Conspiracy of Hearts

by Helen Dickson

  There was so much sincerity in his voice that Serena felt her pulses quicken. Her confusion deepened and slowly she pulled her hands from his, afraid of what she was feeling. ‘I don’t think you need go to such lengths,’ she replied softly.

  Standing up, Kit took the bucket and went outside, returning a moment later with it filled with snow, standing it close to the fire to melt. Serena shuddered when she heard the flapping noises from above once more. A suffocating sensation came over her. Her eyes travelled up towards the ceiling with terror, and an unpleasant trickle of cold sweat ran down her spine. The excruciating horror that bats might come down the stairs en masse in a fearful black cloud ate into the deepest crannies of her mind, resurrecting awful memories of her childhood when she had become fastened in an old building where they roosted. Her fear-filled eyes flew to Kit’s, who was faintly amused by her alarm.

  ‘Heaven help me if there are bats up there,’ Serena whispered. ‘I would rather chance my luck with the elements outside than that.’

  ‘Don’t be alarmed. It’s just birds roosting you can hear,’ he told her. When he saw she wasn’t convinced, he picked up the lantern and went to the narrow steps against the wall which led to the storey above. ‘If it will allay your fears and make you feel easier, I’ll go and see.’

  The upper storey was as bleak and comfortless as the one below, the air stale and the wooden floor boards thick with bird droppings. The culprits, roosting in the rafters above, flapped their wings and squawked loud their annoyance at being disturbed, having entered through large holes in the roof through which snow flurried.

  ‘I was right,’ he told Serena when he returned. ‘Only birds.’

  ‘Are there no bats?’

  He shook his head. ‘Take my word for it, there’s not a bat in sight. Why are you so afraid of them?’

  ‘As a child I had an unpleasant experience when I found myself fastened in a disused stable where they roosted during the daylight hours. It was pitch-black but I could feel them. They were everywhere—in my hair, touching my face with their awful fluttering wings.’ Serena shuddered at the memory. ‘I was locked in that place for what seemed like an eternity—in fact, it was just a few minutes before John heard my screams and came to let me out.’

  The terror Kit saw in her eyes was so touching that he felt a deep compassion. ‘It must have been a terrifying experience for a young girl,’ he sympathised, finding it strange that, in the light of her determination to stand firm and defiant against much stronger forces that threatened her, she should show such a profound fear of so small a creature.

  Serena relaxed in the knowledge that there were no such creatures above. ‘It was, which is why I have a fear of bats to this day.’ Her eyes moved to the bags of food he had placed on the floor. Wanting to do something to help, she forced herself to rise. ‘I’ll see what we have left in the bag to eat. We might both feel better with some food inside us.’

  Serena set about preparing them a meal whilst Kit took the bucket of melted snow down to the horses in the basement. There was cold meat and bread and cheese, which they could wash down with melted snow. When Kit returned they sat down to eat, she on the settle and Kit perched on the edge of the hearth; they ate in companionable silence, careful to leave some food for morning.

  As the wind continued to buffet the tower, Serena, feeling considerably warmer removed her cloak and hat, releasing her hair from its knot and pulling out the tangles with her fingers. Giving the rich heavy tresses a hard shake, she was unconscious of the seductiveness of the casual gesture, unaware that Kit, standing perfectly still with his booted foot up on the hearth, was studying her intently.

  She looked like a gypsy wench, he thought. This young woman was far more appealing to him than the glamorous Serena Carberry in all her fine clothes. Every nerve in his body was aware of her sensuality. His gaze followed her every movement and he felt his body respond.

  Sensing his look, Serena stopped what she was doing and glanced up at him. She often found him gazing at her with a look that was at once questioning and much too personal, almost possessive. It disturbed her greatly for she could not ignore it. She could feel the power within him, and sensations of unexpected pleasure flowed through her. However, she had too many complications in her life just now and had no intention of becoming emotionally entangled with Kit Brodie. At this time of uncertainty she could not afford to.

  ‘Do you feel better now?’ Kit asked at length.

