The 12th Kiss

by Laura Hogg

  "Sir, I am perplexed. Give me a hint."

  "Do I look familiar to you?"

  "We have fought before."

  "Think back further."

  She was silent for several moments. She squinted her eyes, looking into his face. Then her breathing quickened. “Oh my God."

  He grinned wickedly.

  Thirty

  "The highwayman."

  He laughed. “You stopped me from killing him that day."

  She blinked, astonished. “But why? Why do you want him dead?"

  "It's not me that wants him dead. It's a very wealthy woman who has paid me enough to live the rest of my life in comfort.” He touched his nice coat. “She has given me an advance for playing with his mind."

  "Oh my God, Joan! Her new family has money."

  "You would think it would be her, after what he did to her."

  "It was not Joan?"

  "No."

  "How do you know then about what happened?"

  "The one who engaged my business told me."

  "How did you come to know the man who came after me?"

  "I do a little fighting. Sometimes men drink together after spilling each other's blood in sport. When drunk enough, we talk, sometimes saying too much, and sometimes gaining very valuable information."

  "You met him on the fighting circuit."

  "Yes. We found that we had much in common. We both had a similar job to do. We became partners. This was before you met the Viscount. When we discovered that our targets had become romantically involved, we were able to use this to our advantage. And your Asian fighter did not spend his every waking moment hunting you. He kept his skills sharp by fighting in between his intimidation tactics."

  "I see. Did you know Lord Cheltham's uncle?"

  "I dare say I killed him and stole his pin."

  Cold shudders washed through her.

  "Why did you kill him?"

  "He wasn't the first. I've killed a few men in competition."

  "Did you take the pin and then decide for some reason to go after my husband?"

  "No. When I killed his uncle in a fight, simply by not restraining myself, I thought the pin had a potential purpose."

  "Who hired you?"

  "Guess."

  She rolled her eyes. “His parents?"

  "That's a strange conjecture."

  "His sister and his parents hate him."

  "True, but they don't want him dead."

  "A former lover?"

  The man twirled his finger, and landed it on her nose.

  "She was in love with him?"

  "They were engaged to be married."

  "What?” she practically shouted. “He never told me!"

  "He broke their engagement the night he first saw you, that same evening."

  She felt sick.

  "She would have made him much happier, Viscountess. She is not a fighter. He would have had great peace of mind with her. She would have been a dutiful wife."

  A pang of sadness squeezed her heart. “She has an even greater temper than I do, to hire a man to go after him."

  "Indeed. She will pay me extra for killing you. She thought that your own hunter would have done the deed, and then your husband took care of that situation."

  She closed her eyes and could not stop the tears from coming, anxious for her husband's safety. Her eyes came open, and in the candlelight she studied his ruggedly handsome face, bordered by an expensive wig. “How did you meet this woman?"

  His arm was lifted, and he dusted the sleeve of the fine jacket that covered his muscular frame with his hand, grooming, seeming unconcerned.

  He lowered his arms and brought brown, arrogant eyes to hers. “She was attracted to men like me, men who could hold their own. She has exotic taste and paid good money to come see some of these underground fights. She saw me kill your husband's uncle in a fight and approached me."

  Relief gulped tears down her tight throat and squeaked out, “She knew who he was?” All the while, her mind raced with wild ideas of how she could still save her husband.

  "She saw the family pin and inquired about it. She asked me to wait before I killed your husband, wanting to throw herself off the trail of suspects and allow some time to pass first."

  Relief let out a little cry. She gazed at her feet, under her tied ankles. She shivered against the cold wall she stood against. Her life with her husband came to her mind in flashes, all those times on the street chasing criminals, and the other times: kissing him with abandon, their soft caresses, the way he looked at her with that grin of his, dying to be her hero, or just the simple times such as dining with him in the townhouse.

