Charlotte bristled and glared at him. “I am pleased to hear my female sex is to some advantage during this adventure. And here I thought I was a burden.”
Phillip answered with a smile. For some reason, he enjoyed goading her. She was attractive when her eyes sparkled, and her nose flared with anger. Strong women were more interesting to Phillip. He could not endure the quiet little debutantes who spoke only when spoken to and never had an opinion beyond the weather or fashion. It had been torturous to attend the balls and socials before he started working for Sir Darnley. Eventually, obligations would force him to settle down. As his father’s only male heir, he had a duty to marry and have children, but any union would not involve love.
His heart still bore the marks from the last betrayal inflicted by love, and he had almost lost his life. He would not make the same mistake twice. Love was a figment of the imagination; a fool’s dream to make life seem tolerable. If you imagined yourself in love with somebody, everything seemed happier, less lonely. Once, he had given both his heart and his trust to a woman. Never again would he be fooled by a pretty smile and soft words.
The problem lay in the fact that Charlotte had a pretty smile, even though he only saw it when she pretended to be his wife in front of other people. She talked quite a bit, but sometimes, he wished she spoke less. Phillip wasn’t used to all the chatter. Most of the time, she argued with him when they did speak. Charlotte didn’t hold back when she had an opinion; she spoke her mind during their verbal sparring. The instances when she was quiet, such as now, made him anxious. He pondered what thoughts ran through her head.
Phillip spoke with a sense of urgency. “You are sure there was nothing else said that could be important?”
“If you would like me to repeat some vulgar language used when insulting their comrade for his poor horsemanship, I can.”
Phillip couldn’t help but laugh. “Unnecessary, thank you.” He waited a moment before asking, “Did you learn Russian from your mother?”
She wanted me and my siblings to know both sides of our heritage. I speak fluent Russian.”
Phillip nodded his head, and the pair fell into silence. It was another surprise, but one that could be useful. He was curious if Charlotte had other hidden talents. If everything worked out, he would not have the time to find out. He prayed those soldiers were only on patrol and not searching for them. As much as Phillip wanted to tell the coachman to push on to put as much distance between themselves and the Russians, he knew Charlotte needed to rest, and they would require fresh horses.
At times the carriage slowed, due to the rough terrain, which made Phillip impatient. He wanted to be further along, but Mother Nature had other plans. He worried the weather wouldn’t hold out. If storms blew in, they would be off schedule. Now, with a possible threat from soldiers, they had to push on with haste. At midday, they stopped to change horses and eat. Charlotte had been silent for the entire ride. Phillip didn’t mind; he was accustomed to being alone. During his missions, there were times he went days without speaking to or seeing another human being.
Phillip worried at times if he was becoming too distant. He was the first to volunteer for the more solitary assignments. He compared himself to his friends, Hugh and Ethan. Hugh was the leader. A true soldier who charged into a fight with a full battalion behind him. Ethan leaned toward the intellectual aspects. He assessed situations rather than rushing in like Hugh.
Compared to his friends, Phillip was a loner. He enjoyed time with his family and friends, but he relished the solitary times as well. It had gotten worse since Lisette’s betrayal. He guarded his thoughts and feelings unless he was with Ethan and Hugh. But even they did not know the full extent of what he had experienced. He had buried his feelings for so long that he wasn’t sure if he could feel anything besides hate and anger.
What he knew for certain was the nightmares still haunted him. They had awakened him a time or two when he slept beside Charlotte. He wasn’t sure if she noticed. If she did, she kept quiet. He would be embarrassed if Charlotte saw him wake up in a panicked sweat, unsure of his surroundings until he remembered he was safe from the torture of the past. Since Lisette, he avoided working with women; the wounds were still too raw.
It was after nightfall when they pulled up to an inn for the night. They retired to their room after eating dinner in the common area. This inn boded better quality than the prior night. It had a larger bed, which made Phillip sigh in relief. Last night, he had been too aware of Charlotte sleeping next to him. He needed some distance.
