Never Wager Against Love (Kellington Book Three) (25 page)

“Did you see him after you started working for Willingham?”

She hesitated for just a moment then answered.  “Once.  I
stole away early on in my training one night to tell him what had happened.  To
be honest, I was hoping he would take me away from there.  I had a foolish
notion we could move to America and start over.  But instead, he said it was a
grand thing indeed that I was at the Home Office since it meant I could get
information which would help his criminal activities.”

“But you refused.”  He said it with certainty, no question
in his mind.

“I refused.  I’m sure he saw it as a betrayal, yet…”

“Yet you don’t think he was referring to you as the Judas,”
said Arthur, returning the conversation to the present.

“I don’t, but I do not know what else he could mean.”

“The chalice is quite valuable,” said Arthur.  “Much more so
than the spike.  He’s trying to tell you something and I doubt his partner is
in on it.  Portia Cassidy seemed to think they had the chalice, in addition to
the sword and spike.”

“I’m sure she will be most upset when she learns the truth. 
And even more angry that her aim was off.”

“How well do you know Sir Lawrence?” asked Arthur.

“He’d been an agent for about a year when I completed my
training program.  In the beginning, he didn’t care for me very much and made
his feelings known about females in the service.  It didn’t help matters when
he was removed from a case and I was sent in as his replacement.  But in the
last year or so, he’s had a remarkable change of heart and has been most
helpful.  He will often inquire about my cases, poring over details even I find
boring.  Why do you ask?”

“Because it was his suggestion for us to take the sword and
the chalice to the bridge.  If we hadn’t, they would be safe in Dumbarton’s
carriage.”

For a moment, Vanessa made no response.  Arthur could see her
weighing what he’d just said.  It was obvious she didn’t want to believe the
implications, but he knew her to be too practical to not even consider them.  Finally,
she asked, “But if he is in league with Mortimer and Cassidy, why didn’t he
just shoot us and leave with them?”

“Perhaps he intends to keep his involvement secret.  His
position at the Home Office gives him access to all kinds of secrets.  He could
become wealthy beyond belief if he continues his work as an agent.”

“But he was shot.  I do not think him the type of man who
would voluntarily undergo that.”

“But you forget, my dear, that Portia was not trying to
shoot him.  She was aiming at you.”

At that reminder of what could have happened, Arthur reached
for her hand.  “Come.  Let us go back to Sofia’s
vardos
.  This
conversation can wait for morning.  Now it is time for sleep.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Sofia’s wagon was much as Arthur remembered.  It was a small
space, with everything in its place.  The bedroll was of a size that would
accommodate both of them if they lay close together.  Which would prove no
hardship. 

They disrobed in the candlelight.  Each slowly removing
layers of clothing.   There was a shared sense that this was special for both
of them.  Almost sacred.  It would be more than a joining of two bodies.  It
would be a communion of two souls.  No matter what else happened to them – and
their fate was very much undecided – they would always have this night. 

When she was at last naked before him, he let his eyes drift
slowly down her body.  The candlelight was a caress to her soft skin.  He
noticed every bruise, each little cut and made a note to kiss them all.  Later. 
For now, he would only look and savor the moment.

She studied him just as intently.

Then he pulled her to him and kissed her.  The intensity was
greater than it had ever been before.  Even greater than the first time they’d
made love.  He pulled her down onto the pallet.   The feeling of skin on skin burned. 
It aroused him to fever pitch. 

She lay back on the pillow, her hair in waves of fire around
her.  He kissed her neck, made his way down her body.  He fondled her breasts
possessively, like it was his right and his alone.  He brought the pebble of
her nipple into his mouth and suckled hard.

She writhed beneath, spread her legs for him.  The scent of
her drove him wild.  He wanted to breathe her in.  He wanted to place his
mouth, his lips and his tongue where she was hottest for him.  But he knew he
wouldn’t last.  She pulled him to her, wrapping her legs around his waist.  She
wanted him to be inside her as much as he wished to be there.

