Saved By A Siren: Spencers in Love Book One (23 page)

Chapter 38

            An indeterminate time later, a brave soul
knocked on the door. Gilles cursed as he lifted Elise off of him. He rose and
donned his robe before opening the door.

            "Good evening, my lord!" Anna pushed
her way in. "As the two of you missed lunch and it's near dinner time, I
thought I'd bring a tray and see if you needed anything." She placed the
tray on the table and began picking up the discarded clothes, sucking her teeth
when she noticed the state of Gilles' garments. "It'll take days to find
all these buttons..." Anna mused as she looked about the room.
"Everything seems to be as expected, not too much damage to the room
itself..." She looked at Gilles and winked. He felt himself blush as he
cleared his throat, signaling that it was time for her to go. "Will you or
Her Ladyship require anything else?"

            "Water!" The plea was muffled by bed
clothes and accompanied by a waving hand.

            Anna chuckled and bustled out of the room,
returning a moment later with a pitcher. She set it on the nightstand and
relocated the champagne glasses to the table.

            "If that's all... I'll be downstairs, if
I'm needed." Anna bowed and shut the door softly.

            Elise balked at the idea of leaving the bed but
Gilles prevailed. He sat her on his lap and fed her roast meat, potatoes and a
strawberry custard until she begged him to stop. They lingered and discussed
the family.

            "What do you make of Mirabelle and Lucien?"
Gilles asked knowing that Elise would have sensed much more than he and
Alastair could see.

            Elise smiled and threaded their fingers.

            "Mirabelle loves Lucien, deeply. It's very
real and very strong. Much like what I feel for you." It was the closest to
a declaration she'd made so far. Gilles held Elise tightly for a moment and
rested his head on her shoulder. She continued. "Lucien is aware of her
feelings and they don't unsettle him. He's just mindful and cautious. I sense
that he's effected by Mirabelle but he isn't sure what to do about it. He keeps
setting it aside, trying to maintain the relationship they've always had. I
think he could develop feelings for her, if he allowed himself to. I can't say
if he will or not though. It would be as easy as falling asleep, if he did but
he may avoid it because he feels it's a violation of your family and everyone's
trust." Elise finished her water. "You know him better than I do. Do
you think he would pursue her if he had feelings?"

            Gilles stared for a moment then shook his head.

            "I couldn't say. I've never know him to
pursue a woman. They've always come to him. Lucien's always loved women, and a
lot of them. He's never been one to limit himself by attaching himself to any
one for very long. I think he's avoided attachment. He acts the lothario within
the ton. Mostly for appearances but I think it keeps his personal life
uncomplicated. He might see courting and marrying Mirabelle as too complicated.
On the other hand, he's completely devoted to those he loves. He's a different
person with us than he is in society. I can't imagine him marrying the sort of
woman he'd find in the ton and being happy. If he loved Mirabelle, he'd have
something more." Something like what he'd found, Gilles thought as he toyed
with Elise's hair.

            "Would you and Alastair accept him for
Mirabelle?" She asked as she turned in Gilles' lap.

            Again, he had to think. He grimaced.

            "Alastair and I have been so concerned with
Mirabelle refusing suitors because of Lucien and that she was setting herself
up for heartbreak, that we never discussed the possibility he might return her
feelings. I have to admit, I would be uncomfortable. He's cultivated quite a
reputation. Alastair and I have witnessed things that would be considered
outside of acceptable. Alastair could have serious objections. We love Lucien
but I'm not sure if it's enough to turn a blind eye when it comes to our
sister."

            Elise took his face in her hands and pressed her
forehead to his.

            "Shame on you two! First, you sell Mirabelle
short. She's beautiful, intelligent, strong and funny. What man wouldn't want
her? You'd do better to assume that Lucien does want her, he's just avoiding
it. Second, I don't need to know your past to know that you have not been a
saint. If I had a father or brothers, would they approve of you? Would your
past prevent you from being a good husband to me? Lucien is a good man. He
cares for Mirabelle and he would be a wonderful husband to her."

            Gilles kissed Elise and pulled her close.

            "Je te aime , ma chérie."
I love
you, my darling
. He whispered against her lips. He'd never said the words
directly. He knew she became uncomfortable when discussing emotions but he
couldn't stop himself. "Thank you for caring for my sister, for my whole
family. You're right, we aren't looking at her as a woman. We still see her
when she was six and want to protect her." Gilles kissed her deeply.
"And thank you for not holding my past against me. If the time comes, I'll
try not to judge Lucien too harshly."

