She played with his hair for only moments, but it seemed like an eternity as her gentle touch fed the blazing torrents inside.
“There, that’s better,” she said when she was done. She leaned up on her toes and brushed his lips with hers before slipping away from him.
He reached for her, but it was too late. She was already out of arms length, gliding to the small bench within the rose garden while pulling stray pins from her long auburn locks. He sighed in disappointment as she sat so gracefully on the bench and began reworking the bun. His disappointment turned to fascination as he watched her. He’d never watched a woman fix her hair before, and it was quite tantalizing. Was there anything she did he didn’t find attractive?
Head tilted down and eyes watching him from an angle, she smiled at him. “You could help if you wish?”
“I would only destroy it again. Besides, I prefer to watch,” he said honestly.
Her cheeks flushed a healthy shade of red, but she did not look away.
“Have I told you how beautiful you are when you blush?”
She laughed sweetly. “No, but thank you I suppose.”
“You suppose?” he asked with his own laugh.
“Yes, I don’t like blushing. It’s a weakness, and I seem to do it quite frequently around you.”
“A weakness? You mean it portrays how much I affect you,” he said, guessing her true reasoning behind her statement.
Her face flushed again, but she answered honestly. “Yes.”
He smiled softly at her. “Well, it’s something I like very much.”
She finished her bun and placed her hands in her lap. “And what weaknesses do you have?” she asked.
He came toward her, crouching down next to her to place his hands over hers. He stared into her eyes and said, “Just one. You.”
She smiled, and surprised him by kissing him quite thoroughly. Oh, the next five weeks were going to be very long and torturous.
* * *
Lucas stepped out from behind the rose bushes when the couple was finally gone. He’d been waiting for Allana, knowing she came to the garden often after lunch. He hadn’t expected her just yet and with company.
Jealousy and anger surged through him. That bastard, Cunningham, was trying to take her from him! And Allana! She’d never been that willing with Lucas. In one moment of passion, Cunningham could have done what Lucas had tried to do for several months! It was unacceptable! Allana was his! Did she honestly think she could be rid of him so easily? She belonged to him, not that self-righteous earl! And now Lucas was going to have to remind her of that however unpleasant it might be.
Chapter 18
Allana and Declan danced with grace around the Russell’s spacious ballroom. Carmon and Edmund had been wed just hours before, and now it seemed the entire district was joining in the post-wedding celebrations.
Allana’s engagement to Lord Cunningham had spread through the crowd and was now old news. And Carmon glowed radiantly for everyone to see.
Lucas watched it all with distaste. Allana wasn’t just frolicking around with the Earl; she was engaged to be married to him as well. Anger rippled through him. She would regret this. He would make it so. He slipped from the room and wasn’t seen the rest of the evening.
* * *
“Allana,” Connor’s voice said. “Allana, we’re home.”
“Hmmm?” she asked, forcing her tired eyes open. She’d fallen asleep. They were in the carriage on their way home from the celebration. Lilly and their father had left hours ago. Lilly’s pregnancy simply did not allow for too much excitement.
The night had been lovely, and Allana was exhausted. She had danced the night away with Declan. She’d just been dreaming about him, and it brought a smile to her lips. He was everything she ever imagined and more. And he was going to be hers in a matter of weeks. Her stomach fluttered excitedly at the thought.
She yawned. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
“You’ve had a busy day and evening. Do not apologize,” Connor said with a smile. He stepped out of the carriage and offered her his hand. She took it and allowed him to guide her to the house.
“You are going to be happy with him, aren’t you,” Connor stated rather than asked. He smiled down at her.
“Yes, I think I am. He is a good man, Connor.”
“And you love him,” he supplied.
She knew her cheeks were red, but she did not deny his words. “Yes, I do.”
He nodded. “Then I am very happy for you.”
They walked in silence. It wasn’t an awkward silence, rather a comfortable one two siblings might share, and it continued that way until they were inside Tananguard Manor ascending the stairs to their rooms. They reached the middle landing together where they would part ways.
“Good night, Connor,” Allana said.
“Not so fast, Pet. You are not Lady Cunningham just yet. I require a hug before bed, so come give me one. I’m exhausted,” Connor demanded.
She smiled, shaking her head but obeying his request.
“I really am happy for you,” he repeated before kissing her forehead.
“Thank you, Connor,” she said.
He nodded in reply. “Goodnight, Allana. If you need anything, go wake someone else up. I did not get a nap in the carriage,” he teased.
She laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ll be pounding on your door in an hour.”
“You had better not,” he said indignantly.
She shook her head and began ascending the stairs to her room. “Goodnight, Connor,” she said over her shoulder.
* * *
Connor watched his loving sister go with a smile. She was finally out of Lucas’s grasp, and she was happy. Declan would make her very happy.
When she was out of his view, Connor had a sudden feeling of unease. Something did not feel right, but he didn’t know what it was. He felt as though he should be with Allana right then. A small voice inside his head seemed to whisper, Go with your sister. She isn’t safe. But he shook it off. He was overprotective. He always had been, especially since returning home. The feeling kept persisting, though, tempting him to at least check on her. He stood in place for several moments before finally deciding he was losing his mind. You’re being paranoid, he thought to himself as he ascended the stairs to his room.
