The Cracksman's Kiss (22 page)

The wi
dow nodded and returned her attention to Cohen. “You will find the Dowager Salisbury’s home along the road overlooking the sea. Have a care how you find her, comté.”

Cohen stood. “I will and thank you.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Kassie sipped her glass of lemonade as Charlotte returned to the seat beside her, flushed and out of breath.

“Admiral Dickenson is a marvelous dancer.”

“It is awfully hot in here,” Kassi
e mumbled, waving her fan. “Are you ready to go home yet?”

Charlotte’s eyes twinkled with excitement. “Oh, no, Kassie, it is far too early to retire. Aunt Whinny will not expect us home for hours yet. Perhaps a walk in the garden will cool you.” She leaned over and whispered, “Besides, I happened to see that
nice young officer over there watching you.”

Kassie looked in the direction of the young officer she too noticed casting longing glances at her many times throughout the evening. He smiled at her before glancing away, a slight flush staining his clean shaven cheeks. “Really, Charlotte, I am not interested in being courted. It is too soon.”

“But it has been months since your husband’s death, and you are only in half mourning now.”

“Come on. I think I am desperately in need of some fresh air.” Kassie stood.

The two walked arm in arm out onto the veranda, down the steps to the wide garden path. They strolled along for a while, letting the cool breeze cool their heated flesh. Kassie pulled her shawl tighter around them as a few snowflakes drifted on the night air, her breath making frosty clouds.

“Just think, Kassie, next spring we will be in London. I have never been to the city. I hear the balls there are so crowded one can hardly dance and one’s dance card is full of men eager to find a match. Aunt Whinny says I should find a match quickly with my large dowry and good breeding.”

Kassie smiled. “I am sure you will, Charlotte, you are very pretty.” She cast an appraising look the petite raven-haired beauty. “Come on, let’s go back inside. I am a little too cool now.”

The two entered the ballroom.

The young officer who was watching her hurried over. He gave a polite bow. “I am Vice Admiral Sefton.” His face flushed a deep shade of red. “I was wondering if, ah, you promised this dance to anyone?”

Kassie stifled a giggle
at his lack of confidence. “No.”

He grasped her hand in his and escorted her to the dance floor. Taking
her in his arms as if afraid she might crumble into dust, he picked up the rhythm of the orchestra. His gaze dropped to her shoes, face puckered in concentration lest he might step on her delicate dancing slippers.

She decided it was up to her to break the uncomfortable silence. “So, tell me Vice Admiral, how is it a man as young as yourself holds such an esteemed position?”

He glanced up at her. “My father is an admiral and petitioned the appointment for me. My older brother, Viscount Sefton, stands to inherit so I chose a career in the royal navy.” He gaze filtered around the ballroom before he dropped his gaze again to her feet.

Kassie held back her sigh as his lips twitched, counting the steps and contented herself looking around the ballroom. She caught the eye of a couple of older ladies who glanced her way, whispering. They looked away and continued their unheard discussion behind their fans.

No doubt they were talking about her. Did their husbands know the earl? If so, then it would not be long before they came calling on her to leach out information on her penniless state.
I feel a headache coming on.

Thankfully, the dance ended, and the vice admiral escorted her back to her seat. Her head began to ache in earnest, and she wondered if she was coming down with a cold. When Charlotte returned to her seat Kassie gave her a pleading look. “Can we go home now, please? I have a dreadful headache.”

“Oh, you poor dear. Very well, I suppose it is getting quite late.”

They sent the butler f
or their wraps, bundled up and climbed into their waiting carriage.

Kassie leaned her head against the cool glass as the carriage made its way along the seaside road back to the Dowager
’s. Perhaps tomorrow she would ask the Dowager for permission to spend the day with her mother. The full moon peeked out from the clouds, the light reflecting the ridges of the restless ocean waves. It reminded her of her encounter with Cohen on the ship to Bath. The sea would always remind her of him. Clouds slid back across the moon, obscuring it once again from her sight. The only thing left to see outside the window was the shadow of the carriage and horses, illuminated by the coach’s lanterns.

