The Rake and The Rose (A Rake's Mistake)
Page 32
She took in his features. No Englishman looked like he did, and he smelled like murky earth and grass. She realized he could potentially be Scottish from the well-defined jaw, but he had black hair and although massive, she did not feel as frightened as she probably should have been.
“I’m not-” she quickly began again.
“It is obvious chit.” That smell was sweet and floral, and it came from her. He saw her hair nearly looked like snow when the moon hit it just right, and realized it was the subtle honey color in the locks that made it look ethereal in the moonlight.
She was glancing over her shoulder and he caught sight of a tall man duck behind a wall. Kade had half a mind to storm over and knock his head off his shoulders with one swipe of his sword. Damn, the sword, he lowered it from the girl’s throat. “So, my coin purse, why are you after it?” He was interested to hear this little tale.
“My mother is sick and I need to get the money to make sure she is safe.” Tears were close, but she was holding them back.
Safe? Not well. Hm, why is she worried about her mother’s safety? Wouldn’t she say so she could be well? The mystery was intriguing, but he knew he could not get sucked in.
He watched her frantic look back to the shadows where the man was. Kade leaned in “Are you in trouble chit?” he whispered to her ear, surprised when she nearly leapt from her flesh.
“No,” she squirmed much like an animal in a trap. He knew if any other man had her they’d have lost grip.
“I can help you, you know.”
“You called me a whore…I might as well start getting used to it now.” The last part was murmured and it struck a chord in him.
“I can find a protector for you.” He tried to encourage, for although she was little and of no consequence, he could not bear to see a woman lower herself for protection to that of the streets. Not like Becky, he’d die before he saw it happen again. His sister was long dead from disease. He knew if he did not try, he’d regret it when he looked in the mirror.
“I have one…but we are poor.” She struggled with her words, which were mechanical and was desperate. Why was he asking so many questions? What business was it of his. She began to panic.
“Very well then,” he said softly. “Perhaps your protector need not send you into the night to nearly get killed.” Disapproval dripped from his tone.
Emma heard his voice like the wind across her ears and she shivered. It sounded dark and with a Scottish lilt. He could have made her knees weak if she had been the one holding herself up.
“What?”
Her heart hammered when he let go of her arm, untied his coin purse, took a few coins for himself and placed the heavy object in her small hand. His gaze upon her, though still rock hard, glittered in their depths with something she had not seen in the few years she and her mother had been in poverty…. kindness.
“Here chit. Go home tonight Hm?” He was gruff about it, but his fingers closed her own over the purse.
“Good God, I couldn’t…” she tried to shove it back to him, her hand colliding with his broad chest. Emma felt her hands burn when they touched solid muscle and strength.
Turning bright red, she yanked back from the warmth that seeped through his clothing- before she all but flung herself against it to ward off the chill of the night. The purse dropped between them on the floor, thankfully tied in a secure knot; nothing spilled.
She saw his expression change. He was surprised as he watched her. “Indeed, no courtesan I know of blushes at the slightest touch of a man…” His hand was suddenly cupping her face, thumb tracing on her cheekbone. “What a pretty shade of pink.”
His hand lazily caught a wave of thick hair and rubbed it between his fingertips. “Are you sure you do not need a protector?” he murmured his gaze now murky and reflecting her in a light of admiration.
For one split second, Kade knew if she opened her lips and said yes to him, he’d snatch her up then and there; to hell with the consequences.
“Yes, Sir…I mean that I am sure...” The words were forced, and he found himself thoroughly disappointed.
“Hm, well if you change your mind, I am the Duke of Lincoln, please call upon me…before you decide on that fate, for once you do I wash my hands.” Kade rather liked the feel of her. She’d have made a beautiful wife, and he wanted to bludgeon the person responsible for her being in this predicament.
Don’t even think of wives Kade, last thing you need is being tied down with your line of work.
“May I have your name?” She shook her head furiously. He thought not and sighed.
Emma wished she could say yes, but with her mother being captive, she had no choice. She sighed inwardly and watched him sheath his sword back in the cane, bow to her, and walk away. “Wait!” she called and looked at the purse. He cast a glance over his shoulder his hat hiding his features all except those glass-like eyes. “I have no need for it.” He waved it off and continued on his way.
"I want to give you something in return…please?" The small voice had a wistful sound that willed him to stop in his tracks...
She was unsure if he would wait, but when he stopped, she inhaled. His long legs ensured that their distance was cut short quickly after he turned in what looked like military precision of an about face.
"And what does a small girl like you have to offer me?” It was not even a question, but he seemed to be regarding her cruelly.
