Authors: Highwayman Husband
He nodded, having felt the life flowing back into his body with every spoonful. It felt good to be alive, even though his wound pained him. ‘I feel strengthened by the nourishment, if that’s what you mean.’ When Laura was about to move away from the bed he caught her hand. ‘Laura,’ he said in a deep, velvety voice that had a dangerous effect on her heart rate, ‘look at me.’ When she turned and looked at him, he said with quiet gravity, ‘Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I’m grateful. Truly.’
Mesmerised by his tone and something she saw in the fathomless depths of his eyes, something warm and vital that made her pulse do strange things, she whispered, ‘You’re welcome. Do you remember anything about the person who shot you?’
Drawing a long, steadying breath, Lucas briefly closed his eyes. When he spoke, his voice was calm, cold and hardened with implacable conviction. ‘No, but I’ve a fair idea,’ he uttered bitterly. ‘I doubt Carlyle was a million miles away at the time.’
Laura stared at him. Disbelief streaked through her. ‘No, surely not,’ she protested. ‘Edward may be guilty of many things—but murder? Oh, no, Lucas. Surely you don’t believe that.’
Lucas looked at her calmly. ‘Since he’s already tried to kill me once before, I have every reason to believe he would try again.’
Laura said nothing, rendered speechless with stupefaction, then slowly, without realising what she was doing, she sank onto the bed facing him, shaking her head slowly as she tried to comprehend what he had said. ‘Edward has tried to kill you before? But—when? How?’
‘Two years ago—when I was returning to England. He and the men under his command boarded the vessel I was on, the
Pelican
, to steal the cargo. Apart from myself and two others—one like myself who they left for dead and the man who miraculously managed to make it to England to tell the tale—they killed everyone on board. After removing the cargo they scuppered the boat.’
‘Why didn’t you tell me this?’ she gasped, incredulous.
‘Because it was in the past and I saw no reason to worry you. You had already suffered a great deal of anxiety because of me. But after this latest attempt on my life, it’s as well you know what we’re up against.’
‘But what is his motive?’
‘Hatred, greed, jealousy—any one of them or all three. Carlyle would have no compunction in destroying me. With me out of the way it would enable him to get his hands on my estate through you.’
‘Shouldn’t you tell someone in authority about what he did to you and those he killed? If two others survived with you then surely they would corroborate your story? It isn’t too late. Edward should be investigated and brought to trial.’
‘The man who survived with me died of his injuries shortly afterwards, and the man who made it back to England died some months ago without being able to throw any light on who attacked the
Pelican
. However, I did give a good account of the whole sorry episode to the proper authorities when I was in London. Rest assured, Carlyle is under investigation.’
‘And so he should be—although you have no proof that
it was Edward who shot you, and he’s hardly likely to admit it. Oh, and to think I almost married him,’ she retorted with shocked gravity.
‘I do intend to see justice done, Laura. I shall use his illegal activities to good advantage, believe me. Carlyle will take full responsibility for what happened to those people he killed in cold blood, I promise you.’
‘And what of those who work under him? It’s unlikely they’ll be exonerated.’
‘Not entirely. However, mercy will be shown to any who inform on him.’
‘And—in the meantime—when Edward learns his attempt to kill you failed, what if he should try again?’
‘The next time I’ll be ready for him.’
When Lucas’s head fell back on the pillows and he closed his eyes, thinking he was about to drift into the depths of sleep—knowing it would be sleep and not unconsciousness—Laura rose. ‘You should sleep now. You mustn’t tire yourself.’
He nodded wearily. ‘You’re right. Ask John to come in, will you, Laura? I’d like to have a word with him.’
As if some inner sense conveyed the message to John, he entered the room at that precise moment, smiling broadly when he saw Lucas awake.
Lucas looked at Laura hard. ‘Now I want you to do something for me.’
‘What?’
‘Go to bed. You look exhausted.’
‘Your husband is right,’ John agreed. ‘He’ll be fine now,’ he assured her. ‘I’ll stay. I’ve instructed Susan to prepare you a bath and then you must go to bed. You’ll feel better in the morning.’
‘Well—if you’re sure.’
‘Go to bed, Laura, and don’t argue,’ Lucas said firmly, but his eyes were soft.
Relenting, Laura did as she was told.