  She didn't get enough time with him. Not nearly enough time. Her heart pounded so hard it began to hurt. She wanted him to embrace her and say he wanted her, that he'd never leave her. She shivered as the tears rolled down her cheeks.

  "Don't cry. This very night, you and your husband will be joined together in paradise."

  "We ... we never even consummated the marriage,” she breathed out with the greatest of regret.

  "What?"

  She flushed, embarrassed, and brought her attention back to his face. “Nothing."

  He grinned. “This becomes more amusing with each passing moment."

  A scuffing sound in the back of the dark room caused his head to whip around. Holding his weapon, he strode out of the circle of candlelight. “Don't go anywhere,” he mocked.

  "Don't kill him. We will pay you double."

  "He will never give me that kind of money.” He waved his hand through the air in dismissal.

  "I have it."

  He scoffed.

  "I have a pink diamond."

  He spun around and stepped back into the light. “What?"

  "My uncle's. I was going to return it to him next month when he came to visit. I wanted to give it to him personally."

  "A pink diamond?” His brow was raised in interest.

  She nodded. “Yes, he is a jeweler in New York."

  "I have read something about a New York jeweler's pink diamond being stolen."

  "My sister and I have recovered it."

  "Where is it?"

  "In my sister's care."

  He gave her a careful look, and then shook his head. “No. I do not want to take the chance."

  "Please, sir. I beg you!” She was terrified for Benjamin. “Please. I will do anything. Just please spare my husband. He deserves a chance in this life. I beg you will not go through with your plan. He is a good man."

  "Then he will be carried by the angels to paradise."

  "I am every time I look upon her."

  She inhaled sharply, and then held her breath, trembling with hope.

  Benjamin took one step into the light, lifted his arm and pointed the pistol at her captor's head.

  "Drop your weapon, slowly."

  He bent down, arms up, and lowered his weapon. Lord Cheltham kicked it across the room.

  Relief's abductor stood and asked in surprised tones over his shoulder, “How did you do that? I did not know you were behind me."

  "Raphael taught me.” He looked lovingly at his wife. “Useful skill, I should say."

  Tears poured down her cheeks.

  He tossed a glance over his shoulder. “Miss Moore, untie my wife."

  She came out of the darkness and rushed to her brother-in-law with the discarded pistol in her hands. She handed it to him then got to work on the ropes that bound Relief. Finally, Relief was free. She was itching to knock her captor out, and formed fists with her hands.

  Still pointing the gun at the man, Benjamin said, “Go on wife, do it. I know you long to."

  She threw a punch, and the evil man collapsed on the floor in a heap, senseless. She looked at her husband, and a laugh spilled forth. She held her belly in delight. He couldn't help himself and joined her, chuckling. They quickly tied him up.

  "We'll need to report the arrest to a magistrate, Relief."

  She no
dded, staring at Benjamin in awed happiness.

  * * * *

  That night, Relief and Lord Cheltham sat discussing matters in the cozy little salon of his house. Relief told him everything the man had said, and then she looked at her husband, feeling unreasonable jealousy.

  "Why did you not tell me you were engaged to be married before?"

  "That bitch.” He stood up after slamming his fist on the small table beside the couch.

  She smirked. He had called her worse than a whore. “You never loved her, Benjamin?"

  "I thought I did until that first night I saw you” He took his seat again, sighed and took her hand, resting it in his, in his lap. “She had been visiting her married sister in New York when I was there. She knew I was about to ask her to be my wife, but I never did. I was so overtaken with love when I first beheld you that I couldn't breathe."

  He squeezed her hand in emphasis. “I do not exaggerate. My chest felt tight, and I had hot and cold spells all night long. I was bewildered. I had to end it with her.” He shook his head. “She should be apprehended soon. Your captor had physical evidence to link her to all of this."

  "It is fortunate we found it at his house,” she added.

