Angel in Black (16 page)

“I’m afraid I have no easy answer for you — I wish I did.” After several moments of silence, John stood up and lifted Rina with him. He sat her feet down on the floor. “Let’s go home, Kat.”

M
OANING,
R
INA PULLED THE
covers over her head. She sleepily tried to blot out the early-morning sun as it streamed through the paned window in a fan of dancing light, painting its pattern onto the floor. No, it couldn’t be morning already; she had gone to bed only minutes before. Rina drifted back to sleep. In her exhausted, slumber-ridden mind, she wondered why it was so noisy, and why did she have to hear Blake’s voice? He was angry. Yes, he was always angry — except at the inn.

Thoughts floated through her mind and she turned over, hoping the noise would go away, but instead it got louder.

“Go away, and let me sleep. I’m so tired.”

“It’s no wonder you’re exhausted, little one, riding around playing thief in the middle of the night.”

Rina’s eyes flew open to find Blake in her room. Sitting up, she pulled the covers up to her chin and hissed at him, “How dare you burst in here like this. Get out — get out this minute.” Unconcerned by her orders, he leaned against the wall, his manner casual but his eyes told her different.

Blake looked around the sparsely furnished room, and felt the drafts of cold air seeping around the window and through the cracks in the walls. “Exactly what do you intend to do if I choose not to leave?”

Uneasy, Rina changed the subject. “Where are Jake and Jenny?”

A smile of satisfaction played on Blake’s lips and he shrugged. “I asked them to leave.”

“How dare you. How dare you force your way into their home and demand they leave. Of all the nerve …” The burst of anger fled as quickly as it came when Rina realized they were all alone in the house.

“Please, Blake, go. We have nothing to say to each other.” Rina looked away, unable to bear his gaze any longer. Desperately, she fought to maintain control over her fleeting emotions. The mere sight of him caused her pulse to quicken. She closed her eyes and tried to clear her mind of his disturbing presence. She jumped nervously when Blake spoke directly in front of her.

“We have plenty to talk about. Why, Rina? Did you hope to make a fool of me?”

Rina looked up and noticed how his eyes spewed fire, copper flaring out like flames from the dark pupils. “I don’t know what you mean?”

Blake grabbed Rina and pulled her from the bed, forcing her to stand in front of him. His face was angry and formidable. “Don’t play games with me — I’m in no mood for them. I recognized you last night. You were convincing with the French accent, but you forgot one thing. You still have slight bruises on your neck. Now, who has nearly been strangled to death lately, with haunting, dark blue eyes? Did you think you could fool me?”

Rina’s own anger surfaced, exploding in her mind. “I don’t give a damn whether I fooled you or not. What I do is none of your business.”

“It is my business when you break the law. It is my business when you steal from me.”

“You can afford it — you all can. So do not cry to me about stealing from you. And if you are so concerned about the laws I am breaking, turn me in to the sheriff. I’m sure you would get tremendous pleasure in seeing me hang. Didn’t you say you wanted me out of your mind and out of your life? Well, here’s your chance, Blake Roberts, for I’ll not stop because of you.”

Blake let Rina go, unable to think clearly anymore. He saw the marks on her arms where he had grabbed her and shame scorched him. He always lost control of his temper around her.

“Oh, God, Rina. I don’t want you to hang, but that’s what all this foolishness will accomplish. If you were so desperate for money, I would have given it to you.”

“I don’t need your money.” Rina sounded tired, not from a sleepless night, but other matters weighing down her spirit.

“I beg to differ,” Blake drawled, his eyes again taking in the simple, shabby room. “I would suggest you use some of the cash you stole to hire a decorator.”

His sarcasm made her bite her lip and snap, “We can’t all have gilded beds and silk sheets.”

“Now,
that
is unfair. I don’t sleep on a gilded bed. But,” he paused, his look heated. “I would be more than willing to share my silk sheets with you.”