He drew back to position himself.  She whimpered, afraid he
would leave, but he kissed her lips, gently, with meaning.  “Don’t worry,
love.  I’m not going anywhere.”

With that, he positioned his cock and pressed slowly
inward.  She was wet, and so hot he almost came from just penetrating her
lips.  He pressed slowly, carefully in.  And once he was fully seated within
her, he knew he never wanted to leave.

*                   *                   *

Vanessa welcomed him into her body.  The first time they’d
made love had been overwhelming.  The intensity this time was, if anything,
even greater.  She wanted Arthur Kellington with her body and soul. Dangerous
thoughts, since she knew she’d never have him.  But for this night, she would
live the fantasy of what it would be like to truly be with him.  There would be
no censorship of the
ton
.  No criticism by her peers that she was above
her station.  Tonight they were just man and woman, recently delivered of
danger.  And with no one else in the world to think about.  She would simply
breathe in and enjoy.

The feel of him entering her had been incredible.  She
submitted to the strength of him.  He was now moving in and out of her with
long, smooth strokes.   She wrapped her legs over his arse to pull him closer
and heard him moan in response.  He was holding his upper body above her and she
was sure the emotions flowing through her shone in her eyes.  She didn’t care
if he saw.  All that mattered was the moment they were in.  The one everything
else had led up to.

Arthur felt the pull of her body like the moon and tide. 
She was drawing him in, binding them together and he didn’t want to do anything
but surrender.

He saw passion in her eyes and as she began to moan and grow
even wetter, he knew she was on the verge of coming.  He reached between them
and pressed where she was most sensitive.  She bucked her hips, threw back her
head and he was barely able to bring his mouth to hers in time to capture her
scream.  She came hard and it brought on his own climax.  As he emptied himself
into her, he had a moment of clarity.  He wanted to give her his child.  He
wanted an excuse to claim her for his own.  One she couldn’t ignore.  One his
family would accept.  One he wanted to make.

Then he collapsed onto her, breathing hard.  Wanting to take
all of her in.  But in too short of a time, he realized good manners demanded
that he lift himself off her.  He lay on his back, then she pillowed her head
on his chest as he pulled the blanket over their damp bodies.

He thought again of having released his seed inside her. 
And he smiled at the thought of their children.  A little girl who insisted on
doing everything her brother did.  That meant a daughter and a son.  He would
certainly have to find a more steady source of income if he expected to raise a
family and give them what they deserved.  He had a trust set aside for just
that purpose, but he didn’t want to worry about running low on funds.  Not when
his family depended on him.

Apparently, Vanessa’s thoughts were running in at least a
similar direction because she suddenly sat up.  “You didn’t withdraw!” she
said, more frightened than angry.  Although, given it was Vanessa, “frightened”
wasn’t the correct word, since Arthur was sure nothing could truly scare the
woman.  “We’ve taken a horrible chance.”

“I’m not sure ‘horrible’ is the right word.  There is a chance
you could be with child, but it is by no means a certainty.”  He moved his hand
down her silky body to her stomach, as if he could somehow tell one way or the
other.

She pulled away.  “I’m sure this is of little consequence to
you, Lord Arthur, but I can assure you that bearing a child out of wedlock has
never been a desire of mine.  You can just walk away, but it would impact my
life irrevocably.  I do not have the funds saved up to care for a child
adequately, nor could I ever part with my babe…Are you staring at my breasts?”

Arthur dragged his eyes away from her lovely breasts.  “Of
course not.  And I would never walk away.  Nor would you have to worry about
adequate funds and I certainly couldn’t allow you to give our babe to anyone,
unless it cried constantly through the night.  Then I expect you could pass it
off to the nurse for a few hours.”

She stared at him.  “This is not a joke.”

“I did not think it was.”

“I will not be your mistress.”

“I am not asking you to be.”  He stared at her calmly,
reassuringly.  “If you are with child, we will marry.”

She looked like she’d been struck.  “That’s ridiculous,” she
said, pulling even further away and, worse, reaching for her shift.

“You wound me, sweeting.  I never expected to have an offer
of marriage thrown back at me.”