            With that, Gilles put all discussion of family
and pasts aside and showed his wife just what could be accomplished by two
individuals in a solidly built chair. Neither left their suites for three days,
choosing to take all their meals in the earl's chambers. Gilles showed Elise
that it was possible (she'd been doubtful) to make love in a bathtub, and
promised to educate her on the numerous other places and possibilities.

Chapter 39

            Alastair pushed Munin through the break in the
trees and urged him on, letting him stretch his legs as they came to a
clearing. He'd always preferred to ride just before the sun was up. The dew on
the grass and leaves reminded him of stars. It was one of the few fanciful
notions Alastair allowed himself. He understood that it was light reflecting
within the surfaces of water drops but he imagined he was riding through the
skies he'd stared at as a child with Gilles.

            Alastair found early mornings preferable for
another reason. He was an early riser by nature and within days of Gilles'
marriage to Elise three weeks prior, it became more comfortable for him to be
away from the house when they awoke. Having the room in closest proximity to
theirs and sensitive hearing, Alastair was less than pleased to be an audience.
Not that he begrudged them their coital bliss, he was pleased that they were so
well suited.

            While he usually enjoyed studying people,
Alastair felt like he was intruding and at risk of becoming familiar with
aspects of his brother he'd prefer not to. So, he took care to rise early and
slip from the house without disturbing anyone.

            Munin was pleased to be out of his stall, he
devoured the length of the field and Alastair encouraged him. Just as he
lowered his head to the horse's ears he felt something fly past his cheek,
heard a high pitched whine before something pelted his collar.
Was that a
bullet
? He wondered.                    

            Alastair hugged Munin's neck and shouted for him
to run faster. The horse shot forward and the flew through the clearing. He led
him in a straight path towards Longwood and kept low to his back. As soon as
they clattered into the stable yard Jamison strode out.

            "That was a short ride, Sir Alastair.
Wasn't expecting ye back for a while." He teased as he took the reins from
Alastair.

            "Is anyone hunting in the clearing just
over the North Ridge this morning?" Alastair asked as he shook the water
from his hair.

            "No, sir. Game Keeper's not even here this
week. His wife just gave birth, his lordship gave him the time off. Kemmel made
sure the larders were good and stocked before though."

            "Someone fired at me. It was probably a
mistake but it wouldn't be a bad idea for you to send some lads out to look
around." Alastair scanned the lands around the estate, he felt uneasy.
"Make sure they're armed." He added as he turned for the house.

            Once inside he entered the nearest parlor and
looked in the mirror. Lifting his collar he saw a hole torn into the fabric.
Alastair stared at it for several minutes. In his mind he tried to estimate
where the shooter would have been standing. His eyes narrowed as he imagined
trajectories and calculated speeds and factored the wind. There were too many
variables, especially since Munin had been running so fast.

            Alastair looked at his reflection again. This
time he calculated how far the bullet had been from various critical points on
his neck and head. He recalled that he'd leaned forward just before he felt the
bullet. Alastair knew he'd narrowly escaped death. It wasn't the first time but
it was the closest he'd come.
Who
? More than anything, that unsettled
him. He could think of no loose ends from his work during the war that might
come after him or anyone unrelated to the war that he'd wronged personally.
Perhaps it was just an accident.

            Alastair's instincts whispered that it wasn't.
He needed to talk to Gilles as soon as possible. He knew that he and Lucien
would be down in half an hour or so for breakfast. They usually enjoyed a few
moments of quiet at the table and discussed their plans for the day over coffee
before the women joined them.

            Quitting the parlor, Alastair went to the study
to look at the map of the estate. Again, he looked at the field and tried to
estimate the shooter's location. He couldn't even pinpoint a good location for
where he and Munin had been. It was irritating him. Alastair threw himself into
a chair and squeezed his temples. He was most likely focusing irrationally on
the facts to keep from dealing with feelings related to his own mortality.
He
could have died
. Alastair digested that fact. He let his heartbeat rise and
then settle.
He didn't
. He let the relief bloom within him and recede.
He breathed in deeply and rose as he heard steps and masculine murmurs coming
from the stairs.

            It wasn't until he greeted Gilles and Lucien
that Alastair realized he was still wearing his coat. Both looked at him
curiously.

            "Just get back from a ride?" Lucien
asked as they turned towards the dining room. "Who did you take?"

            "Munin. He was in good form this morning.
It was unfortunate to have to cut our ride short."

            "Afraid you'd miss breakfast?" Gilles
teased as he elbowed Alastair.

            "No. I don't think I have much of an
appetite. Someone shot at me." He said calmly.

