Colette returned the embrace. A friend. It had been a long time since she could count anyone as her friend, not since Elle. Maybe this was the start of a new beginning. Charlotte left, and Colette settled in for the night. She lay awake for some time, waiting to see if Louis would come, but he did not. Maybe it was for the best. They needed a night apart. Tensions were high, and some time alone might be best. At last, sleep crept into Colette’s mind and gradually dragged her into peaceful oblivion.
During the next few days, the house was aflutter with activity as the four friends and their associates came and went at all hours of the day. Louis and Colette did as requested and stayed safely ensconced at Phillip’s house. Charlotte did her best to make them comfortable. At least they could stroll in the gardens for fresh air. Each night over dinner, everyone compared notes and correlated new information. Time felt like it was getting away from them. Colette worried that they had made the wrong decision in coming to London and should have gone to Lyon instead.
Colette was on speaking terms with Louis, but since their argument, they had not shared a bed. There was a change in their relationship. A chasm had opened between them, and Colette feared it would be too wide to mend.
Louis had apologized for his remarks, but she knew he would stick with his original plan. He would see to it that she was not put into any dangerous situations. Colette hated to be compliant but thought in this instance it might be wise to do as Louis asked. It might be the only way to try and repair their relationship.
One evening, Andrew came in as the group was finishing dinner. “Sorry for the late visit, but I received a tip that I think might be helpful.”
Everyone hurried to the study.
“My patience at the shipyards as paid off. One of my men overheard some fellows talking about doing some extra work for a pretty penny. Tomorrow night, there will be a ship coming to port, and they are being paid to unload the goods, no questions asked.”
“Did they mention where the ship was coming from?” Louis asked.
“No, but it’s the best lead so far, and it is at one of the locations on the map.” He pointed to the area. “I think it might be them. I can have people ready to go. You just give the word.”
“Interesting you should find this out today, Andrew, since I, too, discovered a fascinating tidbit of news.” Ethan swirled the amber liquid in his glass. “I was at one of my clubs this afternoon when a pompous viscount asked me if I was interested in making some profit from the war.”
“What did he mean?” asked Phillip.
“All he said was that he had business partners who were aiding in the purchase of supplies. If I invested a certain percentage, I would be able to recoup my money four-fold with their resale. I can only guess that the purchases are not for our troops.”
“Good heavens,” Charlotte said from the couch.
Phillip sat next to her. “We know all too well that there will always be people who try to capitalize off the war.” He looked at Ethan. “Did you get anything else out of him?”
A smirk popped up on his face. “Well, he was not too forthcoming at that moment, so, I waited. We had a private chat in the alleyway a short time later.”
The men rolled their eyes, knowing full well how the conversation would have gone.
“I hope you did not rough him too much,” Hugh said.
“After the first punch to the stomach, he was more than happy to answer my questions. Apparently, the blackguard is helping to fund the purchase of guns and cannons for the Russians. The supplies are coming from America. He also said three ships carrying British troops headed to the front, all scheduled to sail tomorrow night, will be sunk. He did not know anything else. The coward fainted at the sight of his own blood.”
The room exploded in excitement. Everyone spoke at once. Hugh stood up, talking over the rest. “I will go to the Defense Secretary first thing in the morning and make him aware. We need a plan to catch the traitors in the act. I will bring Sir Darnley with me tomorrow so we can coordinate.”
They all agreed.
“Ethan, did he state at which port the ships carrying soldiers will be docked?” Louis asked.
“Yes,” he said as he pointed to one of the locations Colette had previously marked.
“It’s all coming together,” Louis said. “Hugh, what about those Americans who your men have been following.”
Colette had almost forgotten. Yesterday morning, Hugh had reported that one of his agents had spotted a group of American businessmen at the War Department. Hugh discovered there had been talks of possible contracts with the Americans to provide war supplies. Following a hunch, Hugh had had them followed. Louis’s friends had just as an extensive network of people as the Fox. It was most impressive and reassuring.
