Betrayal (9 page)

Elizabeth had championed him. He’d not expected that. Not that he needed an advocate, but he liked the idea she’d sided with him. No one had ever had so much faith in him. His parents’ disappointment in his choice to forgo the life of a gentleman had driven the family further apart. Lillian believed in him, but he had been strong and healthy throughout their partnership. Would she have felt the same had she watched him throughout his pathetic recovery?

His Lizzy had been there from the beginning when he could not even rise from the bed. When had he come to think of her as his? Maybe during all those days she’d come to his sickroom with a tray of food, which he wouldn’t be able to stomach, and a kind word, which he would long for until the next meal.

Two footmen carried the tub to his rooms, and a pantheon of servants carried water until they’d filled it. He’d given up on his valet years before, so Garvey carried in towels and soap. “Do you requite assistance, sir?”

“No. Thank you. Has Miss Smyth’s bath been arranged?”

“Yes, sir. It was handled first.”

“Very good, Garvey. That will be all.”

The butler placed the towel on a chair near the tub and left the room.

Elizabeth was right about him needing to rest. He’d had a long few days and harder ones than his comfort level. Between the battle at the school, the travel, and the events of the morning, his legs were ready to collapse. The hot bath warmed and soothed as he sank down and let his muscles relax.

His mind wandered to the lovely girl a few doors away. She would be in her own bath. His shaft jumped to attention with thoughts of his Lizzy, naked and immersed in scented water.

The door creaked open, waking him from a doze. Elizabeth stood only feet from his bath, her wet hair hanging around her shoulders. For the first time, she said nothing. She looked down at her hands and fidgeted with the tie on her robe.

“What are you doing here, Lizzy?” He tried to sound stern, but burning with so much desire, he failed miserably.

“Are you going to rest?”

“It is impolite to answer a question with a question.”

“Is it?” Those soulful eyes watched him.

He took the towel from the chair and stood.

She spun away from his nudity.

A chuckle bubbled up from deep in his chest. “You came to a man’s chamber when you knew he would be naked and now you are shy?”

She looked over her shoulder at him. “I suppose I am.”

Reece pulled on his robe and stepped forward. He touched her cheek. “Why, Lizzy? Was there something you wanted?”

“To be with you.”

His heart pounded so hard in his ears he wondered if she heard it. Tucking her hair behind her ear, he forced himself to remember her innocence and that he had no right to want her. “That is a very bad idea.”

“You think I’m just some silly girl.” Her jaw worked from side to side, and she narrowed her eyes.

Her closeness magnetized him, and he longed to bridge the gap of only a few inches and pull her into his arms. The heat of her infused him through the cloth of their robes. “That could not be further from the truth.”

“But you do not want me.”

“I’m trying to protect you.”

“Well…stop.”

“What?”

“Stop trying to protect me from you. I do not need protection from you, Reece.”

“You are innocent. I have no right to damage that.”

She laughed. “Your definition of innocents and mine are different. I have not known the touch of a man, but I have seen their cruelty. I am far from the sweet debutantes you grew up instructed to court but never touch. Sex will not make me worldly any more than the world can keep me innocent. If it is my naiveté you wish to protect, you are too late.”

“Oh, Lizzy, I do not believe that. Maybe you are right. I have defined virtue by the intimacy between a man and woman, and thinking about it now, I see how ridiculous it is. You are sinless, and it has nothing to do with sex. Maybe it is I who is too tainted to take a gift so precious.”

“You can fill a room with flowery words, Reece. Either you want me or you do not.”

“You are my Lizzy. Of course, I want you. But not like this, not where you feel some need for human contact and so you come to me.”

Tears streamed down her cheek. He didn’t know what to do. He pulled her into his arms. He’d known from the beginning of her flirtation, loneliness drew her to him, but part of him hoped he was wrong. Her sobs confirmed he just happened to be convenient to her need for human contact.

He carried her to the bed, though he was not such a cad he’d steal the one gift she had to offer. Neither would he deny her what she needed. Once he tucked her into his bed, he climbed in, and pulled her tight against him. His shaft pressed between them, but there was no help for the discomfort.