            "Shot at you? What the devil, Alastair?
Perhaps you should have led with that!" Lucien exclaimed as he grabbed
Alastair's arm.

            "I'm fine, though my jacket needs mending.
Perhaps Anna and Alice could trim the collar with leather? I'm sure they'll
come up with a solution." He said as he removed his jacket. Gilles
snatched it from him and examined the hole.

            "Bloody Hell, Alastair! That's damned
close! Did you see anything?" Gilles asked as he handed the jacket to
Holserson.      

            "Nothing. I can't figure out where the
shooter would have been either. I told Jameson to send some of his lads to look
the field over. It could have been a mistake. I'll give them time and ask after
breakfast."

            Gilles nodded as he sipped his coffee.

            "I'll send a few men into town to see if
anything can be learned there. Between Jameson's boys looking over the area and
asking around, there might be a simple explanation."

            "If they don't find anything, I'll ride
around the estate after lunch and see what I can find." Lucien added.

            "Be careful. I don't think anyone else
should leave the immediate grounds until we're certain it was an
accident." Alastair went to the window and looked out onto the gardens. He
didn't like how tense he felt. It felt like the hours just before a fight.

            "I agree. No riding lessons today. We'll
keep everyone indoors as much as possible." Gilles nodded to Holderson as
he supervised the trays being delivered.

            The matter was put to rest when Mirabelle strode
into the room. As was usually her habit, she piled her plate high and sat next
to Alastair. He noticed that she didn't seem as focused on Lucien the last few
weeks. She seemed to watch him less and spent more time alone. Had there been a
falling out? Alastair shook his head mentally. She wasn't cold towards him and
Lucien seemed unchanged. Perhaps Mirabelle's feelings were changing. He hoped
so. The whole situation didn't fill him with confidence.

            Deciding that going hungry wouldn't benefit the
situation, Alastair filled his own plate and put both matters from his thoughts
for the duration of breakfast.

Chapter 40

            Later that day, Elise sat at her piano and
considered all the ways her life had changed. She rarely had time to herself,
not that she minded. Her nights and mornings were for Gilles. As were the
occasional afternoon. Elise smiled wickedly. Her husband could be very
demanding, and creative. He described her as casting spells and being an
instrument of pleasure, Gilles had powers and skills of his own. And his body
fascinated Elise as nothing had before. He was so hard, all over. The muscles,
bones and sinews came together to form the cleverest instrument. When he was
tense and focused, he was like a spring and a trigger, powerful and precise.
His hands stroked, tickled, and probed. Gilles' mouth was another matter
entirely. It teased, incited and tortured her when he wanted her whipped to a
frenzy then soothed and relaxed her when Elise was raw and exhausted. As for
the other part of his anatomy that featured in their lovemaking... Elise
blushed. She'd become quite familiar with it. It seemed to have appetites and a
mind of it's own. Gilles did his best to remain in control but now and then, it
would take over. Sometimes, Elise helped. She loved the feel and the taste of
it and the way Gilles adored her when she gave it her attention. Mostly, Elise
loved the way she felt when she was pleasuring Gilles and when she was
asserting herself. For so long, she had just floated along, being card for yet
alone. When Elise held him in her hand, or in her mouth or commanded Gilles,
she felt powerful and desired. It was the most intoxicating thing she'd ever
experienced. Those times balanced the moments where she felt completely
helpless to resist Gilles or what he made her feel. He made her feel everything
and then flung her from her body to drift about senseless and weak.

            When she wasn't mindless in Gilles' bed, Elise
was often with at least one member of the family. Mirabelle and Celine would
help her walk Lucy and play with her. They often discussed dresses that Anna
and Alice were making for one of them, though Elise usually had very little
understanding of those conversations. But she enjoyed them, having a mother and
sister to talk about fashion with had been a childhood fantasy. Mirabelle would
sit with Elise at the piano at least once a day and they'd teach each other
music or learn a new piece together, another fantasy of Elise's.

            Sometimes, Celine would sit and listen to Elise
play or they would chat idly while Celine embroidered mystery items. She seemed
to be stockpiling embellished fabric items that Elise could not know about.
Regardless, Elise treasured those times. Having a mother proved to be more
delightful than Elise had ever imagined.

