Chapter 12
I
an waited in the garden for the midnight hour. The house was quiet and dark, as the guests had finally succumbed to country hours.
In the distance, lightning flashed in the night sky. He wondered if they'd get rain tonight and, if so, how long he could keep Sophia with him.
His conversation with Catherine at the picnic by the Fairy Steps had weighed on his mind. She was determined that they marry and did not appear willing to take no for an answer.
Dinner had been another strained affair as Captain Smith-Williams sunk lower into his blue mood and Lord Bateman pursued Miss Hamilton. Catherine had hung on Ian's arm, not letting anyone get a word in edgewise. He'd been glad to sneak away and call it an early night.
He was looking forward to time alone with Sophia.
The glass door leading to the terrace off the parlor opened. He could see the shape of a woman. He stepped into the shadows in case it was Catherine. The last thing he wanted to do was fight off her attentions.
“Ian?”
Sophia's voice could barely be heard over the sounds of the crickets and frogs. Ian stepped out of the darkness to meet her. “I'm here.” He kept his voice to just barely above a whisper.
Ian took her hand and led her to the path leading to the old cottage. Given the summer warmth, most of the guests would be sleeping with their windows open. Anyone would be able to hear them if they were too close to the house.
They walked silently into the woods away from the house. The air was cooling as a breeze from the oncoming storm stirred the trees. “I don't know how long we have, Sophia. There is rain coming.”
“This won't take long.”
She pulled her hand free as they reached the old stone fence where the cottage used to be. The moon colored everything in a silver light.
“Captain Smith-Williams seemed upset during dinner tonight.”
Sophia sighed. “It is a mess. Miss Hamilton may be pregnant.”
“So he has compromised her.” He wasn't surprised. The two could barely stand to be apart from each other. If she was with Lord Bateman, Smith-Williams was lurking close by.
“I'm afraid so. She's been promised to Lord Bateman by her father. Her mother is already planning the wedding.”
“Then why has she continued the charade? Surely if she's given herself to the captain, Miss Hamilton couldn't possibly marry Bateman.”
“It's not that simple, Ian. There is a great deal of money involved. Do you see Lord Bateman relinquishing that amount of money because his fiancée is in love with someone else?”
Sophia had a point. Bateman needed cash. It would also cause more problems for him if Bateman didn't have the influx of coin from Miss Hamilton's generous settlement. “So she is pregnant.”
Sophia smiled. “That's not what I said.”
“Is she pregnant? Or not?”
“I do not know for certain and neither does the captain, I'm afraid.”
“It might be too soon to know.”
Sophia laughed nervously. “And how would you know about that?”
Ian brushed a strand of hair from Sophia's face. “Women's cycles are common knowledge, and I'm good at math.”
“This is highly inappropriate.”
“You're embarrassed.”
“These are not things we should be discussing.”
Ian laughed. “You are embarrassed. I didn't think that was possible.”
She pushed away from him. “I think I shall return to the house.”
“Sophia, stay, please. We have to solve this.”
“No. We do not. This is Miss Hamilton and the captain's issue.”
He looked out into the night sky. “It isn't just their problem. It is mine as well.”
“Yours? How so?”
“Bateman is deeply in debt. So much so that even Miss Hamilton's money won't be enough to settle the debt.”
“I had no idea it was as bad as that. Poor Lady Catherine.”
“Indeed. Bateman has already asked me for money. A great deal of money.”
“You are not a relative; why would he do such a thing?”
“He suggested that I owe the family. Bateman's father paid for my education.”
“But you've repaid it, correct?”
Ian nodded. “If it were only that simple. My connection to the family is a longstanding one. Bateman's debts are very large and he's borrowed from some very unscrupulous money lenders.”
“Dear God, what possessed him to do such a thing?”
“Desperation, I guess,” Ian said. “I can marry Catherine or I can pay off the lenders.”
“You do not have to do anything unless you want to.”