By the time they pulled up at the steps of the dowager’s, Kassie’s slight headache had bloomed into full blown pounding. She hurried up the steps to her room. The fire crackled in the hearth as Kassie entered her bedchamber and lit the gas lamp. She turned it down when it made her headache worse and summoned Sally to help her undress.

“You look tired.” Sally favored her with a sympathetic smile.

Kassie rubbed her temples to ease the throbbing there. “I have a terrible headache.”

Sally helped Kassie out of her Devonshire brown dress, on with her nightdress, and then brushed out her hair. “I asked the downstairs maid to bring you up a cup of chocolate.”

“You are such a treasure. I do not know what I would do without you.”

A tap on the door indicated her chocolate had arrived as promised. Kassie climbed into bed and smoothed the covers across her lap. She took the cup of warm chocolate and sipped it.

Sally scooped up the discarded dress. “Is there anything else you need?”

“No, thank you, Sally. I am sure Charlotte is done talking to the Dowager and will be waiting for your help.”

Sally nodded. “Rest well.”

Kassie leaned back against her pillows. Already her headache was starting to ease. Perhaps reading would soothe her mind enough to sleep. She finished the chocolate, set the cup on the bedside table, and picked up the book she was reading earlier that day. After opening it to the fourth chapter she made herself comfortable and picked up where she left off.

* * * *

With a yawn Kassie glanced at the clock before she flipped the page. She had not realized it was so late.
Oh well, I will finish this chapter before turning out the light. Sally will see to it I sleep in.
A tiny click caught her attention. Assuming it was Sally, she kept her focus on the page before her. “Please let me sleep in tomorrow, Sally.” When there was no answer she glanced up and gasped in surprise. A male figure shut the door, and then stepped forward into the light. Kassie’s heart pounded as she looked into Cohen’s face.
It cannot be. Perhaps I have fallen asleep without realizing it. I must be dreaming.
The book slid from her slack fingers and fell to the floor with a thud. She blinked at the intrusion of noise. The apparition stopped at the foot of her bed.
It looks so real. I can almost see the material of his shirt rise and fall as if he is breathing.

“Kassie.”

She scrambled back against the headboard, confused and terrified.
Did the ghost just speak? Am I finally losing my mind?
“Go away sweet featured ghost, for I have spent the last months vanquishing you from my dreams. Please do not seek to torture me during my waking hours.”

He smiled and stepped around the corner of the bed.

“Nay! Keep back! Do not touch me with your deathlike fingers, for I am not ready to go there with you.” She pressed herself harder against the head of the bed, her heart pounding against her ribcage.

“Kassie, I am not a ghost, nor am I a figment of your imaginings.” He stopped at the side of the bed and reached for her.

She squeezed her eyes shut, afraid to see what he intended. The fingers that closed over hers were warm instead of cold. They caressed her hands like real flesh and blood. Unable to believe her senses, she peeked through her lashes. He smiled, the bed dipping beneath his weight as he perched on the edge.
It cannot be. He cannot be here. He is dead.

“Kassie, my love, I am not dead.” He took her hand and pressed it to his breast.

His heart beat there, a faint rhythm against her palm. She raised her gaze to his in disbelief. “How? How can this be? The explosion … then you … were just … gone.”

He smiled but kept her hand against his chest so she could feel the reassuring pitter patter.

“We were adrift for more than a day before a merchant ship found us and hauled us aboard.”

She reached up and touched his cheek. It was rough with a full day’s growth of stubble, but warm.
Tears flowed down her cheeks in a salty river which she did not bother to wipe away; instead she ran her hand along his face, remembering him with her fingertips. He was real, flesh and blood. Perhaps it was a trick. Was this Devon in his stead?

