Saved By A Siren: Spencers in Love Book One (8 page)

Chapter 12

            Elise had managed to sleep soundly the rest of
the night and woke up just before Anna entered to lay out her clothes. She took
great delight in informing her that she needed something appropriate for an
early morning ride. Obviously, she didn't have a riding habit but Anna assured
her that she could put together something suitable. As her maid searched her
wardrobe, Elise thought back on the night before. She'd left hastily, excited
at the prospect of a ride. Once she was in her own bed she had listened
carefully for any sounds of distress from Gilles' room. She'd heard a few
moments of rapid breathing and a very serious sounding moan and had considered
going back but he'd become silent afterwards. Shortly after, his breathing
became regular and drowsiness had settled upon her.

            As Anna dressed her in her heaviest velvet
dress, Elise tried to maintain her most aloof demeanor. She obediently sat and
allowed her hair to be tightly coiled.

            "His horse is named Lucifer. Can you
imagine?" Elise asked, casting about for any topic.

            "You should see him! He's magnificent, my lady!
It only makes sense that a man like that would ride such a beast. I've heard
that no one but his lordship can ride him and he's wrecked his stall
twice."

            Suddenly, Elise wasn't as brave about this ride.

            "Oh, my!" She exclaimed as she checked
the buttons at her neck. "This doesn't sound very safe..."

            "If his lordship suggested it, then I'm
sure it's alright. If you get to the stables and Jameson doesn't stop you, then
you're fine. He said that Lord Cambroke was as sure in the saddle as any man
he'd ever seen. He won't let you go if he's concerned. Just think, if you enjoy
yourself, we can get to work on a riding habit!"

            Elise nodded and stood. Her knees knocked as she
departed her room, passed through the hallway and descended the stairs. She
heard a swift stride approaching the main hall and stopped once she reached the
floor.

            "Good morning, love!" Elise heard as
she felt strong arms close around her and Gilles scent washed over her. She
relaxed and sunk into his powerful body.

            "Good morning, my lord. Is everything ready
for our ride, or shall we have breakfast first?" Was it obvious she was
stalling?

            "Lucifer is saddled and awaits you. Shall
we?" Gilles asked as he tugged on her fingertips. She let him place them
on his sleeve and he led her towards the back of the house.

            Elise heard the clacking of their heels as the
carpet ended and she felt them enter a smaller hall. They passed a doorway and
she felt  steam and smelled yeast. The sound of people rushing and crockery and
metal told her it was the kitchens. She tried to smile in greeting in case
anyone looked at her. A moment later, cool air ruffled her hair and warm sun
touched her skin. She was outside. She smelled dirt and hay, heard the sound of
wheels and horseshoes on cobbles. They were approaching the stables. Elise
pressed against Gilles, to be sure she wasn't in anyone's way. She felt his arm
circle her waist and she felt secure. Despite being terrified, Elise was
excited and curious. She lifted her face towards the sun and inhaled. She
smelled Gilles, hay and horses. What could be better?

            Elise smelled the horse before she sensed his
presence. He was halted before her and she felt Gilles behind her. He took her
hands and placed them on the side of the horse. Elise let them glide along
until she came to the horse's front haunches. Without warning she felt a large
muzzle hit her in the chest. She clutched it and stroked upwards until she
found the ears. She began messaging behind them and she was rewarded by
snorting and more pressure against her chest. Elise laughed and rested her head
against a forelock.

            "Aren't you sweet?" She giggled.

            Gilles pulled her away and guided her towards
waiting hands.

            "She rubs his ears and he turns into a
giant puppy." Gilles grumbled as he mounted.

            "Aye. She has a calm nature and a gentle
touch, they respond to that." Replied Jameson as he guided her back a
step. "Alright, my lady! I'm going to lift you up to his lordship."

            "Jameson? You're sure this is safe?"
Elise asked and quickly stifled a squeak as she felt herself being lifted.