“What does someone like you have to offer me?” she shot back for a moment and his eyebrows raised.
Emma doubled her courage when he leaned closer to snap something at her, and with one swift move she went on the tips of her toes and softly put her mouth to his. She felt him stiffen in what seemed like anger, but his lips felt like heaven.
If she were to be sold tomorrow, that would be one thing they would not take from her. One thing she would give away freely of herself.
Kade nearly stumbled back. At first he thought to react in disgust. Was she going to give herself over now that he paid her? Revolt sprang through his body, but just as quickly as she had kissed him, she flung herself away. He saw her keen eyes sharpen considerably as her open lips let soft breathes escape. "And…what was that supposed to be about?” His voice was gravel.
"My first kiss. I wanted you to have it." Her admittance was not what he expected, and it- for but a moment- caused him much confusion. "What did you just say?" he demanded nearly in fury.
"I said-"
"I heard you…”
“Then why ask!” she cried in a near incredulous tone.
But he ignored her “Are you telling me you've never kissed a man before?" His eyes glinted now with that look which made her feel unclothed and shy.
Is he angry? "Y-yes…?" she squeaked. Kade's composure stayed. Had it not, his eyebrows might have shot up into his hairline in absolute astonishment. The fact that a young woman of her looks had never been even kissed before startled him. He stepped closer, and closer, and closer still. The pull from her was irresistible.
Emma shook like a leaf, when he came within distance of touching her. "Your protector will be cross."
"My protector has other interests about what purity is." The words were gritted out and he pondered them for a moment.
This mystery was starting to make his instincts kick in. "That…" he sighed, "was not a real kiss."
"What? Why ever not?" For a moment she looked annoyed and he wanted to laugh.
"If you're going to give such a precious thing to me. At least allow me to be the one to take it…with full awareness? It will wound me as a man if it is a girl who gives it but I do not take what is offered. Do you understand?"
"No…not really. But if it is mine to give, why do you have to take it in a specific manner?" Her brow furrowed and he came the conclusion that she had a very sharp mind. "Should you not just take it happily? And I am not a girl, have not been for five years!" she snapped with a look of irritation before sinking back into her silent fear.
Kade chuckled and tilted his head "May I?"
"I-um…" was all she could say as he ran a hand into her hair, the other trailing against her chin.
"Look at me, pet." he murmured softly. It felt like a warm balm on her wounds.
Emma did as told; he was so much taller than she. Perhaps, if she told him? No, she couldn't tell him. But what if she did? Maybe he would protect her? Those hands that held her gently had power behind them. It radiated with control off of his entire form.
"You are beautiful, my pet." His whisper along her face caused her heart to kick up a few beat. "Let me kiss you."
He felt her nod, her soft hair brushing his cheek with the jerky motion. With that, he softly kissed her, a simple press and molding of lips. She fit him perfectly, the way she leaned into his embrace, and the way her full mouth molded to his. He had kissed many women before her, but it felt like his entire body had been struck by lightning.
There had to be something to explain this phenomenon of how a small, inconsequential young woman boiled his blood and made him feel more like a man than he ever had felt before.
Not even in India, fighting hand to hand with Marathas supporters, or in the America's after battling with the sea and coming out on top, making his own fortune in cotton and indigo and tea, had he felt like this. Not even when he knew any woman would fawn over him just to be in his bed.
No. Nothing like this moment had ever occurred and it would forever be ingrained in his mind.
This one moment, holding a young girl who was barely flowered into her own womanhood, was where he felt like a man. It was as if she were the most precious piece of china he had ever laid eyes on; as if one wrong move and she would shatter into a million pieces.
And he, like a demon finding a soul and salvation, was meant to protect her from all but his own desires. When she leaned against him and sighed into his kiss, his heart thudded to nearly a stop. He broke the kiss off and gently kissed her brow. "How old are you anyway?" he asked tilting his head to get a better look at her face. She dodged the direct look and it bothered him even more.
"I am twenty three, Sir," she gulped.
He grimaced…twenty-three, she is only twenty-three. "Are you sure you will not go with me?" Please say yes…tell me yes and I shall rain God’s fury upon your tormentor little one.
"I have prior obligations. You cannot help me." She sounded resigned, and as if all hope had been leached from her.
She’s so small, how will she survive? "Well, I am sorry to hear that. Good evening, pet." And as he walked away, he knew if he had stayed he'd have hunted down the bastard in charge of her and would have shed his blood on the cobblestone.
The killer inside him wanted what it wanted. It wanted the tiny creature behind him that eased his old sins long past.
