She was breathless by the time she reached his side and took a moment to catch herself. “I was afraid you’d gone away.”
“Not while you’re still in danger,” he said with a husky tenderness that set her heart aflutter. His words were as warm and inviting as honey melted over hot bread. Which reminded her that she was hungry and ought to have grabbed a biscuit before running out of the house.
She laughed lightly. “Mrs. Halloway caught you washing by the stream. I knew by her description that it had to be you. Would you like breakfast? It’s just biscuits this morning, but I might be able to convince her to cook up some eggs.”
“I’ve already had my breakfast. How did you sleep?” He turned to walk by the stream, and she realized it was so they wouldn’t be seen from the house.
She followed him, studying his back and wondering what that dragon portrait on his shoulder blade looked like. He would have to remove his shirt to show her, but she couldn’t possibly ask it of him despite her aching curiosity.
Then again, why not? She could brazenly ask him to take it off… and ask if she could touch it. And ask… she cleared her throat to rid herself of naughty thoughts. She was a lady, after all. “I tossed and turned most of the night. Every time I drifted off to sleep, the Darkwells and those dogs haunted my dreams.”
She cleared her throat again when he stopped and turned to face her, his own lack of sleep putting a seductive slant to his eyes that enhanced his considerable good looks. “Captain,” she said with a soft tremor to her voice, “you held me in your arms to soothe me. I could hear the steady beat of your heart against my ear. My heart was pounding like a farrier’s hammer. How did you manage to remain calm after those attacks?”
He shrugged. “One grows used to danger.”
“I’m sorry,” she said in a matter-of-fact manner, clasping her hands together to keep from touching him. “One should never be so beleaguered as to accept the bad in one’s life.” She felt a pang of sorrow and wanted to put her arms around him, but he didn’t seem the sort to accept sympathy and certainly never pity.
“Sometimes it can’t be helped.” He knelt beside the stream, watching the morning sun glisten across the small ripples of water.
She studied him as he seemed to disappear in thought and tried to imagine him in the clothes of a gentleman—buff breaches, silk vest and cravat, jacket of fine merino wool, and tall, brown leather boots. He’d look incredibly handsome no matter what he wore and would always carry himself with the pride of a warrior for it was etched into his being. “You gave Mrs. Halloway quite a show this morning,” she said, hoping to draw him out of his silence by tossing a small jest into the conversation.
He turned to her and merely arched an eyebrow.
Winnie settled close to him on a rock by the stream’s bed. “And put on quite a show for me last night. I refer to the comets-blazing-across-the-sky magical kiss you gave me last night.”
He ran a hand raggedly through his still damp hair, maintaining his silence for a moment longer before relenting with a curt nod. “I merely kissed you, Winnie. It was no more than that.”
“It was everything more.” Her heart, already pounding from excitement at his nearness, now shot into her throat. “At least, for me it was.”
There was a warmth to his blue eyes that hadn’t been there yesterday, but he made no further comment about it. Instead, he returned his gaze to the quiet stream, watching the glistening waters softly whoosh by with the current. “The Darkwells had you under their very noses for all these years and never caused you any trouble before. That’s what you said last night.”
She nodded.
“I need to talk to Lord and Lady Darkwell, find out what they’re up to. I think I must also speak to your cook and her husband.”
Winnie frowned. “You can’t think Mrs. Halloway or her husband have anything to do with this wickedness. They’re loyal family retainers and have been at Kingsley Hall since I was a babe. I won’t have you treating them as though they’re suspects.”
He held up his hands in surrender and nodded. “I’m sure they’re as loyal as you say. But they might have seen something or have some information that might help.”
“Oh, I suppose that makes sense.” Winnie let out a breath of relief. “I love them both, even though Mrs. Halloway can be an incorrigible snoop at times. She intends to keep her eye out for you. You made quite an impression on her while bathing in the stream in all your naked splendor.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Did you peek?”