  ‘Much better, but I would not like to have to remain in this place for any length of time,’ Serena murmured, sitting back on the settle and trying to avoid a broken piece of wood, which was extremely sharp and had an annoying habit of prodding her in the back.

  ‘I suspect many a weary traveller has sought shelter here at one time or another and been glad of it. Still, we’ll only be here for tonight.’

  ‘What if it doesn’t stop snowing?’

  ‘We’ll have to wait until it does.’

  She shuddered at the thought. ‘Heaven forbid. What is this place?’

  ‘It’s called Hawk’s Pele. Pele—or Peel—meaning a defensive enclosure within a ditch or mound,’ Kit explained. ‘Originally the term was applied to the enclosure and not the tower built within. They can be found scattered all over Northumberland—many of them are still inhabited. They were built as a stronghold for defence against destructive raids from over the border.’

  ‘And who built this particular one?’

  ‘My ancestors after the Battle of Bannockburn—when Scotland gained its independence from England over two hundred years ago. In those days it would have provided the family with a reasonable degree of comfort. Such a building was an essential structure for any man of property in the old days. Because Hawk’s Pele was considered to be too remote and liable to be cut off, it was abandoned many years ago when Addlington Hall was built.’

  ‘I can well understand that,’ said Serena. ‘Does no one come here anymore?’

  ‘No. Only the odd traveller seeks its shelter. My grandfather used it as a hunting lodge—and myself on occasion after his demise.’ Kit’s eyes lingered on the cheerless, unwelcoming grimness of the place. ‘Having no further use anymore, no doubt it will be demolished eventually.’

  He turned to bank up the fire with some blocks of peat he had carried up from the basement. He placed them on top and around the glowing logs and the eager flames began to lick at the compact brownish fuel. The heat relaxed Serena’s limbs, making her feel extremely tired. Kit was gazing absently down into the heart of the fire, his features etched against the glow, and there was an aureole of light around his dark head.

  He unfastened his doublet and the whiteness of his shirt emphasised the blackness of his hair falling carelessly to his broad shoulders. It was one of the reasons why he was so striking. There was an aggressive arrogance to his sternly handsome face and ruthless set of his jaw, which bore the dark shadow of a beard. He was one of the most striking-looking men Serena had ever seen and, as he leaned forward, the front of his doublet gaped open; her eyes were irresistibly drawn to the corded muscles of his neck and the coarse, dark hairs on his chest. There was something too masculine, too earthy about him for her peace of mind.

  Out of the corner of his eye Kit was perfectly aware of what Serena was feeling. Curving his lips into a satisfied smile, he turned his head and met her gaze. His dark eyes were fathomless, their intensity increasing the longer they looked, and Serena could not refrain from blushing as she felt herself undergoing the selfsame scrutiny she had just given him, feeling a sharp stab of annoyance when she noted the smug smile on his firm lips, which told her he was feeling assured of a willing conquest.

  ‘I think you should try and sleep,’ he said softly. ‘You’ve got to preserve your strength if we’re to make it to Addlington Hall tomorrow.’

  ‘Why didn’t you go straight on to Edinburgh?’

  ‘For purely selfish reasons. I had a hankering to see Northumberland again. I could
n’t pass by without calling at my grandmother’s house. It depends on the weather how long we stay there. But it’s my intention to go on to Edinburgh eventually to stay with my mother and Melissa—which is where I arranged to meet Ludovick when he journeys to Scotland some time during January or February.’

  Serena looked at him questioningly. ‘Why on earth would Sir Ludovick travel all the way to Scotland at this time of year?’

  ‘To visit his family in Argyllshire—although he often travels to Scotland on diplomatic missions for the king. He is to bring me news of events following the arrest of the conspirators of the Gunpowder Plot. He also hopes to find proof to verify my innocence, and on my behalf present my argument to the king.’

  ‘As I recall, Sir Ludovick was also present at the hunt at Woodfield Grange that day. Why isn’t he suspected of colluding with the conspirators?’

  ‘Simply because Blackwell has nothing against him and has no reason to have him implicated.’