Phillip removed his boots and jacket while Charlotte sat on the other side of the bed. He watched her take off her hat and hairpins. As she extracted the pins, her hair unfolded to its full length, halfway down her back. The soft curls bounced, announcing their freedom from their confines. Phillip never realized how sensual it was to witness a woman take down her hair.
Charlotte finished and laid down on the bed without speaking a word. Phillip noticed she still wore the same dress since they started their trip. Come to think of it, she never removed her dress at nighttime. She must be uncomfortable with all her undergarments on, plus her dress. Until now, it hadn’t occurred to him to offer to leave to give her privacy to change. He slept in his clothes so he could be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
He should at least offer. “If you want to change into your nightshift, I can leave the room.”
Charlotte gazed at the ceiling and answered in a soft voice, “I can’t get my dress off.”
“What do you mean?”
She tilted her head and sighed, “The hooks are in the back, and I cannot reach them. That is why I keep my dress on. I am accustomed to having a maid help me.”
“I can help if you would like.” He couldn’t believe what he had just said. “It must be uncomfortable in your dress at night. I will leave the room so you can change after I unhook your dress.”
Hopefully, she wouldn’t think him a cad, using this as an opportunity to see her in a compromising situation.
Charlotte considered the offer. “Thank you, Phillip. I would be most grateful.”
She came around to his side of the bed and turned, so her back faced him. It had been a while since he had helped a woman remove her dress. Most times in the past, they were already half undressed to begin with. He wasn’t used to a proper lady with all her layers of clothing.
Phillip took a steadying breath before he lifted his hands to the first hook. He fumbled a time or two before he could release the fastening. The fabric opened as he worked his way down, and Charlotte’s chemise poked out from underneath. Phillip’s groin throbbed, and his hands shook ever so slightly.
Charlotte's breaths came in shallow increments, and a faint color rose in her cheeks. Phillip reminded himself of her innocence. He saw her blush and realized any contact with a man might cause her distress, or perhaps there was more to it than that.
At last he came to the final hook at the small of Charlotte’s back. After he finished, his hands rested on her waist for a moment. He shouldn’t have offered to help her. It had been too long since he had been with a woman, and Charlotte had aroused him. He had to leave before he did anything foolish. With his hands still on her waist, Phillip gently pushed her forward, then walked around her and hurried out the door.
**********
Charlotte’s heart raced a mile a minute. She stood unmoving after Phillip left the room. While he had unbuttoned her dress, Charlotte had forgotten to breath. A wave of heat had washed over her as his hands glided down her spine. When his hands rested on her waist, she had wanted to lean into him. Never had she felt that way with another man’s touch.
During the day’s ride, Charlotte had questioned her decision to complete Nikoli’s request. It was dangerous, and although her brother had taught her how to defend herself, she wasn’t sure it would be enough. Hopefully, it would not be necessary to put them to practice. Besides, she had Phillip; she was safe with him. His dark, menacing eye
s and large build would be enough to deter any man foolish enough to approach them. Although Phillip appeared intimidating, Charlotte couldn’t help but sense something beneath his hard exterior. There was a part of himself which he shut away from prying eyes, she could sense it. For some reason she wanted to help him if she could. But what did it matter. Once they arrived in France and she relayed the information, she would return home, to Dorset, and never see Phillip again.
Once Charlotte regained her composure, she changed into her nightgown, slid into bed, pulled the covers up to her chin, and waited for Phillip. After an hour, she realized he might not be back for some time. He must be downstairs, perhaps having a drink. She knew he wouldn’t go far. After all, he had promised to protect her, and she believed him. Eventually, Charlotte’s eyes grew heavy, and sleep overtook her.
During the night, Charlotte felt the bed shift and heard a noise as Phillip laid down next to her. She settled back into sleep with the now-familiar weight beside her. A short time later, she awoke to thrashing. Phillip was rolling around and mumbling incoherently. She tried to shake him, but he didn’t respond. Charlotte didn’t know what to do. His nightmare seemed much worse than previous nights.
Phillip screamed, “No, No, No!”
