She winced. “Too long.”
“You never sought intimacy outside of your marriage?” Would she answer him? He half expected the question to send her into a rage.
“I did not.” She looked as though she might apologize. But then, “What of you? Have you had somebody special in your life? Someone to warm your bed at night?” She flushed pink at the second part of her question.
* * *
Eve traced her finger along Niles’ shoulder.
None of this made for appropriate conversation. They’d gone well beyond being appropriate with one another.
Niles had never married. A part of her hated imagining him alone, lonely, but another part of her hated even more, the idea that a woman awaited him somewhere.
“On and off,” he answered vaguely.
Niles touched her face and then lifted his chin to demand another kiss. Oh, how lovely to touch another human being like this again. To be kissed. To feel another person’s hands on her body.
During the early months of her marriage, Jean Luc had kissed her, but he’d not seemed overly comfortable doing so.
Those kisses had never made her feel like this — like she could melt into him. Not that she could remember.
It had been so very long.
“Did you never come close to marrying? Did you never fall in love?” She had no idea as to the etiquette required after such an intimate act. Could one ask a lover about previous… lovers?
He captured her lips a second time. More melting. Exploring.
“Are you avoiding the question, Mr. Waverly?” she half teased him when their lips parted on a sigh.
“No. Just couldn’t help myself, Mrs. Mossant.” And then he shifted himself so that she lay half on top of him. “I was in love once. Hard not to ever experience the ailment over the course of four decades.”
“What happened?”
“She didn’t feel the same.”
“And you haven’t been in love since? Was she the love of your life, then?”
“I don’t have to tell you how painful it is to be disappointed after you’ve handed over your heart. After you’ve trusted somebody.” He sounded so serious. And yes, he was correct.
“I’m sorry she hurt you.”
“It was a long time ago.”
She would not press him. Love had the power to imprint wounds one would rather forget.
She knew that this — whatever it was between the two of them — was not love. It could not be. She pushed herself to a sitting position and shivered as cool air met her upper half. “I’m not sure what to do now. I’m quite naïve about matters such as these, Niles.” She avoided meeting his gaze, instead focusing on the privacy screen. She’d done her best to clean the gown she’d been wearing yesterday. It would be presentable, she supposed, glancing wryly at her boots.
“Matters such as what, Eve?” She felt his gaze uncomfortably.
Rising and then moving across the room, she shrugged. “Moments of pleasure?” What did one call this sort of thing?
“What would you wish?” By now, he was sitting up, looking perfectly at ease with the conversation.
“I… I don’t know,” she mumbled, stepping behind the screen and out of his sight.
“How about we start with breakfast?” Laughter rumbled in his voice. Part of her wanted to admonish him for joking about her uncertainty, but the relief washing over her drowned that part out.
“And tea,” she added, pouring water into the basin. This was normal. She knew how to conduct herself well enough, performing normal tasks. “Are you able to come downstairs?” His color seemed better today. “I can have something sent up if you’d prefer to lie abed.”
He didn’t answer so she peeked around the screen, catching a glimpse of him fastening his breeches. Standing, fully clothed, he appeared once again to be the business man she’d come to rely upon.
Only now she knew the texture of his skin. And she remembered how hard his body had felt pressed up against hers.
When he glanced up, he seemed to be suppressing a grin. As though he could read her mind. She lifted her hand to tuck some stray hairs behind her ear. He didn’t force the issue, however. “I’ll meet you downstairs in half an hour. I’m going to see what I can do to acquire some sort of conveyance for us to travel in tomorrow.”
Tomorrow.
Pebble’s Gate.
For some reason her heart dropped at his words. He sounded anxious that they be on their way. She ought to feel the same. Hadn’t it been she who had insisted upon traveling without delay?
“Yes. But of course.”
“Eve.” He turned back and captured her gaze. Something in his eyes flared, sending an unexpected warmth swimming through her. “Moment by moment.”
He’d apparently realized her uncertainty. She nodded, feeling foolish but also comforted.
“I’ll meet you downstairs then.” What would they do for all of a day in one another’s company? They certainly could not remain in the chamber!
Chapter 9
Interlude
* * *
The list of details he’d subconsciously catalogued regarding Eve Mossant was becoming amazingly long.
She drank tea with one spoonful of sugar but no milk. She brushed her hair behind her ear whenever she was nervous. She mumbled in her sleep.
And after being intimate with a man, with him, she turned up shy.
Niles had especially enjoyed the blush that crept up her neck when he stared at her with a certain knowing. As though she too, was reliving the intimacy from earlier that morning.
He’d reserved a gig for the two of them to rent the next morning. It wouldn’t be as luxurious as the coach they’d lost, but he deemed travel would be safe.
Leaving the two of them with today…
He’d told her it was important to seize the moments of pleasure life offered and then decided to take his own advice. Leaning back in his chair, he studied her.
She all but glowed.