  ‘But what if you are seen and recognised in Edinburgh? Aren’t you afraid of being arrested and sent back to London?’

  ‘It’s possible, but it’s a chance I shall have to take. I intend keeping a low profile just in case.’

  ‘Is Sir Ludovick the only person who knows where you can be found?’

  ‘Yes—and I trust him absolutely. Ludovick and I have been friends too long to have secrets from each other. However, if this weather persists, we may have to remain at Addlington Hall until the thaw.’

  Serena’s delicate brows lifted in question. ‘Alone?’

  Kit arched his brows and smiled, amused at the consternation this prospect obviously caused her. ‘Does that bother you?’

  ‘Not really. But you must realise that eventually I must go to join my father in Flanders.’

  A flash of annoyance crossed Kit’s features. He kicked fiercely at a log which had fallen foul of the fire onto the hearth. ‘So, you still persist with that foolishness.’

  Serena’s jaw set mutinously, and Kit could see the light of battle was back in her eyes when they met his in wilful defiance.

  ‘Yes, I do. Where else can I go? Do not forget that my home is no longer accessible to me. Besides, I can’t bear to think about the bleakness of a future without my father. He might have fallen ill somewhere and have need of me,’ she said, knowing as she spoke that this was most unlikely, thinking with much bitterness that, in the event of him falling ill, he would be well taken care of by Mrs Davis. ‘I shall go to him eventually, however hard you try and stop me.’

  Moving close, with blazing eyes Kit leaned forward slightly, fully vexed. She had a propensity to spar with him and render him exasperated to the point of madness by remarks that could pierce his armour like the sharpest blade. ‘It’s out of the question at this present time so, like it or not, you will have to put up with my hospitality—whether it be this place, Addlington Hall or Edinburgh. I feel a certain obligation to your father to make sure you are safe—and I intend to do exactly that.’

  Serena’s vivid green eyes flashed with fiery sparks as she thrust her face forward. ‘I believe you. But that does not give you the right to appoint yourself as my guardian—or perhaps I should say my keeper,’ she flared with heavy sarcasm, standing up and beginning to roll her cloak into a pillow for her head to rest on, her vigorous actions indicating that she intended trying to sleep and had no wish to converse with him further. But Kit was determined to have the final word on the matter.

  ‘Whatever title you attach to me, Serena, you will remain with me until I consider the time is right for you to go to your father—or if he sends for you. If he does, then I shall not stand in your way.’

  ‘How can he do that when he doesn’t know where I am?’ Serena cried in angry frustration. ‘How is he to know that you have brought me to this dismal abode in the middle of an abominable wilderness?’

  ‘Because when I discovered he had evaded arrest and escaped to Flanders, I asked Ludovick to make enquiries as to his whereabouts.’

  Serena immediately stopped what she was doing and stared at him in amazement. ‘You did?’

  ‘Yes. When we meet Ludovick in Edinburgh, if he has managed to locate your father then I shall write informing him that you are staying with my mother. If it is his wish that you join him in Flanders, then I promise I shall see you get there safely.’

  Serena didn’t know what to say. She was overwhelmed and touched that, despite the seriousness of his own situation, he would go to so much trouble on her behalf. Feeling a flood of warmth towards him, her expression softened. ‘Why didn’t you tell me this before?’

  ‘I didn’t want to raise your hopes in case Ludovick is unsuccessful in locating him. I knew how disappointed you would be.’

  ‘But why were you interested in my father’s whereabouts in the first place?’

  Kit’s lips twisted in a wry smile. ‘If I find it necessary to flee the country, I shall need as many friends as I can muster across the Channel.’ Combing his hair back from his brow, he sighed wearily. ‘Now try and get some sleep. With any luck the snow will cease and the wind will have blown itself out before morning. If so, we’ll make an early start.’

  He chuckled humorously when Serena drew her legs up on to the settle in an attempt to make herself comfortable. ‘Unfortunately there is no guest chamber here,’ he murmured, ‘so I’m afraid you are going to have to make the best of it.’

  ‘I realise that,’ she answered, placing her feet on the floor once more while she tried to arrange her cloak in a more comfortable position for her head to rest on. ‘Where will you sleep?’

