The Fortune Hunter (19 page)

“To make the day enjoyable for you.” When his voice softened to an enticing whisper, she raised her eyes to see the undeniable craving in his. His hand on her shoulders steered her toward his lips. “It shall take Philip and Annis several minutes to catch up with us. We may admire the nature around us, or we may …”

His hand swept up her back to press her to him. The familiar, fierce fire exploded within her, but she said, “I thought you wished only to share a friendship with me, Hamilton.”

He kissed her right cheek. “Can we not be very special friends?” Teasing the curve of her left cheek with a swift kiss, he murmured, “
Very, very
special friends, my sweet.” The tip of his tongue stroked the sensitive skin of her eyelids; she moaned with the longing that captivated her.

As her hand curved around his high collar to bring his mouth to hers, she heard his low laugh, and she knew that he had been correct when he warned her to be wary of trusting him. At the moment when his lips touched hers, she did not care. She might be an air-dreamer, but this rapture was what she wanted … no matter what it cost her.

Chapter Eleven

Children cheered with excitement, and horses rumbled uneasily as Hamilton lifted Nerissa from the curricle to stand next to Annis. Nerissa stared at the collection of silk draped across the ground by the side of the road. Once it was completely inflated, the balloon surely would be as tall as the house on Laura Place. The roar of the flame burning within it threatened to deafen her.

When, with a laugh, Hamilton put his hands over her ears, she drew them away. “It is a lovely roar,” she shouted over the noise.

“It is as raucous as a crow at dawn.” He turned to watch the balloon thicken and rise as if it was taking life from the heated air within it.

“I have never seen one on the ground before.”

“Then,” he said as she put her hand on his proffered arm, “it is time for you to do so.”

The ground was soft beneath her slippers. Keeping her parasol over her head, she laughed when two children, who were chasing a brown and black mongrel, raced in front of them. The launching had all the exhilaration of a County Fair day.

The blue and green silk billowed skyward as several men, who were dwarfed by the expanse, worked to get all the material off the ground. They shouted to one another, but their voices were lost amid the flame's thundering howl.

“Amazing,” said Philip as the balloon rose off the ground until only its tall, wicker basket clung precariously to the earth.

“I understand they are offering a ride to those daring enough to try it.” Hamilton laughed, then asked, “Are you game for an attempt at the sport, Philip?”

“It is risky.”

“No riskier than challenging me to jump that blasted hedge.”

Philip chuckled and winked at Nerissa. “But you won that wager and much more.”

“Then shall we take a flight?”

Nerissa put her hand on Annis's arm, which shook with sudden fear. “I don't think that is such a wise idea.”

“Nonsense,” Hamilton returned. “It will be delightful. You ladies are welcome to join us.”

“No!” gasped Annis. “I shan't do something so want-witted.”

Nerissa looked at the balloon and released a silent sigh. To own the truth, she was glad to remain on the ground. Quietly she said, “I shall stay with Annis.”

“That leaves you and me, Philip,” Hamilton said with another laugh. Taking his brother's arm, he tugged him a half-step toward the balloon. “Let's have a go at it.” Hamilton turned his smile on Annis. “And to show your lovely lady that you are truly without fear.”

“You need not do this for me,” Annis whispered.

“Then do it for the fun,” Hamilton said before his brother could reply. “I intend to try it.”

Philip hesitated, clearly wanting to go, but unwilling to distress Annis. “Let me give this some thought.”

“Bah!” Hamilton sneered. “What thought does it take to step into that basket and ride into the sky?”

Nerissa seized his sleeve. In a low voice, that was nearly swallowed by the rumble, she said, “I think we should let them discuss this alone.”

Although she thought he would argue, he nodded. He walked with her in a broad circle around where the men were working to hold the balloon to the ground until they were ready to let it fly.

“Why are you pressuring him into going when he is trying to think of Annis's feelings?” Nerissa asked.

“To prove to him that rushing fearlessly into something dangerous is stupid.” At his cold words, she put her hand to her mouth to silence her gasp of horror. Her eyes must have revealed her thoughts, because Hamilton nodded with regret before saying, “He has not changed his mind about buying that commission. Our foray against the formidable Mrs. Ehrlich was for naught.”

