Stormy Seas (11 page)
Authors: Evelyn James
Tags: #historical romance, #regency romance, #victorian romance
started to speak. “You can't spend time with him. You just can't.”
Kira crinkled her eyes and squinted at him, trying to think if
she'd ever heard something more ridiculous.
“
Excuse me, I didn't realize you
were my father!” Laughing frustratedly, Marcus tried to calm
himself.
“
No, Kira, I'm not your father.
But you should know better than to kiss a man you hardly know! One
day on land and you're already flirting with anything you can get
your hands on!” He spat angrily. His masculine jaw jutted forward
and his imposing body seemed to tower over her.
with fury. “Oh please, you didn't seem to mind when you were the
one kissing me in your bunk! It's really too bad you forgot to
mention you were engaged!”
Kira felt the rage pouring out of her as she
recalled the image of Marcus and Luciana embracing in the sitting
room. “And maybe, just maybe, next time you want to have a little
fun with a dock girl, you can be honest about it instead of telling
the world you're my benefactor!”
Marcus felt the air leave his
chest. He looked at her, deflated. “It's
not
like that!”
“
Oh, I'm sure it's not. That must
be what every lecherous man in London uses as an
excuse!”
“
Kira, stop!” Marcus had gripped
her arms, keeping her from throwing any wild punches in his
direction. Kira looked up at him, broken and tired from the anger
and pain. He saw her bright blue eyes well up with tears and shame
filled him.
“
You've got to understand,” he
said soothingly, his green eyes wide with pain. “I never,
never
meant to hurt you.
I got engaged long before I met you and I just, I just...” Marcus
trailed off in confusion.
“
You just...what? Wanted one more
run around? One last hurrah before married life?” Kira tried
frantically to keep the tears from pouring down her face. “I
trusted you!” Breaking free from his arms, Kira ran toward the
house, desperately trying to dry her face.
for being such an idiot.
Battles
glances of Luciana and her father. She headed rapidly towards the
stairs, but was stopped by Sir Richard in the foyer.
“
I'm sorry I had to run off, that
was incredibly rude of me.” Kira glanced back to see him sitting
casually on a bench. She wiped her face self-consciously, aware
that she couldn't hide the fact that she'd been crying.
“
Did I cause this?” he said,
standing to wipe a tear from her cheek. “No, no...it wasn't you.”
Sir Richard smiled generously at her, gently caressing her cheek.
“There, there. Well, whatever it was, perhaps I can lift your
spirits by asking you if you'd like to dance.”
“
Dance?” Kira giggled softly,
wondering what on earth he meant. Sir Richard looked slightly
ruffled and his usual smile showed a bit of nerves. “I mean, I'd
like to ask you if you'd accompany me to the Royal Ball next
weekend.” His dark eyes were expectant and a hint of a devilish
smile was making its way across his face.
“
Oh...I...I would love
it.”
away. “Wonderful. I will be here to pick you up at 6 o'clock on
next Saturday night.” Dropping a kiss on her cheek, Sir Richard
flashed one more charming smile in her direction and walked out the
door.
Kira felt herself sigh. She was completely caught
up in the moment and had forgotten the heartbreak of her recent
tears. Turning to run up the stairs with a small burst of
excitement, Kira saw Luciana and Marcus walking arm in arm down the
hall. A deep ache gripped her heart but she did her best to ignore
it.
~~~~~~~~
One morning, a few weeks into her stay in London,
Kira decided she had to get out of the house. She could feel the
bitterness of Luciana's gaze whenever they were in the same room
and the tension was getting to her. Slipping out of her bedroom at
the first of dawn, she tip-toed down the hall to the bathing room
in her petticoat. Kira knew Luciana's father was out of town for
several days and had little worries of being seen by anyone.
Finding a small amount of delight at her stealth, she swung the
door to the bathing room open. Surprise filled her when she saw
Luciana had beaten her to it. The glorious beauty was covered in
bubbles, leisurely enjoying herself. She looked up sharply when
Kira opened the door, and a look of unveiled disdain filled her
eyes.
“
Oh...it's
you
...” Luciana's usual manner of
showmanship had disappeared. The perfect hostess was not to be
found on this particular morning. Kira whirled to escape the
awkward moment, but Luciana stopped her. “Do help me, please. I
didn't bother waking my maid.” Kira felt eyes in the back of her
neck and turned very slowly. “Of course,” she said.
clinging to her body. Kira felt embarrassment at the other woman's
lack of modesty, but couldn't help noticing how perfect her form
was.
A tinge of jealousy bit into her. Luciana was
curvaceous and alluring, holding all the womanly appeal that Kira
felt she lacked. No wonder Marcus was so determined to marry
her.
Taking a soft towel from the rack, Kira helped
Luciana out of the tub. She tried to divert her eyes, willing the
awkwardness to evaporate from the room. No such luck. Thinking her
duties done, Kira took a step towards the door. Luciana had wrapped
herself in the towel and sat on a chair at her vanity.
“
Do brush my hair, dear.” Her tone
was monotone, emotionless. Kira couldn't help feeling that she was
being lured into a trap. She nodding hesitantly, then took the
ornate brush from the vanity.
“
You know, I understand the allure
that a man like Marcus has for women. Any woman really. Especially
young, naïve girls like yourself.” Luciana was staring with
satisfaction at her reflection as Kira smoothed the tangles from
her dark hair. “And I'm sure there has to be a certain kind of man
that would respond to your fresh-faced innocence.” Kira felt a wave
of heat roll over her face. She tried desperately to avoid
eye-contact in the mirror.
“
But a man like Marcus,” Luciana
continued, “A man like Marcus needs a real woman. He's a rough,
brutal man and those types of men crave a certain sensuality.
