Love and War

by Maggi Andersen

  "I'll just go and give the orders to prepare it,” she said.

  He caught her by the waist. “I don't mind that much."

  He kissed her lightly, the kiss quickly turning to a passionate embrace.

  They broke apart at a knock on the door.

  "Who the devil is that?” Gyles said, frowning. He turned away to the window and adjusted his clothing.

  "Come in,” Selena called.

  It was Alice. “My lady, Cook was wondering what his lordship wished to eat.” She shuffled her feet. “And, if you and his lordship were planning to take your luncheon in the library as usual."

  "We'll have the game pie and the cold mutton, thank you Alice, and some salad, I think. In the dining room."

  As the door closed, Gyles laughed. “I see life at Halcrow is to be run much like the army."

  "On it's stomach?” She put her arms around him. “Let's go down. I want you to tell me everything. I'll have the green suite made ready."

  He lifted her chin. “We have a date after luncheon, then, my lady.” He kissed her nose.

  It was the first time she had eaten in the dining room. She'd found it too intimidating on her own. The table was long enough for a dozen people to sleep end to end, and the intricately-carved fireplace, breathtaking in both detail and scale. More of the tapestries depicting hunts and battles decorated the walls along with some fine old paintings and two splendid chandeliers hung overhead.

  The servants had laid a place at each end of the table. “I shall not hear you from there, my lord,” she said, moving the silverware down beside him. “In future, I think we'll eat in the library, unless we have guests.

  "Now. Tell me all,” she said.

  Gyles gazed at her. “Selena. I cannot tell you all."

  "Very well,” she said, casting her eyes down.

  "There are some things about my work that must remain secret."

  She examined her fork. “I must get the silver cleaned."

  "You think you'll wheedle it all out of me in the throes of passion, don't you?” he said raising an eyebrow.

  A smile played at the corner of her mouth.

  He laughed and shook his head. “We shall see who's strongest then, shall we? I've been tortured by experts."

  "My poor love,” she said reaching to take his hand in hers.

  Gyles groaned. “And I know who will win."

  Their conversation paused as the servants entered with the covered dishes. Frobisher hovered with the wine.

  "Frobisher?” Gyles said.

  "Yes my lord?"

  "Go away. We shall call you when we need you."

  "Very well, my lord."

  "Gyles,” Selena said as the door closed. “I think you hurt his feelings. He has been so looking forward to you coming home."

  "I'll make it up to him tomorrow.” He drew a small draw-string bag from his pocket. “I brought these from London. I want to see you in them."

  Selena took the bag from him and opened it. She drew out a sparkling emerald necklace wreathed in diamonds and matching earrings. “Gyles! They are breathtaking. What a way to carry them."

  "It was safer."

  "I must have a gown made to compliment them."

  "Yes,” he said giving her that sleepy, sexy stare. “But first, I look forward to seeing them on you naked."

  "My lord,” Selena put her hand to her hot face. “What if the servants hear such talk?"

  "They'll have to grow used to it."

  The door opened and a dish of apple pie and a jug of cream were carried in.

  Gyles waited until the servant had gone. “I wanted to tell you that this sorry business I've dragged you into, is over."

  "For good?” Selena could hardly believe it.

  He nodded. “Wellington has finally come to appreciate the value of the intelligence dispatches we provided him. He has made it as clear as he can to those that are interested that I was working solely for the British. When the war is over, I expect my efforts to be acknowledged fully."

  "As it should be, for you are a hero,” Selena said passionately. “What about Lord Pemberton, and Lady Rowntree?"

  "Pem remains a staunch friend, in fact he plans to come here to see you and apologize for being taken in by those two. Lady Amelia Rowntree and her ‘cousin,’ Rafe were French spies. They inveigled themselves into London society. Amelia claimed to be married to Lord Phillip Rowntree, and when news arrived that he had been found dead with a bullet through his head near his home in Yorkshire, she left London in a hurry. Rafe was caught on the night I came to see you. He was killed trying to escape."

  Selena gasped. “Did they kill Lord Rowntree?"

  "I believe they did.” Gyles reached across and lifted her chin to meet his gaze. “You were mixing with very dangerous people, my love."

  Selena shivered. “I suspected there was something false about them, but not murderers."

  Gyles kissed her fingers. “Come, we have things to discuss upstairs. And I have another present for you."

  They walked to the stairs with his arm around her waist. In the Great Hall, Frobisher bowed. “My lord, the green suite has been made ready."

  They mounted the stairs laughing together. Serena felt Gyles’ strong arm around her waist and remembered their brief lovemaking in London. She had relived every detail over the past few weeks. When she met his knowing look heat spread through her body.

  The green suite was one she had not had time to study. It was exceptionally grand in a more solid and masculine style. “This was my father's room,” Gyles explained as he shut the door.

  On a rosewood table stood a bottle of wine and two glasses. Romantic Sarah had placed bowls of lilac about to perfume the air.

  Gyles went to his portmanteau and opened it drawing out a parcel. He gave it to Selena.

  "But what is this?"

  She opened it, drawing out an emerald green, silk gown trimmed with old lace. It featured a low neckline and a more fitted bodice than the Grecian style popular in England. “Oh, it's truly lovely, Gyles,” she said.

  He came to her and ran a finger over her cheek. “Your skin is like a ripe peach, my love; you must wear the colors that do it justice. The gown was made by a French modiste and will suit you perfectly."

  "Shall I try it on?"

  He shook his head slowly, his eyes glowing with an urgent passion. “Later. The emeralds first."

  She disrobed before him. He had never seen her thus. The last time was under the cover of darkness. Yet she didn't feel at all embarrassed as she stood naked before him.

  He tangled his fingers in her long hair and raised it his lips. “You are beautiful, Selena,” he said softly. He ran his hand over the curve of her hip to her waist, and up to cup a breast with its pale brown nipple. “Just beautiful.” He kissed her throat, as she stroked his dark head. She sensed his urgency matching her own, but he calmly placed the emeralds around her neck, his fingers making her tremble as they did up the clasp. He turned her to him and secured the earrings. “In all those weeks I could not be with you, I dreamed of this,” he said, his voice deepening with emotion.

  His gaze never left her as he threw off his clothes. She studied his strong, beautiful body, finding herself trembling. The broad shoulders and narrow hips, the proof of his desire for her made her gasp. He came swiftly to her and kissed her deeply. He lay against her on the bed and she felt his skin, smooth against hers. His hands roamed her body and, as some primeval need made her grip his haunches and pull him hard against her, he entered her. Their breaths mingled as he thrust deeper inside her, slowly at first, and then as passion rose to fever-pitch within her, Selena found herself lifting her hips to meet him.

  "Wait, my love,” he cautioned, smiling. “Don't let's rush this. We have all the time in the world to enjoy one another."

  "A lifetime.” She gasped as pleasure threaded through her belly warming her like a roaring fire on a snowy day.

  When their movement stilled, Gyles kissed her and
held her against him.

  He left the bed and walked naked to pour two glasses of wine. She admired his strong back and thighs, the perfect symmetry of his body.

  He came back to her and handed her a glass. He raised his to touch hers with a clink. “To us, my love, and the future of Halcrow and its family tree, which we shall do our very best to increase."

  THE END

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