No, he mustn’t let her weaken him. He dropped his hand and stepped away. “I do not want you to care for them, Kat.” He scowled. “I do not want my children to like you, because soon enough you will go back to your old ways and break their hearts.”
“William.” She stepped closer. “Will you not give me another chance?”
Aha, her game was out now. She wanted to charm him like she did to other men. Obviously, she wanted something from him. Well, he wasn’t like other men, and he wouldn’t let her succeed.
She stretched her hand out to touch him again, but he clasped onto it.
“Stop, Kat. I am warning you, your charm will not work with me. You forget, my dear, I can read you well.”
“William, please—”
“And stop calling me William.”
“Why?”
“Because I do not like the way it sounds when it comes from your deceiving mouth.” He dropped his focus to her enticing delicate raspberry lips, imagining what her kiss would taste like. Honeysuckle? Whatever the taste, he was quite certain it would be heavenly.
“What...do you want...me to call you then?” she said hesitantly. “Mr. Braxton is too formal. I am your wife and should address you with some kind of endearment.”
“You are my wife in name only and I plan on keeping it that way.”
She swallowed and his gaze dropped further to the slender column of her throat. Once again, the urge to press his lips to that location overwhelmed him. His grip loosened, but she didn’t pull her hand away. In fact, she moved closer.
“William.” Her voice softened. “I will not give up.”
Between her intoxicating scent and her alluring mouth, he was a drowning man. How could he resist? But he had to. He stared at her lips, and an invisible force pulled him toward her. He tried to remember how she’d deceived him since they were first married, hoping it would cool his ardor, but her sweet charm made him weaker.
“I deserve a second chance,” she whispered.
Confused by mixed emotions, he growled in anger, then stepped away. “You are wrong, Kat. Women like you deserve no second chances.”
He turned and stalked back to the house, resisting the urge to look at her. He couldn’t risk a glance. He didn’t want to be reminded of what he could have wrapped in his arms and kissed just moments ago. And he especially didn’t want to think he was attracted to her! Especially now when he’d never been before.
* * * *
Mercedes rode the horse hard toward the next town, not stopping to give the animal a breath or even take a rest herself. The cool breeze from last night’s storm stung her cheeks, dried her lips, and unraveled the braid in her hair. She didn’t care. This was her only form of release. She couldn’t let William see how his nearness had affected her. For that matter, she couldn’t let anyone see.
When she pictured William’s wounded face, guilt gnawed at her conscience. It seemed he’d been the person truly wronged. But he wasn’t the one who had gone mad and died, either. She must remember her sister above all else.
Then again...was William the real reason for her sister’s melancholy? Mercedes had begun to think differently. Now that she’d come to know him better, she didn’t think he was at fault. From what she had observed and heard about her twin, Kat had done some despicable things to this family. Because of this, Mercedes was drawn to him, to his children. Compulsion drove her to show James and Lizzy a caring side, and to show William his presence didn’t repulse her.
Yet, she wasn’t Kat. Only pretending to be. She shouldn’t feel this attraction for William or try to get him to like her. Eventually she would prove him a traitor and turn him over to the King’s soldiers. As soon as she accomplished this, she’d take his adorable children to England—her true home—and raise them as her own.
But the more Mercedes thought of this plan, the more her heart crumbled. For some odd reason, she didn’t want to discover he was a traitor to the Crown. The fluttering emotions in her belly and the tingling in her bosom—caused by William—were new and powerful. Against her own principles, she had enjoyed the way he looked at her with his smoldering hazel eyes.
This feeling had never happened with her own husband. Although they hadn’t been married long before he died of heart failure, not once did Fredrick’s touch make her knees weak and her heart beat out of control. She relished the newfound feelings. Heaven help her if Kat could read her thoughts now. Guilt gnawed at Mercedes’ conscience for behaving in this manner.
A backward glance showed Timothy crouched over his horse, eager to catch up. She reined her animal to a lope until he rode beside her. She’d already informed him about why she played her twin sister’s role. Eager to help, Timothy told her she could count on his assistance.
When they neared the town, she urged the horse to a gallop, anxious to arrive faster. She ran her hand over the package inside the saddlebag. Originally, she’d purchased the jewel encrusted dagger to give to William, hoping it would gain his trust quicker. But after the jolt of pleasure she’d received from his soft touch and heated gaze, she’d quickly decided against it.
Now she would sell the dagger and send the money to Doctor McClain to help pay for her sister’s burial. The last thing Mercedes needed right now was for the doctor to inform William his wife had died and debts needed to be paid. At least giving the doctor some money would keep him quiet for a little while longer.
She’d traveled to the next town over, hoping no one would recognize her as Mrs. Braxton. As she passed down the street, she breathed a sigh of relief when nobody waved or called a greeting. With a bit of fortune, she’d play the part of a woman fallen on hard times and desperately in need of currency.
In front of the General Store she dismounted and prayed people wouldn’t see past her windblown hair and dusty riding habit and know she was wealthy, especially since she traveled with a servant. William had purchased very fine materials to adorn his wife, and right now, she didn’t want to look well off, so she was grateful for the dirt layering one of Kat’s old riding habits.
