Mina flushed. “Oh,” she said lamely, remembering how Teddy had claimed his mother had spent the previous evening. “Surely if that was true, Lord Faris would have discharged him long ago.” Nye looked as if he would say more, but then seemed to change his mind. “Teddy told me Colfax and his father are hand in glove,” she prodded and to her surprise, saw Nye’s look of discomfort grow. His eyes shifted away from hers and he cleared his throat.
“None of my business what they get up to at Vance Park,” he said dismissively. “If you’ve any sense, you won’t pry.”
Mina considered this. “Well,” she conceded. “I don’t know that I shall ever visit again.” Nye fell in step beside her as she crossed the courtyard to the inn.
Reaching a hand passed her head, he pushed the door open for her, he followed her inside. “Why do you say that?” he asked.
Mina removed her bonnet and cloak, hanging them on the peg. “Lady Faris made it quite clear she did not welcome my presence,” she explained and patted her hair to make sure it remained in the low chignon bun she had arranged that morning. “Although, I should like to see my nephew again.” She eyed Nye thoughtfully.
“What?” he asked, catching her expression.
“He is your nephew as much as mine,” she pointed out.
He snorted. “I doubt Faris thinks so.”
“Well, that’s where you’re wrong, for he told the boy quite plainly he had an Uncle Nye.” She could see he was taken aback at this, though he said nothing as he followed her along the corridor to the kitchen.
“Perhaps Lord Faris would let him visit us here?” she suggested, lifting the lid of the kettle to see if there was water in it. When Nye continued silent, she set it on the range and reached for the tea leaves in the cupboard. Glancing back, she sat he had propped his hip against the table and was regarding her broodingly.
“This is an inn, Mina,” he said heavily. “And that boy is heir to Vance Park.”
“Did not the old Earl visit your mother here?” she asked boldly, spooning the leaves into the pot.
“No, he did not,” he ground out. “This place was her pay-off after he was done with her.”
Mina flushed. “Oh.” She could not quite bring her gaze to meet with his. “I apologize if I was indelicate.” He gave a short laugh as if such considerations were not necessary. Perhaps they weren’t. “Jeremy visited us here yesterday,” she pointed out. “And Ivy told me he does so frequently.”
“Is it Jeremy or Lord Faris?” he asked tersely. “You need to make up your mind.”
She reached up to take two cups down from the cupboard. “I know,” she admitted. “But I do not yet feel quite comfortable addressing him as Jeremy, so I am trying it out with you.”
His eyes glinted. “Maybe there are other things I’d rather you tried out with me.”
“Such as what?” The words had left Mina’s mouth before she noticed his expression. Then he reached out and grip on her forearm and she was spun around, an arm clamped about her waist and Will Nye’s large hand resting against her jaw. Oh, he meant kissing, Mina realized mere moments before his lips descended to hers.
Oh dear, she thought distractedly, what was it he had told her to do last time? Breathe through her nose, she seemed to recall. Then she noticed his lips were much gentler this time, touching tentatively to hers, exerting much less pressure. Not wanting him to accuse her of not pulling her weight, she tilted her head up and leaned into the kiss.
Nye made a noise in his throat that was not a growl, but something very close. Mina’s head reeled. Reaching her arms up to wrap about him, she realized she held a cup in each hand, hampering her somewhat, but she flung them around his neck anyway.
Nye’s body went taut and he shifted, whirling her around so she was the one now leaning back against the kitchen table. Then his intimidating bunk stepped forward, making her breathless and a little alarmed. If not for the barrier of her skirts, he would be planted between her legs, she realized faintly.
“Nye—” Mina breathed, but his hands were on either side of her face, angling her head up for his kiss. This time when he sealed his lips to hers, she felt his tongue swipe slowly along her bottom lip and jolted with shock. That was it! Last time he had said he wanted a taste of her tongue. Her face flamed hot. No sooner had she let her lips part for him then her mouth was thoroughly taken.