  He gazed at her steadily. “The bitch leads a very public life, showing off her shiny jewels and having grand parties with the most vivacious houseguests. She is a ridiculous woman only concerned with appearances. I do not understand why I thought I ever loved her; perhaps because I met her in my youth, and I was blinded by her outer beauty. Relief, your beauty transcends that. It is multi-faceted."

  She pulled her hand from his and drew him into an embrace. “I was so scared, Benjamin."

  "They will find her easily and quickly, I am sure of it. I suppose the man who took you will be hanged. He was a killer, Relief."

  "Benjamin! Oh, my love, I'm so glad, so glad you forgive me.” She leaned back, inhaling deeply and brought a shaky hand to rest on his cheek. “You do, don't you?” Her breath was suspended in anticipation.

  "Yes,"

  "I came to discover that you're more important than anything."

  He smiled. “I might—"

  "You might what?"

  "I might be persuaded—"

  "Persuaded to what?” Her fingers swept along the edge of his jaw, light as feathers.

  He took her hand, flipped it over and kissed her palm then looked at her with solemn eyes. “Under my strict supervision, you understand, you would not be allowed to leave my sight, for my own sake, Relief, God help me but even though you are the better fighter, I would still feel better being around to protect you—” he shook his head and sighed. “Ah, Relief, all I want is your happiness and safety."

  A huge smile curved her lips. She gasped and gripped his hand.

  "Benjamin, are you saying—” She fell back against the couch, trying to steady her irregular breathing, her hand against her chest. She took several breaths and gulped. “That I, that we, that ... that you'll have me as your wife and permit me to be myself? Could the glorious day have arrived?"

  "Olivia and I might go out and be heroes, but, she would have to stand aside far more often then before and let me do most of the dirty work."

  Tears blurred her eyes.

  "Oh, and,” he inclined his head in a sudden reaction to a sad thought. “My father recently returned from his traveling. He and I had words."

  "What ... were they?"

  "He said it was fortunate he was a healthy man and would be around a while. He's ashamed of me and the rumors going around about my unusual behavior and expects me to do something about it. He doesn't know that we go out on adventures—no one in the upper echelons, does, but Relief, we have to be more careful. I fear I have been careless. I am young, I am exuberant, but I need to, at least publicly, pull things together and act the starched nobleman. You understand?"

  "Yes. In public, I can see the necessity."

  "We can not have our street exploits discovered. Too many people depend on my family. Without respectability, we lose authority, and power."

  She frowned.

  "We would lose connections and could fall into ruin. No one would do business with us. The servants would leave, we could not invest...” his voice dropped off, and then he looked at her inquiringly. “You understand, do you not, Relief? My father brought the point home to me."

  "It's why I have perfected disguises. I respect this so much, Benjamin, and will honor that, my lord, with reverent attention."

  He leaned closer and parted his lips, as if waiting with his whole being, not kissing her. She looked at him with tenderness. His eyes fell closed.

  "Have me,” he muttered.

  Her hand was trembling. She put tingling fingertips against his neck, skimming the flesh. This was the most thrilling moment of her life to date, and she was temporarily overcome. He moaned. Swept up in deep love for him, she crushed her lips to his, grasping the back of his head. He opened his mouth, and she kissed him with urgency, as wave after wave of passion surged through her body and soul, making her heart resonant with the joy of being his wife.

  Epilogue

  Relief ran her hands gently over the soft material covering her warm swollen belly. She felt safe, immersed in a gentle, loving world. She was due to have her baby in a week. Lord Cheltham looked at her with so much love and pride that she went weak.

  She glanced around the large dining room table where the Wright family members were gathered. She saw Joan, the lovely, exotic Joan, sitting with a man who made her happy, her new rich husband, a titled man from her new country.

  Joan smiled and tilted her head toward her husband then looked up at her brother and held up her wine glass. “I would like to make a toast to my brother Benjamin."

  He smiled back at her.

  "His wife has brought us together. Through them, I have met the man of my dreams."