Despite his fury, Blake could feel the stirring of desire. How gold her hair looked as the morning sun glinted off of its tangled tresses. He saw the outlines of her breasts through the transparently thin gown she wore, her nipples hard from the chill in the room. His hands longed to slide down the curve of her hips and the slender length of her legs. Rina’s face was flushed and she absently licked her lips, drawing Blake’s attention to their rosy softness. He saw the confusion in her eyes as sleep still muddled her mind, and knew his bold stare unnerved her.

“You took a small fortune last night, what on earth will my golden girl do with it all?”

His question made Rina fidget and she deliberately avoided his gaze. “Perhaps I will move to France, after all, I speak French
very
well.”

Something in her voice made him delve further into her motivations. “You would look beautiful in a French gown, one of blue I think.”

Blake’s saw her color heighten further, but something told him it wasn’t his compliment causing her to squirm.

“Bloody hell,” he swore, “you don’t intend to keep any of it, do you?”

This made her look at him again, the truth stealing the breath from his lungs.

“Tell me, is it worth dying for?”

Blake ran his hand through his curly, tangled hair and for the first time, Rina noticed his appearance. He looked as if he had been up all night, his face unshaven and clothes rumpled; the same clothes he had been wearing at the dinner party. How could she make him understand?

“Yes, it is worth dying for. Blake, don’t you see? Dying is easy. For the poor … it’s the living that is difficult.”

Blake stared blankly at Rina — it all sounded so simple. But he couldn’t accept it, not when it meant possibly losing her. “You invite death, little one. You beckon it with open arms. How am I to live with your dark intent?”

“This is not about you.”

Her words hurt, more than she could ever know. “I don’t want to lose you, Rina.”

Unsure she heard him right, Rina whispered, “Why?”

He did not answer, but turned and walked away. He didn’t know the answer either and left.

Rina watched Blake disappear and went to her window, a sad, lonely feeling descending on her. He mounted his horse and glanced one last time at her, his face shadowed, unreadable. A strong urge to run after him filled Rina. She needed to feel his arms around her, loving and tender. She closed her eyes and leaned against the window frame, weary beyond description. Rina understood they would never be together. When she opened her eyes, Blake was gone.

Chapter Ten

T
HE SUN’S LIGHT STREAKED
weakly through the mist. Blake watched the dark gray clouds as they threatened to swallow it and rain on the small group out for a ride. In a way, Blake hoped it would, and force them to turn back bringing an end to this outing and social obligation. He glanced at Catherine Ramsey who remained deep in conversation with Rebecca in an attempt to ignore Blake’s foul mood.

Catherine bit her lip in aggravation and watched Blake surreptitiously from beneath lowered lashes. Why did he always have to be so moody? She fought to keep control of her irritation, trying to be patient and understanding, but she found it extremely vexing. She had taken extra time with her hair and knew the riding habit fit her to perfection. So why did he continue to avoid her? She squared her shoulders, determined in her goal and smiled becomingly at Blake, so handsome on his horse.

Well, if it took a little longer than expected, it would be worth it. Hadn’t she married a fat, old man, even put up with his withered lovemaking, to be a viscountess? As Lady Roberts, she would be a countess, and the thought of Blake’s lovemaking caused her pulse to quicken.

Blake watched Catherine and recognized the look in her eyes, causing him to wonder what conniving plans she plotted. He ached to let Hera go, to ride hard and hopefully ease the foul mood inside of him. But he knew the ladies could not mess up their hair. Suddenly, an image of Rina filled his mind, wild and unrestrained, her loose hair tangled as she raced Blackstar across the fields. She wore breeches and rode astride, her dark blue eyes flashing with excitement. As always, she dared fortune to take her, the pair racing like the wind, all precautions and danger ignored.

“A penny for your thoughts, Lord Roberts.”

Catherine leaned toward Blake, intent on getting his full attention, her sly green eyes batting shyly. Blake smothered a laugh, thinking how coy flirtation didn’t suit a viper. Smiling in spite of himself, Blake answered, “I don’t believe you would like to know my thoughts, Lady Ramsey.”