“No, unfortunately I missed it. I was in the house and she was fetching water when—” She gasped and slapped a hand over her mouth. She had missed his bathing, but it wasn’t unfortunate. “I didn’t mean it quite the way it came out.”
He cast her a grin that revealed he understood she’d meant exactly what she’d said. However, after a moment, his grin faded. “Will Mrs. Halloway remain with you today, or does she plan to return to the fair?”
“She and her husband will stay with me until my godmothers return. Why?”
“I’d like to talk to the Darkwells as soon as possible, but I dare not leave you alone. However, if others are with you, especially those you trust, then I can look into this mystery all the sooner. But you must promise to stay in the house and keep your guard up at all times. Keep those fire irons close at hand and don’t hesitate to use them.”
She frowned lightly. “Why can’t I investigate with you? You said you wouldn’t leave until—”
“I’m not leaving. Well, not for very long. It’s too dangerous to take you with me. I’ll return in a few hours.” He sighed and shook his head, and then his voice grew softer. “But it’s early yet. We have some time before I can knock at their door. How about letting me teach you to swim?”
His kiss had touched her heart and brought on sensations she’d never experienced before. Clinging to him in the water, wet skin to wet skin, made mindless by her lifelong fear of drowning and coupled with her desire for him, seemed a recipe for disaster. “I don’t think so.”
“I thought you trusted me.”
“I do. It’s just that you confuse me. I kissed you and I don’t even know your real name. Who are you? How did you come into my life?” She let out a ragged breath. “And how will I ever forget you once you leave?”
“Bloody hell, Winnie.” He had a stubborn look on his face. “Do you wish to learn to swim or don’t you?”
She found this tendency in him not to answer questions quite irritating, although he was perfect in every other way. No, not perfect. Goodness, she wasn’t even certain he was real. He wasn’t real. He was the prince in her dreams and he’d disappear along with the rise of tomorrow’s sun.
“Very well,” he said as she remained silent, his muscles tensing as he stretched his long, lean body on the grassy bank of the stream and intensified his gaze on the water. “I liked our kiss.”
“What?”
“Very much.”
She stared at him a long moment, watching as his jaw tensed. “What has it to do with swimming?”
“Nothing, I suppose. But you wanted to know what I thought of the kiss, and I couldn’t tell you last night because it frightened me more than those damn dogs.”
Her heart began to flutter in a rapid beat. So he’d been affected by it, too. Was he now concerned that she’d put too much meaning in his admission? She knew better than to do so. He would leave soon and she’d remain behind, for she was meant to lead a quiet life in the country and perhaps, if she was fortunate, marry an amiable gentleman of means. Just not Mr. Mortimer. But perhaps one who resembled Captain Mariner. No, that is asking too much.
She wanted to ask him more questions, but he avoided her gaze and peered beyond her. “I hear a carriage coming up the drive.”
“Oh, dear! Have the Darkwells returned?” She was almost relieved, for the fear of actually getting into the water, even with him, overwhelmed her as much as it tempted her. Fear of the Darkwells was nothing t
o that of drowning.
Chapter Six
Ardaric rose and reached for Winnie’s hand to draw her up alongside him. “No, it’s your godmothers.”
“They’re home!” Winnie’s eyes were suddenly as bright as the shimmering stream waters. The sky was a spectacular blue, dotted with a few soft, white clouds, and Winnie’s hair was a ginger blaze in the sunlight, the loose curls about her ears and forehead blowing gently in the warm breeze.
“It appears so.” He tamped down his disappointment. He would give Winnie that swimming lesson another time. Too bad. The day was perfect, and he could think of nothing better than to be in the water, holding Winnie’s soft, wet body as she clung to him while learning to swim… only he knew it would lead to something more.
Something hot and wild and dangerous.
“I’m so glad they’re back.” She emitted a sincerely joyous sigh. “I missed them so much.”
He nodded. “Go on ahead. I’ll see what I can learn from the Darkwells and meet you back at Kingsley Hall later.”