Ah, yes, he’d embrace whatever pleasure life presented in the now.
They had shared a comfortable late morning meal. She’d initially picked at her food, quietly, until he’d asked after her daughters’ schooling. Afterwards, they ventured outside for a short walk, but returned quickly, unwilling to wade through the mud again.
Eve was polite to everyone they met, and during a short conversation with the innkeeper’s wife, discovered the existence of a very small library set off from the tap room. This provided a few hours of amusement for them. Both favored several authors in common and despite the pain Niles experienced with each breath, what ought to have been a banal afternoon, proved to be rather enjoyable.
This woman.
Her company had made yesterday quite tolerable as well.
“Can the bishop jump other pieces?” Eve’s question drew his attention back to the board they’d discovered set up near the window. She’d confessed to not having played in years. She could not remember all the rules, she’d admitted. A game was exactly what they needed. He wasn’t certain either of them was ready to return to the chamber he’d rented.
“Only the knight can jump.” He patiently explained, watching her fingers turn the piece so she could study it. Although it was not an expensive looking set, someone had put a great deal of care into carving the wooden pieces.
Once play began, she caught on rather quickly. Already, she was establishing her pawns in the center of the board.
“It’s difficult to plan one’s moves far in advance.” She scrunched her nose up, deep in concentration. “And contemplate every possible scenario.” She frowned and then slowly slid her bishop across the board making it so that she could utilize her queen.
Which was exactly what he’d failed to do the entire course of this journey. Examine every possible scenario. Plan his moves in the unlikely event that he might find himself sharing a bed with her.
“Emotions cloud your strategy,” she added.
Indeed, they did
. He could escort her back to their chamber. And then what? Turn his back while she donned that ridiculously large night dress? Feign sleep when she climbed into the bed with him?
Or would he make love to her, in truth, tonight?
Could his ribs survive it?
And what if she took offense at his advances? He’d lose this tenuous but pleasing connection they’d established with one another. And yes, he could lose a valuable client, but even worse, she’d be without protection.
She slid a pawn sideways and took his rook.
Damn, but he’d lost his concentration.
Four moves later, he’d placed her in checkmate. He’d not insult her by allowing her to win.
She was disappointed but immediately went to lining the pieces up for another game. “You’re a devious man, Niles Waverly.” She laughed and moved one of her pawns forward two spaces. “I’d always thought the game represented war, but it’s more than that, I think.”
“It’s often used to practice military strategies.” But it was so much more, he agreed to himself. Niles matched her next move. “Anything that involves strategy,” he added.
“For example?”
“Business dealings.” He briefly explained one scenario he’d orchestrated for Mr. Findlay. An opening bid. A counter. Negotiations and eventually capitulation.
She listened carefully as they took turns opening up the board.
She frowned and nodded. “I recognize similarities in how I evaded my husband throughout the years. He’d make a move and I would counter. In the beginning, I acted defensively. Toward the end, I made my own moves. I set up my own strategy to protect the girls from his influence, from him.” She bit her lip. Almost as though she’d revealed more than she’d intended.
He’d change the subject for her. He knew well enough of Jean Luc Mossant’s treachery. “Miranda plays chess with Ferdinand, in the Tempest. It’s the only time the Bard ever referred to the actual game of chess, as far as I know. Although he used the terms of chess numerous times.” Niles eyed the board thoughtfully. “Checkmate. Stalemate. All the strategies of chess could be found in his work.”
He grinned as she took one of his pawns and then fluttered her eyelashes at him. “Sweet lord, you play me false.” Eve, of course, knew the scene he referred to.
Niles searched his memory for Ferdinand’s response… “Not for all the world.” He could not recite the line word for word. Miranda had accused Ferdinand of cheating so that she could win. The entire plot had been something of a chess match.
“In the middle ages, it was one of the only activities where a couple could spend time together, alone. Even now…” Eve frowned at the pieces before her.
Niles moved his piece into position.
He’d been allowed to play chess with Lady Katherine. What harm was there? He had been the gardener’s son. She’d gotten angry with him when he’d put her in check mate. She’d told him it wasn’t gentlemanly to play to win.
Niles had countered by reminding her that he was not, and never would be, a gentleman. Lord, but that fact had come back to haunt him.
He’d never played the game with any other woman. The subsequent women he’d spent leisure time with would not have been interested in such entertainment.
Until today.
“Chess can also resemble a courtship.” A mysterious smile played on Eve’s lips. Her flirtation was having a dangerous effect on his libido. And his heart. Because he knew their dalliance was not a true courtship. He’d do well by himself to call it a fling. An affair. A temporary liaison.
“An opening bid.” He moved a pawn. What had his bid been with her? Holding her in the carriage? Kissing her beneath the trees? Or bringing her to satisfaction in bed this morning?
Her gaze teased him as she moved her queen across the board. “A counter.” She’d kissed him back, eagerly. And she’d admitted to not knowing how to conduct herself following such intimacy.