  Joan's husband laughed. He was tall and gallant with black hair and rich brown eyes, but most importantly, he loved Joan.

  A shiver of true happiness coursed through Relief's heart. Joan was content, and Benjamin's heart healed, for his sister had truly forgiven him. Her inner smile melted for a brief moment though, as she thought of the one dark cloud on the horizon for her husband. His widowed cousin Mary had run away, left the country with the Earl of Hawksworth, who had involuntarily given up his position in society.

  Relief smiled again though when she looked at her husband.

  Her love, she thought. He wanted her guarded from obsessed men every waking moment. He has been so diligent working with London's poorest children, working hard to better their cause. She spoke, “Duties have pulled his lordship from my side in these last weeks."

  "Darling, not much could pull me away from you."

  She lowered her voice so just he could hear her next words. “Those children need a hero, my love."

  He whispered in kind, “Olivia."

  She remembered a conversation that she had had with Benjamin in private earlier. As she pondered, she gazed into his face, love shining on her as warm as a summer day.

  She's out of commission for now, Benjamin.

  He had smiled. She will be back only fighting in defense.

  Yes. She will join you out there on the streets again helping out those children, bringing them food and clothes, sometimes at three a.m. as the situation requires, never leaving your side even for a moment, perhaps following a lead.

  And singing them songs to soothe their weary souls and bring them hope.

  Sometimes sitting in the gutter, coddling a small child in the dark of night and making her feel safe.

  "You two are once again in your own world.” Honora rolled her eyes and shook her head. Honora's husband gave her a loving smile. He was a man of average height and blond hair, a baron. He took Honora's hand in his. Theirs had been a whirlwind relationship.

  They weren't exactly Relief and Benjamin's next door neighbors, but they lived in the neighborhood.

  The Moores had recentl
y arrived but then left. They had attended Honora's wedding, but couldn't stay. Relief glanced over at her parents-in-law, the earl and his countess. They were aloof and frosty, but she worked on warming them up on a regular basis. One thing she made sure to do, grinning inwardly, was to call her husband “my lord” in their presence.

  Benjamin had thanked her for playing the part of the proper Lady Cheltham. She offered him a wonderful, seductive smile and informed him that she would be as “wild as she wished” on the streets or in the bedroom, but he should truly strive to win his parents’ esteem, and she would endeavor to help him. He agreed.

  Only a week before Relief had managed to procure a smile from both of them, when they discovered how truly wealthy her family was, and upon hearing that her great-grandmother was the daughter of an English Marquess, they were further pleased. Her cheery and loving attitude was beginning to work wonders on them as well.

  She curved her lips into a smile just for her husband.

  Lord Cheltham inclined his head and whispered into her ear. “Please, woman, I beg you will not torture me further. It is not fair of you to give me that grin when I can not make my most wayward fantasies come true right this moment."

  When her breath touched his ear, he closed his eyes, overjoyed as if it were the first time she had ever looked at him. She whispered back in a sultry voice. “Benjamin, I had no idea that you had so many fantasies. It seems they never end.” She grinned even more wickedly.

  His eyes snapped open, and he looked into her eyes with the greatest of love and lust.

  "You have no idea, Relief. I want you so badly that I am about to lay you down upon this table, hold myself above the child who is about to grace our lives, and kiss you senseless."

  She trembled, at an utter loss to describe the feelings he drew from her when he looked at her with eyes so filled with love she could barely breathe. She closed her eyes and thanked God for him.

  Meet Laura N. Hogg

  Laura Hogg lives in Colorado and teaches at a private reading school. She loves history and enjoys the research involved in doing historical romances. She has a B.A. degree in French with a minor in music. Her work is published with the e-zines Sage of Consciousness and The Coffee Press Journal. She is also published with Forbidden Publications, The Wild Rose Press, and Aspen Mountain Press. Laura is thrilled to have her historical romance The 12th Kiss coming out with Wings ePress Inc.