Chapter 19
Allana thought about lighting a candle upon entering her dark room, but decided against it. Usually her maid Martha was waiting for her in her bedchambers with a fire lit and her bed warmers ready. But it was very late, and Martha was nowhere to be seen. Allana wondered if the older woman may have fallen asleep waiting for her to return home. Allana would have to do it all herself. She did not mind. It gave her time to simply be alone and enjoy her happiness.
She walked across the dark spacious room to the terrace and threw open the doors, breathing in the cool, night air. It was a perfect night to end such a perfect day. She glided onto the terrace until she was near the brick railing and looked out into the night. The sky was beautiful with a bright full moon slightly overshadowed by clouds and a few stars that seemed to shine brighter than she could ever remember. Crickets could be heard in the distance, and the breeze rustled gently through the trees. Everything was beautiful. She was sure her senses were heightened from the pleasure of the evening and the love she held for Declan. These feelings made everything seem more alive. She sighed as she leaned up against the railing thinking about Declan. Yesterday had been marvelous, and tonight’s party had been exhilarating. Her body grew warm as she thought of their time together the past week. How easy it was to be with him. There was no wondering. There was just knowing, knowing she belonged with him. Knowing she wanted him and only him. She had been so foolish to think Lucas was for her.
Something clicked behind her, catching her attention and bringing her out of her thoughts. It was a small noise that didn’t quite fit into the regular sounds of the night, but she couldn’t identify what it had been until s
he heard it again. It sounded like a key turning in a lock; and it had come from inside her chambers. She turned around to find the source of the noise and froze. A tall, dark figure stood blocking the huge double doors to her bedchamber. Allana’s breath caught in her throat as fear gripped her, and her heart beat rapidly as she stared through the darkness at the figure. She wanted to run, but she was trapped on the terrace, and he was coming toward her. She glanced over the edge of the balcony and shook her head. It was too far. She would break something for certain if she jumped. She balanced on the balls of her feet and prepared herself to flee or fight if needed. She wasn’t completely helpless. Whoever this was, he was in for a surprise.
“You are daring, aren’t you,” said a masculine, smooth voice she recognized.
“Lucas?” she asked. What was he doing in her bedchambers? Anger quickly replaced her bewilderment as she wondered this. Did he think he could bring her to submission by seducing her in her own chambers? “What are you doing here?” she demanded, letting down her guard as he approached her.
“I waited in the garden for you yesterday thinking you’d eventually come there, and do you know? I was right.” Lucas paused when he was within a few feet of her. There was an edge to his voice, causing the hairs on the back of Allana’s arms to rise in alarm. “You came, but you weren’t alone.” He smiled coldly. “And then tonight I discovered you’re engaged to be married. You’ve been busy while I’ve been away.”
She didn’t even see his arm rise. He barely seemed to have moved at all. One moment she was looking into his cold blue eyes, the next she was flailing through the air and to the floor, a throbbing ache on the right side of her face. He had backhanded her hard. Blood oozed from her lips as she lay on the floor trying to gain her senses.
“Traitor!” he hissed, picking her up off the floor and grabbing hold of her throat.
She struggled under his grasp, trying to breathe. “Lucas, stop. I can’t breathe,” she rasped as she pulled at his hand. Tears welled in her eyes as the feeling of helplessness overwhelmed her. If only she hadn’t let down her guard, she might have seen this coming. But she’d thought he was here for a different reason. “Please.”
There was a knock at the door, followed by jiggling of the door handles. Lucas pulled Allana in to him, putting her back up against his chest and covering her mouth tightly with his free hand.
“Miss Lana, are you in there?” It was Martha. If only Allana could find a way to let Martha know her mistress was in trouble. She struggled against Lucas’s fit body trying to break from his grasp. The struggles weakened as the need for oxygen began to weigh upon Allana.
“Make her go away,” Lucas whispered against her ear. He squeezed Allana’s throat tighter, emphasizing the control he had over her.
The ability to breathe was growing harder between the hand around her throat and the one covering her mouth. How was she supposed to make Martha go if she lost consciousness? She was pulling at his hands, trying to relieve the pressure and allow herself some fresh air when he spoke again.
“Tell her to go away, or I will squeeze tighter,” he threatened.
Fear gripped Allana as her sight began to dim.
“Do you understand?”
She nodded as best she could in reply, causing him to release his hand from her mouth and slacken his grip on her throat.
“Good. Now tell her.”
Allana gasped as the air hit her lungs. She felt like she’d just sprinted a great distance with how hard she was breathing. She took in a few deep gulps of air before obeying Lucas. “Go away, Martha,” she panted. “I do not need you tonight.” She tried to say it as calmly as she could, but her voice was hoarse and shaky.
“My Lady, are you all right?” Martha asked with concern.
“I’m perfectly fine. Now go away.” She was trembling, fighting back tears. Oh, Martha. Help me! A small sob escaped her lips.
“You don’t sound fine. Should I go get Master Connor or your father?” Martha asked in worry.
Lucas tightened his grip once more. “I could kill you, you know,” he threatened quietly.