Elizabeth’s sobs continued for ten minutes while he cooed and shushed her. “Now you certainly think I am ridiculous.”

“No. It cannot be easy to be uprooted from everything you know and lose your place in the world.”

She rolled to face him. Her robe strained under her, exposing her shoulder and the shapely curve of her throat. “You did it. You left your nice, proper family. You gave up the life of a gentleman and left it all behind. Were you lonely?”

Reece bit down on the inside of his cheek to keep from stripping her down and making love to her. She needed comfort, not sex. Not today anyway. Though, he longed for every inch of her. “I had Lilly for company from the time I made my way to Inverness until last year. I was never alone.”

She looked at his chest and wouldn’t meet his gaze. “Then you were lovers for a long time.”

Tipping her chin up, he pressed his lips to hers, tasting her briefly and letting her warm scent fill his senses. “We were lovers briefly at the very beginning, and then we were friends.”

“I thought you would lie or tell me it was none of my business.”

He ran his knuckles along her jaw, soft as flower petals and just as delicate. Yet, she could wield a sword with the skill of a soldier and punch as hard as some men he’d fought. Maybe someday she would want more from him. “I will never lie to you, Lizzy. However, it is not a subject I deem appropriate to discuss.”

Once again, she turned her eyes away. “No. Of course not.”

He rolled onto his back and pulled her with him so her head rested on his chest and her sweet, supple curves molded against his side. “As my trainer, you have instructed me to rest. So we will rest.”

His robe fell open to the navel, allowing her hands to press against his flesh. She propped her chin on the back of her fingers and looked at him. “You are a nice man, Reece Foxjohn.”

Pure joy filled his chest. Had anyone ever thought that? Certainly, no one had ever voiced it before. Leaning up, he kissed her nose. “Do not tell anyone.”

She giggled, wrapped her arm around his waist, and relaxed into him.

He burned for more than a simple touch, but he would wait until it was him she wanted, and not just a warm body. Holding her tight, he closed his eyes and pushed his desire down until sleep claimed him.

* * * *

Elizabeth had gone by the time he woke up. Judging from the way the sun came through his window, he would guess the hour past teatime. His stomach grumbled to confirm the hour. Thinking he would be painfully sore, he inched out of bed. He received a pleasant surprise when his legs felt strong and very little pain, besides the constant ache of his shoulder.

Once dressed, he headed downstairs.

Garvey met him at the bottom. “Tea is being served in the east parlor, sir. Miss Smyth is already there, if you would care to join her.”

Reece found her where the butler had indicated. An under-maid stood with wide eyes as Elizabeth explained her public behavior.

“It is best to always travel with someone. I speak from experience. I had walked those same streets to the market for the cook in my house for two years. I saw no danger, and then one day I was scooped up and stuffed in a sack.”

“I’ll be sure to take care, miss.” The maid, Matilda, kept quiet most of the time, and it was the first time he’d heard her speak since joining the household. She saw him and her eyes opened wide, her face turned bright red, and she backed toward the servants entrance. “Pardon me, sir.”

He smiled. “Miss Smyth is quite right. I will speak to Garvey and see that from now on our people travel in pairs or groups.”

Her head cocked and she covered her grin with her hand. “Thank you, sir.”

Once Matilda rushed from the room, he rounded the settee and eased into a large wingback chair. His stomach grumbled again. The sound of Elizabeth’s laughter shot right to his groin. “Shall I pour or will you, my dear.”

She sat forward and poured the tea. “You call me that as if we were an old married couple.”

Her words were like a warm balm. “Did you sleep?”

“Briefly.” She handed him his tea but could only meet his gaze for a moment. “Thank you.”

“You owe me no thanks, Lizzy. When you need me, I am here as you have been for me over the last year.”

“I only carried a few meal trays.”

He leaned forward, placed his tea on the table, and stared until she looked him in the eyes. “I hope you do not believe that.”

She cleared her throat and sipped her tea. “Do you think you are up for a ride in the park today?”

He leaned back. “If you will kindly pass me that plate of biscuits and delicacies, I may have the energy for some exercise. I am famished.”