It sounded as if he was begging for mercy. His movements became violent. Charlotte feared he would make too much noise and rouse the other lodgers. Doing the first thing that came to her mind; she slapped Phillip hard across the face.
Her hand throbbed from the impact, but it worked. Phillip fell silent, and his limbs went limp, but he still did not wake. He settled down, and his breathing returned to normal. Charlotte watched him, not knowing if he would have another attack. After a few minutes, his eyes opened, and his gaze fixed on hers.
“You were having a nightmare, and I didn’t know what to do. I’m sorry if I hurt you, Phillip, but you frightened me.”
Phillip shocked her by pulling her into his arms. Charlotte didn’t pull back; in fact, she welcomed it. The steady beat of his heart told her he was back to his full senses.
“Thank you.” They were the only words Phillip spoke for a few moments. They laid together, each drawing comfort from the other. He lifted Charlotte’s head so he could look at her. “I’m sorry for causing you distress. It happens sometimes. I’m fine now.”
Charlotte heard the sincerity in Phillip’s voice. Questions raced around in Charlotte’s mind, but she knew it wasn’t proper to pry. If Phillip wanted to tell her what haunted him, he would do so in his own time. She placed her hand on his cheek, still warm from his episode. Whatever his secrets, they must be dark indeed to fill his sleep with nightmares and make him run across the continent, risking his life.
Phillip’s hand, which had been laying on her upper back, glided up to her neck to guide her back toward him. This time, instead of her head resting on his chest, Phillip directed her to his mouth. When their lips met, Charlotte felt a warmth encompass her body. His lips pressed urgently against hers while his hand slid into her hair, drawing her closer. The sensation made Charlotte shudder and she was powerless to resist. His mouth possessed hers, nibbling and sucking. This was not an innocent kiss, but a hot, demanding embrace. Every inch of her lit up with an urgent need to touch him. Charlotte’s arms circled Phillip’s neck. With that simple touch, it was as if a switch had turned on in Phillip’s mind. He abruptly stopped their interlude and pulled away. She was at a loss for words, confused by his sudden change of mood. Did he regret kissing her? Phillip’s body tensed underneath hers, and he averted his gaze.
Confused, Charlotte didn’t know what to do. She wanted to run and hide, but instead turned on her side, away from Phillip. It would be best to forget the entire episode. She held the covers tight against her, like a shield protecting her heart. A minute later Charlotte felt the bed shift as Phillip rolled over with his back toward her. Her lips trembled, and she suppressed an anguished cry. It would not do to lose her composure. After all, it was just a kiss. Alas, it was the most ravaging, soul-searing kiss she had ever received. Unfortunately, the man who thought her more trouble than she was worth gave it.
Chapter 5
In the morning, Phillip dressed, then left the room to allow Charlotte privacy to do the same. She slipped on her dress, the memory of the previous night still fresh in her mind. As she put her hair up, she replayed the scene, trying to reason why Phillip had pulled away during their kiss. Her thoughts were interrupted when Phillip returned to help fasten her dress. Neither spoke a word as he worked on the fastenings. After he did the last button, Phillip waited by the doorway while Charlotte put on her cloak and hat before leaving the room.
The first crack of light peaked over the edge of the woods as the travelers left with a fresh pair of horses. They journeyed the initial three hours in total silence. Charlotte watched the passing scenery with indifference. The trees passed by until they seemed to run into one another in a blur. She started to fall asleep because of the monotony when she heard a sound like distant thunder. After listening for a few minutes, she realized the steady beat was coming closer. The sound wasn’t thunder, it was horses!
The blood pounded in her ears, and a heaviness weighed on her chest. She sat upright. “Phillip, do you hear that?”
He jerked up and listened for a minute. A look of dread crossed his face, but he quickly covered it up. “It could be nothing. It could be other riders who happen to be approaching at an alarming pace.”
He leaned out the window and shouted to the driver to speed up. The driver whipped the horses into a run. Phillip retrieved two pistols from a small bag he carried. Next, he drew out a knife and placed it in his pocket. He offered the pistols to Charlotte.