Her eyes closed, Mina gave a muffled gasp, before remembering to breathe through her nose. One of the cups fell from her loosened grip and shattered on the kitchen floor. Nye didn’t even flinch. One of his hands lowered from her jaw to grip her waist and then skimmed as much of a hip as her stiffened petticoats allowed. He made a noise of frustration. Then his tongue was tangling against hers again and Mina’s mind went blank.
What was happening? Every fiber in her being was surging forward to press shamefully close to Will Nye’s big, hard, body. She could not get close enough to him. His large hand gripping her waist was strangely comforting as it squeezed and relaxed there. She moaned against his mouth, startling herself so badly that she tore her mouth from his and stared up at him in horror.
“Was that me?” she blurted, trying to retreat.
“Stay still,” he ground out. “There’s broken china at your feet.”
Mina blinked at him, then lowered her gaze to the jagged pieces lying on the floor. “Oh,” she said. It was only then she realized she had dropped both cups. And apparently Nye had been fully aware of the fact, unlike her. She bit her lip. “What will I tell Edna?”
He gave a short laugh, releasing her with a show of reluctance. “Tell her I took you by surprise.”
Well, that was true enough, she thought, watching him fetch a shovel and brush.
“The kettle’s likely boiled,” he said, and Mina started, dropping the fingers she had pressed to her lips.
“I’ll fetch more cups,” she said, hastily stepping around him as he swept up the last of the fragments. How embarrassing. She set the cups on the table and then poured the hot water into the teapot with hands that shook. He stepped outside to dump the remains, then came back inside, shutting the door behind him. Mina set the teapot onto the table to brew and hastily sank into a chair. Nye rounded the table and opposite her.
“Are you serving behind the bar tonight?” she forced herself to ask. It trembled on her tongue to ask was if he intended to sleep in her bed again. He shook his head, watching her intently. “I’m just letting the tea brew,” she said, feeling the silence lie heavy on her. Nye didn’t comment, just lolled back in his chair, never taking his eyes from her.
Mina doled out the milk and sugar and after checking the strength, poured the tea. Once she’d pushed a cup across to Nye, she took a deep breath. “So,” she said, taking the bit between her teeth. “Should we discuss these additional duties that I’ll be picking up now?”
His eyes flared, then he lowered his lids to hide it. “I’ll show you tonight,” he said, his words dark with promise.
Mina frowned. “Will I ever be expected to work behind the bar?” she asked before taking a sip of hot tea.
“What?” Nye looked thunderstruck at this. “I’m talking about in bed, not in the bar.”
Mina bridled. “I am aware of that,” she spluttered, setting down her cup on the saucer with a loud rattle. “But we can hardly discuss that now!” She flailed an arm. “I was trying to steer the conversation into safer channels!” A reluctant smile tugged at the corners of his lips, completely astonishing her. “I’m not that obtuse!” she muttered, her face turning red.
“I don’t think you’re obtuse, Mina,” he agreed. “But you have been sheltered all your life until now.”
She picked her teacup up again, wondering why she always grew so flustered when he spoke her name in that rich, deep voice of his. “That may be so,” she agreed. “But I’m a fast learner.”
“I certainly hope so.” She looked up in quick enquiry at his words and he grimaced. “I don’t know how patient I’ll be,�
�� he admitted. “It’s not one of my virtues.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Mina said lightly, remembering how he had carried her home from the cliffs.
Nye frowned and opened his mouth, but before he could form his words, they were interrupted by a hasty step in the doorway.
“Oh! Master Nye,” Edna blurted. “I didn’t realize as how you was in here.”
Mina turned around in her seat. “Is everything alright, Edna?”
Edna hesitated. “Oh yes, Mrs. Nye,” she answered evasively.
“Would you like a cup of tea?”
Edna’s gaze darted once more to Nye before returning to Mina. “I’m still laundering,” she said. “I just come down for more washing soda.” She darted through to the scullery to collect the soda crystals. “Got them,” she said needlessly to illustrate her point and then slipped away.
Seeing Mina’s surprised expression, Nye said dryly, “She likely wanted to hear how your morning went at Vance Park and doesn’t feel free to gossip in front of me.”