Laura woke the following morning in the huge bed Susan had made up for her in the master bedroom, the room she would share with her husband when he was well again. Eager to see him, when she’d dressed and broken her fast she went to his room. She found him propped up against the pillows, shaved and washed and with a smile on his lips as he watched Mrs Treneer fussing about the room. Despite the pain in his shoulder and his discomfort from minor abrasions, he was obviously much better.
‘May I be of assistance?’ Laura offered brightly.
Only then becoming aware of her presence, Lucas jerked his head round, and his eyes smiled with warmth as they appraised her in her saffron-coloured gown.
Laura looked at the breakfast tray on a side-table, glad to see he had done the food justice. Mrs Treneer placed some clean bandages on the bed to replace his dressing. ‘I’ll do that, Mrs Treneer. I know how busy you are and that there are things downstairs you could be getting on with.’
Mrs Treneer was clearly relieved by Laura’s offer. ‘If you’re sure. I’ll be down in the kitchen if I’m needed.’
When Mrs Treneer went out carrying the breakfast tray, Laura settled herself on the bed facing the invalid, feeling the bold touch of his silver gaze, and the strange effect it had of increasing her heartbeat. ‘You’re looking a lot better this morning. How do you feel?’
‘Well enough.’ Lucas cast a doubtful eye at the scissors she held in her hand and frowned. ‘Are you sure you know what you’re doing with those scissors?’
‘I’ve had plenty of practice during the past few days.’ A puckish smile tempted her lips. ‘I give you my word that I shall endeavour to keep my hands as steady as I possibly can. However, I will remind you that you are at a disadvantage, so I advise you to hold still lest the blades come
into contact with something of a more tender nature than the bandage.’
Lucas grinned, his gaze meeting hers without wavering. ‘In that case I am entirely in your hands. I shall surrender to your ministerings without complaint.’
‘I am obliged. But I do hope you’re not going to coddle your wounds, Lucas,’ she chided gently.
He chuckled. ‘Impudent wench! Heaven forbid I should be so selfish, but I am sore tempted when I look at my nurse.’
‘Have a care,’ she warned sweetly. ‘Your nurse can easily be replaced.’
‘With my wife, I hope,’ he quipped, eyeing her seductively from beneath half-lowered lids. ‘Did no one inform you that one of the duties of a wife is to act as nurse to her husband when he is sore wounded?’
‘No. Who said it?’
His devilish grin gleamed back at her. ‘I did.’
‘Why doesn’t that surprise me?’ she responded with a smile of her own. ‘Now—hold still while I remove the bandage. I’ll try not to disturb you unduly.’
‘You do, my sweet, but not in the manner you mean.’
Though his statement bewildered her, Laura continued to lean forward in order to slip the bandage off his shoulder, unaware that her body spoke invitation with every graceful movement, and unconsciously offering her husband a splendid view of two soft mounds peaking above the bodice of her dress.
Lucas’s breath halted as his gaze fastened on the inward curve where Laura’s breasts joined, and the secret, disappearing shadow, and in fascination he watched the full-bosomed beauty of her as she strained towards him. ‘Though it pleases me to be in such close contact with my wife, my love, have a care how you tease with the tantalising show of your bosoms, lest you destroy my good in
tentions and tempt my patience beyond the iron restrains of my self-control.’
Embarrassed by the closeness that brought her breasts into such close scrutiny, Laura immediately drew back a little and flushed beneath her husband’s audaciously bold stare. ‘Lucas! Shame on you. Remember yourself,’ she admonished, trying to ignore her rapidly beating pulse.
Lucas chuckled, and, taking her fingers, he brought them to his lips and kissed them lightly. ‘I’m trying, my love. I am trying, but the nearness of you is not easy for me to bear.’
A tremor went through her as his lips claimed the softness of her fingers, and she drew them back quickly. ‘Nevertheless, you must bear it as best you can until I’m finished.’
While she busied herself with the dressing with caring patience, Lucas felt at liberty to peruse her face hovering close to his own. He studied in detail the fine line of her brow and the proud elegance of her high cheekbones. With her hair drawn back, revealing the delicacy of her slender neck and curving shoulders, she looked bright and fresh, and the sweet, heady scent of her perfume mingled with the womanly essence of her, filling his head and warming his blood.