“Was that an offer of marriage?” she asked, as she continued
to cover herself.

Arthur thought about it.  He had only meant to marry her if
she was with child.  But if he could tell the
ton
to go to the devil for
the sake of a child, why couldn’t he do the same thing for his own well-being
and happiness?  In the few short weeks he’d known Vanessa, he’d come alive. 
The ennui he’d been laboring under was gone.  And, most importantly, if he
married her he could keep her safe. 

While he didn’t know for sure whether the prophesied threat
to Vanessa still existed, there were any number of dangers she faced as an unprotected
woman in London.  As to the very specific threat he worried about, he was
looking forward to his talk with Sofia in the morning.  She’d been studying the
two of them.  She was probably going to tell him she’d been wrong.  Or, that
the prophesy had already been thwarted.  Their confrontation with Mortimer and
Cassidy might have been lethal for Vanessa if he hadn’t been along.  Maybe he’d
already saved her life. 

It was the very thought of losing her to death, which made
Arthur realize he absolutely must have her for his own.  Honorably.  In
marriage.

“Yes, dearest, it is a proposal.  Vanessa Gans, will you do
me the honor of marrying me?”

She looked at him, speechless for a moment.  But only for a
moment.  “You’re a stark raving lunatic.  Or you’re shameful enough to be
making sport of me.”  Her shift was on and she reached for her breeches.

“Not the breeches, dearest.  Come back to bed.  Let’s seal
our engagement in the best possible way.”  He held out his hand.  He could tell
she was tempted to take it, but at the last minute, she continued dressing.

“A marriage between us is out of the question, my lord.  A
union between two different classes never works.”

“My true friends wouldn’t object.”

“Mine would!” she said with the indignation he’d grown so
fond of.  “I wouldn’t be accepted anywhere and, in turn, you would not,
either.”

“Kellingtons are always accepted.”

She shook her head.  “You’re so deeply embedded in the
highest level of society you don’t even realize what it’s like to be excluded. 
No one would receive us.  The duke might even disown you.”

“Liam would never do that.  Ned’s wife Jane works as a
surgeon, which would normally make him bad
ton
through association.  But
Liam’s obvious support made the match fashionable.  He would do the same for
us.”  At least Arthur hoped he would.

“But didn’t you say Jane is a gentleman’s daughter?  I’m a
bastard, Arthur!  A bastard.”  Vanessa’s eyes filled with tears.  She stopped
and took a breath.  “Don’t you see?  Not even the Duke of Lynwood can make this
right.”

Arthur hoped he would never see that look of desolation in
her eyes again.  “I am so sorry about what you went through in the past, love. 
But please give me the chance to make your life better in the future.”   He
pulled her close and was so thankful when she let him.  “And, dearest, never,
ever let Liam hear you say he is incapable of making something right.  The Duke
of Lynwood is frighteningly efficient and, for all I know, flies through the
night like a bat when he feels like it.”  He was relieved to hear her choked
laughter.  “I shall not trouble you more with the proposal tonight.  But rest
assured, I will not give up.”  He pulled the blankets over them once again. 
“Now get some sleep.  Everything shall look better in the morning.

*                    *                    *

They woke before dawn to sounds of the camp preparing to
leave.  As Arthur blearily pushed aside the tent flap, he witnessed the
efficiency of the coming departure.  After quickly dressing, he let Vanessa
sleep a little longer.   She’d spent the night in his arms and while she’d
slept the night through, he could tell she was troubled.  Truth be told, so was
he.  He needed to find a way for them to be married.  She was right about the
obstacles they’d face in the
ton
.  But, somehow, he would make it work.

As he followed the smell of coffee, he was given breakfast by
the wife of the young man who’d sold him the small wooden cat.  The man also
had the chest Vanessa had ordered, which was an exact replica of the one which
had started this entire mess, minus the cipher code, of course.  Arthur also
bought a scarf for Vanessa, which would look beautiful in her hair.  She would
almost certainly refuse to take it, but he had high hopes of persuading her to
do his bidding much more often.