“Thank you!” she called after him, but he gave no sign of hearing her. But he did, and it took every power of his will not to turn around and snatch her back up to steal her away and never let anyone eye her silk hair or petite frame.
“You’re welcome,” he murmured under his breath. “Very welcome, indeed.” He had a grin and sighed at the loss of an opportunity to overtake something so lush. Instead he decided that he would follow an impulsive decision.
Kade glanced around before walking a bit further, and he darted round a corner, waited, and watched. Being an inspector with special military lenience was a blessing. People looked the other way when distasteful individuals vanished in a spray of blood in the dark of the night. Perhaps this ‘protector’ would be next on his list.
“Well, Love, you did damn well. It took you long enough. And you betta only gave him a kiss, got me?” With a smack upside the head, she winced and he snatched up the purse. “Good girl, so…” he tied her up again and she let out a soft whine. “I can pretty you up and get you some sales. Haven’t been touched from what I’ve been told. We can thank your sick Mum for that, eh?”
“Please, there is more money than my father owed in that bag.” She knew because it had been heavy with gold coins. “Let me go and I will not say anything!”
“Eh, but it ain’t about that now, Love. It’s personal now.” He tugged her closer and he started walking. “Think of it as interest!” But it came out as int-err-est, instead of in-trest.
Emma highly doubted he even knew what 'int-err-rest' was!
Kade watched, listening carefully, and followed close enough to not be seen. He could hardly believe his own ears. The soft and small girl was being sold against her will. He realized when she had mentioned her mother- she had used her words correctly- she was doing this for her mother's safety! Of all the idiotic things to do?
Kade had a sudden desire to storm out, tan her hide and go and find her mother, but he knew it would do nothing for her- or him. She had to choose him, but how?
The night wore on and they continued. He watched, as the man turned into an inn, set up a room for them both, locked her in the room, and sat outside the door. Kade walked in and asked the innkeeper “So, what room? And don’t tell me he’s not here or suspicious looking. I have no patience for it.”
“Sir, he asked for one with no windows, but we only had one with a broken one. It won't open...” The innkeeper knew a man not to be dealt with when he saw one and was flustered, he did not want Kade bothering his other clients.
“Right. What floor?" He would break the bloody thing open, if he had to.
"Too high to scale, Sir," the innkeeper said as if guessing his intent.
"Damn,” Kade growled. So much for scaling the wall to get to her, that protector was smarter than he gave him credit for. Kade walked the perimeter and saw a light, one single light in the darkness, and the silhouette of that small creature he wanted so desperately to save.
She reminded him of a bird in a cage at that moment. Bent and lifeless against the darkened frame of the glass where her shadow was. He turned the wind billowing out his cloak, making him look rather foreboding for those in the shadows.
It was time to wait. And planning was in order.
Emma stared out the window, through the fogged glass. She could see a figure in the dark looking up at her. A glance at the door and around the barren room made her realize that her protector slept outside the door. When she turned back, the man was walking away.
Was it the strange man she had met? Was it the man with the iced eyes and the cold demeanor? She shivered at the memory of his kiss, one that would have to hold her above water till she found some shred of happiness in this life. Emma gulped her terror down. They had promised her mother would not be hurt if she followed orders.
She was looking for a way to escape, but found none. Sighing she sat down on the bed and wept. She remembered when her mother had been taken from the house, still hacking up phlegm and her fever high. The doctors had not been able to tell her what it was, and only cared for her for a couple months as pity and old favors slowly ran dry. Emma inhaled a quivering breath and steadied herself. She would have to be ready tomorrow, come what may.
She knew hell was what was waiting for her. It was to save her mother and in the end, it would be worth it if her mother was safe.
It had to be worth it.
AMELIA CLEARWATER
Amelia Clearwater has been writing since the age of twelve. It was not until the age of twenty-two that she finally fell in love with a story, enough to share it with the world.
She currently resides in a lovely little English home that is close enough to London for comforts of civilization. She enjoys going to Hyde Park, and writing letters and her thoughts down in letters to her family and readers. Her favorite indulgences are chocolate olives, and she spends quite a bit of time drinking exotic tea from India.
Her days are spent writing, fighting off her cats from a
top manuscripts, and spending time with the characters she hopes you shall grow to love as well.
Please feel free to follow her on twitter @Amelia_CW.
You can also visit WWW.AMELIACLEARWATER.COM
HIS LITTLE LADY
COMING SUMMER 2014
Continue the series of A Rake’s Mistake as Leroy J Gibson
faces not only himself, but the love of his life.