            Alastair was always a surprise. One moment, he
busied himself with making diagrams of Elise's environment and would question
her endlessly about how she measured spaces and distances. The next, he was
opening up to her about the things that he kept hidden from everyone else.
Alastair told her about witnessing the death of his father and the nightmares
that had followed. Elise's heart broke for the young Alastair to have seen such
a thing at six and then to relive it almost every night. She understood why
he'd been so effected when he'd learned of Gilles' nightmares. But her heart
had lightened when he told her about how his brother had rescued him. Sleeping
on a cot in his room and sneaking him out to lay under the stars to be near
their father, keeping him warm and protecting him so the dreams wouldn't
return. Aside from Gilles, Elise had never been as close to anyone as she was
becoming with Alastair. She felt blessed to have him as a brother.

            Lucien's mother arrived two weeks after the
wedding. Madeline was energetic and affectionate.

            "Where is this lovely child that has stolen
our Gilles' heart?" She demanded as she surged into Longwood.

            "Here, Your Grace." Elise had said
shyly as she curtsied.

             Elise felt as if she'd been swept into a
perfumed cyclone, hugged and kissed and disoriented when she was finally
released.

            "Mon petite ange! You are more than I
imagined!"

            Madeline pulled Elise to her again.

            "Celine! Just think of how lovely the
babies will be!" She laughed like the chime of bells.

            "Oui, Madeline! And I do not think we will
have to wait very long. My son keeps her very busy!"

            Both women laughed and hugged while Elise felt
as if her face was on fire.

            "Don't mind them. They've always been a
bit... too much together. Though I fear I'm going to be hounded endlessly to
catch up. My mother will become unbearable once you give birth." Lucien
whispered.

            Madeline and Celine were inseparable. Elise
found that she now had an adoring, doting aunt to share her days with as well.
An aunt that became as single minded in her devotion to embroidery as Celine.
Whenever Elise would ask about their projects they would just laugh and say
cryptic things like "You leave this to us, when the time comes we will be
ready."

            Smiling, Elise tilted her face towards the sun,
feeling the soft heat on her skin. It was a lovely day. It was a day much like
this, almost two weeks ago when she was sitting at her piano enjoying the sun
when she'd heard footsteps on the terrace, approaching her. Gilles and Lucien,
and they were excited. Both entered her sitting room, smelling like confident,
powerful men, the outdoors and horses. Gilles sent Elise to her room to don her
new riding habit and boots. She'd rushed and was quickly ushered to the
stables.

            Elise's new horse had arrived. A gentle young
mare Lucien had selected, she had a sweet and shy nature. Keeping her head down
and constantly seeking Elise's palm with her nose, she'd enchanted her new
mistress.

            "Lucien, she's lovely! What's her
name?" Elise giggled as she rested her face against the horse's forehead.

            "She's yours, gorgeous. You can call her
whatever you'd like." Lucien pressed an apple into Elise's palm and she
gasped as it was carefully plucked from her hand.

            Elise felt a wicked smile fill her face.

            "Calypso. My lovely girl will be
Calypso." She announced as Lucien laughed.

            "An inspired choice, my lady. I'll start
training her to follow Lucifer during our lessons." He stated as he gave
Elise her lead. "We can start by having you walk her around the
paddock."

            "When can I start riding her?" Elise
asked. Her saddle had arrived the week prior and Elise was immediately put on Lucifer's
back and led around. It had been terrifying, feeling nothing around her but air
and being constantly in motion but Elise wanted to be able to ride so she
swallowed her fear. Lucien walked her on Lucifer's back twice a day. He was
always flirting, teasingly, to keep her relaxed and she suspected to irritate
Gilles. Most of all, he was gentle and patient. He encouraged Elise and praised
her. For the first few days, Gilles watched, resting against the paddock fence.
Eventually, he started leaving to tend to any earldom business that needed his
attention. Elise didn't mind if it meant he had more time later.

            "You need to get more comfortable riding
alone and your Calypso needs to get stronger, learn to carry a rider and follow
Lucifer. It'll be months but once you're both ready you'll feel like she was
born to carry you." Lucien placed Elise's other arm on his and they
started what had been the first of many short walks.

            Elise sighed and returned her attention to her
piano. Her life was so full now and everyone that filled it was precious to her
in their own way.  Just she thought the word "precious", Lucy began
to whine in the basket next to Elise. She found the puppy's snout and playfully
tugged it, then tried to calm her by scratching just above her tail. Daniel
hadn't arrived yet to take her so Elise could get ready for dinner and no one
else was present to help her walk Lucy. Elise felt the lead in the basket and
considered taking Lucy herself. Surely she could manage on her own. As long as
they didn't get tangled, it was just like walking in the garden.
What was
the worst that could happen
?

            As she and Lucy turned into the rose section of
the garden, Elise sensed that something worse was about to happen. Her pulse
hammered, her skin felt clammy and her stomach churned. Lucy wasn't enjoying
their outing either. She sniffed and growled, tugging towards the forest.