Feminine curves, an irresistible mysterious allure that keeps them
coming back for more.”
mirror. “He can't resist me, darling. I'm the one addiction Marcus
O'Hare will never be able to beat.” Her insides broiling, Kira
longed to race from the room but stood her ground nonetheless.
“
I know this may be all new to
you, but men like that require a physicality that would make a
sweet little girl like you blush.” Internally, Kira cursed herself
for doing just that.
“
And while Marcus may have enjoyed
the idea of your innocent flirtation, the depth of his desire for
me would never really disappear. And I don't imagine you could live
with that, could you? Poor sweet little Kira...”
heat her insides. She could think of absolutely nothing to say to
this witch of a woman. Luciana seemed to sense victory and smiled
dangerously.
With a twitch of her hips, Luciana stood, allowing
the towel to drop dramatically from her frame. Flaunting her
abundant curves in Kira's mortified face, she tilted her head back
and laughed seductively. “That will be all, dear.”
~~~~~~~~~~
Rushing from the room in horror, Kira tried to
erase Luciana's taunting words from her mind. She hated her.
Absolutely hated her. She had half a mind to pack all her
belongings and leave right away. But where would she go? Being
homeless was not a choice she could make, no matter how devilish
her host was.
Slamming the door behind her, Kira retreated to her
room. She flung open her wardrobe and grabbed the mint green dress.
She had to get out of this house.
Away from this horrible woman and her perfect
mansion. Ugh. Kira could only sigh in disgust at the envy that
Luciana triggered in her. It was bad enough she was rich and
beautiful. But the fact that she had Marcus...well, it made Kira
boil with anger.
After pulling her hair back and taking a look at
her irritated face in the mirror, Kira flew out of her room, down
the stairs and out the front door. She had no idea where she was
headed but she couldn't bear one more moment in that house.
Kira moved quickly through the street, noting once
again the quiet nature of the area. The row of beautiful houses
faced a vibrant green park, featuring numerous tall trees providing
shade. Deciding to head in that direction, Kira sighed in relief.
The air was fresh and cool on that particular morning and she let
herself relish the feel of it caressing her skin.
She even found herself smiling as
she saw a pair of bluebirds, flitting above her head with a merry
sound.
Perhaps this day wouldn't be so bad
after all.
outside of Marcus and his devil bride. A tinge of laughter
threatened to take her over as she thought about the ridiculous
situation Luciana had put her in. Perhaps she had rattled her more
than she cared to admit.
Kira kept her pace, finding a path amidst the trees
and bushes. Replaying her interactions with Sir Richard in her
mind, she tried to imagine herself with a man like that.
He wasn't Marcus. That much was obvious. They were
drastically different. But perhaps that could be a good thing. She
was smiling another little smile to herself when she ran face first
into a very solid body.
“
Not again.”
Kira's eyes flashed upward and she
wanted to scream.
Of
course
, it was him.
“
Marcus.” She didn't even feign a
smile. His handsome face was darkened from the sun and his full
lips were curled up in a devilish smile. Perhaps
they
were made for each
other, Kira thought.
decide their next move. Kira couldn't help herself, her eyes
roaming hungrily over his perfectly sculpted face. The realization
that he would never be hers had given her a sort of freedom, and
now she looked at him in a way she hadn't dared before.
“
Like what you see?” He threw her
a suggestive grin. Ugh. “Go away,” she shot back, turning to head
around his large frame. Marcus grabbed her arm possessively and
yanked her in his direction. “No,” he said calmly.
dare her to defy him. Kira looked up into his fierce gaze, feeling
like she was floating in an ocean of green. She felt her resolve
weaken, the pressure of his hand still firm on her arm.
A wicked thought popped into Kira's head and she
fought to conceal the smile that came with it. Alarm filled Marcus'
face and he looked at her sternly. “What is it?”
“
Nothing at all,” she said
playfully. Her sudden change of tone had Marcus bewildered and he
stepped back, releasing her arm. But Kira wasn't satisfied with
that one small victory.
looking up with eyes wide and innocent. “You're right. Why should I
run away from you every time you're near?” She smiled softly,
flashing her baby blues at him with a smoldering intensity. Kira
looked down, bit her lip softly and moved just a little bit
closer.
Marcus could feel his body heat rising. This side
of Kira was completely new to him, and terrifying as hell. He'd
been so drawn to her innocence, her quiet beauty, but the woman
before him now was a vixen, a very dangerous vixen. He felt his
pulse start to race wildly and he tried to take a step back.
“
No, no, no,” Kira said with a
boldness that surprised even her. “You said you weren't going
anywhere.” She smiled coyly and closed the distance between
them.
line of Marcus' jacket buttons slowly up his chest. With the
lightest touch, she teased him. She could almost feel herself
panicking for her boldness, but the feeling of power pushed her on.
For once, he was looking at her with large, helpless eyes and Kira
wanted to milk the moment for as long as she could.
There was hardly any space between them now and
Marcus seemed caught in a trance. His mouth hung open,
dumb-founded, at he stared at her with a growing passion in his
gaze. “This isn't you, Kira...” He said, with a breathless tone.
Indecision flashed into his eyes, then he leaned forward to kiss
her upturned mouth.
In a flash, Kira had ducked his advances. Turning
with a victorious smirk on her face, she shrugged. “You're right,
it isn't.” She bounded on without a glance back, feeling as if
she'd just won a mighty battle.
Marcus leaned against a tree in exasperation,
watching her slight frame bounce happily out of sight. The thought
of strangling her was the only thing keeping him upright at that
point.
~~~~~~~~
As Kira walked happily through the gardens, a skip
in her step, she was unaware that a pair of dark eyes were
following her. From behind a tree, a certain devilish pirate
watched with interest as Kira skipped along, humming to
herself.