Her eyes rounded in surprise. “Won’t you come with me to greet them? At least join us for breakfast?”
“As I said, I’ve already eaten.”
“Oh, you did say that. I had hoped… never mind.”
“But I’ll return soon. I promise, Winnie.” He grinned in response to the obvious disappointment in her voice.
She took his hand and gave it a little squeeze. “I’ll hold you to it. Please be careful. They’re villains and I don’t wish to see you hurt.”
He ran his knuckles along her cheek in a light caress, afraid to give her so much as an innocent kiss on her freckled nose, for he knew he’d be lost the moment his lips touched any part of her. “Stay out of trouble, Princess.”
“I will… I’ll try.” She tipped her chin up in defiance. “But don’t expect me to hold to it. I’ll come after the Darkwells and tear down their home, stone by stone, until there’s nothing left of them or it, if they dare put a scratch on you.”
Her pert chin was still tilted upward and her lips were lightly pursed, but it was the soft, loving gleam in her eyes that did him in. “Winnie,” he said with a groan, cupping her face in his hands and lowering his lips to hers in a kiss that poured twenty-six years of hunger and longing into this one moment.
Until now, he thought he had that dull, beating organ known as his heart well under control, but this beautiful snip of a girl was proving him wrong. It took only a glance or a smile from her to ignite his desire and leave him in fiery torment.
He didn’t know what to do about it or whether anything even needed to be done.
As soon as he solved Winnie’s mystery, he would be free to leave. There was nothing to stop him from simply picking up his pouch and walking out to become the Duke of Blantyre once more. His coachman was waiting for him in Windermere, no doubt still pacing in front of the fashionable inn where he’d met Winnie’s godmothers, and fretting for his safety.
Indeed, Ardaric knew he could leave at any time, simply disappear without ever revealing his true identity to Winnie. But that was the problem. He didn’t want to leave her behind, nor did he wish to lie to her about who he was.
Winnie deserved the truth.
She deserved far more, but Ardaric didn’t yet know what he was willing to offer. He knew what he wanted, that was plain enough… he wanted Winnie. Wanting was a simple matter, but giving back was the problem. He’d never given anything of himself before, certainly never his heart.
It was impossible. She was young, only twenty. He’d only known the girl a day. Those thoughts had been repeating in his head so often, they were becoming a chant. Too young. Too soon. Not possible. Over and over they whirled in his head. There were other young ladies of higher rank and greater wealth more suitable, ones he’d been acquainted with for years. In truth, he had been on his way to Blantyre to work on narrowing his list and offering for one of them, a decision that had pleased his family.
So why did he feel that no one but Winnie would ever do for him?
Winnie kept her eyes closed even after their second kiss ended. Yes, she was counting each kiss, and counting each smoldering glance Captain Mariner cast her (there were only five of them so far, but they were getting hotter and more frequent), and melting a little each time he swallowed her in his massive arms (also happening more frequently).
When she finally opened her eyes, she noticed that he was still staring at her. Not smiling. His gaze not smoldering. She sighed. “Didn’t you like this kiss either?”
“I just told you that I liked our first kiss.”
She nodded. “I know, but I thought you were only being polite.”
“I wasn’t. Winnie… damn, this is a mess…” He ran a hand along the back of his neck. “I’ll see you later. We’ll talk then.”
She nodded again, trying her best to maintain her composure. She turned away slightly so that he wouldn’t notice the quiver of her lips. Until now, she’d always been the calm and competent one in the household, but Captain Mariner had turned her inside out and had so completely scattered her thoughts that she couldn’t string two words together.
He made her senses reel and her heart soar. He made her ache and wonder about her future, one that would no doubt be dull and sad because he wasn’t going to be around to share it with her. She saw the cool detachment in his eyes and knew he desired to extricate himself from here… from her, as soon as possible.
She was in danger of turning into a watering pot and weeping over the loss of him for days on end. What could she do? She was in love and in torment, but he held no such feelings for her and would be horrified to know hers. No, she could never reveal how deeply she cared for him.