            "Come along, girl. Let's see if we can find
Daniel." Elise tugged at Lucy and turned towards the house. Just then she
heard someone emerge from the woods.

            "Hello? Who's there?" Elise called,
trying to sound relaxed and confident.

            "Sorry, My Lady. I just came to trim the
lilies, don't mind me."

            Elise tensed and pulled on Lucy's lead. She was
tugging, trying to get at the stranger. Elise wanted to get back to the house
quickly. She knew this man was lying. She knew all of the estate staff's voices
and that lilies didn't grow outdoors in the garden. He smelled like leather,
soap and horse. There was no soil, moss or other greenery about him. He was no
gardener.

            She turned to run and felt him grab her, an arm
circling around her as a sharp point pressed into her ribs.

            "Easy there, princess. Just come with me
and I promise you'll live." He began dragging Elise towards the forest and
she opened her mouth to yell. The blade pressed more forcefully. "Don't
make a sound, not yet. If you do, they'll find you and your puppy bleeding to
death in your lovely garden."

            Elise tried to keep track of how many steps
she'd taken from the roses and how many times he turned but the rocks, sticks
and thorns in the underbrush tore at her feet and she became disoriented.

            "Please, let me go!" Elise begged.
"Whatever you want, we can give you. I have money, my husband has
money!"

            The man laughed and pulled her deeper into the
forest. Terror overwhelmed Elise. Not just because she was being abducted at
knifepoint but because she was lost as well. She had no idea where the house
was. If she could break free, she wouldn't know where to run.

            "Almost there, lovely. Then you'll scream
all you like for your hero to rescue you." He laughed coldly as he hauled
her over a branch. Elise's feet dragged over it and she felt her dress catch
and snag. She continued brushing against anything she could so her dress would
leave threads and pieces so Gilles could find her.

            Elise tired to keep her breathing calm, afraid
she'd lose consciousness if she didn't. Lucy continued to follow, growling and
barking. She'd hear a muffled growl as Lucy attacked the man's legs and he'd
kick her off. Elise would hold her breath until she heard Lucy shake and storm
after them. She wasn't going to give up. Elise sent a silent thanks to Gilles.
If it weren't for Lucy, Elise would have fallen apart ages ago.

            Finally, the man stopped. Elise heard him
turning and moving from side to side.

            "This looks good." He pulled her
against him. "Now, lovely, I need you to call out so your husband can find
you."

            Elise felt all the warmth leave her body. She
realized that she was meant to be a trap and she'd left a trail for Gilles to
follow, she shivered and shook her head.

            "I won't help you hurt him." She
whispered.

            He laughed again as he kicked Lucy away.

            "No, my lady. I'm not planning to hurt him.
I'm going to kill him." Elise heard him pull something from his waist and
then a metallic click. "If you do as your told, you won't join him. I just
need you to scream a bit."

            Elise shook her head and pulled away from him as
hard as she could. He hauled her back, his grip tightening as he chuckled.

            "You're mad! I'll never help you trap
him!" She spat.

            He pulled her close and licked her cheek.

            "Be a good girl. I'd hate to hurt you. If
all goes well and I have the time, I might show you how I prefer to make women
scream."

             Elise pulled away. Bile rose and she felt
dizzy.

            "I hope he kills you!" She hissed.

            "He won't get the chance, princess. I'm
going to put a bullet through his chest as soon as I see him. I almost killed
the brother this morning but my aim was off. Not something that happens very
often, I promise. This time, I'll have a clear shot."

            She felt as if the ground was rising and falling
and spinning all at once.

            "You're going to have to kill me, I won't
help you." She vowed.

            "We'll see about that."  He pulled her
arm behind her and twisted. Elsie felt her muscles pulling and burning but she
clenched her jaw and shook her head. The man laughed and twisted harder as he
pulled her arm higher. Again, Elise shook her head and breathed through her
nose.

            "Oh! I love a stubborn lass! Perhaps I'll
take you with me and we can have a tumble." His lips were against her ear
and he ground his hips suggestively against her. Elise stomped her foot on his
boot and he grunted. "Don't push me, pretty!" He twisted harder and
Elsie was sure her arm would snap. She shook her head violently as tears
streamed down her cheeks. The man cursed and relaxed his grip. Elise's arm
began to tingle and the pain subsided. She sagged in relief until she heard the
hiss of a blade being pulled from it's sheath.

            "You did this to yourself, princess.
Hurting women's never been something I enjoy but I'll do it if I have to."