The last of the crates were loaded and the boat started out to sea again. That’s when he saw the flame from one of his boats coming into the shore toward Macklemeyer’s boat.
Justice rose up from his spot, raising his hand in the air and with a chop of his fingers, cut the air to unleash the torrent.
From one of the caves, another soldier emerged, carrying a large torch. Racing down the steep path, he met Sayden, who lit the tip of an arrow and then raised his bow into the air.
Justice grimaced as he watched. He would have liked to deliver the first blow, but his brother was a better shot.
His chest swelled with anticipation as men started yelling from Macklemeyer’s boat, they’d seen the threat. But the siege had started, and more soldiers poured from the caves.
Sayden now lit by the torch, pulled the bowstring back as he nocked the flaming arrow. He let go and the arrow sailed through the air, arching high into the sky, sailing hundreds of feet as it lit the night.
And then it came down.
For a moment, Justice thought it might miss. With the tide coming in, the water was rough, waves sending the boat rocking though the water. But the arrow’s arc was perfect and as it struck the deck, the boat burst into flames.
Justice roared with triumph as more arrows flew through the air from several directions. The boat had started to burn; Sayden had shot their cue. While some missed, several hit and suddenly the boat was ablaze. “Get ready to attack,” he yelled into the night as more soldiers swarmed from the caves, the rocks and further down the beach.
The boat and the cargo were all but gone, nothing left but to watch them burn, but men would start abandoning the ship and he wanted to capture all of them.
“Take them alive, if possible,” he bellowed.
The ship was lit with the flames, and he could see Macklemeyer in the light.
Even from here, he could see the cold fury that filled the man’s features. He screamed for the men to fight the flames even as they started to jump.
Justice charged down the beach. Macklemeyer would have to leave the boat or go down with the flames, and he’d capture him when he did.
Smugglers began making it to the shore, some attempting to fight for their freedom as they came at soldiers with swords.
But equipped with muzzleloaders, the soldiers easily subdued them. Justice ignored the skirmishes around him, keeping his gaze trained on the burning boat.
Sayden ran up next to him. “I can hit him,” he growled out.
Justice nodded. His fists clenched as Sayden drew back the quiver and launched another arrow into the air.
This one wasn’t lit, and Justice lost it in the night for several seconds but as his gaze focused back on Macklemeyer he saw the moment the arrow pierced the man’s leg.
He let out a war cry of victory as he took a step closer to the water. Part of him wanted to dive in and drag Macklemeyer back to the beach.
But he held back. He needed to be smart, and he needed to catch the man. The dinghy the smugglers had used was beached on the shore and he ran for it, climbing in as he yelled to Sayden. “Push me in.”
“What are you doing?” his brother called back, even as he ran. “I hit him.”
“I’m not taking any chances,” he yelled. “Push me.”
Sayden gave a nod as he did what Justice asked. “Want me to come?”
“No, stay here.” He started rowing, pushing toward the burning boat. “Cover me if I need it.”
Sayden gave a nod. “Careful.”
Justice rowed as hard and fast as he could, keeping the burning boat in his sights.
When he’d made if halfway, he glanced back just in time to see Macklemeyer jump over the side, one of Sayden’s arrows landing exactly where he’d been standing.
“Fuck,” Justice yelled. He was still twenty yards out and as Macklemeyer disappeared into the churning water. He knew he wasn’t close enough.
The other man was injured. If he could get near him, Macklemeyer may very well climb in the dinghy just to save himself from drowning.
But as he dove under the waves, Justice had to stop to see where the man might pop up again.
Macklemeyer came up twenty feet away from the burning boat, moving toward the shore. But then he dunked under again.
Justice started for where he’d seen him last, but he couldn’t search and row at the same time. He should have brought Sayden after all.
He was going to lose Macklemeyer.
Again.
More arrows pierced the water, but Justice had no way of knowing if any of them hit.
Macklemeyer might die from the injury… but then again, Justice had thought that when he’d shot him a few weeks ago.
The man was bloody hard to catch and even harder to kill.
Violet rose in his thoughts once again. He’d wanted this for her even more than he had for himself. Still, he’d not let Parricide hurt her. Not now. Not ever.
Violet paced the sitting room at her uncle’s home as she wrapped her house coat tighter around her body. Samantha sat in a chair near the window, reading by candlelight.
“How can you concentrate?” she asked for the third time, trying not to huff in frustration. With each passing hour, she grew more tense.
Samantha closed the book. “I can’t. Not really. I’m too tired.”
Tired? Violet didn’t understand how her cousin could be tired now. Granted, the sun was about to rise and Justice and her uncle had been gone all night.
Her father had passed out cold several hours prior. Useless.
Had Justice caught Macklemeyer? Killed him?
Had they destroyed the ship at least?
Her breath caught. Was Justice all right?
What if he was hurt? She’d be alone again, and she couldn’t bear the idea of losing Justice now that she’d found him.
Violet took a steadying breath. They deserved a chance for real love, happiness. Holding onto hope for him to live through this night, she fought the exhaustion that threatened to overwhelm her. And failed. “I’m tired, too. The longer this night stretches the worse my thoughts become.”