  ‘Since you occupy the finest bed in the house, my sweet,’ he smiled with a hint of mockery, making a sweeping gesture with his hand at the rush-strewn floor, ‘where else but the floor.’

  Their world existed within the warm yellow circle of light, and Kit watched Serena in admiring speculation. ‘I can truthfully say that I have not had so lovely a companion to pass the long cold hours of a winter’s night,’ he murmured softly.

  Serena met his gaze. ‘Then it’s a pity the setting is not more cosy.’

  His eyes gleaming like black coals, Kit leaned against the fireplace with his arms folded. ‘And you like it less because you are here with me—alone,’ he murmured, his words more of a statement than a question.

  ‘I didn’t say that,’ she answered softly.

  ‘You don’t have to. But whatever thought is going through your mind, I must stress that I want to be your friend, not your enemy.’

  ‘I don’t think I like the kind of friendship you are suggesting.’

  ‘Why? Are you afraid of me, Serena?’

  ‘Have I reason to be?’

  ‘Don’t be evasive. That was not what I asked. Are you afraid of letting me come too close? Are you afraid that, because I have you here alone, I will force you to submit to my evil desires and rob you of your innocence—with no one to come to your aid should you scream?’

  The husky resonance of his voice almost snatched Serena’s breath away and she trembled, suddenly unsure of herself. ‘Yes, I am,’ she admitted, staring into his shadowed face. ‘After your earlier assaults on my person, I believe I have good reason to be concerned.’

  Kit laughed, his teeth flashing white from between his parted lips. ‘At least you’re truthful. But I didn’t assault you, Serena,’ he murmured, a tender, smouldering glow entering his eyes.

  ‘It felt very much like it to me at the inn in Teesdale.’

  ‘Then I apologise if you saw it that way. I did not lay a finger on you in Corbridge—but I was tempted. And later, I acted as any gentleman would when he sees a lady in distress. I merely picked you up and carried you across the stream.’

  Recalling exactly how it had been, how he had held her firmly against his hard chest and caressed her ear with his warm and dangerous lips, how his hand unintentionally brushing her breast had rendered her almost helpless, Serena felt her cheeks suffuse with hot colour.

  ‘
I was not in distress—besides, it was more than that and you know it,’ she told him with a trace of indignation and amazing candor. ‘For the duration of our being together, I would be obliged if you would restrain your ardour and do not behave in that way again.’

  ‘But you were tempted.’

  Kit’s smile was infuriating, and the warm sensuality of his voice almost stole Serena’s breath. If he was trying to destroy her resistance he was succeeding admirably. At that moment some indefinable alchemy made them extremely aware of each other and their eyes became caught in that age-old way of would-be lovers. Serena’s vulnerability was laid bare for him to pierce the guard she had resolved to keep on her emotions.

  ‘I could feel it in your response, Serena, so do not try denying it.’

  ‘Am I so predictable?’

  ‘You are to me. It is not my intention to embarrass you,’ Kit said, speaking softly, his eyes continuing to peruse her lovely face, ‘and I promise that for the time being I shall try to keep my ardour under control and my hands to myself—no matter how my desire might overwhelm me. I do not have to beg for favours and this is hardly the most suitable place to ravish a maid. But if it was my intention, would my advances provoke you to attack me as viciously as you did Blackwell?’

  ‘I—I cannot answer that. Sir Thomas got what he deserved.’

  Kit’s black eyes danced across at her with unconcealed merriment. ‘Aye! Never have I heard a man abused and vilified in such colourful detail,’ he chuckled. ‘It would have made a hardened soldier blush. In your anger you have a most unladylike turn of phrase.’

  Serena blushed scarlet, mortified that he should remind her of that. ‘And being a gentleman, sir, you should know better than to embarrass me by referring to an occasion I would rather forget.’

  ‘I seem to recall you telling me in graphic detail that my claim to being a gentleman is a sentiment held entirely by myself,’ he mocked. ‘Have I done something I am not aware of to redeem myself to you?’