“So you wish to prove him a coward?”

His eyes glinted dangerously. “Philip is no coward, Nerissa, only misguided in his hopes of finding a hero's glory, when all he might find is a hero's death. I hope this will prove he must think twice before leaping into the fray. If I am correct, he will learn a painless lesson, and I will lose only a few minutes of the day with you.”

“And what if he fails to learn it, what do you lose then?” she asked.

“Peace of mind.” He clasped his hands behind his back and continued to walk away from the others watching the balloon strain against its anchors.

Nerissa looked from Annis's eager face to Hamilton's back. It was as rigid as the ropes holding the balloon in place. She could not doubt the sincerity of his apprehension about Philip's plans to join the war on the Continent.

Hamilton appeared so alone as he strode through the high grass that had yellowed with the summer heat. Following him, she said, “Hamilton, you can't prevent Philip from doing what he feels he must. To own the truth, you are looking for an answer in the wrong place.” She pointed to where his brother had his arm about Annis's shoulder as she leaned her cheek against his coat sleeve. “Let love convince him to see reason.”

“I fear Philip has planned this too long to let a dalliance change his mind.”

With a barbed laugh, she retorted, “And you think
you
can influence him if Annis cannot? You sadly misjudge what love can do.”

“I have learned never to underestimate the havoc love can bring into one's life.” His gaze pierced her, daring her to try to hide her thoughts from him when he was being so honest with her. “Those two are a prime example, for I doubt if Philip has told his beloved Annis what he intends to do. If you have not played Tom Tell-Truth with Miss Ehrlich, she has no idea of his ambition to sacrifice his life for his king and Regent.”

“I have told her nothing. I thought he would.”

“As I feared, Nerissa, you have miscalculated love's determination to make all things perfect. In his attempt to win her heart, my brother has failed to inform Annis that he has already given it to his future career in the army, short though it may be.”

“You will drive him away if you don't try to understand his need to live beyond your shadow.”

“I have tried to comprehend it, but to no avail.”

She raised her chin and grimaced when the brim of her bonnet struck the spines of her parasol. Hamilton's laugh added to her exasperation. One moment, he was the gentle lover who wooed her with enticing kisses and gentle words. The next, he played the arrogant viscount who discounted the hopes of anyone but himself.

Turning on her heel, she waded back through the tall grass to where Philip and Annis stood. She heard a cheer and looked back over her shoulder to see Hamilton talking to the men overseeing the launching of the balloon. When he climbed into the basket, her heart lurched. She silenced its terrified thump. Let Hamilton be a complete chucklehead! She could talk no sense to him.

Even as she thought that, Nerissa's fingers tightened convulsively on the porcelain handle of her parasol. No matter how intolerable he was—and he was more insufferable than any other person she had ever met—she did not want him to risk his neck on this futile ploy to save his brother's life.

“Hamilton is really going to go!” Philip crowed as she came within earshot. “By the Lord Harry, he is really going!”

“Philip, you need not go,” Nerissa hurried to say.

“And let Hamilton get all the glory again?” He shook his head. “I think not.” A gentle smile tilted his rigid lips. “Annis, watch from the carriage, for I shall wave to you when we are high above you.”

When Annis stood on tiptoe and kissed him lightly on the cheek as she wished him good luck, Nerissa was sure her ears were betwattling her. Annis had been near to tears only minutes ago. Now she was acting as excited about the jaunt as Philip.

She gave Nerissa no chance to ask questions. Grabbing Nerissa's hand, she led her at an uncomely pace to the curricle. “Can you drive this, Nerissa?”

“Yes, but—”

“Philip said to follow the breeze to the east, and we shall be able to meet them when they land on the far side of the hill.” She signalled to a man to throw them up into the high seat.

Nerissa gasped as the man seized her around the waist and hefted her as if she was nothing more than a peddler's pack. Sliding along the seat when Annis sat next to her, she did not take the reins her friend held out to her.

“Look!” Annis cried. “There they go!”