He was impressed by the clearness of her deep blue eyes, and the fringe-like thickness of her silken lashes. Her small white teeth nipped her bottom lip as she concentrated on her task, and his gaze lingered hungrily on those lips, liking what he saw. She possessed a lovely and expressive mouth, one that needed to be kissed, and he was goaded by desire to press his own lips to those that were sweetly parted.
Aware of his inscrutable gaze, Laura glanced up. As she met his eyes her hands trembled, and she had to steady them when she carefully began easing the dressing away from the wound. ‘Lucas,’ she chided gently, ‘I would appreciate it if you didn’t look at me like that.’
‘Oh?’ An odd, enigmatic smile played about his lips. ‘And how am I looking at you?’ he asked as his eyes caressed her, promising more than Laura could accept at that moment.
‘You know perfectly well. I can see you are bent on charming me today,’ she murmured, for his look was effective in making her aware of her own desires.
‘You read my mind perfectly,’ he replied softly. ‘Can a man be faulted for looking at his wife? Because by any definition, Laura, that is what you are. My desire for you is hard-driven.’
The heat of his gaze set Laura’s blood on fire. Without another word she quickly directed her attention to her task, unable to meet his probing stare. She worked diligently, easing the soiled dressing away and cleaning and redressing the wound. For a moment Lucas was pressed against her as she adjusted the bandage across his back, and the stirring rush of excitement that flared through her made her cheeks flame.
When she’d finished he leaned back on the pillows and challenged her with a mocking grin, and without a word he lifted his hand and cupped her chin, drawing her face close. Laura stared at him, her eyes imprisoned by his hypnotic silver gaze. Her senses were dominated by his nearness, and, lowering her eyes, she watched dazedly as the firm, sensual line of his lips inched purposefully towards her own.
Her eyes closed and the world began to spin when he slanted his mouth over hers, moulding it to his, and beginning a slow, erotic seduction that soon had her moaning low in her throat and turning her to liquid inside. She gasped as the heat of his lips laid siege to her senses, and his tongue exploring the softness within was like a living flame.
Amazed by the tormenting sweetness of her response, Lucas lifted his mouth from hers, gazing at her flushed,
intoxicating face. ‘Dear lord, you are so sweet,’ he whispered.
Hesitantly Laura raised her gaze and saw the changes that passion had made in him. A muscle was moving spasmodically in his throat, and his eyes, hard and of a darker hue, were burning. His hand moved in one long, slow, unending caress down her cheek and the column of her neck, down her arm and lightly touching her breast, and even through the fabric of her dress she could feel the heat of it.
‘You tempt me beyond reason, Laura, and were it not for my injury and the thought that someone could walk in at any time I would pull you into this bed and fulfil the requirements of a husband. When I am stronger and no longer at a disadvantage, I intend to show you how persuasive I can be,’ he said, the smile on his lips assured of a willing conquest. ‘The attraction between us has been denied too long, and I am impatient to let it take its natural course. Can you deny that you don’t want the same?’
‘No, I cannot,’ Laura assured him fervently, the sincerity and warmth with which he spoke bringing a rosy hue into her cheeks. ‘And when you leave your sickbed I shall be happy to prove I mean it.’
Lucas was silent a moment, then he said, ‘Why did you make me wait so long?’
‘Because I was unsure how you felt about Caroline,’ she confessed frankly.
Her statement so stunned Lucas that for a split-second he felt like shaking her for her foolishness. At the same time he was struck by the realisation that she was jealous. This thought mollified him and he chuckled tenderly. Bringing her face close once more, he brushed a gentle kiss on her lips. ‘At a time like this I have no wish to discuss Caroline. You are very special, Laura—’
Drawing back, she stopped his lips with her finger, looking at him seriously, wanting so desperately to believe him.
It still cut painful and deep inside her, to know he had loved—might still love—Caroline so overwhelmingly that he’d been prepared to run away with her.
‘Don’t, Lucas. Don’t ever say that unless you mean it.’ Dragging her gaze from his, standing up, she gathered together the soiled bandages and placed them in a bowl. ‘I must leave you to rest awhile. I have to go and see Caroline. I fear I’ve neglected her of late and she is becoming restless at being confined to the house. It’s a lovely day so perhaps we’ll take a stroll.’
Lucas leaned back against the pillows. He looked tired now. ‘Do that—but remember the dangers and don’t venture too far.’