Indeed, she would pretend to be unaffected and show only dignified politeness. She wasn’t going to talk to her godmothers about him either. She couldn’t yet. Her tears would fall in buckets at the first mention of him.
She was going to do what she had been doing ever since she was a girl of fourteen, maintain her composure and run Kingsley Hall with quiet efficiency. “I won’t delay you. Keep safe.”
He gave her a light caress on the cheek and then he was gone.
Her tears came the moment he walked away, but she refused to wallow in pity. She straightened her spine, wiped away all evidence that she had been crying, and then made her way back to the house.
Entering through the kitchen, she spared another moment to gaze at her reflection in one of the gleaming copper pots and brushed back her hair. She smoothed her gown and was in position by the front door to welcome her godmothers as they stepped from their carriage and entered the main hall.
Winnie had intended to give them a polite but cheerful welcome. However, the events of yesterday and this morning suddenly overwhelmed her, and she threw her arms around Harmony, who’d walked in first. “I missed you so much!”
Harmony tittered. “Goodness, Winnie! We’ve been gone less than three days. You’d think we’d been away for a thousand years.”
“It felt like forever.” She turned to hug Serenity and then Prudence.
Serenity pursed her lips and studied her a bit too avidly. “Did something happen while we were away?”
Winnie blushed. “Yes, I went to the fair and on my way there I encountered a pack of wild dogs. A gentleman rescued me from them and I…” Fell in love with him. “Otherwise it was dreadfully dull and I missed you.”
Prudence arched a graying eyebrow. “A gentleman, you say?”
She hadn’t intended to mention Captain Mariner yet and even now regretted mentioning the dogs. The attacks upon her person would only overset her godmothers. She’d tell them everything after her birthday party. “Shall I have Mrs. Halloway prepare tea? She’s just made biscuits, too. How is your relative? And why were you so secretive when you left? Tell me all about your trip.”
“Oh, it was wonderful,” Harmony said with a titter. “And we have a surprise for you.”
Serenity and Prudence both g
asped. “Hush, you silly thing! You’ll ruin everything.”
Winnie regarded them in confusion. Her three guardians were elderly spinsters and often charmingly scatterbrained, but this was a little much even for them. “Your trip was wonderful? Weren’t you visiting a sick cousin? As in very sick on deathbed and you left home for Windermere in tears?”
Prudence dusted a non-existent speck of dust off her sleeve. “Of course we were quite distressed when she passed away, dear.”
She? They’d distinctly told her they were visiting a male cousin. Her godmothers were the worst liars she’d ever met. But why conceal the true reason for their sudden departure from her? And they seemed awfully cheerful for three genteel women who’d just lost a dear relation.
Serenity gave her a hug. “We thought we’d make a pie today. Would you mind terribly if we sent you off to pick blueberries for us?”
“Blueberries? In May?” She eyed them warily. They’d just arrived home and she knew they’d missed her as much as she’d missed them, yet they wanted her out of the house. Why? Weren’t they curious about the wild dogs? Or the gentleman who did wild things to her insides whenever she gazed at him?
Oh, dear. Were they planning a grand affair for her birthday? Something stunning and spectacular and well outside their realm of competence? She dearly loved Serenity, Prudence, and Harmony, but for years now, she’d been the one to look after them.
“Any sort of berries will do,” Harmony said. “Take your time. Find the best ones possible.”
Winnie sighed. “Very well. I’ll go right after we have our tea and biscuits.” She didn’t mind, really. Her godmothers needed time to accomplish whatever they had planned for her party, and she would have more time to spend alone with Captain Mariner when he returned. “Why don’t you get comfortable and then join me in the dining room?”
Winnie watched the three of them lumber upstairs, whispering and tittering conspiratorially among themselves. She shook her head and smiled before setting out the breakfast plates, silverware, and table linens, deciding for now to say nothing more about the dogs or the man who’d captured her heart.
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