“This afternoon, I was notified that three of the Americans entered an inn near Church Street. They were seen conversing with another gentleman before leaving. One of my men followed the single fellow, and we took him in for questioning,” Hugh stated.
“Did you get anything useful out of him?” asked Phillip.
Hugh grinned. “Tomorrow night around midnight, the three Americans will be meeting with another party on the wharf at Kingsland Basin near the iron foundry.”
Ethan glanced at the map. “That is not one of the marked locations.”
“Did the detainee say who the Americans would be meeting? If they were French or English?” Phillip questioned further.
“No, he did not know any details. The man we caught was only the messenger.”
“It has to be him,” Louis said. His gaze went to Colette.
Her stomach rolled as she tore her eyes away from Louis. There was no question in her mind that the Americans were meeting the Fox. She should be glad they were so close, but all she felt was dread.
Louis stood up and walked over to the fireplace. By the look on his face, his mind was racing, working out a plan since it seemed tomorrow would be the night to strike. “All right. Andrew and Ethan, take your men and go after the ship scheduled to be unloaded. Hugh, can you and Sir Darnley handle the port where the ships holding the soldiers are docked? We cannot allow those ships to sink.”
“Without a doubt,” Hugh answered.
“Good. Phillip and I will go to Kingsland Basin. Can you gather enough men?” Louis directed the question to Phillip.
“As many as you need,” Phillip answered. “I will have them rounded up by tomorrow.”
Louis nodded. “Let’s just pray this is the moment we have been waiting for.”
Colette’s heart raced. It was all coming together. She was scared and excited at the same time. As much as she wanted to ask Louis where she would be, she knew now was not the time to argue. She would go to him later and ask, even though she already knew the answer.
The gentlemen gathered around the desk, analyzing the map and making their plans. Colette glanced at Charlotte, who shook her head in resignation. “Come, Colette. Let us go into the other room.”
Colette followed and joined her friend for the next hour, talking idly of random things. She knew it was a ploy to occupy her, but she appreciated the gesture. Finally, she retired to bed and waited. Much later, she heard footsteps come down the hall to the room across from hers. She knew it was Louis. Now would most likely be the only time she could speak with him in private before he left tomorrow. Without a sound, she padded across the hall and knocked.
**********
Louis’s mind darted in a hundred directions. There was so much to consider. No matter what he was thinking he kept returning to one recurring concern —Colette. During the preparations tonight, she had been silent. She knew he and his friends were accustomed to these large-scale incursions, but there was something else to her uncharacteristic quiet. He remembered the other night when they had argued. Was she silent tonight because she was resigned to his protection of her, or was she just biding her time? Colette had been in dangerous situations in the past, but that was before they had met.<
br />
No matter how much she protested, he would not see her placed in harm's way. If he had to tie her to a chair to make sure, he would. There was no way he would lose someone else he loved to this maniac. His mind made up, he undressed and readied for bed. Just as he pulled the covers back there was a soft tap on the door.
His cock stirred, hoping it was Colette. Even though they had separate rooms, he had wanted to go to her but thought better of it. He opened the door to her angelic face. A slight smile crossed his face. Colette, on the other hand seemed troubled. He opened the door wider and bade her enter.
“Is something wrong?” Louis asked, sitting on the bed.
Colette wrung her hands. “I did not want to ask in front of the others, not after the scene we caused the other night.”
He guessed what she wanted to say. “I think I understand. You want to know what your part will be tomorrow?”
She nodded her head.
Louis rose and gathered her in his arms. “I think you know the answer.” He felt her tense in his embrace. “My love, I don’t want you in any danger. I could not live with myself if something happened to you. All I would do is worry about you. I need to be focused.”
“Are you calling me a distraction?” Colette jerked her head up, and pursed her lips. “You think me some dim-witted woman who will disrupt your plans? After all we have been through, I thought you knew me better.”
