Too Many Secrets

by Marie Higgins

  “Although—” Her voice trailed off and her attention fell to their clasped hands.

  “What?”

  “Well, I had hoped…” She lifted her eyes and met his. “I had hoped we would have found a private moment together. After all, wasn’t that the original purpose for your dinner party?”

  He couldn’t stop the grin pulling at the corners of his mouth. “Yes, it was.”

  “But then,” she shrugged, “you probably think me very bold for voicing my thoughts.”

  “Actually, Nicole, that’s one of the first things that attracted me to you.” He rubbed his thumbs over her knuckles.

  “Well, now you know what was missing during last night’s event.”

  The longer he stared into her eyes, the more he felt like a sinking man with no life raft. She was charming him for certain, and yet he didn’t want her to stop. “Forgive me, but I just couldn’t find the right time—or excuse—to take you away after the meal. However, we can make up for lost time now, can’t we?”

  She stepped closer to him. His heart flipped against his chest. From his current state of mind, he doubted he’d be able to have the ability to catch the organ if it leapt from his body. The mood had changed drastically in just a few seconds. He doubted last night would have made him feel this strongly about wanting to hold her, but right now, all he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her and pull her next to him.

  Ashton took an unsteady breath and slid his palms up her arms. Keeping hold of her stare, he cherished the moment when the color of her eyes darkened. It was like golden sparkles mixed with melting chocolate.

  Her body quivered under his hands, and he grinned. Her throat bounced from what he assumed was a hard swallow, and immediately, his mouth became dry as well.

  “Yes, you are correct. This is the perfect moment to make up for lost time.” She lifted her hands and rested them on his chest, taking a step closer. She glanced at her right hand. “I can feel your heartbeat, and it’s as erratic as my own.” Her voice lowered, becoming more sultry and seductive.

  Sliding his arms around her, he brought her body up against his. He’d never forget how perfect she fit in his arms. Closing his eyes, he pressed his face into her hair. She smelled wonderfully—like heaven’s own flower garden. “Oh, Nicole,” he sighed heavily. “You are just so irresistible.”

  Her hands slid up his chest and hooked around his shoulders. One of her hands moved to his head and she threaded her fingers through his hair.

  “So are you, Ashton.”

  Placing his mouth against her neck, just under her ear, he hoped that this would keep him occupied so as not to kiss her lips. Once that happened, he’d be lost for sure and not be able to think straight. But she tilted her head back to give him more access, and his manly instincts took over. He couldn’t resist her any longer. He didn’t want to resist her at all. And if that made him weak in his friends’ eyes, then so be it. He’d admit to being a weak man…but a very satisfied one.

  He kissed her neck slowly. Just as always, clouds swam in his head and heavenly harps strummed in his ears. Indeed, she had put him under a spell—for which he had no desire to leave. She sighed, and he knew keeping things slow wasn’t going to happen this time. Her skin was silky smooth and delicate. As though acting on their own, his lips didn’t want to stop wandering over her. She clutched his shoulders but didn’t pull away.

  He kissed every exposed part of her neck, and then trailed his mouth up over her chin. When his lips met hers, a deep sigh rattled through her. Fireworks exploded in his head, and his erratic heartbeat thanked him over and over again for finally doing the one thing he’d been thinking of for so long. Kissing her passionately was just too good to stop.

  Ashton held her close but moved his hands over her back. This was so right, and she was so perfect. He’d never felt this way with any woman, and he prayed nothing would stop this elation flowing through him.

  Soon their kisses slowed and before he knew it, she was pulling away. She rested her head on his shoulder as she traced the side of his face with the tip of her finger.

  “Oh, Ashton. You are a hard man to resist.”

  He chuckled lightly. “Then we are in big trouble, because you are harder to resist.”

  “Ashton, I was thinking…” She took a deep breath.

  “About what, my dear?”

  “I would like you to meet my father and brother.”