He let go of her hand, leaning toward her, his breath tickling her cheek and
cradled her face in his hands. Then he drew her to him, touching her lips with his. At that moment she knew it was him, no apparition or impostor could make her heart beat this way, and her limbs turn to liquid fire. His tongue begged for admittance to her mouth, and she opened for him. Groaning, he held her tight against him as he began his exploration. Her head swam and her heart fluttered like a million butterflies roosting within her chest. A gasp made them pull apart and look to the door. Charlotte stood there, in her nightdress, her hand pressed to her lips.

“Hush, Charlotte, please, it is not what you think.” Kassie scrambled from the bed.

Her eyes grew round. “You are kissing a stranger in your own bed in my aunt’s home!”

Kassie hurried
barefoot to her side and dragged her into the room. “Nay,” she said, shutting the door behind her. “It is the comté, the father of my son. I thought he was dead, but it is not so. He has found me again. Oh, please, Charlotte, do not tell your aunt.”

Cohen stood and gave a polite bow. “I am Comté Ashton. I have come to take Kassie home to France and her son.”

Kassie spun around in stunned surprise. “Lucca is alive?”

He nodded.

Lucca is alive!
She turned back to Charlotte with fresh tears flowing down her face. “Oh, please, Charlotte. My son is alive. Please do not tell your aunt. Let Cohen explain everything to her so you will not suffer any disgrace because of me.”

Charlotte hesitated before she nodded.

Cohen stepped forward, taking Kassie’s hands in his. “I am afraid we cannot tell anyone anything, for I have been accused of treason to the crown for having a French title and crew. Auggie broke me out of Newgate, and we must flee back to France. I have spoken to your mother, and she has given permission for us to marry. We must leave tonight, in secret.”

Kassie nodded turned a pleading look on
Charlotte.

The girl smiled. “How romantic! I will ring for Sally, and we will see what can be done.”

Moments later Sally was ushered into the room. Her eyes grew huge when her gaze fell on Cohen. “Merciful God, protect me from this ghost!” she shrieked.

Kassie clapped a hand over her mouth. “Hush, Sally. You will wake the whole house. It is really the comté, alive and well.” When the maid nodded, Kassie lifted her hand.

The girl took a couple of cautious steps forward and touched Cohen’s sleeve. Satisfied he was in fact real, she stepped back.

“Cohen has come for me. Lucca is alive. We are going back to France.”

Sally glanced from one to the other. “How? You will never get past the British or French ships.”

“I have found a merchant ship bound for Holstein. From there, we w
ill cross over land into France,” Cohen smiled.

“Come with us, Sally, please.” Kassie squeezed her hand.

The maid shook her head. “It is too dangerous and I will not leave my mum.”

Kassie nodded, understanding her friend’s reluctance. “Then help me pack quickly, so we may be on our way before the sun rises and the rest of the house stirs.”

Together the three of them packed a small bag of the essentials. When Kassie was dressed in a warm wool gown and cloak, Cohen opened the door and looked both ways down the hall beyond.

“Goodbye, dear friend.” Kassie gave Sally a quick hug. “Thank you for your friendship when I was most in need of it. Take care of Charlotte now instead.”

Sally nodded, tears coursing down her face.

Kassie took Cohen’s hand and together they slipped out into the corridor. They made their way as quiet as possible down the stairs and across the
foyer. The door opened as easy as they expected, proving most country homeowners did not keep their doors locked. They ran down the drive until they came to a stand of trees. The big Scotsman stepped from the shadows, leading Cohen’s horse.

“Auggie! How I
have missed you.” Kassie threw her arms around the man.

He chuckled. “Careful lass, ye might make Cohen jealous enough to challenge me to a duel.”

Kassie giggled, releasing him. Cohen helped her onto the horse, tied her bag on, and swung up behind her. Alex hurried from the shadows, leading two more mounts.

“Alex? What are you doing here?”