Wild Desire

by Lori Brighton

  He took in a deep breath. Yes, he’d try to be polite to Bea, but it was obvious the woman was just like Sarah. How would he stomach the cold bitch for days? More importantly, how would he stomach the memories she brought with her? As if sensing his attention, Bea slowly turned her head and slid him a glance through the thin veil that covered her face. Even though he’d made sure they didn’t touch, he could feel the heat of her body as she sat next to him in the carriage.

  He gave her a smirk, mostly because he didn’t know how else to react to the woman. Smirking always seemed to work with a snob. Unfortunately, she didn’t respond and his amusement fled.

  She had to be uncomfortably warm in her Europeanclothing. Yet she didn’t once complain. He didn’t know whether to respect her, or think she was a damned idiot. She’d refused to wear the traditional sari Ella wore, or so Leo had said. He wanted to be annoyed with the chit; instead he found himself amused by her stubbornness. How long before she’d break? In this heat, not long.

  The carriage swerved, turning a corner. Bea gasped and fell into Colin. He’d been crushed into the tiny vehicle with Bea at his side so Leo and Ella could sit together across from them. Now, he wished he’d begged off and taken his own mount. Colin didn’t dare move as Bea looked up at him, her face pressed to his shoulder.

  “I apologize.” She settled a slim, gloved hand on his arm and pushed away.

  “No need,” he mumbled, shaking off the sudden heat that seeped through his body.

  She rested her hands atop her bonnet, tilting the hat back into place and making sure the fine netting was hiding her features from view.

  “Are so many weapons really necessary?” Bea asked, most likely speaking of the knife she’d seen strapped to his thigh earlier.

  Colin narrowed his eyes. The woman just had to complain about something.

  “Yes,” Leo replied. “Henry tried to kill us.”

  She frowned and tightened the jaunty blue bow under her chin. “He was a rather obnoxious lad, but …” She sighed and shook her head. “But I never thought he’d do something so … heinous.”

  Ella reached forward and patted Bea’s hand, always the one to comfort a lost soul. “He’s a greedy man, Bea. He couldn’t handle the fact that Leo had basically returned from the dead and taken his title. He’d been trained to run the estate and lost everything. They had no idea Leo still lived. When he returned, it sent not only Henry but your grandfather over the edge.”

  Leo remained hidden in the corner of the carriage. “To them, I was merely an animal out to ruin the family name and the family estate.” To anyone who didn’t know him, he looked at ease, but Colin recognized the steely glint that had entered his eyes. Ella settled back, her hand slipping into Leo’s.

  Bea looked away, but not before Colin caught the glimmer of something that almost looked like compassion in her eyes. No, it couldn’t be.

  “I didn’t realize Grandfather, too, was mad. Why didn’t Grandmother tell me any of this?”

  Ella shrugged. “Protecting you, most likely.”

  Of course Bea didn’t understand the situation. A rich, pampered Englishwoman who’d been sheltered her entire life. And she’d never truly understand the entire situation if Colin had anything to do with it. Ella had wanted to share everything with Bea, all their secrets. But he’d put his foot down. His secret was his to share with those he trusted. And he sure as hell didn’t trust Beatrice Edmund.

  The carriage slowed, drawing Colin’s attention to the streets. People teemed down lanes, speaking in a language that was still difficult for him to understand even though this was his second visit and he’d always picked up languages quickly.

  Eager to put distance between himself and Bea, Colin was the first to jump out of the tiny vehicle when it stopped. His feet landed with a splat in brown gunk he pretended was mud. With elephants, camels, and cows running amok, one wasn’t sure what they’d find on the streets of Delhi. The stench was overwhelming. And if Bea thought he stank, wait until she stepped outside.

  “They’ll need to be carried,” he said over his shoulder.

  As if to back up his statement, a cow paused in the middle of the street, looking back at him. No one seemed to notice, the carriages swerving around the beast and goingalong their way. It still amused him how the animals were everywhere, given free rein to run the country.