Samantha rose and wrapped her arms about Violet. “He’ll be all right. Uncle Albert has hundreds of men at his disposal.”
Violet nodded. “I love him, Samantha.” There. The words were out. She felt lighter for them. And heavier too. “I love Justice and I haven’t told him so and if something happens to him now—” she stopped, as her voice caught on the last words.
Samantha hugged her harder. “He’s fine. You’ll have your chance to tell him, I’m certain.”
“You think so?” she asked her voice still shaky.
“I do,” Samantha answered. “In fact,” she started and then stopped. “Do you hear that?”
Violet held still, cocking her head to the side. Sure enough, the sound of horse hooves clopping down the dirt road caught her ear. “Do you think it’s them?”
“I don’t know,” Samantha answered, stepping out of Violet’s arms, and grabbing her hand. “We hide, just in case.”
“Hide?”
“I’m sure it’s Uncle Albert but on the off chance it isn’t, we need to be safe,” Samantha said with such matter-of-fact efficiency that Violet had to shake her head. Her cousin really was miraculous.
They slipped into the library where no candles burned. Years before, her uncle had installed a fake bookshelf that hid a small alcove at one end of the room. Samantha opened it and then stopped, listening again.
Violet stepped inside, ready for Samantha to close the shelf.
The front door opened, and Violet held her breath.
“Violet?” their uncle called. “Samantha?”
A rush of air pushed from her lungs as her shoulders sagged. “It’s them.”
“Violet?” Justice called, too.
“Maybe they went to bed?” Sayden asked.
Violet stepped out of the darkness as Samantha closed the bookshelf again. “We’re here,” she
called and then the two women rushed out of the library and into the entry.
The men looked tired, dirty, and…defeated.
“What happened?” she asked stepping close to Justice even as his hand reached for hers. She laced her fingers through his just glad to see him alive.
“We destroyed the ship and the goods,” her uncle said, rubbing his forehead.
“That’s good,” she said as she looked from Justice’s grim face to Samantha. Why weren’t they happier?
“I pierced Parricide’s leg with an arrow.” Sayden gave her a wink but even that lacked his normal rakish charm.
“I see,” Samantha said, clutching her hands in front of her chest.
“But?” she asked, worrying her lip.
“He got away.” Justice’s chin notched down, closing his eyes.
Her heart turned over in her chest.
“We’ll get him,” Uncle Albert said, clapping Justice’s shoulder. “I’ve sent missives to every local constable. He’ll be wanted all over England by the week’s end. And I’ll personally post a reward. He can’t hide forever.”
“I’m not worried about forever,” Justice grimaced as he eased Violet closer. “You’re not to leave here under any circumstances, Violet.”
“Not leave?” she asked, her breath catching.
“Please,” he whispered. “It’s not safe until he’s captured.”
She gave a stiff nod.
Her uncle held Justice’s shoulder. “You should have gone into the military, son. The strength and patience you displayed tonight was admirable.”
“Thank you.” Justice’s gaze never left Violet’s.
Uncle Albert sighed deeply. “We should go to bed. It will be morning soon and I need a few hours of sleep before I start writing every lawman I know. The sooner I get the letters out, though…”
“I’ll help you,” Violet said, looking to her uncle. “Make one letter and I can copy it as many times as you need.”
Her uncle gave her a gentle smile. “Thanks, Poppet. That would be a great help.” Then he turned to Justice and Sayden. “My butler can show you to your rooms.”
“They’re staying here?” Violet asked, her pulse jumping. Knowing Justice would be under the same roof was a relief and…
Her uncle gave a quick nod. “It’s late, or early, and the more men we have here, the safer you’ll be.”
She gave a nod, but she had to confess that knowing he was under the same roof, tired as she was, Violet was unlikely to sleep. Her heart raced in excitement.
Chapter Twelve
Justice waited for the house to quiet.
He should be exhausted, but he’d never been less so.
He’d followed Violet up the stairs, pausing just long enough to note where her room was located before he continued up to his room on the third floor.
But now that everyone had likely collapsed into sleep, he opened his door and crept along the hall and down the stairs.
He prowled down the hall, anticipation making his steps quick and light.
Reaching her door, he softly knocked. “Violet,” he whispered.
Surprise rippled through him when she opened the door, quickly pulling him inside. “Justice.”
“You’re not asleep.”
She shook her head. “I was too worried and…you’re here.”
He chuckled as he hooked an arm around her waist and pulled her close to his body. She’d taken off her housecoat, her body encased only in her night shift. The sheer fabric allowed him to feel every lush curve as she pressed against him, her arms threading about his neck. “I know exactly what you mean.”
“You do?”
He nuzzled his face into the delicate skin of her neck. “I couldn’t sleep either, knowing you were so close.”
He felt her pulse jump in her throat. His own body rippled in response.
“Justice,” she started. “I appreciate your help so much.”