* * * *

They arrived at the park late afternoon. Trotting down the horse path, Reece ignored the slight pain from his shoulder and down his back. In spite of the discomfort, the breeze, the exertion, and the company were all good.

“You ride well, Lizzy.”

She slowed her mount. “Do you think so?”

“Did you ride before you joined The Company?”

“Of course not. When would a maid ever have need of such a skill?” Her cheeks were rosy. One day he’d take her to the country and ride full boar across the fields of his estate.

His parents would be mortified at the idea that a woman of no means lived as a guest in their home. He gripped the reins too tight, and his horse tossed his head. He gentled his grip and patted the animal’s neck. Well, they’d just have to deal with it.

“Mr. Foxjohn, is that you?” The large man spoke from the seat of an unmarked carriage. A cap covered his shock of blond hair, and he gave a familiar grin.

“Thor? What on earth are you doing in London? I was surprised you were not in the country with his lordship.”

“I’ll be headin’ that way soon. Been helpin’ out at the new offices here, but with the baby coming, I’ll feel more comfortable protecting Gabriel and his family.” The Earl of Tullering’s unofficial driver took loyalty to the highest level. He’d saved them many times and been an asset to The Company since Gabriel enlisted him.

“I am sure they will be most happy to have you back. Do you remember Miss Smyth?”

He removed his cap. “Of course. Good to see you again, miss.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Mr. Strumm. You say The Company has new offices?”

He searched the park for someone who might overhear. “The old ones had got a bit too obvious, if you know what I mean. I also think them being below ground got under everyone’s skin. Too much like the demons, if you asked me.”

Reece said, “Strange to think we are no longer in our little basement.”

Thor shrugged. “I imagine it’s odd for you, having spent so much time there. I tell you, I don’t miss it one bit.”

“Where is the new office, Mr. Strumm?” Elizabeth asked.

The big man’s cheeks colored. “It’s just Thor, miss. I can take you there tomorrow if you like.”

The familiar excitement of hunting stirred in Reece’s blood. “Can you pick us up at my home in the morning?’

“Be happy to.”

“Good man.” He gave him his directions, Thor went on his way, and they continued farther into the park.

Elizabeth touched the side of her head and grimaced. “What is it, Lizzy?”

“Something’s wrong.” She slid a long dagger out of her boot and looked from side to side.

Reece held his gun as he scanned the area. “Where have all the people gone?”

They were alone on the path. Not another soul in sight. All the carriages had vanished. Where had everyone gone? It was impossible for Hyde Park to be empty at that hour. Even the birds had abandoned them.

Elizabeth’s rosy pallor turned ashen.

He sidled closer to her. “If you are going to fall from your horse, you had better get down.”

She took a deep breath. Her eyes narrowed. “I will not fall.”

What had been a light breeze grew strong enough to blow her hat down the path.

The horses stamped their feet. Elizabeth’s tossed its head.

A dark spot appeared before them. Wind drew toward the swirling black vortex twenty feet in front of them.

Gripping her head, Elizabeth screamed. The horse bucked, but she somehow managed to keep her seat. “It’s pulling me.”

The horse’s hooves slid across the dirt, grinding out four ruts.

Elizabeth bent over the horse’s neck, holding on, but her skirts blew toward the vortex. Her hair had come free and whipped forward.

Reece’s horse tried to move away from the phenomenon, though they only felt a strong wind. Nothing pulled at him or his mount. He pushed the animal closer to Elizabeth, grabbed her around the waist and dragged her from her saddle onto his lap.

Her horse reared up on her back legs and gave a terrified neigh before bolting away from the park.

The force of the vortex pulled at him too as it tried to rip Elizabeth from his grasp. He clutched her tighter and kicked his horse. The animal bolted for home, and they broke free of the sucking wind.

The mild weather gave only a slight breeze. Voices of people walking and riding in the park filtered back in, ending the silence. Everything around them returned to what it had been before the incident. Only he and Elizabeth were windblown and disheveled. To the rest of the community, nothing had changed.

“Are you all right, Lizzy?’

She gripped his jacket in one hand and his neck with the other. “I think so. What was that?”