  Leo moved from the vehicle slowly, like a predator attempting to find his next meal, his eyes taking in every tiny detail. Apparently finding the area secure, he held out his arms for Ella. He lifted her easily and started toward the shop, leaving Colin with Bea.

  Colin rubbed the back of his neck and slid Bea a sidelong glance. Queen Victoria sat in the corner of the small carriage, her eyes wide through the fine net of her bonnet. The contempt she felt toward him was written clearly across her face. Usually, he couldn’t care less what people thought. For some reason, it bothered him that she believed he was a coward. But then how could she possibly understand? And he sure as hell wasn’t about to attempt to explain his situation to someone like her.

  “You can wait for Leo’s return, or I can carry you.” He paused. “If you can handle my scent, that is.”

  She frowned and glanced toward the shop, then around her, apparently trying to decide the lesser of two evils. Did she really find him so repulsive? Finally, she nodded and scooted toward him. Her body stiffened the moment he slipped his arm around her back and under her knees. He moved quickly across the road, weaving between people going to market or home. Close to the shop, he slowed. The sun was almost gone, but the remaining rays dappled her skin with gold, making her hair shine brilliantly.

  She was softer than her demeanor, softer and suppler. The feel of her body pressed to his had his heart hammering a lusty tune. What the devil was the matter with him? He didn’t have time for an infatuation, especially with this one. She was far too cold. Far too judgmental. Far too much like Sarah. Not to mention, she was far too related to Leo. The man would pummel him for stroking a single strand of her hair. And then Colin would have to hit him back and they didn’t have time for fisticuffs over a woman.

  Besides, most likely she was promised to some haughty earl back home. Yet he couldn’t seem to stop himself from breathing in deep. The sweet scent of clover and heather tickled his senses. Even though it was an English scent, it was still more familiar than the spices here in this foreign city.

  He paused there, next to a stall selling water, where monkeys hung from the poles, attempting to steal a drink … paused with a strange woman in his arms. He should have been shocked that he didn’t want to let her go, shocked that her warmth seemed to seep into his body all the way down to his toes. But he wasn’t. Damn, what was the appeal of this woman? Was he some glutton for punishment?

  She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “Mr. Finch, they’re waiting.”

  Her hard tone jerked him from his thoughts. He had to keep his mind on the mission. Leo and Ella would kill him if he dallied with Bea. He glanced toward the shop where they waited and watched with curious eyes. Besides, she obviously didn’t feel the same about him, and for some reason that annoyed him more than he wanted to admit. Women found him endearing, charming. Even Sarah had. But this woman … Bea … looked at him with ill-disguised ire. Because she thought him a coward? Or because of that simple, pathetic excuse for a kiss?

  “Call me Colin,” he snapped and started forward.

  So it wasn’t exactly a simple kiss. There’d been tongue involved, yet if he remembered correctly, she hadn’t exactly been stiff underneath him. No, she’d been a willing participant.

  “I can’t call you by your first name. That’s hardly proper,” she said haughtily.

  He looked at her in disbelief. “I’m carrying you through the streets of Delhi, I think we’re beyond the formal stage.”

  Her cheeks grew pink but the color only heightened her appeal. He was insane. Completely and utterly insane. “Obviously you don’t care for me, Miss
Edmund. But sincewe’ll be together for a few days, can we not at least be civil? Besides, Leo and Ella would appreciate it.”

  She clenched her jaw. “Of course.”

  Colin resisted the urge to snort. “Really, you’re too kind.”

  “What do you expect from me, Mr. Finch?” she hissed. “You pawed me in your bedroom last night, touching places …” Her face went from pink to a brilliant red. “Touching places I’ve never even touched.”

  Too bad for her. If she touched herself once in a while, perhaps she wouldn’t be so stiff and cold. For some reason that thought made him chuckle. Bea grew even stiffer, if that was possible.

  “Then, you refused to help Ella or Leo when the men arrived, men you brought to the house because of your sinful ways, I might add.”

  Colin’s body stumbled, his amusement fading. “I told you, you can’t possibly understand—”

  “I understand you’re a coward.”