“You stay here,” she instructed Timothy. “I shan’t be long.”
She walked into the store, the tinkling of the door’s bells announcing her. A handful of people turned and looked her way. She nodded a polite greeting before searching for the clerk. Spotting him behind the counter, she headed his way.
At the counter, Mercedes balled her hands to keep from tapping her fingers on the oak top while waiting for the clerk to help an older woman with her purchases. When the other woman departed, Mercedes stepped forward. She frowned, trying to give the clerk her most sorrowful expression. “Good day, sir.”
The portly fellow’s gaze scanned her attire before meeting her eyes. “Is there something I may help you with?”
She leaned toward him and lowered her voice. “Yes, there is.” Struggling with her thoughts, she hated lying to the man. Never in her life had she lowered her values to deceive, yet the moment she stepped into her sister’s role, she’d done nothing but that. Then again, she didn’t have a choice. “I have fallen upon hard times and wondered if you could give me a price for this dagger which was a gift to my late husband.” She slid the item on the counter.
The clerk’s eyes widened when he spotted the jewel encrusted handle. “Ma’am.” He gasped and picked up the item. “I haven’t seen a dagger like this before. Where did you get it?”
“I have no idea, sir.” She kept her mouth pulled downward. “’Twas a gift to my late husband, you see.”
The clerk scratched his chin and slowly nodded. “I am certain this dagger was extremely expensive, but I regret to say my store will not be able to give you what it’s worth.”
Her hopes plummeted. “How much can you give me?”
He studied the weapon a moment longer, then laid it back on the counter. “Probably not even half, ma’am. I am sorry.” He shrugged. “Perhaps another store will give you more, but I cannot.”
“Then I shall move on.” She
gathered the dagger and placed it back in her saddlebag. “Thank you for your time, and may God bless you.”
With her head held high and back straight, she left the store, hiding her unraveled dignity. Inside her heart, however, she felt like the lowliest criminal. Trying not to let one incident dampen her spirits, she moved to the next store, and within minutes received another rejection. Not one merchant would give her full price.
After being turned away from yet another store, tears stung her eyes. Panic edged its way into her mind. How could she get the money if no one would buy the dagger from her? Obviously, she’d made the wrong choice. Needless to say, she’d have to collect money in a different way. She couldn’t have the doctor contacting William this soon. Now she must pick up the small amount of pride she still had and return to William’s house.
Moving toward her horse and servant, a man’s red uniform captured her attention. She gaped at the tall soldier she’d run into upon her arrival that first day. By his sly grin and arched brow, it appeared he wished to further their acquaintance.
He stopped in front of her. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Braxton.” He tipped his hat and gave a small bow.
She quickly studied his uniform to determine his status. “Good afternoon...Captain.”
“Soon to be Colonel, remember?” He took her hand and placed a small kiss on her knuckle.
“Of course I remember.” She wanted to withdraw, but the kiss wasn’t out of line...yet.
He glanced up and down the street, and when his eyes met hers, a mischievous grin touched his mouth. His grip tightened as his fingers softly caressed the skin.
“Have you any more information for me, my dear, Mrs. Braxton?”
She moaned inwardly. Oh, no, not him, too. What had Kat done this time? Mercedes shook her head. “None whatsoever.”
“And why not?” His brows creased. “Have your husband and his associates suddenly fallen off the face of the earth? I am certain you have stumbled across some little tidbit about your husband’s dealings.”
Silently, she studied him. Could he be after what she was after—information that would prove William a traitor? Although this Captain worked in the King’s army, she hesitated to tell him of her mission. After all, she didn’t want him to get the credit.
But it was more than that. Something in this man’s eyes told her she couldn’t trust him.
She pulled her hand away. “If you have not heard by now, Captain, I have recently returned from New York. What sort of information could I have gathered being gone?”
The corner of his mouth twitched into a half smirk. Again, he took her hand and brought it to his lips, brushing a soft kiss across her knuckles. She shuddered and yanked her hand away.
“Are you toying with me again, Kat? Or are you waiting for a kiss before you hand over what I want?”
Her stomach lurched. Instinct told her she had to act like Kat, but she couldn’t bring herself to play this part.
She stepped back. “No, Captain. I am not waiting for any sort of kiss from you. As I told you before, I have no information. Now, if you will let me by.”
When she attempted to pass, he stopped her with a grip to her elbow. Pain shot up her arm and she whimpered. Fear tried to make her succumb, but after everything that had happened today, anger took over.
“Madame Braxton, I warn you—”
“You warn me? I think not, sir. In fact, I am warning you.” She pulled her arm out of his grasp, hopefully for the last time. “I would appreciate it if you would cease jostling me in public. Moreover, you had better display a more accurate job of your patience, my dear Captain, or you will receive nothing further from me. Information or...or other gifts.” She marched back to her horse and quickly mounted, Timothy right behind her, glaring at the inane soldier as any protector would.
Before riding away, she witnessed the captain’s wide-eyed expression and inwardly she said a prayer of thanks for being able to control the conversation. From what she’d gathered being in Kat’s role, her sister had easily fallen for men’s charms. But these men would soon learn this particular Mrs. Braxton comported herself with restraint.