“If he doesn't marry Miss Hamilton and her pound notes, he'll need money from me.”
Sophia's jaw dropped. “You have that much money?”
It was his turn to blush. “I do.”
“I had no idea sheep were so profitable.”
Ian ignored her derisive comment. “Perhaps you should ask Miss Hamilton if she's increasing.”
Sophia snorted. “That would be a pleasant conversation. âTell me, Miss Hamilton, are you enceinte?' No, thank you.”
Thunder rumbled in the distance. Sophia looked up at the sky as lightning flashed. Ian could feel her tensing.
“It's miles away.”
She nodded but didn't relax.
“Do you want to go inside?”
“I'm fine. As you said, it's miles away.”
He studied her in the limited light. “Do storms make you nervous, Sophia?”
“Sometimes.” She wrapped her arms around herself.
He wanted to fold her into his arms, keep her safe, keep her happy. But if Bateman were free, would she pursue him? “If Miss Hamilton were to marry her captain, would you pursue Lord Bateman?”
She looked at him. “I don't know. This is a side of him I had no idea existed.”
“What do you mean?”
“In Town, he was charming, attentive. He brought presents, flowers and candy. He took me to Gunter's for ices. It was hard not to like being on his arm.”
“It was all a game.”
“Indeed.” Sophia gave a bitter laugh. “I was completely fooled by him. I was flattered by his attentions. What woman wouldn't be?”
“He has shown his true colors here, I think.”
“How could he be so very cruel as to come to my home and not propose?”
“Had he made you any promises?”
She shook her head. “There was the hope of a proposal, of a connection, given his attentions. I was persuaded to believe he might propose. I fear I gave too much credence to the gossip.”
“He doesn't deserve Miss Hamilton. She's a lovely young lady.”
Thunder rumbled closer, shaking the ground a bit. The wind picked up, pulling at Sophia's skirts.
“We should return to the house.” Sophia turned to go.
He grasped her hand. “Don't go yet. Stay and watch the storm with me.”
* * *
Sophia looked down to where Ian's hand engulfed hers in a warm clasp. A strong hand, yet gentle. Thunder rumbled again as the storm moved in. She wanted to stay, give in to the pleading note in his voice. “We really should go back to the house.”
He tugged on her hand, pulling her close. Her skirts fluttered around his legs. “Why do storms bother you?”
She watched lightning flash in the sky. “It's silly, really. I was so young. Mother was so sick. She died, and we all had to go into the room to say our farewells. Everyone was so busy that no one missed me. I wandered outside and got caught in a storm.”
“You've been afraid since?”
She nodded. The thunder rumbled and she felt that panicked feeling. “Let's go in.”
“We are safe enough.” His voice deepened. He tugged her closer.
“Ian McDonald, what are you doing?”
His thumb rubbed against her hand. He grasped her other hand and raised it to his lips. “Trying to keep you here. We've barely spent any time together.”
She fought a shiver as he kissed her hand. “We weren't supposed to be spending time together.”
“How else could I seduce you?” He pressed his mouth to her palm.
Sophia tugged on her hand. “No seductions.”
He pulled her hands and she fell into his arms, her body pressing against his. “This is better.”
“Ianâ”
He nibbled her fingertips, then released her hands to wrap his arms around her waist and pull her close. He sweetly pressed his mouth to her forehead and tucked her into his body. “Watch the storm with me. I'll keep you safe.”
She nestled against his chest, succumbing to the feeling of being cared for. The wind grew stronger, blowing her hair in her face. Ian pushed the strands away gently. Her heart melted as she relaxed against him.
Sophia had never felt cherished as she did in that moment. It was a unique feeling, one she'd never expected to feel. She hadn't known what she was missing. She now understood why her sisters had fallen in love. To have someone to rely on, protect her, care for her, could be so seductive.
She matched her breath to the slow rise and fall of Ian's chest. His heart beat constantly beneath her ear. The storm moved closer, but she didn't feel afraid. She knew she was safe with Ian. Lightning flashed closer and she jumped.