  Colin froze, his anger flaring. How dare she! Their faces were so close together that he expected her to cower away. She didn’t. He wasn’t sure if he should be amused or annoyed by her bravado.

  “Khana.” A scrawny boy jerked on the back of Colin’s shirt. He shoved dirty hands toward them.

  Bea’s eyes widened and she slipped her arms around his neck, tightening her hold. “What’s he saying?”

  Colin ignored the boy and ignored the strange surge of protection he felt toward her when she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Food.”

  She looked back. “Well, give him a coin, something. He’s terribly thin.”

  “Darlin’, if you haven’t noticed, I’m not exactly sleeping in gold. Besides, you drop that lad a coin, you’ll have a good hundred rushing over here for more. You got enough to feed all of Delhi?” He reached the steps and set her down.

  She glared up at him. “How horrible! How wretchedlyhorrible you are! The child is starving and if we can help just one—”

  “What is it?” Ella asked, stepping closer, her brows furrowed with worry.

  “I’m sorry, Ella,” Bea said, tilting her chin high. “But your cousin is a lout.”

  She sighed. “Yes, he is at times.”

  “Excuse me?” Colin demanded.

  Leo rolled his eyes. “Can we move inside? It’s damn hot out here. Besides, you’re attracting a crowd.”

  “No, not until I give that poor child a coin.” Bea pulled her small bag from her wrist.

  “Uh, Bea, my dear,” Ella whispered, her eyes going wide as she focused beyond Bea and the swarm of needy coming their way.

  “No, I insist.” She rummaged through her reticule. The boy rushed forward, clawing at the skirt of her dress.

  She stumbled back into Colin. “Oh, oh my. Yes, yes of course.” She tried to rummage faster, but the boy tugged harder, until Colin was sure he’d rip the dress from her form, leaving her standing on the street in her bloomers. A smile quivered on his lips at that thought.

  Shouts rang through the air and Colin cringed. From every corner, every lane, children were rushing toward them. Some just barely missed being struck by horses. As the shouting grew in volume, Bea finally looked up and the color drained from her face.

  Leo grabbed Ella and tugged her into the store, the bell tinkling overhead. Bea screamed and tossed her bag into the air. It landed with a thud, a burst of dirt puffing above the ground. Children teemed over it like flies on a carcass. Colin reached into his pocket and tossed a handful of coins in the other direction. Half the children left the purse and rushed toward the coins. Spread out, at least there was less chance they’d kill each other. Not waiting for permission, he latched on to Bea’s arm and jerked her into the shop.

  The door closed and silence fell. Blessed silence.

  “I didn’t …” Bea stared out the window, her eyes wide, her face paler than normal. Any smugness he felt vanished.

  Colin sighed. “I didn’t know when I first arrived either.”

  She glanced up at him and he was shocked to see the gleam in her amber eyes, sparks of gold glistening under guileless tears. “Certainly, there must be something that can be done.”

  His shock gave way to wary resignation. “Miss Edmund, you have homeless children in England, yet your country hasn’t been able to solve that problem. What makes you think they can here?”

  She lifted her thin veil, her gaze flashing with annoyance. “Yes, but we don’t have as many.”

  His ire grew and he threw his arms wide. “Are you insane, woman? Have you looked around London? Seen the poverty, the starvation in every city? I’ve had my pocket picked more times than I can count by children in London.”

  “Colin,” Ella admonished, slipping her arm around Bea’s waist. “Bea spent most of her time in Scotland, in the countryside. She rarely went to London.”

  Surprised, he fell silent. No spoiled wealthy woman? He knew she’d been banished to Scotland with her grandmother, but now he wondered what sort of life she’d lived. Bea looked away, a flush of obvious embarrassment highlighting her high cheekbones. She came from a wealthy, titled English family. She should have been visiting London, attending balls, flirting with titled gents. Hadn’t she?

  “Mr. Finch!” The deep voice boomed across the shop, interrupting Colin’s confusing thoughts.

  A short man with a long mustache came scurrying toward them, weaving around the many shelves that littered the shop.

  “How lovely to see you.” The man’s dark eyes gleamed with interest, his eyes shifting around the group, nodoubt looking for his most hopeful prey. Always looking for a sale.