The balloon was climbing silently into the eyesearingly blue sky. Nerissa's breath burned in her chest as she watched it go up … up … ever upward.
Hamilton, you catoller!
She hoped he would return to earth to gloat about how right he had been to challenge his brother in this way.

Annis's eyes sparkled with delight as she urged Nerissa to give chase. “How wondrous!”

“They both are all about in their heads to do this!” Sagging against the seat, she gazed skyward at the dwindling balloon. “You are no better!”

“Do not be such an addle-plot. Philip said nothing could happen. He—” She screamed and pointed to where the balloon was dropping back to earth too swiftly. “No!”

Nerissa seized her friend's arm as they stared in horror at the balloon. It was undeniably out of control. She clasped her hands at her breast as the balloon wobbled toward a copse at the top of the hill.

“Philip!” Annis's cry strained her throat.

Pulling the whip from its holder, Nerissa cracked it over the ears of the horses. They leapt forward, nearly jerking the reins from her hands. She wrapped the leather straps around her wrists as she shouted to the horses to run faster. A cloud of dust flew out behind them as the curricle raced wildly up the steep road.

She struggled to stop the horses. They neighed in terror as the balloon's clamor sounded nearly over their heads. Only Annis's screech was louder as the balloon's basket struck the top of the trees. It hit deeper in the copse, the branches snagging the ropes.

Scrambling from the curricle, Nerissa turned to help her friend down. They lurched out of the way as the terrorized horses reared up and fled along the road, the carriage bouncing after them like a child's toy. Annis's face bleached with horror, but Nerissa kept her from running into the thicket. A dull explosion and a flash flew out from the shadows beneath the trees.

“Philip!” Annis cried again.

Nerissa wanted to ape her panic, but fought the seductive tendrils of hysteria. She raced forward when she saw a man staggering out of the trees. His coat was tattered and scorched.

“Get a cart!” he called. “There are injuries.”

Shouts behind Nerissa made her whirl. She saw Annis fall to the ground in a swoon. Torn between helping her and finding out what had happened, she ran back to her friend. She slapped Annis's wrists, then her cheek to bring her back to her senses. Annis's eyes opened, and she moaned. Helping her to sit, Nerissa blinked back the tears in her eyes—sobbing, like Annis, would do no one any good.

“Annis!”

At the shout, Nerissa looked up to see Philip, his cheek scraped and his coat ripped, standing behind her. He pulled Annis to her feet and into his arms.

Nerissa gasped, “Are you hurt? Where is Hamilton?”

“I am fine.” He looked back at the copse where the shredded balloon could be seen among the branches. “Thanks to Hamilton.”

“Where is he?”

He kept his arm around Annis, but grasped Nerissa's hand. “He should be fine, too.”

“Philip!” Why was he choosing now to be as vexing as his brother? “Where is he?”

“Over here,” called the voice she had feared she might never hear hoaxing her again.

She ran to where Hamilton was being placed in the back of a filthy pony cart. Seeing his torn pantaloons and the blood flowing along his leg, she fought her head which threatened to float away. This was no time for another fit of vapors.

“How do you fare?” she whispered.

Hamilton gave her a flimsy smile. “Now I can comprehend how you felt, Nerissa, when Cirrus nearly trod over you.”

“How could you be so dough-baked?” she cried. “You could have been killed.”

“I thought a bit of danger was worth teaching Philip that he was short a sheet to consider purchasing that captaincy. Now look at him! Delighting in Annis's adoration while I suffer from frying in my own grease.”

“Mayhap it is time for you to listen to sage advice and let Philip choose what he wishes to do with his life.”

“Mayhap you are right.” His finger under her chin drew her face toward his. “After all, I have not managed to keep from making a complete muddle of my life.”

“You? Owning to a mistake twice in one day?”

“Sarcasm isn't appealing on your lips, although,” he added, “your lips are amazingly appealing.”

When his mouth touched hers, the sobs beating against her lips burst outward. She clung to him, knowing that he had proved one thing this afternoon with his cockle-brained prank. She was falling in love with this impossible man, who would not want her love.