The 12th Kiss

by Laura Hogg

"This is about love, Relief. When you will have me, you won't regret it."

  Her breathing was heavy now this next morning as she looked at him.

  "I will never know the joy of having you, my husband."

  * * * *

  After breakfast that day, he took Relief and Honora about town. They asked him to stop and take them walking by some shops displaying many wonderful things for the eyes. In one shop they admired exotic paintings. Relief yanked on her husband's coat sleeve.

  "My lord.” She smiled.

  He gestured for her and Honora to enter the shop and stood back smiling as he watched the sisters expressing their appreciation for several of the paintings as if he liked the music of their chit-chat. Relief held one painting up. She handed it to Honora, excited as a school girl.

  "Honora, I'm going to purchase it! This one has heart.” She opened up a little silk reticule and pulled out some coins.

  "I have enough money."

  Lord Cheltham frowned and approached them, striding across the shop. Her smile of delight melted when she saw her husband's face.

  "My lord?"

  "Put your money away, Relief."

  "But my lord—"

  "I will purchase the painting for you."

  She curtseyed.

  "Thank you, but no thank you, my lord. I find myself very much obliged to decline your generous offer.” She gave him a look of scorn. He was trying to control her, yet again.

  She put the painting down and tugged on her sister's arm, dragging her out of the shop.

  The girls stopped suddenly out front. A young, handsome gentleman stood before them, eyes of admiration glued to Relief.

  Relief spoke in a trembling voice. “Mr. Richards, are you recently come to London?"

  He looked at them, grinning smoothly. “Miss Moore and Miss Honora. Good morning. I trust that I find you well on this day?"

  Lord Cheltham stepped out behind them. He grabbed his wife's hand and glared at Mr. Richards.

  "Who the devil might you be?” he asked with anger.

  Relief and Honora dropped their jaws.

  Mr. Richards spoke to Relief. “Could this mean you are no longer Miss Moore?"

  "Haven't you read the papers?” Lord Cheltham snapped. “Now answer my question."

  Relief gave her husband a look displaying her sadness and feelings of repression. “Why are you doing this, my lord?"

  "My wife, everyone, it seems, has certain motivations with you."

  "I have done business with her family. I heard that she was in London and so decided to come see her."

  "How well do you know the Moores, my wife, for that matter?"

  "As for the Moores, we have done business regularly. I remember when your wife was four years younger. I tried to persuade her to marry me. But do not worry, sir. She declined my offer firmly."

  "I am her husband now, and I protect her with deadly force. Any man caught casting his eyes in her direction in a way that I deem as less than respectful will deal with me soundly."

  Mr. Richards looked at him. “I see."

  "I hope you do."

  You're out of control! Relief thought.

  He led his trembling wife past her old family friend. Honora said not a word. Relief was fuming but held her tongue. When her husband was called across the road to speak to a friend, Relief turned and whispered to Honora. They saw him turn often and look at them as they discussed her “escape.” He frowned, and Relief was sure he was wondering what they were discussing.

  When he came back to their sides, he demanded to know what they were planning. They played stupid.

  "Relief, tell me now,” he said with cold smoothness.

  "My lord, you will not be so unkind as to press this issue with me."

  He could not have missed the flicker of sadness that crossed her eyes because he sighed but said nothing further.

  * * * *

  Fine carriages were everywhere, and handsome couples walked into the doorway of the opera theater. Relief heard the orchestra practicing as people filed in. Her husband walked a little ways and greeted a friend, but he turned and looked upon Relief with love from a few yards away. It made her almost decide to change her plans, almost. She closed her eyes, and Honora touched her arm.

  "Leafy?"

  "I'm well. Plans as usual, Honora,” she whispered.

  "There will be no time to dress you as a boy."

  "I do not care anymore. I miss being who I am. It cannot concern me further if I am seen as I am, at least for tonight. I'll worry about disguises later."

  "How could he do this to you, Relief? I know that he thinks he is protecting you, but this is not fair. I know it breaks your heart."