The hurt in her voice was not lost on him. God, if he could tell her how he felt, it might make it easier. Knowing Colette, she would think it a ploy to get her to comply to his request. “You are a distraction to me. The most beautiful, amazing distraction I could ever hope for. Colette, I know none of this would have been possible without you. But now the threat is close at hand. I know you can take care of yourself, but the idea of you caught in a gunfight, hurt—it would kill me.”
She stroked his cheek. Without thought, he leaned into her touch. It felt like an eternity since he had been close to her. He hungered to kiss her, stroke her delicate skin, and lose himself inside her.
“Don’t you think I feel the same way? All I have done these last few days is imagine you hurt, or worse, and I cannot stand to think of it.” Her voice broke.
“It’s my job, darling.”
“It’s not your job! You are doing this out of a sense of honor and revenge. I understand and respect that, but it does not mean I have to like it.”
“But you agree to stay here with Charlotte?” He needed to hear the words.
With a sigh of resignation, she answered, “Yes, I agree.”
He let out a breath. “Thank you. I know it’s hard, but I promise I will do everything to make sure that if we are successful, you will get to face the bastard.”
“I cannot take a few swings at him?” She laughed, and her posture relaxed.
“Well, if I should turn my back momentarily, who knows what might happen.” At least he had her compliance. It would be one less thing for him to worry about tomorrow.
Now that the conversation had ended, Louis noticed that Colette wore nothing more than her nightdress. She had even forgotten her robe. He glanced down and saw the outlines of her nipples pressing against the fabric. He could not stop the rising wave of lust bubbling inside him.
Colette seemed aware of him as well. She lowered her eyes coyly, and the rise of her chest increased. Putting a finger under her chin, he raised her head. The deep green of her eyes mesmerized him. He wanted her to stay, if she chose.
“Be with me tonight.” The statement held longing and the promise of passion.
“Yes.”
It was the permission Louis needed to come crashing down on her mouth. He savored her lips, like a fine vintage, and he planned on drinking his fill. He took her mouth possessively, showing that she was his. Their tongues met, and a low growl rumbled in his throat. Tonight would not be sweet and tender. No, tonight he would show Colette she was his everything.
CHAPTER 25
Within a minute, Colette’s nightgown was on the floor along with Louis’s breeches. He swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed. His body covered hers as his hands explored everywhere, heating her body as he blazed a path of carnal obsession.
At last, his hand found her throbbing bud. Louis wasted no time, his fingers teasing until Colette rode his digits to orgasm. Her cries of delight were music to his ears. He let her rest for a moment while his mouth paid attention to her breasts.
He took a nipple between his lips, playing it into an aroused peak of pink perfection. Louis bit gently on the tip then soothed the hurt with his tongue. With his free hand, he kneaded the other soft orb, feeling the contrast between her smooth skin and her areola. He could feast on her all night. As he caressed her breasts, Colette combed her fingers through his hair, pulling him closer. Her small mewing sounds encouraged his ministrations.
Louis took her mouth, consumed with a thirst for her. Moans of excitement mingled as their embraces became more desperate. Tonight could be their last night together. By God, Louis would make sure it was a night she would never forget. He did not give a damn if the entire house heard them; he wanted to hear his name fall from her lips.
After a few more sweeps of his tongue inside her mouth, he trailed kisses down her abdomen to the center of her desire. Colette spread her thighs in invitation. Already Louis saw the beads of dampness on her curls. He took his hands and spread her folds to find the prize that awaited him. Her entrance was soaked. This was all his doing. No one else would ever get her wet or aroused, ever. He swore to it in that moment.
“God, woman, do you know how magnificent you look?” He wet his lips with his tongue, already hungry for her.
“Am I?” Colette’s skin was flushed with desire. Her tresses spread across the pillow in wild curls, a testament to her wantonness.