            "Sure, lass! His lordship knows what he's
doing and Lucifer is strong, he won't disappoint his master."

            "This is Lucifer?" She gasped as she
felt her bottom settle upon something solid and a strong arm curled around her
waist.

            "I've got you. Shall we be off?" She
felt his question against her ear and shivered. Grasping his arm she nodded and
she felt his thighs shift upon the horse. He sent them off at a trot and she
couldn't contain the giggle that bubbled within her throat.

            They were quickly away from the stables and the
smell of leaves and grass filled Elise's nostrils. She settled against Gilles
and his arm tightened around her. She laughed and yelled "Faster!"

            A few moments later they were dashing across a
wide expanse as the cool breeze stung her cheeks and made her eyes water. Elise
felt tears spill from her eyes. Not from fear or the wind, but from joy. She'd
never felt so free, so light.

            Elise felt Lucifer lean forward and Gilles
matched him, pressing her towards the horse's neck. Soon she felt wind whipping
her briskly, causing her hair to escape and flutter in the breeze.

            "Where are we?" Elise asked, her voice
raised over the wind.

            "Atop Whistler's Peak, overlooking
Longwood." Gilles spoke against her ear so he wouldn't have to yell. She
shuddered and inhaled deeply. The wind smelled so sweet and her nose burned
from the chill in the air.

            "It's beautiful here!"

            They descended and the horse galloped for
several minutes. Soon, she heard the sound of running water and leaves shushing
in the breeze. Lucifer stopped and she felt gloved fingers tilt her chin before
cool lips brushed against hers. Elise set her hand to Gilles' cheek and slid it
back into his hair, it was cold against her fingertips. She opened her lips and
his tongue surged in and twisted with hers.

            After several minutes, Gilles lifted his head
and sent Lucifer trotting again. Elise smelled the damp leaves and moss of the
woods. Birds chirped and she thought she might have felt a butterfly float
across her face. She closed her eyes and rested her head against Gilles' chest
as she felt them cross a shaft of sunlight. His hand rubbed up and down her arm
soothingly.

            It wasn't long before Lucifer picked up his pace
and they were racing again. Elise clung to the arm in front of her and reveled
in the feel of the cold air on her face. She had no idea where she was but
instead of feeling panicked, she felt exhilarated and grateful to be with
Gilles. No one had ever made her feel this safe and alive.

            By the time Lucifer slowed and the sound of
cobblestones met her, Elise was deliriously happy. Gilles slid from the saddle,
taking her with him. She barely felt her feet touch the ground as he set her
down. Overcome with joy, she almost reached for him but stopped herself.

            "My lord, that was wonderful! I loved every
moment of it! Thank you!" Elise started to twirl but he stopped her.

            "Easy! You almost danced into horse
droppings." Gilles lifted her easily and set her down a few feet away. He
placed her arm on his sleeve and led her to the house.

            "Can we do that again soon, Spencer?"

            "Any time you like. Though I think I'll see
about getting you a horse. With the right training and saddle, I think you
could ride on your own if you had an experienced rider and horse to lead."

            Elise gasped and launched herself at Gilles, her
arms locked about his neck.

            "Truly? That would be divine!"

            Gilles pulled her close for a moment then set
her down.

            "Easy, love. We don't want anyone
gossiping." He chided.

            Elise deflated and bit her lip.

            "Sorry!" She whispered.

            "Ah, hell." Gilles cursed as he raked
his hand through his hair. "I hate that we have to hide how we feel but it
won't be for much longer, I promise." He took her hand and pulled her
towards the house.

            "What do you mean?" Elise stopped.

            Gilles quickly switched topics.

            "I'm starving. Let's get inside before our
breakfast gets cold. I know how much you dislike cold eggs."

            "Yes, but what did you mean..."

            Gilles interrupted her, "After that we
should probably prepare for my family's arrival. I wonder what Cook is
preparing for dinner. Mirabelle can't stand fish. We should let Cook
know..."