  His breath caught in his throat. Had he heard correctly? “You want me to meet your family?”

  She nodded and lifted her head to look at him. “If that’s all right with you.”

  “Uh…yes, of course. I’d love to meet them.”

  She offered a lazy smile. “I was thinking last night after your friends dropped me off, that you are probably wondering why I’ve been so hesitant about introducing my family to you.” She licked her lips. “So, I decided that I think it’s time you met them.”

  “W-why now?”

  “I want you to know that I’m really not ashamed of them. My father has done the best he could in raising me, and although he’s not a banker, or an owner of a shipping line—or a railroad—he’s still my father and he’s done what he thinks is best for my welfare.”

  His heart began to soften all over again. All this time he’d wondered why she was so secretive about her family. Now he realized the reason. She must be ashamed of them. Yet, she was still willing to introduce them to him.

  Nicole was not the thief his friends had tried to convince him she was. Ashton’s first instincts about her had been correct. She was as sweet and genuine as he’d first thought. She wasn’t trying to hide anything from him other than her guilt for being ashamed of the way her father had raised her.

  “I think that’s a splendid idea. I would love nothing more than to meet your family,” he answered honestly.

  Sighing, she smiled fully. “I’ll arrange a day and time and let you know.”

  “I’m available every night this week. The quicker the better, don’t you agree?”

  “Oh yes, Ashton.” Her eyes lit up once again.

  The pain of his guilt disappeared, and relief swept over him. His heart swelled with that strange emotion he’d been getting lately whenever they were close, but this time, he didn’t try to fight it. He welcomed it and warmth spread through him.

  “Thank you, my darling Nicole,” he muttered before placing his mouth over hers.

  Her fast intake of breath from the suddenness of his actions quickly turned into a heady sigh as she wrapped her arms around his neck and participated fully in the kiss. His heart sang with gladness as he hungrily kissed her. Satisfaction filled him, knowing he could now allow her to take his heart…as long as she took the rest of him with it. He was hers, body and soul, and he never wanted that to change.

  A woman’s humming from outside the barn broke his concentration. Nicole must have heard the noise as well, because she jumped out of his arms.

  “That’s Mrs. Phelps, our housekeeper.”

  Grumbling under his breath, he wished people would stop interrupting him and Nicole when they were trying to be intimate. “Then perhaps I should leave quickly.”

  She took his hand and pulled him toward the back of the barn to the last stall. Once inside, they crouched just as the doors opened. A middle-aged woman entered, holding a basket as she walked to the hens. She slid her hand under each fowl and pulled out eggs, placing them in the basket. It didn’t take long before she turned and left, closing the doors behind her.

  Nicole sighed and leaned against Ashton. He pulled her up as they stood, but took her in his arms. “That was close.”

  She nodded. “It was.”

  “I’d better go or next time we’ll get caught.”

  She smiled. “I…I enjoyed our private moment.”

  He brushed his lips across her forehead. “As did I.”

  “Can we, um…plan another meeting?”

  He pulled back, arching an eyebrow. “Do you mean
something like this?”

  Her face brightened with a blush. “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”

  “What do you have in mind?” He grinned, liking the idea even before she could tell him.

  “Let’s meet on Thursday night, someplace very private.”

  Excitement sprang inside him. “Name the place and I’ll be there.”

  “About two miles south of here, there is an abandoned cabin. It’s very small. You can’t miss it.”

  “You’re certain nobody lives there?”

  “It’s empty, I promise.”

  He caressed her cheek. “What time do you want me to meet you on Thursday?”

  “Seven o’clock that evening?”

  “I’ll be counting the minutes.” He swooped down and kissed her once more on the lips before pulling away and walking toward the barn doors, trying to keep the bounce of excitement from his step.

  The next two days couldn’t go by fast enough.