“Go ahead, you fiend,” Allana tried to say fiercely, but it was distorted by the grip he had on her throat. She was terrified. This was a side of Lucas she had only glimpsed.
“That’s what I like about you, Allana, your fire. But since your own life does not seem to matter to you, I will have to pick someone else’s like Lancelot’s or perhaps Connor’s, and then there’s Lilly and the baby. You know I could hurt any one of them. Now make her go away.”
He threatened her with the things she loved most in this world, and Allana knew Lucas could fulfill this threat. He was an excellent swordsman as well as an excellent marksman. He could easily hide and kill one of her loved ones or hire someone to do it for him.
“Martha, truly I’m fine. I just need to be alone. It’s been a very long day.” Allana hoped this would work. Please just go, she thought.
“Very well, miss. If you need me, just ring your bell and I will be up in a hurry,” Martha said before finally leaving.
Allana let out another sob when the maid was gone. Oh Martha, please come back, she pleaded to herself as tears slipped down her cheeks.
* * *
Martha hurried through the large house. Something wasn’t right with Allana. She never pushed her away like that, and she’d sounded so upset, even on the verge of tears. There was something else in her voice as well. Was it fear Martha had heard? This thought made her quicken her pace. She was to the stairs now. As quickly as an old woman could, she dashed down them, crossed the middle landing, and headed up the other side. She had to find help. Every ounce of her being told her Allana was in trouble.
It seemed to take far too much time before Martha made it to Connor’s room and was pounding on his doors.
“Allana, if that’s you, I’m seriously going to be angry,” came a voice from the other side of the doors.
“Master Connor, it’s Martha. Something is wrong with Allana. You must come—”
Before she could finish, Connor had thrown open the doors to his room, startling Martha from the intensity she could feel from him. He was shirtless with water dripping from his face. He’d obviously been interrupted while washing up for bed.
“What’s wrong?” Connor asked in alarm.
“I don’t know, Sir. But her doors are locked, and she sounded very upset. She wouldn’t let me in. She never locks her door, especially to me,” Martha was near hysteria. She just knew something was terribly wrong, but she could not prove it. “I didn’t want to disturb your father and Lilly, so I came to you. I didn’t know what else to do.”
“I knew I should have gone with her to her room,” Connor said more to himself than Martha. “You did the right thing, Martha. But now I need you to go get the master keys. They’re in Father’s office. There’s a small key under the floor mat by his desk that will gain you access to his locked drawer. The keys are in that drawer. Understand?” She nodded. “Good. I’m going to see if I can get Allana to open her door.” He donned the shirt he’d left on his bed before washing, and headed out of the room and to the stairs. “If she won’t open her door, I’ll need those keys, so hurry, Martha,” Connor said as he guided her toward the stairs.
Martha was surprised at Connor’s quick actions. It was as though he had suspected foul play. She’d been certain she was going to have to persuade him something was wrong, but his keen senses had already alerted him. She just hoped he would be in time.
* * *
Lucas let go of Allana’s throat once Martha was gone.
“That was very smart of you,” he said facing her to him.
She flinched as he ran his fingers over her face and to her hair, gently letting it down to flow over her shoulders.
She glared at him. “Remove your hands at once.”
He smiled as he moved his hand down her neck and to the soft skin above her breasts where she quickly swatted it away.
&nb
sp; His face twisted in rage. “I’ll touch you if I want. You belong to me!”
He grabbed a handful of hair and pulled her toward him. He kissed her hard, causing her own teeth to cut the insides of her lips as she struggled against him. He laughed softly at her feeble attempts to push him away. It was as though her struggles encouraged his lust for her, signaling his hands to wander over her body and his lips to search out her neck and cleavage. His strength was beyond hers. With as much force as she could, she brought her knee up hard, connecting with his groin. He reeled over in pain, releasing his hold on her, allowing her to make a break for the door. She only made it a few steps before Lucas reached out and tripped her, keeping hold of her legs when she fell to the floor. He was fighting his own pain in order to prevent her from getting away. She kicked at his hands, then at his face when he wouldn’t let go.
Lucas cried out in pain, letting go of her to clutch at his injured face. She’d kicked him hard in the nose, bringing blood.
Once again, Allana was free. She staggered to her feet, making it to the terrace doors this time before Lucas caught her again. He was too quick. He tackled her from behind. The air left her lungs as his body landed on top of hers. The momentum of the fall reeled her head forward, banging her face into the hard, wooden floor. She lay immobilized for several moments, trying to catch her breath and gather her senses. She felt herself being rolled onto her back, followed by a fierce slap across her face. She cried out in pain. Her head was already throbbing, why did he have to slap her too? No, why was he doing any of this to her at all?
“This is your fault you know,” he said to her as though reading her thoughts. He was breathing hard and blood was oozing down his face. He wiped viciously at his nose before spitting a string of blood off to the side, splattering her dress with it in the process.
My fault? How is this my fault? “You’re insane,” she slurred groggily. Her poor head. It was still spinning from hitting the floor, and she was pretty certain her nose was broken. It had taken the brunt of the impact.
The Lady and the Earl Page 17