It crushed Mercedes to know her sister had been this kind of woman. Had the melancholy of their father passed to Kat and made her act this way?
On the ride home Mercedes juggled a million thoughts, trying not to ponder too long on any one subject. But she couldn’t stop thinking about the life her sister had led, and especially about the way it had damaged William and his children.
Eventually she’d tell William the truth. By now, she had hoped to find some evidence to support her sister’s theory about William being a traitor, but Mercedes couldn’t. Little by little she saw the kind of man he truly was—which was completely opposite from what Kat had told her.
Another problem bothered her. The nosy captain was seeking the same outcome as she when it came to William. Apparently, Kat had been giving the soldier secret information about her husband.
Mercedes shuddered. How could Kat have behaved so lowly? Yet loyalty didn’t run strong here across the sea from her own beloved King, which made Mercedes wonder what Kat had really been doing.
Confusion clouded her mind, and she wanted the pounding in her head to disappear. She must discover what secrets William hid, and soon. If William were a traitor, she’d turn him in. If he wasn’t…she prayed she’d have the strength not to give her heart to this man!
Chapter Six
Mercedes hesitated to leave her bath of luxury that evening, but the cold water threatened to turn her skin to prunes. Towel drying herself, the lilac-scented soap assailed her senses, reminding her of home. Right after her father’s death, she’d boarded up his cottage in England, and prayed all would be fine when she returned. She missed the neighboring cottages and yearned for the closeness she had with the families living nearby—families she considered part of her life.
She pushed away the disheartening thoughts and changed into an evening dress. Although no guests had been invited to the supper meal, she wanted to look her best. Of course, the selection of dresses in her sister’s closet didn’t leave many suitable options. Mercedes had only brought a few from home, but wearing them made everyone suspicious, and she couldn’t have that.
One of Kat’s gowns had sleeves to cover most of Mercedes’ arms, but unfortunately the square bodice was cut very low. If only she could find that handkerchief she’d used the other evening. The fichu accenting the bodice wasn’t enough covering. After a half hour, she gave up when she couldn’t locate it.
Beth’s absence, tonight of all nights, had Mercedes sighing in frustration as she sat at the dressing table trying to style her own hair. She twisted the length in a knot, leaving a few tendrils around her ears, then found some of Kat’s jewelry that didn’t make her look too decorative.
Mercedes made her way down the stairs toward the parlor where the playful voices of William and his children resounded through the hallway. Although she’d yet to hear Lizzy speak, the little girl’s laughter lifted with merriment through the air. Mercedes smiled.
The threesome didn’t see her when she stepped into the room. What a heartwarming scene with Lizzy and James perched on William’s lap as he read them a nursery rhyme. Mercedes had memorized the story when she was young, but it amazed her to hear William tell it. He added excitement, made the characters come to life, entertaining his children—and her—beyond belief. Warmth spread through her heart toward the man who might be a spy. His ability to love his children and servants unconditionally made her question those doubts about him. Could someone so caring really be mean, and a spy?
His gaze finally lifted from the book and fell upon her, his expression softened and a smile touched his mouth. The sentence he’d been reading stopped as he scanned her length.
Fluttering sensations swept through her, and the new emotion turned her mouth dry, but the palms of her hands moistened. Her numb mind wouldn’t allow her to think of a single word to say in greeting.
He closed the book, lifted his son and daughter off his lap, and stood. Like a panther stalking its prey, he slowly came toward her. The beating of her heart slammed against her ribs, but she remained still. A cheerful greeting came from James, but she couldn’t take her eyes off the incredibly handsome man in front of her. His light gray coat blended with his fawn breeches, the color enhancing his eyes, making them sparkle brighter.
He stopped and lifted her hand to his lips, brushing a soft kiss on her knuckles. His eyes held hers. Scents of spice and tobacco drifted around her, and although she wished otherwise, they stirred to life emotions hidden deep inside.
“Good evening, Mercedes. It pleases me that you would join us.”
He said my name. Her heart soared. The tender sound coming from his lips was like fingers plucking heavenly music from a harp.
“Of course, William. Why would I not want to be a part of such an entertaining group?” She bestowed upon him her best smile. “I do not think I have ever heard a more interesting story than what you were telling James and Lizzy.”
James tugged on her skirt, his smile stretched from ear-to-ear. “Mercy? Do you wanna have Papa read to you, too?”
She nibbled on her lower lip and hesitated before nodding.
“Papa?” James continued. “Mercy wants to read with us.”
William chuckled. “But James, with you and your sister on my lap, I do not think there is any room for Mercedes to sit.”
Her gaze snapped up to meet his smoldering eyes. Just the idea of sitting so close to him, and in that fashion, made her cheeks burn. She cleared her throat. “That is just as well. I will be more comfortable on the sofa.”
William took her hand and linked it around his elbow. “Why do we not all sit on the sofa?”
Did she appear like a love-struck girl when she dreamily stared into his eyes? Yet she couldn’t tear away from him. His charm intoxicated her, and she wanted to lose herself in it. He made her experience tingles she’d never felt before.
Take My Heart (Heroic Rogues Series) Page 7