            Gilles kept a steady stream of light
conversation flowing through breakfast. As they rose he excused himself saying
he needed to send a letter to Lucien. Elise changed out of her heavier dress
and into a muslin day dress. Still exhilarated from her ride with Gilles, she
sat at the piano and began playing a jaunty, joyful tune.

             It wasn't long before she heard Gilles
approaching.

            "I wanted to get a letter off to London
before it's too late. I've asked Lucien to look for a suitable horse for you.
I'm hoping he'll be able to track one down before he leaves. I've also sent
details to my saddle maker. I'd like to have a saddle for you as soon as
possible so you can start learning how to ride." Gilles settled into his
chair and crossed his ankles.

            Elise turned to face him, a bright smile filled
her face.

            "You're spoiling me, my lord!"

            Gilles shrugged. "It pleases me. I told
you, I like doing things for you."

            It was as simple as that. Elise tilted her head
as she considered what she could do for him. Her first thought had her
blushing. Then she remembered the night before. She quickly set aside the
blushworthy parts and remembered the unsettling moments. Could she help him be
free of his nightmare? She rose and approached Gilles. Once she reached his
chair she reached out and found his shoulders, then the arms of the chair.
Elise lowered herself to the floor between his knees and felt him tense.
Curiosity flared. What could she do in this position that would cause him to
respond in such a way?

            "Will you tell me about this nightmare you
have every night?" Elise asked as she rubbed her cheek against his thigh,
it was warm beneath the buckskin.

            Gilles went very still.

            "There's not much I can say."

            Elise felt disappointed. Was he rejecting her
help?

            "I want to help, Spencer."

            "I know, Darling." She felt him play
with a lock of her hair and she relaxed. "I wish I could tell you
everything. Maybe it would help if I could purge it in some way. But there's so
much I don't know. I can't know if anything I say now might put you in danger
later."

            Elise nodded against him, marveling at the
solidness of his legs where her face and shoulder rested against him. Gilles
was so strong and brave, she couldn't imagine what could have happened to cause
such a nightmare. It must have been truly terrible.

            "I understand." Elise whispered.

            "Someone I was very close to died. I
couldn't stop it from happening."

            She gasped and rose to her knees and slid her
arms around his waist, resting her head against his stomach.

            "And you blame yourself, don't you?"

            "I failed, Elise." Gilles' voice had
gone raspy with emotion.

            "I know you can't explain it to me right
now, but I know you didn't. I know enough about you already to know that you
would do anything for the people you care about and you did everything you
could."

            "I wish that that was true, love."
Gilles sounded so tired and lost again. Elise felt an ache in her heart. She
would give everything to keep him from sounding like that.

            She stood and slid into his lap, pressing close
as her hands found his face.

            "Elise, someone might see us." Gilles
protested, sort of. His hands circled her waist and he shifted beneath her.

            "It pleases me. And I'm quite certain it
pleases you." She stated imperiously as she brushed her lips against his.

            "You have no idea how much this pleases
me." Gilles whispered as she licked the corner of his mouth. "We have
to be careful."

            "I'll hear Holderson long before he comes
in. No one else has any reason to be near this room right now." Elise
brushed her lips along his cheek until she reached his ear and took his lobe
between her teeth and nibbled gently before sucking on it. She was finding that
whatever worked on her seemed to work on him just as well.

            Gilles groaned and she felt a hand cup her
breast.

            "Oh, that pleases me very much." He
mumbled.

            A thought flared and took hold. Elise sat back
and took his face in her hands again.

            "What? Is he coming?" Gilles started
to lift her off of him.

            "No! Listen!"

            He stilled and she could feel him staring,
waiting.

            "This person that you lost, they cared for
you as much as you cared for them. Right?"

            "Yes!" Gilles whispered. Elise could
feel his pain, almost as much as if it were her own.