  Colin nodded in greeting. “Pickens.”

  Voices rose from outside, children arguing over their loot. Pickens tossed an annoyed glance out the windows, then snapped the curtains together, blocking any remaining light from entering the dingy place.

  “Disgusting brats,” the man mumbled. “But I suppose it could be worse.” He smiled, revealing a gaping space between his front teeth. He looked like a tuskless walrus. “What can I do for you? This just came in only yesterday.” He picked up a golden statue of a lion and dusted it with the handkerchief he’d pulled from his vest pocket.

  Colin ignored the offer. “Mr. Pickens, this is my cousin Lady Roberts and her husband Lord Roberts, their cousin Miss Edmund.”

  “The earl?” Pickens said, his eyes going as wide as a child in front of a sweet shop.

  “Just Leo,” Leo muttered, throwing Colin a glare.

  Well hell, what’d he expect? Of course he’d mentioned Leo. People were a lot more forthcoming when he tossed around the fact that his cousin was married to an earl.

  “What did you mean when you said it could be worse?” Leo demanded, turning his attention back to Pickens.

  Pickens took no offense to Leo’s curt tone. “My lord, you haven’t heard?” He replaced the lion, his gaze flickering between Leo and Colin, a thrilled gleam to his eyes.

  Colin shook his head, wishing the man would get on with it. “We’ve been … preoccupied.”

  Bea shifted and Colin’s gaze was immediately drawn to her. She moved slowly through the room, pausing in front of a brilliant green butterfly mounted behind glass. She was like that butterfly, brilliant and delicate.

  Pickens cleared his throat, forcing Colin’s attention to him. “Rioting erupted outside the city. They’re saying it should reach Delhi by late tonight.”

  “Rioting?” Ella clutched Leo’s arm, her face pale, while Bea turned toward them, looking just as shocked.

  Colin resisted the urge to curse. As if they needed any more difficulty. He wasn’t surprised. The animosity between the British soldiers and the natives was obvious the moment he’d stepped foot in the country.

  Leo slipped his arm around Ella’s waist and drew her close. His stoic face revealed nothing of what he was thinking. “We heard of rioting on the way here, but were told it would be quickly taken care of.”

  “And so it shall be,” Pickens said, tugging at his waistcoat as if offend
ed even by the thought. “The British will contain them soon enough and send them back to where they belong.”

  Colin couldn’t ignore that ridiculous statement. “And where would that be? Here, in India? Their homeland?”

  “Well … I …” As Pickens stuttered out a response, Bea moved closer to Ella.

  “But Ella,” she whispered, just loud enough for Colin to hear. “Your condition.”

  Ella’s gaze snapped to her. “You know?”

  “What condition?” Colin demanded, their situation momentarily forgotten as he elbowed his way past Pickens.

  Leo’s attention jerked to his wife. Ella’s face turned a brilliant pink and she suddenly found interest in the gold bangles around her wrist. “Nothing, really.”

  Bea’s gaze slid to Ella’s waistline. It was a flicker of a glance, but Colin hadn’t missed it. He stiffened, outrage coursing through his blood. Dear God! Ella was pregnant! How could she? How could she come here knowing—

  “We’re here about Henry,” Ella interrupted.

  Leo frowned. He was calm, too calm, and Colin knew without a doubt Leo hadn’t a clue as to Ella’s condition. The man may portray the coldness of a statue, but underneath, he was a volcano awaiting eruption.

  Pickens clasped his pale hands together. “Henry, ofcourse. The man you asked about.” He moved through the crowded shop, twisting around shelves heavy with antiquities, and disappeared through a back door.

  “Should we be worried?” Ella asked, looking up at her husband, most likely trying to change the subject.

  “No, my love. I’ll protect you.” Leo pressed his lips to the top of her head.

  “Then why are you worried?” she demanded.

  Leo rolled his eyes. “Merda, woman, stop reading my blasted mind.”

  Dear God, what the hell were they talking about? “Of course you should be worried,” Colin snapped. “Damn you, Ella!”