The Prize (63 page)

He pushed it open
with his shoulder and carried her to the bed. He set her down and sat beside
her, silent for one moment. "You are more beautiful than ever," he
said thickly, touching her cheek. "I expected you to be pale in the midst
of winter—your face blooms like a flower, instead."

She hesitated, about
to blurt out her suspicion that she was with child, but she thought the better
of it. She wasn't quite certain and the moment was perfect; she was afraid to
ruin it. "I'm not blooming, I am flushing, Devlin," she said.

He laughed, his hands
now deftly undoing the buttons on the back of her dress. "You have never
been more beautiful," he said, sliding the dress down to her waist. His eyes
widened with appreciation at the sight of her breasts, caressed by the sheer
linen of her chemise, now fuller than before and swelling out of her corset.
"And you have bloomed, Virginia," he murmured.

"Impudent
man," Virginia retorted, no easy feat when utterly breathless and hot.

He tugged her chemise
over her head, tossing it aside. "I will show you impudence, madam,"
he said, and he wrapped a hard arm around her, lowering his head to her bosom.

He nuzzled her
voluptuousness, then lipped her nipple. Virginia was very sensitive and she
almost swooned from the released flood of desire.

"I do not want
to hurt you," he gasped, releasing her and taking her hand and guiding it
to his loins. Virginia cried out at his heat and hardness, at the throbbing
against her palm. "But I have little patience this day."

"You do not hurt
me," she whispered. "Please, hurry!"

He suddenly sat, eyes
ablaze, quickly pulling her dress off. Virginia watched Mm as he removed her
drawers and she knew she had never seen him more desperately in need. When she
was clad only in her corset and stockings, he palmed her sex.

Triumph flared in his
eyes, on his face. "Spread your legs," he said, and as she instantly
obeyed, he leaned over her, rubbing his cheek there.

Virginia cried out, overcome
with pleasure and excitement. Her body had changed in many ways and maybe
their separation had something to do with it, but she knew she would fly into
the blue-black heavens in another instant. "Hurry," she cried
hoarsely.

His mouth moved over
her, thorough and slow, his tongue insistent, a probe.

Virginia began to
shatter, crying out, clawing his shoulders.

"Oh, little one,
wait for me," he gasped, and suddenly she felt his massive length sliding
deeply into her.

But it was too late
and she wept with the greatest pleasure she had ever known.

He surged more
deeply, crying out hoarsely, instantly spilling himself into her, his huge body
racked with pleasure, convulsing over her. When he was done, he moved to his
side, pulling her close.

Virginia smiled as
she came back to the earth and their bed, turning onto her side, her cheek
against his hard chest.

510                           

He held her tightly
there, kissing her temple repeatedly. His kisses were not all that gentle. She
instantly realized that he remained huge and hard, ready to take her all over
again.

She kissed his chest
another time and boldly held him in her hand. "What is this?" She was
sly.

He laughed, the sound
raw. "I think you know."

"And if I have
forgotten?"

He grinned wickedly.
"Then I shall have to remind you, darling." And he rolled her over,
swiftly entering her at the very same time.

Virginia sat before
her dressing mirror, fully dressed, pinning up her coiled hair. Devlin's
reflection appeared in the mirror as he moved onto the threshold of the
dressing room. He was also fully dressed, but in civilian clothes. Virginia
felt herself blush.

It was the following
morning and they remained at Harmon House. The only reason that they were not
in bed was because she had insisted they go downstairs before they irrevocably
scandalized the entire household. In the mirror, Devlin smiled at her and came
forward, pausing behind her.

Virginia tucked the
last hairpin into her coiffure. "I very much feel like a wife today,"
she said softly.

He placed his hands
on her shoulders. "I should hope you still feel like a bride."

She watched herself
blush. "A very happy bride," she breathed.

He leaned down and
kissed the bare nape of her neck. "And a satisfied one, I hope." It
was not a question.

She turned around on
her stool. "You know just how satisfied I am."

"You are such a
bold minx," he said with a laugh.

She stood and found
herself in the circle of his arms. "And it pleases you, I hope?"

He hesitated. "I
am very pleased, Virginia."

Her heart burst into
song. Did that mean what she thought it did—could it mean more? Did it mean he
was coming to love her—just a little?

He reached into the
interior breast pocket of his coat. "I have something for you," he
began.

Her eyes widened with
surprise as he produced a jeweler's velvet box. "What is this?"

"It's your
birthday present."

Her heart stopped.
Trembling, she met his steady gaze. "But...you know it's my
birthday?"

'Tomorrow, is it
not?" He smiled slightly. "All of nineteen, a true woman of the world,"
he said, his tone teasing.

She smiled, wanting
to cry with happiness. "How...how did you know?"

"I made it my
business to know. Open it," he said gently.

"Shouldn't I
wait until tomorrow?"

"I am sure you
will be deluged with gifts tomorrow, as I have no doubt my mother has planned
some kind of extravaganza for you."

"No, I asked her
for a small family affair. Rex is back in Spain and Sean at Askeaton, so it
will be but two-thirds of our family." She wished they could all be
present. She lifted the box lid.

Virginia gasped at
the sight of a gorgeous amethyst pendant encrusted with diamonds. "This
is beautiful, Devlin!" she cried.

"I ordered it
made for you before I set sail," he said with a small, pleased smile.
"I wanted something to match your eyes."

"Devlin?"
She was clinging to his arms. "This is the best birthday I have ever had.
Thank you. Thank you for the necklace and thank you for coming home!"