"Every time I’m with you, I am in awe. Tonight, I will show you how much you mean to me. Now, hold yourself open for me so I can feast on your sweet nectar.”
Without hesitation, her hands took the place of his, keeping her folds open. He lowered his head and sampled her rich honey. It was the sweetest spirit he had ever sampled. His tongue played around her entrance. Lust burned in his brain, making him think of nothing else but pleasing this woman—his woman. Colette writhed as his tongue swirled around her clitoris, keeping her just from reaching the pinnacle. He would make it worth the wait. Louis wanted to build the anticipation until Colette begged. It was an aphrodisiac, seeing her undulating on the bed for him and him alone.
Finally, he slipped his tongue into her channel, licking at her cream. His erection throbbed in envious yearning. A drop of cum dripped from his tip. No, he thought, it was too soon. He wanted to indulge in her forbidden fruit, make her so slick that his dick would slide in with one thrust.
Louis buried his head between her legs and drank the intoxicating elixir. At the same time, his fingers crept inside her and started a sensual rhythm. Colette’s hips ground down on his fingers, trying to find the completion he intentionally kept just out of reach.
“Please, Louis.” The words came out breathlessly.
He chuckled against her drenched curls. “Tell me, my love. Tell me what you want.”
“I want everything. I want you to make me explode and shatter until I see stars.”
He increased the pressure and depth with his fingers while his mouth sucked on her swollen pearl. Colette was close. Her breaths became ragged, her skin slick with sweat, while her legs opened further in wild abandon. His name crossed her lips like a plea.
Desire raged through him at the sight of her, so willing and open to him. This was the woman he wanted with him forever. His equal, both in and out of the bedroom. No other woman could complete him the way Colette did. For a moment, he felt a jolt of guilt at the memory of Michelle, but he knew the two women were different. He loved them both, in their own unique ways. Louis knew his love for Colette could not compare with the love he had for Michelle. They each held a speci
al place in his heart.
*********
The way Louis’s tongue sucked and played with her made Colette lose her mind. Each time they were together, he found a new way to make her shudder in ecstasy. Her body and heart had surrendered to this man. For tonight, the world was only as big as the two of them. She would not think about tomorrow and the possibility of losing him. No, tonight was for taking and giving pleasure.
Louis’s sensual fingers curled inside her canal and found the spot buried inside. Her toes curled and her hands tangled in the sheets, both helping to anchor her for the climax that was imminent. Tension increased between her legs, and then, like a spark, it ignited every fiber in her body. She tightened around his fingers, like they were his shaft, and rode him as she came with soul-wrenching satisfaction.
Colette could barely catch her breath. Louis kept his relentless pace, sending her rocketing to the sky with the power of her orgasm. Then he was on his feet. He grabbed her hips and pulled her to the edge of the bed. Already aware of what was to come, Colette wrapped her legs around Louis’s waist. His cock swept past her wet nest and buried himself inside her sheath. Without a moment's rest, Louis took up a sweet, torturous thundering with his hips. The slap of their bodies meeting echoed off the walls, mingling with their pants and gasps as they lost themselves in the sexual heat of their lovemaking.
Louis leaned over and entwined his fingers with hers and brought her arms over her head. He leaned over her until all she saw was his gaze, intent only on her. A rising beast of desire shone in his eyes. No words were necessary to convey what passed between them. Colette was certain she saw the love she felt reflected in his eyes. She locked her legs around him, holding Louis captive to her body.
He leaned down to capture her lips. His tongue invaded her mouth as his rod rammed into her. After a few hungry kisses, he released her lips. His hard, muscular form loomed over Colette, ready to bring them to completion. The intensity rose. He drove into her with animal fierceness. Over and over he sank into her, relishing the friction of his ridged cock against her soft folds.
The Secret to a Spy’s Heart: A Steamy Victorian Historical Spy Series (Romancing Intrigue Book 4) Page 21