Her curiosity piqued, Catherine would not give up. “Surely, a gentleman would not be thinking something so indecent you cannot speak of it to a lady.”

“You would be amazed how ungentlemanly I am, but on this occasion my thoughts were not indecent.” He shrugged his shoulders with indifference and tried to be patient with her.

“You have only intrigued me more.” With an unbecoming whine, she pleaded, “Do tell me, Blake.”

Seeing her determination, he gave in. “Actually, I was thinking of an untamed, golden-haired beauty who can ride like the devil. She has eyes of sapphire and skin the color of honey, touched by the sun.”

His words were soft and sweet, a note of gentleness in them Catherine had never heard from Blake in the past or present. She seethed with anger. Never had she dreamed he would be thinking of another woman. Humiliated, she glanced around to see if anyone had overheard their conversation. Relief flooded through her when she confirmed none had. Kicking her mount she moved ahead of Blake, and made no other attempt to talk to him during the rest of the ride. By the time they reached Windsong, Catherine had worked herself into a tantrum.

Catherine took her anger out on the gentle mare she rode, using her whip frequently. Nervous and frenzied the horse clattered into the stable yard, her rider fighting for control. Suddenly, Catherine found her way blocked, by a beautiful, golden-haired girl with eyes of sapphire, as Blake so eloquently described. Green eyes clashed with blue ones as the rest of the riding party followed into the yard. She did not move, but watched Lady Ramsey as she beat her mount in an effort to keep her frantic movements still.

“Out of my way, girl, or I’ll run you down.” The last of Catherine’s control fled, knowing full well this was the woman Blake had been thinking of, a common little strumpet. Her words came out a hiss and she glared at the younger woman’s defiant stance. The mare reared, nearly unseating her passenger. “You old nag, I should have you shot!”

The whip came down hard on the poor horse’s already welted rump, and Rina grabbed at the reins. “Perhaps she does not care for the bitch who is riding her.” The words slipped out as Rina attempted to calm the frightened mare, her own anger surging forth.

Catherine gasped at her arrogance and she lashed out. Her attention on the horse, Rina was caught off guard, the riding crop slashing her across the face. Thrown off balance, the horse reared and knocked her to the ground. Unable to control the mount anymore, Catherine hung on, trying to keep her seat.

Blake reacted quickly and leaped from Hera. He dove for Rina and snatched her from under the horse’s hooves when they crashed down, scoring deep into the earth. They rolled away from the frantic mare while Ryon wrenched the reins from Catherine’s gloved hand.

Furious, Blake scrambled to his feet and grabbed the whip from Lady Ramsey. His voice was low and deadly. “I don’t ever want to see you mistreating a horse again, do you hear? And if you ever so much as touch Rina again, I will beat you within an inch of your life. Now leave, before I use this whip on you.” He snapped it in two; Catherine’s frightened expression told him she knew he meant every word. He turned and returned to Rina’s side. He knelt down and before she could say a word, Blake gathered her into his arms and started for the house. Had he looked back, he would have seen Catherine staring after them, jealousy lighting her green eyes.

Sweeping into the house, Blake gently sat Rina on a sofa in the sitting room. He hollered for some water and a cloth. Rina finally found her voice.

“I … I’m fine, Blake. There’s no need to fuss over me.” Rina tried to stand but Blake firmly pushed her back onto the couch. She saw in his eyes he would brook no argument, and Rina did not feel like giving any. Quietly, she sat while he ministered to the cut on her cheek, tenderly cleaning the blood from it.

“It’s swelling and bruised, but it’s not deep enough to scar. I hate seeing your beautiful face marked, little one.” His voice now soft, soothing, his words no longer angry but calm.

“She had no right to beat the mare so cruelly.” Rina’s own voice came out a hushed whisper. Then as an afterthought, she added, lingering anger underlying her question, “Why on earth were you riding with that witch?”