He hesitated. "I
had to come home. Happy birthday, Virginia."

* * *

Later that day,
Virginia heard hearty male laughter and recognized Devlin's rich tones. She
paused outside of the salon, smiling to herself. Her husband sounded happy,
indeed. She was thrilled to hear him laughing with his brothers. She was about
to step into the salon when Tyrell spoke.

"And the
war?" Tyrell asked. "I've heard rumors that we'll be attacking the
entire Chesapeake Bay."

Virginia stiffened,
her smile vanishing, drawing back out of sight. What was this? Until that
precise moment she had refused to dwell on the fact that he had just returned
from a war with her own country. Since his arrival home, she had not asked him
a single detail of his tour of duty and he had not volunteered a single fact.
She strained to hear, her heart racing madly with distress and fear.

"I'm afraid I
can't discuss classified matters, Ty." Devlin's voice had an odd edge to
it. "I just received my new orders, however. The war is escalating."

Virginia's heart
sank. In the time he had been gone, there had been the news of the defeat of
the
Vixen
and some talk of a blockade of the Chesapeake, which was where
her own home was located. But that had been all, and it had been convenient to
forget the fact that Devlin was in a war being waged against her country and
her kin. What did Devlin now mean? And what was the rumor Tyrell referred to?
Suddenly she was afraid for Tillie and Frank and everyone at Sweet Briar. But
surely the British would not roam about the Virginia countryside, doing battle
there! And if he had just received new orders, was he already preparing to
leave, when he had only come home yesterday?

She was dismayed, and
unconsciously, she touched her belly. What if she was pregnant? They were
finally falling in love, they had a future to share. There was simply no place

now for a war—any war—in
their lives. And especially not one against her homeland.

Virginia
hesitated and then darted past
the open doors of the salon and into the library. It was late afternoon and the
draperies were open, so soft daylight filled the room. But even from the threshold,
she could see the papers on his desk.

Her heart lurched,
and even knowing that she should not look at a classified document, she hurried
to it. The papers there did not interest her, though, and she opened the center
drawer. Instantly she found what she was looking for.

Her heart slammed to
a stop. Any sense of composure vanished. Trembling, she seized the parchment
and read.

Lord Admiral St. John
to Sir Captain Devlin O'Neill Waverly Hall
Greenwich
March 18, 1813
Sir Captain O'Neill,

Pleased be advised of
the following. Your orders are to proceed by March 24 to the
Chesapeake Bay
, where you shall report to
Admiral Sir George Cockburn. In conjunction with Admiral Cockburn, you are to
destroy any and all American warships, including those in port. You shall
destroy all depots, suspected of harboring possible American supplies,
including those on land, and any farms or factories involved in the government
supply effort; you shall all make every effort to effect the utter ruination of
the American coastal trade. You are accorded complete discretion as to the
means necessary to carry out the above orders; aiding and abetting runaway
slaves is highly suggested, especially to guide marines through the American
countryside. While efforts are to be made to avoid harmful

intercourse with
American noncombatants, any suspicion of direct involvement on the part of
such American civilians is to be deemed a serious military threat and you are
therefore to act accordingly. The Right Honorable Lord Admiral St. John The
Admiralty 13 Brook Street
West
Square

Virginia
went into shock.

"
Virginia
?"

She looked up,
trembling, and saw Devlin in the doorway. She flinched, but somehow she managed
to return the letter to its original position in the drawer. Her heart now
slammed, hurting her terribly.
He was to destroy American ships, including
those in the harbor. He was to take his marines onto American soil and destroy
farms, factories and depots. He was to encourage runaway slaves, using them as
spies and guides. Oh, God. These were terrible orders, indeed!

"What are you
doing?" he asked, as still as a statue.

She had had no idea
of the extent of his orders. How could he participate in such death and
destruction when he was married to her? How many American lives would be lost
because of his efforts? She swallowed, staring at him. She was chilled to the
bone—no, she was chilled to her very soul. "I overheard you and
Tyrell," she said unsteadily.

His gaze sharp, he
walked toward her slowly, his face that impersonal mask she had hoped to never
again see. His gaze slid over the desk—so did hers. He looked-up—so did she.
Quietly he said, "Did you read my orders?"

"Yes," she
whispered, wondering if she were ashen. For she felt terribly faint. She
swallowed hard and cried, "Don't go! I need you here! Resign. Resign your
commission. Don't go back to war—I can't bear it."

                             
515

He hesitated, his
eyes widening. "Only cowards refuse their duty,
Virginia
."

"The world knows
you are no coward! My God, you have proved yourself a hundred times over, at
least!" It was hard to think clearly, she was so shocked by the content of
his orders and the devastation he was to wage against her countrymen.

"
Virginia
," he said, his gaze
searching, "I'm a naval captain. You knew that when we married. I am
sorry our countries are at war, truly sorry, but this war will pass."

"After how much
death? After how much destruction?" And she cried before she could stop
herself, "How many Americans have died already because of you,
Devlin?"

His gaze widened and
he became rigid. "I do not know."

"I think you
do." She did not wish to attack him and she knew that was what she was
doing. She hurried around his desk and paused before him. "We have been
happy together, at last. This war will come between us."

His face was
strained. "Only if you let it. Damn it, you shouldn't have read my
orders."

"No, I shouldn't
have. Devlin, please! Do not go to war against my country!"

He made a harsh
sound. "You are distressed, and rightly so. Again, do not let the war come
between us. This I ask of you."