“But…” he asked, running his free hand down the curve of her back and over her derriere, cupping the lush curve of it in his hand and pressing their pelvises closer together. He wanted to kiss her. Touch every inch of her, mapping out every dip and curve.
Hell, he wished to strip her naked and worship her body.
“I don’t want to marry…”
He sucked in a breath, his arm tightening about her. Pain radiated out from his chest at her words. “Perhaps you could have said that before I came to your room.”
One of her hands snaked up into his hair, the touch going a long way to soothing his frayed nerves. “I meant you don’t have to marry me if you are only doing so to protect me. I’ll find another way.”
He kissed the curve of her neck, his tongue swirling around smooth flesh as he tasted the sweet honey of her skin. He moved up the column of her neck, toward her ear until he sucked in the lobe, all the while, pressing her closer, their bodies molding together. “Your protection is not the only thing on my mind.”
He could feel her heart beating against his chest as he continued to kiss a path along her jaw to her lips. And when their mouths met, hers clung to his.
He growled out his satisfaction as he lifted her, carrying her toward her bed.
Not nearly large enough, and with a lacy canopy, he had to grin. His house in the north had a massive four-poster bed with a thick mattress and velvet curtains. He could hardly wait to lay her down in comfort and make love to her all night.
But this wasn’t his large bed, and they didn’t have all night. They barely had an hour.
And so, as he lay her down, the only thought was how he might tie her to his side long enough to get her to the altar.
Befuddle her with pleasure.
Overwhelm her with his touch until she came undone in his arms. He should tell her that he was falling in love with her, too. But showing her would have to do for now. Saying the words…
What if, in giving his heart away, he lost control?
And so, as he lay her down, her legs naturally spread to accommodate his hips, his pelvis fitting into the cradle of her thighs, his cock fitted against her softness.
He groaned. She was so tempting.
Lifting a hand he cupped her full breast again, softly tweaking the nipple as she arched up into his touch. He kissed her mouth, their tongues dancing together as he continued to knead the flesh, her nipple tightening against his fingers.
He broke their kiss to lower his mouth to the other breast. Though the fabric of her night rail kept him from tasting her skin, she still writhed against him as he licked and sucked her nipple. Then he did the same to the other.
While he knew their time was limited, he also wanted her to experience the most pleasure possible. Which was why he skimmed his hand down her side with a leisurely touch that was sure to please without frightening or overwhelming her.
He slid his hand over her hip down her knee to the hem of her night rail. With a gentle touch, he flicked the hem up, his hand resting against her bare leg.
He heard her gasp and he slid up her body to kiss her mouth again, even as his hand started a slow path up her leg.
Her thighs were silky and so damn soft he lingered there, his fingers playing over the skin.
She squirmed underneath him and he knew that her own need for pleasure was building. Perfect.
He kissed her again, his mouth as languid as his hand as their tongues touched. He’d like hours and hours like this. Making love to her slowly and fully till she begged him to come undone.
He blinked, realizing he’d never experienced desire this strong either. Until tonight.
He was a fighter. A man always looking for a mind-numbing rush. He fucked the same way he fought. Hard. Fast. Aggressive.
Until today.
This slow leisurely stroll over her body was nothing like how he normally operated and, if he were being honest, he was enjoying it as much as she seemed to be.
He liked this side of himself.
Liked the calm that came with bein
g near her.
The love that rose to the surface, pushing away the anger.
Hells bells.
He reached the apex of her thighs, his fingertips lightly brushing over her curls, and she moaned into his mouth.
He swallowed the noise even as he pressed a bit harder, touching her delicate folds with the pad of his middle finger. She bucked as she shivered, and he couldn’t help but smile against her lips.
He needed to go slow for her. She was a virgin, and he didn’t want to scare her.
But somehow, along the way, it turned out this was all new for him, too.
He was proving to himself that he could be the gentleman she’d need in a husband.
He began sliding down her body, kissing a trail as he went, even as his free hand pushed her hem higher.
He’d begun a light methodical stroke against her apex as he pushed her night rail up over her breasts.
He groaned aloud as he lifted up to see her full globes with little pink buds in the middle. So pretty and perfect. He could stare at her for hours, but Violet reached up to him and he nearly chuckled aloud when she threaded her hands into his hair and began pulling him down toward her skin again.
He took her nipple into his mouth, and she cried out grinding against his hand. “Shh, love,” he whispered. “We wouldn’t want to alert anyone I’m here.”
“Justice,” she begged, squirming under him again. “Please.”
He smiled and then took her other nipple in his mouth. This was the Violet he’d sensed under the surface. The woman who’d intrigued him from the first and likely the one who would keep him chained at her side, her willing slave. Had he been fighting this feeling all along? He never wished to fight again. Especially not her.
Please go slower? That would be his absolute pleasure.
Violet was going to perish from longing.
She felt as certain of that fact as she did several others.
She’d never allow another man into her bed. Justice was the only one for her. And she loved him with all her heart and soul.
She’d known it before, but as his fingers began their light play over her flesh again, she wanted to beg him for more. Plead for him to ease the ache building inside her.
Her Wanton White: Dark Duke’s Legacy Page 10