  * * * *

  Ashton rode his horse in the direction Nicole had indicated the other morning. His heartbeat hammered quicker than the horse’s steps. But he couldn’t hurry. He wanted anyone who saw him to think he was out for a leisurely ride at night, and yet he caught himself urging the horse faster, which made him take a deep breath and slow the animal down.

  It’s not that he was anticipating holding and kissing Nicole… yet, there was no other explanation for his eagerness. Indeed, he couldn’t wait to see her again. The past day and a half seemed to drag by and he thought this moment would never get here.

  He reached the shack, but so far, there was no sign of her. He dismounted and tied his horse to the broken post. He sneaked around the shack, peeking in windows and listening for her. A few times he whispered her name, but she didn’t reply. Apparently, she wasn’t here yet.

  Waiting made him that much more nervous, and he prayed nothing had gotten in her way of their secret meeting tonight. He’d forgotten that his servants had most of the evening off due to their ball function happening tonight. Now he wanted nothing more than to convince Nicole to go with him to his house and they could be alone there instead of here, where they might get caught.

  On the other hand, taking her to his house might be too risky. Their relationship was getting more dangerous, and the feelings running rampant through his body were becoming unmanageable.

  The sound of a horse’s fast hooves beating on the ground brought him around the house and toward the front, watching the rider approach. Clouds hid the moon, which made it hard to see who was coming.

  “Ashton, is that you?”

  Confused, Ashton frowned. The sharp voice wasn’t from the woman he couldn’t wait to hold, but from Glynn, instead. “Nickerson? What are you doing here?”

  Glynn stopped his horse. “As soon as I heard the news, I had to come find you. I saw you leaving your house a while ago, and it took me this long to follow your trail.”

  “What news?”

  “The police think they have a suspect, but you’re not going to like it.”

  Ashton held his breath, hoping…praying he wouldn’t hear the name that had just popped into his head. “Who is it?” he asked warily.

  “It’s your very own Nicole Bastian.”

  Pain shot through Ashton’s chest, reminding him that this was a feeling he never wanted to experience again.

  “Not only that,” Glynn continued, “but her brother and Mrs. Phelps are involved as well.”

  “Have they…been arrested?” he asked in a choked voice.

  “Not yet. They are just suspects. The police are looking for hard evidence to convict them all.”

  Taking a deep breath, Ashton tried to control the anger and betrayal shooting through him. “So why did you feel the need to follow me all the way out here to tell me?”

  “Because, my friend,” Glynn leaned forward in the saddle, “when I saw you riding this way so late in the evening, I worried you were secretly meeting with Miss Bastian. I wanted to stop you before you could do anything you’d regret later.”

  “Then I should thank you for catching me just in time,” Ashton snapped. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to return home and think over this matter more thoroughly.”

  “Yes, I understand.” Glynn guided his horse around and took off riding.

  Ashton bolted toward his horse and mounted. He kicked his steed into action, and raced toward home. How could he have been so blind? Twice now? Had Nicole’s beauty and charm really turned him into a blubbering fool? Obviously, it had. What other explanation could there be for him not using his brain the way the Lord had intended? Ashton had always been a smart man—a logical man, but ever since he’d met Nicole Bastian, he’d been downright ignorant and extremely foolish.

  Never again. His heart couldn’t take it.

  Gripping the reins tighter, he pushed the animal faster. His mind rehashed when this had happened to him before. Many years ago, he’d allowed a woman into his life and heart, and like most women, Ashton soon discovered he couldn’t trust her. Did women not know how to be truthful? Was there a woman out there who could love him for himself and not the money his family had?

  He rode up to his house. A movement from the window of his study caught his attention. Slowing his horse to a stop, he waited in the shadows and watched at a distance. He’d left a few lamps lit inside his house, but not in his study. So then why was a lamp dimly lit now?

  The shadow moved again. Someone was in there. Quickly, he jumped off his horse and crept to the back door. He entered and went to his gun cabinet located in one of the side rooms. Remaining as quiet as possible, he loaded the pistol before sneaking toward his study.

