Did ye miss me, lass?”
She met his gaze and he knew he had never before known such a woman. Would never again, know such a woman. She surprised him with an open, honest response, “So much.”
“Is that why ye were riding to the devil?” he teased in a light hearted manner, hoping to find the source of her earlier displeasure.
“Ha, I wasn’t riding to the devil, I was riding away from the devil,” she said and sighed. “David Horwich just won’t stop. He says I am going to be his, one way or another, and I am heartily sick of him.”
“I’ll have his head I will if ever he lays hand to ye, lass.”
She frowned and added, “And then there is Sir Jacob. If I didn’t know better, I would say he has been trying to fix his interest with me. Impossible to imagine, because I thought we were friends and that he had no interest …well, suddenly his attentions have become very marked and very uncomfortable.”
“Upon my soul! Jacob?” his lordship was in fact stunned by this last piece of information.
She eyed him, and a playful light came into her eyes, “It might be nice to be married to Sir Jacob. He is such a good young man, warm hearted and it would get me out of Horwich House.”
He turned shocked blue eyes to her, �
�Exerilla…”
She laughed right out loud, and he reached for her chin and held it as he gritted his teeth, “Do not trifle with me, woman.”
The smile in his bright blues belied any doubts she had and she sighed, “Life is so complicated right now.”
“Aye, that it is.” He dismounted and reached up for her, “Coom sweet lass, walk with me a spell.”
She immediately threw her leg over her ladies’ pommel and slid down into his arms. He held her, put his head down to rest his chin near her face. “Lass, lass, what ye do to me, I canna explain it even to m’self.” He pulled the horses along, and she watched as he deftly situated their steeds so that he could hold her undetected by any passerby.
He wanted to kiss her right there and then. He wanted to throw off her clothes, let magic do it for him this time, so he could get at her quicker. He wanted to lay her in the grass on a bed of wildflowers and bury himself deep inside. He wanted to take her and make her his own. She was his, and he knew in that moment, he wanted the world to know it as well.
What was he going to do?
He had meant his kiss to be a gentle thing, but somehow he lost control and the fever called Exerilla. A fever that pumped blood to his heart and turned his brain into a firestorm took over. He couldn’t think any longer. All he knew was that he had to taste her over and over again.
Life with Exerilla had become an all consuming need for Hunter MacTorry.
“I was lost without ye, love,” he said quietly.
“I had no choice. I had to accompany Mary, but Hunter, I was a mess and I missed you so very much.”
He crushed her in his embrace. He only knew he wanted this to go on forever.
* * *
She only knew she wanted this to go on forever.
She was an immortal, and it hurt to think that one day in the near future she would have to walk away from him. That knowledge made her response desperate as she clung to him and her kisses were an all consuming response to his.
Suddenly she felt the cool wind between them and he was setting her away from himself. “Och lass, I have to stop now or I’ll be laying ye down right here, and that, m’own sweet darlin’ just wouldna do.”
Why not? She would lay with him anywhere.
He seemed to read her face and laughed as he touched her chin and dropped a light kiss on her lips. Even that quick, simple kiss sent a rush of feeling through her and when she opened her eyes, she saw that his were closed as well. She wondered at it. She was curious as to what he was thinking and feeling.
“I doona want ye to worry, m’sweet. I mean to make David Horwich grovel in the dirt for any discomfort he caused ye.”
“Oh no, no, please don’t get into a fight with him. That will only make things worse,” she worried.
“Never ye mind, I will do what needs to be done of that ye can be certain,” he had her chin in one hand, his other hand at her back pulling her closer, “it will not cause ye any trouble. I will not let him tarnish yer name, and he will not be bothering ye any longer.”
She wasn’t going to be able to stop him. She could see that he had made up his mind. It was written all over his face, in the set of his jaw and the stance he had taken. She reached for his sleeves and tore at them fretfully, “He is a sneaky creep and won’t come at you fairly. You can’t play by the rules with him, Hunter!”
He laughed, “Are ye worried for me, love?”
She threw her arms around him, “What do you think?”
~ Twenty ~
JACOB PACED IN his library. He looked around. This room had been redecorated by his father. It had the look of a man’s room; it had the feel of his Cressly heritage even in the woodwork that held all the ancient books and texts.
What would his father think if he knew?
He turned at the sound of approaching footsteps and smiled, “Hunter, I was just wondering where you might be.”
“I will get right to the point, Jacob…do sit,” Hunter said without preamble.
Jacob sat and waited, his eyes widening, as Hunter relayed the information he believed his young host should know.
Jacob, did in fact, interject with questions, and exclamations of ‘blackguard, scoundrel, and bloody hell. After Hunter was done, he rested his hands on his bent knees and released a slow whistle. “So, that is why Jerry has always been so mysterious.”