Did she want something more?
He moved his knight in position to take the lady. “Negotiation.” Was their time today a negotiation of sorts?
Could they have anything other than a brief affair?
She stole the knight with her bishop. Best not to want more from her. Had he learned nothing from Lady Katherine’s betrayal?
Niles then moved his other knight. “Checkmate.”
* * *
Eve had not seen his attack coming. She’d thought she’d examined the board from all angles.
Niles cocked one eyebrow, appearing quite roguish. This day, rather than bringing any clarity to their situation, scrambled them all the more.
She liked him.
The attraction she felt had only managed to increase as the day slipped away. His eyes shone brighter, his smile held more charm… Each time they drew near to one another, the urge to lean into him, to feel his strength along the length of her body, was quite compelling.
Would she resist him for long?
“I remember why I gave the game up now,” she said, laughing.
“You played quite well.”
“A rematch in the future, then.” She didn’t catch herself before allowing the words to escape.
“I’d like that very much,” Niles responded noncommittally. Would he really, or was he simply being kind? She was his employer, after all, she reminded herself for the hundredth time that day.
“You don’t have to.”
But he’d reached across the board to take her hand in his. “Eve. This.” He waved his other hand between the two of them. “Is not business.”
No. It was not.
The day had passed almost without her notice. She’d been so intent upon this man. On the sensations he evoked each time he touched her, whether he’d taken her arm, or placed his hand upon the small of her back.
“I’ll leave you to celebrate your win while I dress for dinner.” The innkeeper’s wife had managed to locate something clean for Eve to change into. The dress, of course, wasn’t nearly as fine as any of Eve’s other gowns, but it was freshly washed and the right size.
She’d like to appear her best for him.
Niles squeezed her hand. The look on his face held promises for the evening, perhaps for the night, ahead.
“I’ll be counting the minutes.”
Chapter 10
Romance
* * *
After watching her disappear up the stairway, Niles lowered himself onto a bench in the taproom and ordered a strong drink. Whiskey. A newspaper’s headlines caught his attention as it lay on the table before him.
A ship had sunk off the southern coast last month. The Estonia. He’d have read more but could barely see straight for the discomfort each breath caused him. Niles had not invested in its cargo. The temptation had been strong, but he’d had a feeling… A few of his associates had thrown their money down. Poor fellows.
He ordered a second shot. A double this time.
Right now, she was dressing for him. Just a few short days ago, the thought would have been unimaginable.
She’d not contradicted his statement that what was happening between the two of them had nothing to do with business.
She’s been flirting with me.
The evening ahead stretched into what ought to promise an abundance of pleasure.
He’d spent the entire afternoon in her presence, and already anticipated her return. He suspected she felt the same. Surely, he was not mistaken.
The tension had been building between them all day. They would draw it out even further, over their meal.
And after.
He would take his time with her. Undressing her slowly, revealing her skin inch by inch. And then he would taste all of her before settling himself between her legs.
Damn. This could only lead to trouble.
He groaned, turned sideways, stretched out along the bench, and closed his eyes.
Breathing proved less painful in this position.
* * *
“Niles.” He
opened his eyes to a concerned looking Eve staring down at him. “Why didn’t you say something? You’re in pain, aren’t you? I feel horrible, keeping you out and about all day.”
Had he really fallen asleep?
He refused to endure any more pity from her. Not with this one night left alone for the two of them. “I’m fine. Just resting my eyes.” Ignoring the stabbing sensations, he rose and bowed over her hand. “For which you’re a vision this evening.”
She eyed him suspiciously, but also blushed at his compliment. “You are certain?”
He laughed. Niles had endured far greater pain in his life. He’d been much younger, of course, and he couldn’t quite remember when exactly, but he must have experienced worse at some point.
He winged an elbow and led her to the most private table in the room, set near the fireplace, too small for more than two people.
She’d pinned her hair up, but not too severe. A few curling tendrils fell softly around her face.
And her gown, although simply made, enhanced her subtle beauty. She’d always looked beautiful to him. In the past, her gaze had been friendly enough, but she’d kept herself reserved.
Tonight, her eyes glowed with a sensual light. As though she too savored the promise of what lay ahead.
“I’m famished,” she announced as he held her chair.
“Getting thrashed at the game of chess tends to do that to a person.” He enjoyed teasing her. She hadn’t been teased nearly enough.
“Oh you!” She waved a napkin at him. “Distracting me at every turn.”
“Wasn’t I,” he contradicted, “who provided the greatest distraction.”
The meal passed in a blur of flirtation and seductive glances. When he would think back on it later, he would have no memory as to what had been served.
He’d remember the lady and the wine. The latter of which he’d managed to slip a few swigs of whiskey in between.
He’d remember the anticipation building.
To Hell and Back: A Devilish Debutantes Novella Page 6