  She turned and gave Honora a look as her heart thumped with sorrow, and she nodded. She pulled her into an embrace. “Thank you, sweetheart, for everything you do."

  Honora squeezed her. “Mum and Pop are here at the performance as well as our intimidating brothers. You know they will help him, do you not?"

  "I know,” she sighed.

  She felt a pang of regret and loss. She looked over and into his eyes with regret for what she was about to do.

  "I love you,” she saw him mouth.

  He watched her ardently, then came to her, took her hand, and guided her to their seats. Later during the intermission he stood and squeezed her into his arms.

  "Ah, beloved."

  She closed her eyes, and she felt tears sting them. He pulled away.

  "Relief?” he almost whispered. He leaned closer.

  "Are you going to kiss me, my lord?” She opened her eyes and muttered from softly parted lips, preparing for the warmth of his lips.

  He drew close and stopped a breath away.

  "Kiss me, Relief. Give me the twelfth, and I will be your husband in full tonight. I long to share that with you, my love."

  She shook her head, feeling remorse.

  "Then my wife, I will not kiss you."

  "Benjamin—"

  She grasped the sleeve of his expensive suit. “My lord husband."

  "I hope you cannot doubt I am grateful to my bones that I am your husband, Relief. It goes beyond wanting to make love to you. I am just so very happy to belong to you. Now, let us speak no more of this until after the performance,” he said with tenderness that made her knees buckle.

  A tear ran down her face as she watched the performance.

  * * * *

  Relief and Honora stood up to leave the box. Lord Cheltham stood to go with them, but she smiled and assured him that all was well, that they would be back presently. Moments after she left, a young man dressed in fine clothes approached Lord Cheltham and handed him a folded note. He took it from him eagerly and opened it.

  We should not suit.

  Relief

  He dropped the paper.

  He immediately jumped up, calling for her. He looked around, but he couldn't find her. His heart began to race. He grew increasingly worried that she had been kidnapped. Perhaps the note was forced. She wouldn't leave, would she? He alerted security and the Moore family. A search began. Honora was missing, too.

  * * * *

  They were racing like the wind on horseback, still in their opera clothes. It started to rain heavily, and the wind picked up. At some time around midnight, they slammed open the door to the rough, run-down inn. They were breathing heavily and pressed against the front wall. Relief reached out an arm and shut the door.

  The place was filled with men, gruff, sloppy, drunken, hungry-looking men, and they were staring at the ladies with their wet dresses clinging to every inch of their bodies. A couple of choice spirits were singing and bellowing in the back. Several candied fellows grinned liked starving cats eyeing a bit of cream. Relief touched Honora's arm.

  "Do not leave my side, sister."

  "Not if you paid me ten thousand guineas."

  "There's that number again,” she said and grinned. “You are obsessed with it!"

  One man approached them. �
�Ladies?"

  "We are in need of drinks.” She tried to pull Honora toward the bar. He stepped in front of her.

  "Allow me to buy them for you."

  "No, thank you, sir."

  He frowned. “What's the matter? Too good for me?"

  "No, sir. We do not accept gifts from men we do not know. We are proper ladies."

  A couple of other men stood up. They were big, and they smelled like manure.

  "Tonight you will accept a gift. A big one!” The man gestured to his lower regions.

  That inspired every man around him to burst out into laughter.

  Relief pushed Honora behind herself and took a wide-footed stance, hands up, palms out. The man directly in front of her started chuckling. At first it was a low rumble in his throat and then it built up until it flew out of his mouth with great mockery. The other men in the room soon joined him in his mirth. He stepped toward Relief. In less than two seconds, she had him face down on the floor, and she was twisting his arm fiercely as he yelled out. Honora went to him and kicked his side with her little foot. She jutted her chin out proudly.

  Another man attacked. Relief jumped up, spun around and kicked him in the chest. He went flying. Two more men lurched at them. She rendered them senseless, lying on the floor, and stood hunched forward, her open palms in the air, her eyes promising a world of pain. More dared to come forth. Honora stood against the wall, her chin up proudly.