“She does seem a bit uncomfortable around you at times,” Mina acknowledged. Nye shrugged. “She’s very busy about the place,” Mina added.
“It’s hard to get domestic staff out here,” Nye admitted grudgingly. “We’re a good quarter of an hour walk uphill from the village.”
Mina took another sip of tea to fortify herself. “I daresay the reputation of the place does not help,” she braced herself to add. He cut her a look but said nothing. “It being reputed haunting, I mean,” she added meaningfully.
Nye looked discomforted for a minute. “I wouldn’t know,” he said brusquely. “I’ve never seen anything of that sort.”
“Gus told me about it, did he tell you?” she prodded, but he just shook his head and refused to be drawn. She sighed. “It’s a shame we can’t get someone to help Edna,” she commented. “As she really does seem to do the lion’s share of the work.”
“She gets paid more than Ivy, if that’s what you’re asking,” Nye said sharply. Mina set down her cup. It hadn’t been and she was surprised by his defensive tone. “Ivy only works the bar in the afternoon and evenings,” he pointed out. “And what she does on the side is none of my business. I’m not her pimp.”
Mina flushed. “Such a thought didn’t even occur to me!” she flung back hotly.
“Like I said. You’ve been sheltered,” Nye responded darkly.
Mina glared at him. “Why do you have to be so disagreeable?” she asked in a grieved tone. “I wasn’t trying to pick a fight, just—”
“Just what?”
“Take an interest in the place! A wifely interest,” she added painstakingly. “But it seems the only place you expect me to pick up any additional duties,” she added bitterly. “Is the bedroom!” She stood up abruptly. “Excuse me,” she said in a brittle voice and stalked into the scullery to don her apron and mob cap. She muttered angrily under her breath as she gathered the cleaning supplies she wanted together in a bucket.
Stalking back out of the scullery, she made to cross the kitchen, but Nye stood in her way, blocking her path.
“What are you doing, Mina?” he asked gruffly.
“I’m going upstairs to clean the bathroom. Those tiles—”
“No,” Nye said firmly.
“What do you mean, no?” Mina asked, drawing herself up to her tallest and squaring off with him. For a moment, his eyes gleamed again. Mina narrowed her eyes. If he laughed in her face, she would be furious.
“You’re not skivvying anymore,” he said loudly. “You’ve a parlor to sit in. Go sit in it.”
“I can’t sit in the parlor all day, Nye!” she snapped.
“Why not? You’re a lady, aren’t you?”
“No, I am not!” she answered shrilly. “I was a schoolteacher and now I am—”
“My wife!” Nye interrupted her; his voice raised to a shout. “And as my wife, I get to dictate what you get up to madam, and what you do not!”
Mina glared at him, her chest rising and falling. “I understand that you don’t want me staring out at the courtyard in the early hours of the morning and why!” she added in a low voice that shook with anger. “But if you imagine that you can dictate—”
Suddenly his hand shot out to capture her elbow and spin her about, so her back faced him. Her apron was jerkily untied and then stripped from her shoulders, even as she wriggled to prevent him. “Nye!” she gasped as he snatched the bucket from her grasp and set it on the table.
“Take that thing off your head!” he ordered. Reluctantly, Mina reached up but was apparently too slow as Nye whipped the cap off before her and slung it down on a chair.
“You’re abominably rude!” she raged at him as he dragged her out into the hallway. “Sometimes I feel as though I could hate you!”
“Yes, so you’ve said.”
That brought her up short. “When did I—?”
“On the beach,” he said tersely.
Mina’s face flamed red. “I was very distressed that day—” she began defensively, then noticed he was towing her toward the staircase instead of the parlor. “Wait! Where—?” He did not speak, just propelled her bodily up the first flight of stairs. “Nye!” she panted, trying to free her wrists, but it did no good. He barely even seemed to notice her struggles.
By the time they reached the second flight, he was behind her, his much bigger body shoving her forward. Whenever she tried to turn or even halt their progress, she slammed back against his muscular thighs and was compelled to move again. Her face was red with exertion and anger. “Do you mean to lock me in my bedroom, like a recalcitrant child?” she asked furiously. They had reached the attic rooms now and Nye flung the door open and jostled her bodily inside.