“Do you know how to use one of these?”
“Yes, my brother taught me.” Charlotte’s voice trembled, but her hand was steady when Phillip handed her the pistols.
Phillip nodded, “We can’t be too sure about...” His words were cut off when a gunshot rang through the air. Phillip peered out the window. “Damn it! It looks like the men we saw at the inn the other day. We must have been the topic of their conversation, but they didn’t realize we were right under their noses. We have to fend them off, no telling what they will do to us.”
Charlotte felt lightheaded, and her eyes fogged over. She couldn’t do this; she wasn’t a fighter. Phillip grabbed her by the upper arms and shook her gently.
“It will be alright, Charlotte. Remember, you are a brave woman.” He gave her a quick kiss, which helped to revive her.
Charlotte focused her mind and gripped the pistol in her hand in readiness. Another shot rang out, and the carriage jerked, causing them to lurch to the side. Phillip cursed and righted himself. He cautiously looked out to check on the coachman.
“I think they hit him. That must be their plan. They don’t want to kill us, yet. I have to get control of the carriage.” He gave Charlotte a reassuring smile and opened the door. With the carriage going at full speed, Phillip swung himself outside of the coach in order to reach the driver’s seat.
Another shot discharged, and Charlotte knew she had to help. Taking one last deep breath, she leaned out the opposite side of the coach to see their attackers. Six men rode on horseback, and they were gaining ground. She remembered what her brother had told her about shooting a gun; take your time and aim.
She raised the gun, aimed at a rider, and pulled the trigger. The kickback made her jolt, but she saw her target fall off his horse. Whether she had killed him or not was another question. A bullet whizzed by her head, and she ducked back inside. She heard shouts from their pursuers, but they continued to approach.
A minute later, she heard a noise on the roof of the carriage. She waited and alternated her glance to either carriage window. The noise made its way toward the front of carriage until she heard a grunt and the sound of a struggle coming from the driver’s seat. Oh God, Phillip was fighting while trying to steer the carriage. She didn’t know what to do. The second pistol l
aid on the seat, ready to fire. She could try shooting Phillip’s attacker, but what if she hit Phillip?
Other options raced through her mind when, suddenly, another rider appeared alongside the coach’s window. He grabbed the door, opened it, and jumped into the coach. Charlotte backed up to the opposite side and raised the gun. The man knocked her arm away, causing the shot to miss. Charlotte threw the gun at her assailant, but he knocked that away as well. He grabbed for her and she tried to get away, but there was nowhere to go. Charlotte screamed when his iron grip closed around her arm.
He spoke in Russian, “Now we will see how loud the English bird will sing.”
Charlotte’s eyes widened in fear at his words. So, they were Russian soldiers. Phillip had warned her there would be risks when she insisted on coming along. Now she faced the threat straight on. Clearly the Russians would stop at nothing to prevent them from getting the stolen information to the allies. Now was the time to gather all her courage and face the menace in front of her. She had only herself to depend on, there was no one else. An idea popped into her mind on how to distract the soldier. She stared down her attacker and replied in Russian, “Perhaps this little bird will fly away.”
Charlotte’s use of his native language caught the man off guard. That was all she needed. She grabbed the pistol from the Russian’s belt and aimed as he lunged for her. The shot echoed through the small space. The Russian fell backward, causing the coach door to open and his body to fall out. Charlotte sat in shock for a second before she recalled the ongoing scuffle at the driver’s seat.
**********
Phillip’s opponent was larger than him, but he tried to use that to his advantage. He attempted to push the brute off the carriage by knocking him off balance, hoping the larger man’s frame would make him fall easier. Unfortunately for Phillip, the man was light on his feet, even for his size. This had to end, or the group of riders would overtake them. They were coming to a turn in the road. Perhaps he could use the momentum of the curve to gain the extra force he required.
The Way to a Spy’s Heart: A Steamy Victorian Historical Spy Series (Romancing Intrigue Book 1) Page 4