  The innkeeper spoke. “I thought you said that you were proper ladies."

  "We are. We just know how to fight."

  "What will you ladies have?” He knitted his brow and looked around. Several men were rubbing various parts of their bodies, wincing in their pain.

  * * * *

  At one-thirty a.m. a lord dressed in breeches laced over a pair of fine shoes, a quality shirt, a lush white cravat with a diamond pin sparkling within its folds and a velvet trimmed coat pushed open the door, dripping wet; long, drenched strands of blond hair sticking to his neck, and falling to his shoulders; and he gripped a pistol at his side. He was accompanied by an angry-looking stout man even bigger in muscle size than he was, nicely dressed as well, but obviously not a lord, more like an American. The lord strode across the room with his friend and sat at the bar, great perturbation marring his features. He ordered a drink and slammed it down. He gestured rapidly for another. The innkeeper poured him one.

  "What troubles you this night, my lord?"

  "My wife has been kidnapped. My brother-in-law and I are searching around here. I have others looking elsewhere. Have you seen anything unusual this way tonight?"

  Chuckling caused him to turn around.

  "Is something funny?"

  A fat man scratched his rough gray chin. “Anything unusual?” He laughed.

  His lordship turned and looked at the innkeeper again. His brow was raised high.

  "Is your wife blonde, my lord?"

  "No."

  "Oh, then I haven't seen her."

  "What is that supposed to mean?"

  Twenty-two

  Lord Cheltham glanced around the room, which had quieted when he and Raphael had pushed open the door. A few men lay passed-out on benches in the back, but many others held drinks, unmoving, and watched him and Raphael carefully. Lord Cheltham turned back to the barkeep.

  "My lord, a fair-haired lady was here, the one trembling with fear. She was obviously not in charge. The dark-haired woman who accompanied her controlled the situation—confident and brave she was. I dare say that the little blonde girl was the one who was kidnapped, but you said that your wife was..."

  "Brunette.” He looked at him, impatience growing within him. “Were they both beautiful women?"

  "Yes."

  "Were they alone?"

  "It appeared that way."

  "How were they dressed?” He sighed.

  "Dripping wet, with their gowns sticking to them, firing the lust of every man in here."

  Lord Cheltham slammed his hand down on the bar, creating an ominous cracking sound on the wood. The tavern-keep jumped back.

  "What kind of clothes were they wearing?"

  "Fancy clothes, dressed for the theater."

  Tension wracked Lord Cheltham's body. He inhaled deeply through his nose, clenched his hand into a fist, and then slowly uncurled his fingers. In the course of five seconds, Raphael checked his pistol, spun it around and pointed it the innkeeper's way. He said nothing except to threaten death with his eyes. He was rewarded with a look of wide-eyed fear.

  "You are sure they were alone?” Lord Cheltham repeated.

  "Unless they had a man waiting outside. I do not know. They did not need one though, I will tell you that much. That dark-haired beauty single-handedly took out ten men. I jest not."

  Raphael's eyes grew large. When Lord Cheltham's anxious fear relaxed upon these words, a laugh escaped his throat. Raphael looked at him with astonishment.

  "Raphael, they are fine! My obstinate bride was not kidnapped, thank God.” He shook his head. “But am I ever going to discipline her when I get my hands on her."

  The room exploded into laughter. He jumped up, vexed now, and Raphael followed suit. Lord Cheltham threw a glance to the barkeep. “She did not say where they were headed?"

  "I was too afraid to ask."

  A new bout of laughter burst out from the men who had been hanging on every word of their conversation.

  * * * *

  They had raced toward the border to Scotland to visit a woman whom Relief knew through written correspondence. Relief was hoping to impose upon her hospitality until she and Honora could decide in which country they would take temporary residence. For the present, they sat in a dry spot in a cave before a small campfire drying out and warming up. The rain had stopped. Excitement and adventure almost boiled over in Relief's blood. She felt connected to nature, in control, and free, and she inhaled very deeply of the crisp air, celebrating.