  He stopped near the doorframe and flattened himself against the wall. Holding his breath, he listened closely.

  “Oh, for goodness sake! Why can’t I find anything?”

  He hitched a breath then quickly snapped his mouth closed. What was Nicole doing in his house?

  Trying to calm himself, he slowly stepped into the room. She stood by his desk. Her arms folded as one finger tapped at the end of her chin.

  “Excuse me, Miss Bastian. Are you lost?” he said loudly, making her jump toward him.

  ELEVEN

  Terror seized Nicole Bastian’s whole body as she stared at the pistol pointing straight at her. Standing still, she dared not even breathe. Although the room was slightly darkened, the moon’s light coming through the window allowed her to see the pistol, and the person holding it. Her heartbeat knocked crazily against her ribs. She had to do something to calm herself. Slowly, she released a small bit of air between her lips and forced her frightened brain to start functioning.

  Nicole moved her focus from the black, shiny weapon in Ashton Lee’s hand, up to his distrustful eyes. He was one of the wealthiest around these parts, but more importantly, he was the top of her suspects list for the recent train robberies.

  She tried to gulp down the fright lodged in her throat, but it wouldn’t budge. Slowly, she shifted her arms in front of her and clasped her cold fingers.

  Ashton stepped farther into the room until reaching the low-burning lamp on the side table. He turned up the wick and the light brightened the room. She squinted, peering through cracked lids as she tested her vision. In place of his generally handsome face, a frown marred his rugged features. Her heart twisted. She’d been caught and she needed to find a way out of the quicksand slowly swallowing her. If the bullet from his gun didn’t injure her, Pa’s heavy hand of discipline would.

  Nicole licked her suddenly dried lips, and cleared her throat. “Ashton, wh-what are you doing here?”

  “I live here.” He arched a critical eyebrow. “Or had that somehow slipped your mind as you wandered through my house uninvited?”

  Her heart clenched. He knew very well it hadn’t slipped her mind. No matter what, she couldn’t tell him what she suspected him of doing. “Forgive me, but I entered your house uninvited, assuming you wouldn’t mind. I…um, I seem to ha
ve left my wrist purse somewhere, and I thought perhaps I had left it here when I came to your dinner party the other evening.”

  Gradually, his hand holding the pistol lowered, but suspicion still sparked in his eyes. “Then you should have sent me a note and I would have searched for it. But instead, you waited until you thought I had left before sneaking in. However, what baffles me is that when you came to the dinner party, we all congregated in the sitting room, not here in the study.”

  Inwardly, she grumbled. Distrust radiated from his gaze and nearly shattered her defenses. How could she have been so careless? As her heartbeat throbbed in her throat, her mind whirled with confusion. What could she have done differently? Then again, it didn’t matter. She had to deal with what was going on now, and try to get out of this sticky situation. Unfortunately, she couldn’t think straight to save her life.

  She shrugged, wishing her body wasn’t so stiff. She mustn’t allow him to see how frightened he made her. “Pardon me,” she tried to remove the shakiness from her voice, “for assuming, because I had just supposed you would bring my purse in here to keep it safe until I came for it.” Hopefully, he’d believe that statement. For a moment, she thought it had worked, because his arm lowered another inch.

  He studied her through a hooded gaze. Still his mouth hadn’t moved from the distrustful scowl fixed upon his expression when he first entered the room. She didn’t dare say anything more, but she felt the need to convince him that she wasn’t trying to steal from him.

  Steal? She could have laughed. She wouldn’t be the one stealing…he would.

  Doubtful, he’d suspect her of anything, especially since he had no clue to her father and brother’s careers as secret agents for the government. And of course, she tried to act innocent, so why would he think she was doing something wrong?

  However, she had done one thing wrong. Sneaking around helping her brother with this case was bad enough, but she had allowed him to capture her heart. Falling in love with a suspect was the worst thing an agent – even a pretend agent like her – could do.