“No,” he said, with a short laugh. “That is not my intent.” He slammed the door shut behind them and Mina fell back a step. She had not expected him to accompany her inside and was aware her expression showed as much. “Well, what now?” she snapped, hiding her uncertainty behind a show of belligerence, and plunking her hands on her hips.
Nye leaned back against the door. “Now I show you just what your extra wifely duties involve,” he said mockingly. “Take your clothes off, Mina.”
She blinked at him a moment, speechlessly. “It’s the middle of the afternoon!” she pointed out, flinging an arm toward the window.
“And?”
“You can’t just march me upstairs—”
“I just did, Mina,” he pointed out. “And stop stalling. You’re no coward.” His voice was warm when he said this, bringing her up short. But if his voice was warm, then the gaze that flickered over her was absolutely scorching. It made her catch her breath. “Though,” he added, cocking his head to one side. “You may be the biggest prude in all Penarth.”
Her chin came up at this. “I am not a prude!”
“No?” He unbuttoned his waistcoat. “Then prove me wrong.” He shrugged it off. “Need some help?”
Mina huffed and reached back for the pearl buttons at the back of her neck. By the time she’d unbuttoned down to her waist, her ire was spent, and she was wishing she hadn’t let him call her bluff like this. She was a prude. What on earth had possessed her to claim she wasn’t?
Her insides turned to jelly and glancing fearfully at Nye, she found him clad only in a pair of clinging white flannel underpants that extended down to his knees. Her eyes bugged out. She had seen his bare chest before, she told herself sternly. There was simply no need for it to draw her eye like this. Had it really had that scattering of dark hair last time, though?
Nye tossed the last of his clothing onto a chair and then sauntered over to her. “How does this work?” he muttered.
“You had better leave it to me,” she said, batting away his hands.
“You’re too slow,” he scolded, spinning her around and making quick work of the remaining buttons.
“You’ll have to lift the dress over my head,” Mina said hurriedly, feeling him give her skirts a
tug. “It’ll never go over my stiffened petticoats.”
“How the hell do you get in and out of this get-up every day by yourself?” Nye muttered as he changed direction and dragged her black gown up instead.
“Needs must,” Mina answered, lifting her arms obligingly. “Wait,” she puffed. “There’s buttons at my wrists.” Nye’s hand shot out to capture her wrist. She saw him roll his eyes at the long row of buttons, however, due to much washing and re-wearing she knew they weren’t stiff. Sure enough, he made quick work of one arm, then the other. “I could do it,” she muttered and saw his eyebrows lift, though he made no reply.
“Arms up again,” he ordered. Mina complied and the black fabric was dragged over her head and discarded. Nye paused a moment, looking over her prim underwear. Suddenly, Mina felt a touch of uncertainty creep in. The dyed black gowns tended to cast an unfortunate shadow over her white undergarments. She hoped they didn’t look grey or badly washed. Before she could voice her concerns, he spun her around again and was unfastening the strings of her uppermost stiffened petticoat.
“It’ll be easier if you untie all the petticoats first and then I step out of them at the same time,” she advised.
“How many are you wearing?” he growled, tugging at a second lot of strings.
Mina thought a moment. “Four.”
He made an exasperated noise in his throat.
“Think yourself lucky,” she told him tartly, “that you are not similarly hampered on a daily basis.”
He yanked her petticoats down over her hips. “Step out,” he advised when he had the stiff fabric down so far as her knees. Mina was forced to set a hand on one burly shoulder before she could follow his advice. He was knelt at her feet with his hands at her waist now, as he frowned over her corset fastenings.
“Let me do it,” Mina cautioned, her fingers flying to the hook and eyes down the front. “If you mess with those laces, it’ll take me an age to get them right again.” Demonstrating her own familiarity with her underpinnings, she was soon out of her stays and hanging them on the back of the chair.
A Bride for the Prizefighter: A Victorian Romance Page 17