  Relief ran her hands over her long hair and twisted out the rain water. Honora was rubbing her little hands together rapidly in an attempt to circulate the blood-flow.

  "How much of your husband's money do you have in your reticule, Leafy?"

  She gave her sister a look to show she resented that. “I earn my own way, Honora. It is true that when I married him, everything I had became legally his, but the money on my person is what I earned taking out a lowlife on the streets. Raphael snatched a few guineas from a very bad man."

  "Sorry. Please tell me more about the plan."

  "Honora,” she touched her hair sweetly. “My baby sister, you are so loyal to me."

  "Relief, there was no way I was going to let you have all the fun. I helped you escape, now tell me what's next."

  "I did not want to have to do this. I still had hope on the day I married him that I could make him see my point of view. I was wrong. He intends to use all of his husbandly and legal power to suppress me. He forced me into this."

  "You are the smartest woman I know. Using your connections as Raphael was a huge help. How much did you pay that man to meet us at the theater with the horses and supplies?"

  Relief shrugged. “I didn't. I beat him in a fight as Raphael, and I required my prize in that service."

  "You always think of such clever things. Whatever you have planned for the future will work."

  "Thank you."

  "And I feel safer with you than I would with an armed man."

  Relief grinned. “My teacher was good. He was a peaceful man. He taught me that killing was not necessary, but he did say I could maim if necessary."

  Honora scoffed and chuckled. Relief uttered a low chuckle herself.

  "Sister, after we relax in Scotland for a few days, we will disguise ourselves and travel. We will cross over to France and then maybe Italy. I have yet to decide. Maybe Germany?"

  "Or Austria?"

  "Or who knows? Wherever our fancy leads us."

  "What about money?"

  "Here's the good part, sweet Honora.
You will continue to be my makeup artist. I will get part-time work as a guard so we have enough to live on."

  Her eyes were big. “That's the plan?"

  "Yes."

  "Adventure awaits!” She clapped her hand together in glee.

  "I thought you wanted a title."

  "So did I, Leafy. Being around your husband's lordly friends has taught me something. I do not want to live the life of an aristocrat if I am to be a prisoner in my husband's home. Why did I want a title anyway? With you I will get to dress as a different person, whomever I choose to be that day. It sounds beyond exciting to me."

  Relief touched her arm. “Are you sure, Honora? I could drop you off. You could go back."

  "No."

  "What about our family?"

  "I do not know, Leafy.” Sadness clouded Honora's green eyes.

  "We will go to them someday. I should very much like to see them again."

  "I believe in you, Leafy."

  "I wouldn't have made it to this point without you, Honora."

  "Do you miss your husband?"

  Relief frowned and sat back. She said nothing, but her heart lurched when she brought his smiling face to mind.

  "Leafy?"

  "Honora, I'm in love with him. But I refuse to be repressed."

  "You are like a bird that needs to fly free."

  "I am. We have another problem."

  "What is it, Leafy?"

  "I am going to have to leave you in Scotland for a few days, maybe a week or two before we go to Italy or Vienna."

  "Why?"

  "There is a mad nobleman out there who will be hunting Benjamin. He will try to kill him for killing his partner. I will have to find him and stop him."

  Honora leaned forward. “Leafy, no. Your husband can handle him."

  "Not if he is taken by surprise. I cannot leave him to die. I will not."

  "Your husband will search the world for you."

  "Not if he thinks I'm dead."

  Honora sat back now, and her face grew pale. “Opera stories have given you an abundance of ideas."

  "I suppose they have."

  * * * *

  Lord Cheltham paced and cursed. He lightly tapped his head with the side of his pistol as he walked back and forth frantically in the entrance hall of the house the Moore sisters had shared before his marriage to Relief. The Moore family men stood back with their arms crossed, all looking very angry.