Ian placed a finger under her chin to lift her face to his. His mouth teased hers, his lips barely touching her own. His lips were warm and soft. He didn't press to deepen the kiss; instead, he called to her with his mouth. The gentle, teasing movement of his lips, the warmth of his hand at her waist, seduced her with tenderness.
She was used to men sneaking a kiss and a grab. She was prepared for the grabbing hands, the crushing mouth. This kiss swept away all her hesitation, all her fears.
Ian lifted his head and pressed a kiss to her forehead, then tucked her back into his arms and held her close. “Watch the sky. See how the lightning dances?”
Thunder rumbled closer, lightning flashed. Sophia tensed, and when she did, Ian's arms tightened. She felt protected, something she hadn't felt in a very long time. The lateness of the hour closed around her. Her eyes grew heavy as Ian's warmth wrapped around her.
“No sleeping yet.”
“I'm not.” She yawned out the words.
“Perhaps we should go in. You cannot keep your eyes open.”
She smiled and burrowed into his shoulder, breathing in the smell of soap and man. “It is after midnight.”
“I will escort you back to the house if you wish.”
Sophia shook her head. “Let's not go yet.”
Ian chuckled. “I knew I could convert you to liking storms.”
“I'm not converted. The storm is still miles away.”
The wind strengthened, blowing her skirts around their legs. “Ian, may I ask you a question?”
“You may ask me anything, love.”
Her heart skipped at the endearment. “Why are you in Beetham?”
He was quiet for a long moment, just moving his hand up and down her back in a soothing manner. “Matthews and I are trying to breed sheep to produce better wool.”
“Did you know Lord Bateman would be here?”
His whole body tensed for a second before he resumed gently stroking her back. “He might have mentioned it. I don't remember.”
Ian lifted her face to meet his. Sophia couldn't make out the look in his eyes in the dark of the night. She licked her suddenly dry lips. “We had better go back to the house.”
His eyes were on her mouth. “Not yet. There's still time.”
He bent his head. This was no simple, sweet kiss. His mouth moved more firmly on hers. The hand on her back pulled her closer. His other hand tilted her face up to meet his mouth. His fingers slipped into her hair and she felt some of the pins give way.
Heat flowed through her veins like warm sugar, pooling low in her belly. She squirmed her hips against his own, needing more of something. Every thought of propriety faded as his kiss deepened. Her hands crept up to grasp his coat, needing something to hold her upright. His tongue licked at the seam of her lips, wanting entry.
Sophia parted her lips and was sunk into the whirling storm of passion as Ian took the kiss to a deeper, darker place. Her blood moved sluggishly through her veins. A delicious lethargy filled her. It was warm, sweet, and addicting. She touched her tongue to his, mimicking his movements, and one of them groaned. It might have been her.
The wind pushed her body against his so close her breasts crushed against his hard chest. His hand moved to her hip to still her movement.
Rain hit her face with a cold splash, startling her out of her passionate haze. Rain. Thunder crashed, shaking the ground with the noise. And suddenly it was like a bucket of water had been poured over them both.
* * *
One moment Ian was lost in Sophia's kiss, the next he was drenched by cold rain. It came in sheets. Sophia was already running for the house.
“Sophia, wait!”
He caught up with her quickly, grabbing her hand and leading her through the forest, trying to take advantage of the canopy of trees. “Come.”
Thunder rumbled. Lightning flashed. Sophia's hand was icy in his own. She had to be freezing. His coat was soaked; there was no point in covering her with it.
“Ian, slow down,” Sophia said as she tripped over a tree root.
He caught her before she fell. He wrapped one arm around her waist and urged her forward. “You are freezing.”
“Quite an observation. Can we just hurry?”
He winced at the derision in her voice. He pushed past the bushes and moved the lower tree limbs out of the way as they ran for the terrace. “Please tell me you left the door unlatched.”