“Hmmm. The waters have gotten too murky for Swit to wade through and I don’t believe he was ever comfortable in the spy business,” Hunter said thoughtfully as he moved to the large bay window overlooking a stretch of green lawns, his hands clasped at his back.
“And Bellingham?” Jacob brought his lordship’s head around. “What will you do?”
“I have already done it. The results were disastrous. I had sent word to the Home Office, and I am afraid Bellingham did not wish to face what he had done. I am telling you all this, because I have just received a message that Bellingham has committed suicide.”
“Suicide!” Jacob stood up, his face drawn in shock. He shook his head, “Then I suppose that puts an end to it?”
“I don’t think so, Jacob. That is why you must know all the details. I am a guest in your home, and you have a right to know what I am involved in.”
“Yes, of course, and tell me how may I help?”
“By staying away from David Horwich. He is a dangerous and unscrupulous man and will be more so, as I mean to use him badly.”
“Use him? How so?”
“I have a plan, and forgive me, even I am not certain just how I will execute it. I still have to play it out in my mind, but I have Sidmouth’s blessings in the matter. Rest assured, I am not a rogue out for sport. The Home Office is behind my efforts.”
“I am behind you as well, anything you need, you have but to say the word,” Jacob offered staunchly.
“I shall, aye, then lad, I shall,” his lordship gave him a warm smile.
Shyly, Jacob hemmed a moment before he blurted out, “I am honored that you chose to confide in me.”
Hunter inclined his head, but before he could respond, Jacob hurriedly added, as he stopped his sudden pacing, “I have something I would like to tell you, as well.”
“Oh?” his lordship eyed him.
Sir Jacob felt a wave of heat reach his neck. “I have applied to the squire for Exerilla’s hand and he has accepted my offer to court her.”
Lord Hunter MacTorry burst out laughing, and then said, “No, ye haven’t, Jacob say ye haven’t! Why on earth would ye do such a thing, when ye are not in love with her and she is not in love with ye?”
“I believe I can make her comfortable. I can give her a certain degree of freedom and by doing that, make her happy. Besides once we are engaged, then that cad will not be able to try and force himself on her the way he has been doing. She doesn’t complain, but one only has to have eyes to see what is going on there. I had stopped by yesterday just moments after they had arrived home from the little jaunt she and Mrs. Horwich had taken and found David harassing her. He is a devil, Hunter. When she accepts my suit, she won’t be bothered with him any longer.” Jacob said looking away.
“Ye delude yerself, lad. David is not about to allow her to get engaged to ye and ye are forgetting that this lass won’t marry ye just to save herself from discomfort.”
“I think you overstep yourself, Hunter,” Jacob said again unable to meet his eye.
“I am not offering ye insult Jacob. I am only telling ye, that I think I have the lass’s measure and I doona think she will do anything but follow her heart. As we both know that means she won’t marry without love.”
“Some marriages of convenience work out very well. Love can develop out of affection and friendship,” Jacob offered.
Hunter scoffed and a low growl edged his words, “Affection, friendship, do ye think that is what this lass needs? No, laddie!. Exerilla was meant for more.”
“I think I can give her what she needs,” Jacob would not give up, he had promised Lucas
.
His lordship suddenly clamed up. He eyed Jacob and waved it off, “Do what ye must, lad.”
Jacob sighed. Do what he must? Was it ever so simple?
* * *
PART TWO
~ Chapter One ~
The purpling ocean owns the coming sun.
But ere he break—a deed is to be done.
Lord Byron
EXERILLA WAS OUT for a walk, but not just any walk. It wasn’t for exercise or fresh air. She was hoping she might bump into Lord Blue Eyes, because the sorry truth was she was hopelessly in love. In love with someone she could never have. She was in love with a man from another time. She was a mess.
Hunter had not stopped by for a morning visit and the afternoon seemed to be on its way out with no sign of him. She gave up hope that he was coming and decided to go out and about. She thought that she might see him on his way to or from Cressly Towers.
What was he doing? Why hadn’t he been to see her?
Sir Jacob had stopped by for a short morning visit and she had been unable to illicit any information about her Hunter. Instead, she had been shocked by Sir Jacob’s announcement that he had been given permission to court her.
They were friends and she was sure he had no romantic inclination toward her at all. He just suddenly decided to court her. It made no sense whatsoever and so she told him.
He said, “Exerilla, it is because we are friends that I think this will work. I would like to have a wife and carry on the name. You need to get out of this house and have one of your own. Without a dowry, well…even here in Dover, your expectations, well…” he had allowed his voice to trail off.
She had laughed and thrown her arms around him and told him, “You are a wonderful, kind hearted dear boy, but that is not enough. You should be with someone who loves you and I can’t be that person. I also think I should be with someone who I love and loves me. I’m holding out for that.”
It was ridiculous. Even if she wasn’t about to hop a train to the future a few months down the road, she would never contemplate marriage with someone she didn’t love.